SiPM Analog Front-End Electronics For Space-Borne Applications

Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are novel optoelectronic devices of solid-state technology. They have several advantages with respect to the traditional photomultiplier tubes, such as a superior Photon Detection Efficiency and time resolution. They are compact, mechanically robust, insensitive to magnetic fields and require a relatively low bias voltage, which are attractive characteristics for space-borne applications. In this work, we present the design of an Analog Front-End (AFE) Electronics for SiPMs, optimized for ultra low-light space-borne applications. The system is composed by a transimpedance amplifier and a high speed comparator with differential LVDS output for data transmission. Design considerations are discussed and the fabrication of a prototype is presented, along with analog and digital characterization measurements performed on it.