An FPGA-based Front-end Module Emulator for the High Granularity Timing Detector

This paper introduces an FPGA-based front-end module emulator developed for the High Granularity Timing Detector (HGTD) within the ATLAS experiment. The emulator serves as a stand-in for the HGTD readout module during the stage when the readout module is unavailable. Utilizing a Xilinx-Spartan 7 FPGA, the emulator simulates the digital functionalities of the ATLAS LGAD Timing Integrated Read-Out Chip (ALTIROC) used in the readout module. Notably, the emulator maintains identical overall dimensions and connectors as the readout module, ensuring seamless integration into the testing framework. The emulator's key advantage lies in its ability to act as a temporary replacement for the readout module during system tests, mitigating project delays caused by readout module unavailability. Furthermore, the emulator offers a cost-effective and adaptable means of verifying the digital logic design of ALTIROC before chip production. The successful application of the emulator within the HGTD project demonstrates its broader potential as a valuable tool in the realm of detector development and validation.