Electronics Design of the IceCube-Gen2 Optical Module Prototype

Abstract

IceCube-Gen2 is a planned extension to the existing IceCube Neutrino Observatory and will provide an order of magnitude increase in the detection rate of cosmic neutrinos by deploying 10,000 sensors in a volume of 8 cubic kilometers. As part of the upcoming IceCube Upgrade, we are developing prototype IceCube-Gen2 sensors to test all components in-situ in preparation for mass production required for IceCube-Gen2. The novel IceCube-Gen2 module will contain up to eighteen 4-inch photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). The signals for each PMT are digitized with a 2-channel, 12-bit ADC (low-and high-gain) at a rate of 60 MSps. In addition, each module contains LED flashers for in-ice calibration, an FPGA for performing in-module local coincidence of PMT signals, and onboard 𝜇SD flash memory for buffering data before it is sent to the surface. In this contribution, we discuss the electronics and data acquisition system design.