First results of a detector embedded real-time tracking system with artificial retina

We present the first results of a tracking system prototype using the artificial retina algorithm for fast track finding. The system is based on extensive parallelization and interconnectivity, and allows real-time tracking with offline-like quality with a latency <; 1 μs. The artificial retina algorithm has been implemented on a novel custom data acquisition board, based on commercial FPGAs, that we have designed and constructed. The retina architecture is organized in three main blocks: a switch for the parallel distribution of the hits, a pool of engines for the digital processing of the hits, and a block for track parameter calculations. In the switch module memory buffers store the hits information according to a hold logic that gets activated when downstream modules are busy. A real-time tracking prototype has been built and tested successfully on beam at the CERN SPS with input track rate of about 300 kHz. It consists of a telescope with 8 planes of single-sided strip detectors readout using custom ASICs and providing hit position to the tracking processor. The tracking performance of the system are compatible with offline results and the system response is in agreement with simulations.