The programmable front-end readout system for Cuoricino, an array of large mass bolometers

We report on the front-end electronics realized for the readout of the CUORICINO experiment's array of 60 large-mass bolometers. The front end consists of a preamplifier and a bias system for the bolometer. A second stage completes the analog circuitry. A significant feature of our design is its capability for in-situ DC characterization of each bolometer as a function of applied bias. The principal front-end operating parameters, including low-noise bias selection, load resistor selection, offset compensation, and gain, are remotely programmable.