Architecture and settings optimization procedure of a TES frequency domain multiplexed readout firmware

• Published in: Experimental astronomy Vol. 38; no. 1-2; pp. 65 - 76
• Main Authors: Clenet, A., Ravera, L., Bertrand, B., den Hartog, R., Jackson, B., van Leeuwen, B.-J., van Loon, D., Parot, Y., Pointecouteau, E., Sournac, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.11.2014
• Subjects: Architecture; Arrays; Astronomy; Chemistry and Earth Sciences; Computer Science; Electronics; Feedback; Frequency domains; Multiplexing; Observations and Techniques; Optimization; Original Article; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Signal processing; Statistics for Engineering; Frequency domain multiplexing; Phase optimization algorithm; SPICA; Baseband feedback; Transition edge sensors
• ISSN: 0922-6435; 1572-9508
• DOI: 10.1007/s10686-014-9407-0

IRAP is developing the readout electronics of the SPICA-SAFARI’s TES bolometer arrays. Based on the frequency domain multiplexing technique the readout electronics provides the AC-signals to voltage-bias the detectors; it demodulates the data; and it computes a feedback to linearize the detection chain. The feedback is computed with a specific technique, so called baseband feedback (BBFB) which ensures that the loop is stable even with long propagation and processing delays (i.e. several μ s ) and with fast signals (i.e. frequency carriers of the order of 5 MHz). To optimize the power consumption we took advantage of the reduced science signal bandwidth to decouple the signal sampling frequency and the data processing rate. This technique allowed a reduction of the power consumption of the circuit by a factor of 10. Beyond the firmware architecture the optimization of the instrument concerns the characterization routines and the definition of the optimal parameters. Indeed, to operate an array TES one has to properly define about 21000 parameters. We defined a set of procedures to automatically characterize these parameters and find out the optimal settings.