ASIC design for the N91 neutron monitor

Abstract

The techniques used to design the N91 neutron monitor, a hand-held instrument which measures neutron dose rate and accumulated dose equivalent, is described. The digital functionality of this unit was realized in one ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), designed using the U2 front-end, that was proved by hardware emulation prior to fabrication. The advantages of using hardware emulation and the means by which it is achieved are described. The discussion is preceded by a description of the U2 VLSI System Compiler.<>