The analogue ring sampler: an ASIC front-end electronics of the ANTARES neutrino telescope

The ANTARES telescope is a prototype for detecting high-energy neutrinos at the 0.1 km/sup 2/ scale to be located in the Mediterranean Sea at a depth of 2400 meters. It consists of a matrix of optical modules containing a photomultiplier tube. An ASIC has been developed to process phototube signals in order to measure their arrival time, their charge and sample their shape when this differs from that characteristic of Single Photoelectrons. All information is multiplexed and transmitted to the shore through further electronics and an optical link Each main circuit block of the ASIC is discussed in this paper.