The IceCube data acquisition system: Signal capture, digitization,and timestamping

Journal Article · Mon Mar 02 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Physical Review Letters

OSTI ID:950971

Matis, Howard

IceCube is a km-scale neutrino observatory under construction at the South Pole with sensors both in the deep ice (InIce) and on the surface (IceTop). The sensors, called Digital Optical Modules (DOMs), detect, digitize and timestamp the signals from optical Cherenkov-radiation photons. The DOM Main Board (MB) data acquisition subsystem is connected to the central DAQ in the IceCube Laboratory (ICL) by a single twisted copper wire-pair and transmits packetized data on demand. Time calibration ismaintained throughout the array by regular transmission to the DOMs of precisely timed analog signals, synchronized to a central GPS-disciplined clock. The design goals and consequent features, functional capabilities, and initial performance of the DOM MB, and the operation of a combined array of DOMs as a system, are described here. Experience with the first InIce strings and the IceTop stations indicates that the system design and performance goals have been achieved.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: Nuclear Science Division
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 950971
• Report Number(s): LBNL-1668E
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
CALIBRATION
CHERENKOV RADIATION
CONSTRUCTION
COPPER
DATA ACQUISITION
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
DESIGN
FUNCTIONALS
NEUTRINOS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTONS