Evaluation of Giga-bit Ethernet Instrumentation for SalSA Electronics Readout (GEISER)

Abstract

An instrumentation prototype for acquiring high-speed transient data from an array of high bandwidth antennas is presented. Multi-kilometer cable runs complicate acquisition of such large bandwidth radio signals from an extensive antenna array. Solutions using analog fiber optic links are being explored, though are very expensive. We propose an inexpensive solution that allows for individual operation of each antenna element, operating at potentially high local self-trigger rates. Digitized data packets are transmitted to the surface via commercially available Giga-bit Ethernet hardware. Events are then reconstructed on a computer farm by sorting the received packets using standard networking gear, eliminating the need for custom, very high-speed trigger hardware. Such a system is completely scalable and leverages the hugh capital investment made by the telecommunications industry. Test results from a demonstration prototype are presented.

8 pages, to be submitted to NIM A

References in corpus (4)

• Observation of the Askaryan Effect: Coherent Microwave Cherenkov Emission from Charge Asymmetry in High Energy Particle Cascades
• Measurements of the Suitability of Large Rock Salt Formations for Radio Detection of High Energy Neutrinos
• The Large Analog Bandwidth Recorder And Digitizer with Ordered Readout (LABRADOR) ASIC
• Radio-Frequency Measurements of Coherent Transition and Cherenkov Radiation: Implications for High-Energy Neutrino Detection

Cited by in corpus (2)

• High-energy neutrinos in the context of multimessenger physics
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