The ABCN front-end chip for ATLAS Inner Detector Upgrade

We present the design of the ABCN front-end chip implemented in a CMOS 0.25 μm technology and optimized for short silicon strip detectors as foreseen for the ATLAS Silicon Tracker Upgrade. A primary aim of this project is to develop an ASIC with full functionality required for readout of short silicon strips in the SLHC environment in a cost-effective and proven technology. Design efforts have been focused on optimizing noise and power performance of the front-end circuit for low detector capacitance, minimizing power consumption in digital blocks and on compatibility with new power distribution schemes being developed for future tracker detectors. The architecture of the chip as well as critical and novel design aspects are discussed in the paper. The ABCN ASIC will serve as a basic test vehicle in an extensive program on development of sensors and modules for the ATLAS Silicon Tracker Upgrade.