FITPix

FITPix - Fast Interface for Timepix Detectors

Timepix is a collaboration between number of European Universities and Research Institutes. The aim of the collaboration is to carry out the design and evalutation of the Timepix read-out chip for semiconductor pixel detectors.

FITPix is an alternative interface to USB1.22 Interface for Medipix (developed in IEAP) and MUROS2 (developed in NIKHEF) for Medipix2/Timepix data readout and acquisition control. It was designed with accent to the independence to the external power supplies and to the reduction of interface dimensions for maximum portability. The interface can be controlled via Pixelman software.

Features:

• Serial readout speed: ~80 fps.
• FITPix can control up to 16 detectors in the chain.
• Based on a FPGA technology.
• Fully powered form USB (Power consumption from USB about 400mA).
• USB 2.0 - 480 Mbis/s bus to PC.
• Integrated source of variable detector bias (5 - 100V).
• 12-bit fast ADC and DAC.
• Trigger output to notify the end of the acquisition to the other devices (stepper motor, X-ray tube controlling...).
• External triggering and hardware timer (20ns precision).
• Three modes of HW Trigger have been implemented.
• Fast trigger response (70ns delay).
• Open system architecture - internal analog and digital interface for "plug-in" PCB modules connection.
• Ability of back-side pulse monitoring for spectroscopic applications.
• Support for Timepix, Medipix 2 MXR and Medipix3 (For Medipix3 is dedicated special version of FITPix).

Last version of firmware Firmware 2 (date: 24. 1. 2011).