CAEN SpA announces that a lecture was delivered yesterday at the School of Nuclear Science and Engineering of the East China University of Technology in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, in the presence of approximately 50 students.
The lecture addressed the transition from analog to digital electronics in physics applications, with particular focus on nuclear physics, particle physics, neutrino experiments, and astrophysics. Following an introductory overview of the fundamental concepts of spectroscopy, multiparametric analysis, detectors, and measurement techniques, the traditional analog readout chain was presented, outlining its main modules and the step-by-step signal processing workflow.
The session examined the digital approach, with emphasis on waveform digitizers and the implementation of functions – previously performed by analog systems – through digital algorithms embedded in FPGA devices. An overview of first and second generation CAEN digitizers was also provided, highlighting the key digital signal processing algorithms implemented in these systems.
A comparison between analog and digital approaches was subsequently presented, discussing the respective advantages and limitations of each. In addition, an alternative digital electronics approach based on ASIC technology was introduced, with an analysis of its main differences compared to digitizer-based systems.
The lecture concluded with the presentation of several real-world use cases in nuclear physics, neutrino experiments, dark matter research, and field applications where CAEN digitizers are currently employed.
CAEN SpA would like to express its sincere appreciation to the organizers for the invitation, the excellent organization, and the active engagement demonstrated by the students.
