FPGA Readout for Frequency-Multiplexed Array of Micromechanical Resonators for Sub-Terahertz Imaging
Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have not only enhanced traditional sensing methods, such as pixel detection (CCD and CMOS), but also enabled the development of innovative approaches with significant potential for particle detection. This is particularly relevant in terahertz (THz) ray detecti...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/22/7276 |
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| author | Leonardo Gregorat Marco Cautero Alessandro Pitanti Leonardo Vicarelli Monica La Mura Alvise Bagolini Rudi Sergo Sergio Carrato Giuseppe Cautero |
| author_facet | Leonardo Gregorat Marco Cautero Alessandro Pitanti Leonardo Vicarelli Monica La Mura Alvise Bagolini Rudi Sergo Sergio Carrato Giuseppe Cautero |
| author_sort | Leonardo Gregorat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have not only enhanced traditional sensing methods, such as pixel detection (CCD and CMOS), but also enabled the development of innovative approaches with significant potential for particle detection. This is particularly relevant in terahertz (THz) ray detection, where microbolometer-based focal plane arrays (FPAs) using microelectromechanical (MEMS) resonators are among the most promising solutions. Designing high-performance, high-pixel-density sensors is challenging without FPGAs, which are crucial for deterministic parallel processing, fast ADC/DAC control, and handling large data throughput. This paper presents a MEMS-resonator detector, fully managed via an FPGA, capable of controlling pixel excitation and tracking resonance-frequency shifts due to radiation using parallel digital lock-in amplifiers. The innovative FPGA architecture, based on a lock-in matrix, enhances the open-loop readout technique by a factor of 32. Measurements were performed on a frequency-multiplexed, 256-pixel sensor designed for imaging applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b80a1a186f2a4f22bfc0558fa00c6c6b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-b80a1a186f2a4f22bfc0558fa00c6c6b2025-08-20T01:53:57ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202024-11-012422727610.3390/s24227276FPGA Readout for Frequency-Multiplexed Array of Micromechanical Resonators for Sub-Terahertz ImagingLeonardo Gregorat0Marco Cautero1Alessandro Pitanti2Leonardo Vicarelli3Monica La Mura4Alvise Bagolini5Rudi Sergo6Sergio Carrato7Giuseppe Cautero8Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, ItalyElettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. Science Park, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5, 34149 Basovizza, ItalyDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Pisa, Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, ItalyDipartimento di Fisica, Università di Pisa, Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, ItalyDipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Elettronica e Meccanica, Università degli Studi Roma Tre, Via della Vasca Navale 84, 00146 Roma, ItalyMicrosystems Technology (MST), Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK), Via S. Croce 77, 38122 Trento, ItalyElettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. Science Park, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5, 34149 Basovizza, ItalyDipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, ItalyElettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. Science Park, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5, 34149 Basovizza, ItalyField programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have not only enhanced traditional sensing methods, such as pixel detection (CCD and CMOS), but also enabled the development of innovative approaches with significant potential for particle detection. This is particularly relevant in terahertz (THz) ray detection, where microbolometer-based focal plane arrays (FPAs) using microelectromechanical (MEMS) resonators are among the most promising solutions. Designing high-performance, high-pixel-density sensors is challenging without FPGAs, which are crucial for deterministic parallel processing, fast ADC/DAC control, and handling large data throughput. This paper presents a MEMS-resonator detector, fully managed via an FPGA, capable of controlling pixel excitation and tracking resonance-frequency shifts due to radiation using parallel digital lock-in amplifiers. The innovative FPGA architecture, based on a lock-in matrix, enhances the open-loop readout technique by a factor of 32. Measurements were performed on a frequency-multiplexed, 256-pixel sensor designed for imaging applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/22/7276microelectromechanical systems (MEMSs)field-programmable gate array (FPGA)lock-in amplifierterahertz detection and imaging |
| spellingShingle | Leonardo Gregorat Marco Cautero Alessandro Pitanti Leonardo Vicarelli Monica La Mura Alvise Bagolini Rudi Sergo Sergio Carrato Giuseppe Cautero FPGA Readout for Frequency-Multiplexed Array of Micromechanical Resonators for Sub-Terahertz Imaging Sensors microelectromechanical systems (MEMSs) field-programmable gate array (FPGA) lock-in amplifier terahertz detection and imaging |
| title | FPGA Readout for Frequency-Multiplexed Array of Micromechanical Resonators for Sub-Terahertz Imaging |
| title_full | FPGA Readout for Frequency-Multiplexed Array of Micromechanical Resonators for Sub-Terahertz Imaging |
| title_fullStr | FPGA Readout for Frequency-Multiplexed Array of Micromechanical Resonators for Sub-Terahertz Imaging |
| title_full_unstemmed | FPGA Readout for Frequency-Multiplexed Array of Micromechanical Resonators for Sub-Terahertz Imaging |
| title_short | FPGA Readout for Frequency-Multiplexed Array of Micromechanical Resonators for Sub-Terahertz Imaging |
| title_sort | fpga readout for frequency multiplexed array of micromechanical resonators for sub terahertz imaging |
| topic | microelectromechanical systems (MEMSs) field-programmable gate array (FPGA) lock-in amplifier terahertz detection and imaging |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/22/7276 |
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