NanoArduSiPM: A Miniaturized Integrated Platform for Scalable Scintillation-Based Particle Detection

Area of Science:

• Instrumentation and Measurement
• Particle Detectors
• Embedded Systems

Background:

• The ArduSiPM (Architected Detection Unit for Silicon Photomultipliers) roadmap sought to develop advanced detector units.
• Previous iterations focused on standalone functionality, limiting scalability for complex detection systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To re-engineer the ArduSiPM into a high-density modular building block (NanoArduSiPM) for scalable, distributed multi-detector systems.
• To maintain high performance within a compact form factor (36 mm × 42 mm × 3 mm, 7 g).
• To enable embedded data acquisition and processing, reducing reliance on external electronics.

Main Methods:

• Developed a three-layer architecture: scintillator/SiPM module, discrete analog front-end, and System-on-Chip (SoC).
• Implemented high-integrity PCB routing and isolation techniques to suppress digital-analog coupling.
• Integrated extended firmware for event tagging, coincidence, and veto logic, enabling interconnection via SPI bus.

Main Results:

• Successfully created a compact, modular detector unit (NanoArduSiPM) suitable for distributed systems.
• Demonstrated suppression of signal interference through deterministic layout and isolation techniques.
• Enabled native event selection and correlation within the system architecture.

Conclusions:

• NanoArduSiPM represents a significant advancement, shifting from standalone units to scalable, hierarchical detection systems.
• The modular design, high-performance front-end, and embedded processing are ideal for low-mass, low-power applications like space payloads and remote sensing.
• Future implementations may target radiation-hardened environments using available microcontroller variants.