Development of Radiation-Tolerant Slow-Control Board Based on Atom Switch-Based FPGA

Abstract

The atom switch-based FPGA (AS-FPGA) is a promising candidate for high-radiation environments, such as those encountered in future particle physics experiments using accelerators. To assess its feasibility, we conducted neutron and gamma-ray irradiation tests. No single-event upsets (SEUs) were detected at least up to $10^{11}$ and $10^{12}$ n/cm2 with and without applied voltage, respectively. The AS-field-programmable gate array (FPGA) withstood displacement damage dose (DDD) levels at least up to $10^{14}$ n/cm2 and exhibited no total ionizing dose (TID) effects at least up to 5 and 10 kGy with and without applied voltage, respectively. These results confirm its suitability for high-radiation environments. To facilitate its practical application, we developed an evaluation board to investigate its functions and performance. A prototype slow-control board incorporating a commercial slow-control sensor was constructed. This prototype was used to implement basic logic for temperature data acquisition and tested under neutron irradiation. The slow-control board operated successfully in a high-radiation environment up to $10^{11}$ n/cm2, demonstrating the potential of the AS-FPGA and the slow-control board for future particle physics experiments.