GPU-based low-level trigger system for the standalone reconstruction of the ring-shaped hit patterns in the RICH Cherenkov detector of NA62 experiment. (1st March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ammendola, R.; Biagioni, A.; Chiozzi, S.; Cretaro, P.; Ramusino, A. Cotta; Lorenzo, S. Di; Fantechi, R.; Fiorini, M.; Frezza, O.; Gianoli, A.; Lamanna, G.; Cicero, F. Lo; Lonardo, A.; Martinelli, M.; Neri, I.; Paolucci, P.S.; Pastorelli, E.; Piandani, R.; Piccini, M.; Pontisso, L.; Rossetti, D.; Simula, F.; Sozzi, M.; Vicini, P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of instrumentation. Volume 12:Number 3(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: C03005
• Page End: C03005
• Publication Date: 2017-03-01
• Subjects: Trigger concepts and systems (hardware and software) -- Trigger algorithms; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; 502.84
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/12/03/C03005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-0221

Abstract

Abstract: This project aims to exploit the parallel computing power of a commercial Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to implement fast pattern matching in the Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detector for the level 0 (L0) trigger of the NA62 experiment. In this approach, the ring-fitting algorithm is seedless, being fed with raw RICH data, with no previous information on the ring position from other detectors. Moreover, since the L0 trigger is provided with a more elaborated information than a simple multiplicity number, it results in a higher selection power. Two methods have been studied in order to reduce the data transfer latency from the readout boards of the detector to the GPU, i.e., the use of a dedicated NIC device driver with very low latency and a direct data transfer protocol from a custom FPGA-based NIC to the GPU. The performance of the system, developed through the FPGA approach, for multi-ring Cherenkov online reconstruction obtained during the NA62 physics runs is presented.