Pixelated Ionization Chamber (PIC) für die Proton Irradiation Facility (PIF). EIT-P-25HS-024 - Project Report

Abstract

This report presents the hardware design of a Pixelated Ionization Chamber (PIC) for the Proton Irradiation Facility (PIF) at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI). The existing PIC at PIF has limited resolution and does not have any possibility for maintenance. The goal of the new PIC is to have a four times higher pixel density, resulting in a pixel size of 3.175 x 3.175 mm2. This results in a significantly higher pixel count (933), creating the need for four 256 channel current-to-digital converters (CDC). These CDCs are read out by an Enclustra Mars module System-on-Module (SoM). The SoM contains a System-on-Chip (SoC) with a processing system (PS) and programmable logic (PL). The design aims for a PIC that requires only a single cable connection for both data and power. The data and power are supplied by a PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 connector. With an integrated high voltage (HV) module, the HV needed for the ionization chamber is generated onboard. As the readout electronics of the PIC is close to the proton beam, radiation damage may occur. To replace the electronics efficiently, the project is split into four different PCBs. These four PCBs are all designed in Altium Designer. The design process includes block diagrams, power budget, schematic design, and PCB layout. During project phase P5, all boards were fully designed and ordered, meeting all requirements and wish-goals. In the following P6, the boards are assembled and tested. Additionally, all software and firmware are implemented, including a website to display the measurement data and interact with the PIC.