Fermilab

Detector Electronics Group

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The Detector Electronics group participates in all stages of project/experiment research and development. We specialize in designing everything from high-bandwidth high-power FPGA-based processing boards to sensitive low-noise front end readout electronics using the latest generation of custom radiation-hardened mixed-signal ASICs. We strive to provide clear, detailed documentation for all aspects of the electronics development process: in consultation with project Scientists, we work to develop system specifications, functional requirements, performance criteria, testing procedures and more. As seen in the list of Services and Capabilities (below) our Engineers and Technicians provide years of expertise in designing hardware, firmware, and software required for commissioning and supporting High Energy Physics experiments around the world.



Services and capabilities:

  • System Architecture Design
    • High Energy Physics
    • Medical Imaging
    • Trigger and Data Acquisition
    • Real-time, low-latency track fitting and event/image reconstruction
    • Timing, synchronization, clock distribution
    • Telemetry, slow controls and monitoring


  • Advanced Detector / Sensor Interfaces
    • Silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and traditional photomultiplier tubes


  • Analog Design
    • Low noise front-ends
    • Low power
    • Circuits for extreme environments:
      • Cryogenic temperatures
      • High radiation
      • High magnetic fields


  • Digital Design
    • High speed, high bandwidth interfaces up to 25Gbps
    • Programmable Logic (FPGA, CPLD)
    • Serial interfaces: I2C, SPI, custom
    • Mixed signal (DAC,ADC)
    • Memory interfaces: DDR, SRAM, Flash, etc.
    • Custom designed interfaces to ASICs (CMOS, LVDS, etc)
    • Redundancy, high reliability


  • Firmware Development
    • Languages: VHDL, Verilog, System Verilog
    • Functional and timing simulation
    • Test bench development
    • Open source, custom, and commercial IP core integration
    • Toolchains: Xilinx, Intel/Altera, Lattice, Microsemi
    • Simulators: Active-HDL, ModelSim


  • Embedded Software Development
    • Processors: Atmel 8-bit AVR, ARM Cortex, Xilinx ZYNQ
    • Protols: Ethernet, I2C, SPI, CAN, IPMI
    • OS: Embedded Linux, various RTOS, and bare-metal
    • Peripherals: ADC, DAC, memories, displays, various sensors, etc
    • Toolchains: KEIL, IAR, CrossWorks, GNU/gcc, LPCXpresso


  • Software Development
    • Windows, Linux, Cygwin, Labview
    • C/C++, Python, TCL, assembly language, various scripts, etc.


  • Printed Circuit Board Design
    • Altium Designer / Nexus (also OrCAD and Mentor Graphics)
    • Custom PCB designs for common platforms such as ATCA, uTCA, VME, etc.
    • High speed layout, high layer counts
    • High density packages and signal routing
    • Controlled impedance, advanced substrate materials
    • Design for manufacturability and testability