Register-Like Storage Block Used as Histograms, Cluster Buffers, and Hough Transform Accumulators for HEP Trigger Systems

In high-energy physics (HEP) experiment trigger systems, block memories are utilized for various purposes, especially in binned searching algorithms. In these algorithms, the storage is demanded to perform like a large set of registers. The writing and reading operation must be performed in single clock cycle, and once an event is processed, the memory must be globally reset. These demands can be fulfilled with registers, but the cost of using registers for large memory is unaffordable. Another common requirement is the boundary coverage feature during the reading process. When a memory bin is addressed, the stored contents in the addressed bin and its neighboring bin must be output simultaneously. In this article, a register-like block storage design scheme fulfilling these requirements is described. The implementation and test results are presented. Practical applications of the register-like block storage as cluster buffers, histograms, and Hough transform accumulators are discussed.