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At least 1,135 records · Page 63

Strategies for on-chip digital data compression for X-ray pixel detectors

Here, the continued desire for X-ray pixel detectors with higher frame rates will stress the ability of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designers to provide sufficient off-chip bandwidth to reach continuous frame rates in the 1 MHz regime. To move from the current 10 kHz to the 1 MHz frame rate regime, ASIC designers will continue to pack as many power-hungry high-speed transceivers at the periphery of the ASIC as possible. In this paper, however, we present new strategies to make the most efficient use of the off-chip bandwidth by utilizing data compression schemes for X-ray photon-counting and charge-integrating pixel detectors. In particular, we describe a novel in-pixel compression scheme that converts from analog to digital converter units to encoded photon counts near the photon Poisson noise level and achieves a compression ratio of >1.5x independent of the dataset. In addition, we describe a simple yet efficient zero-suppression compression scheme called "zeromask" (ZM) located at the ASIC's edge before streaming data off the ASIC chip. ZM achieves average compression ratios of >4x, >7x, and >8x for high-energy X-ray diffraction, ptychography, and X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy datasets, respectively. We present the conceptual designs, register-transfer level block diagrams, and the physical ASIC implementation of these compression schemes in 65 nm CMOS. When combined, these two digital compression schemes could increase the effective off-chip bandwidth by a factor of 6-12x.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

A sub-picosecond digitally-controlled phase delay

The use of precision timing measurements will be a major tool at the HL-LHC, where it will be used to suppress pile-up and to search for long-lived particles. To control a reference clock with sub-picosecond accuracy, we have fabricated in the TSMC 65 nm process a digitally controlled phase shifter. It is composed of a chain of 66 cells, each with a digitally controlled planar wave guide with either a short or long delay. With this a reference clock’s phase can be controlled to a precision of 200 fs with dynamic range of 12 ps.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗

A lightweight, user-configurable detector ASIC digital architecture with on-chip data compression for MHz X-ray coherent diffraction imaging

Today, most X-ray pixel detectors used at light sources transmit raw pixel data off the detector ASIC. With the availability of more advanced ASIC technology nodes for scientific application, more digital functionalities from the computing domains (e.g., compression) can be integrated directly into a detector ASIC to increase data velocity. In this paper, we describe a lightweight, user-configurable detector ASIC digital architecture with on-chip compression which can be implemented in 130 nm technologies in a reasonable area on the ASIC periphery. In addition, we present a design to efficiently handle the variable data from the stream of parallel compressors. The architecture includes user-selectable lossy and lossless compression blocks. The impact of lossy compression algorithms is evaluated on simulated and experimental X-ray ptychography datasets. This architecture is a practical approach to increase pixel detector frame rates towards the continuous 1 MHz regime for not only coherent imaging techniques such as ptychography, but also for other diffraction techniques at X-ray light sources.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Large dynamic range digital delay with sub-picosecond precision

Abstract We report on the development and performance of a digitally controlled phase delay with a step of 280 femtoseconds and a dynamic range of 230 picoseconds. Details of the device design and the simulations as well as comparisons with laboratory measurements will be discussed. We describe how we have used this ASIC to stabilize a digital clock to a precision of less than one picosecond.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗

Fiber-coupled digital photo sensors for large Time Projection Chambers

Here, this paper presents a novel approach to addressing challenges in neutrino event reconstruction within large Time Projection Chambers (TPCs). By integrating fiber-coupled digital silicon photomultipliers, we propose a design that enhances light detection and improves both energy resolution and event reconstruction. Advancements in power and signal over fiber technologies are leveraged to deploy digital sensors within the TPC bulk volume, enabling precise timing and robust particle identification.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Monte Carlo simulation methodology for characterizing the energy response function and resolving power of a digital Flat Panel Detector (FPD) assembly

The use of high-resolution, digital flat panel detectors (FPDs) makes quantitative assessments of radiographic and 3D tomographic representations feasible. However, the energy response function and spatial resolving power of the detector must be known. Here, we present a methodology for characterizing an FPD assembly using Monte Carlo simulations. The detector assembly modeled here was fielded in the 3-Ring Flash X-ray Imaging System designed and built at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), which employs fifteen Carestream ® HPX-DR3543 FPDs enclosed in protective housings. Detailed Monte Carlo (MCNP6) simulations of an as-fielded detector assembly were performed to estimate its energy response function in terms of analog-to-digital unit (ADU) “counts” per pixel per incident x-ray as a function of energy up to ∼ 500 keV and its theoretical (idealized) resolving power. The practical resolving power of the FPD assembly in a realistic scenario was then estimated by simulating radiographic images of a variant of the United Kingdom (U.K.) “Kaleidoscope” resolution target.

Physics↗

Success of digital adiabatic simulation with large Trotter step

The simulation of adiabatic evolution has deep connections with adiabatic quantum computation, the quantum approximate optimization algorithm, and adiabatic state preparation. Here we address the error analysis problem in quantum simulation of adiabatic process using Trotter formulas. Here we show that with additional conditions, the circuit depth can be linear in simulation time T. The improvement comes from the observation that the fidelity error here can't be estimated by the norm distance between evolution operators. This phenomenon is termed the robustness of discretization in digital adiabatic simulation. It can be explained in three steps, from analytical and numerical evidence: (1) The fidelity error should be estimated by applying adiabatic theorem on the effective Hamiltonian instead. (2) Because of the specialty of Riemann-Lebesgue lemma, most adiabatic process is naturally robust against discretization. (3) As the Trotter step gets larger, the spectral gap of effective Hamiltonian tends to close, which results in the failure of digital adiabatic simulation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Quantum error thresholds for gauge-redundant digitizations of lattice field theories

In the quantum simulation of lattice gauge theories, gauge symmetry can be either fixed or encoded as a redundancy of the Hilbert space. While gauge-fixing reduces the number of qubits, keeping the gauge redundancy can provide code space to mitigate and correct quantum errors by checking and restoring Gauss’s law. In this work, we consider the correctable errors for generic finite gauge groups and design the quantum circuits to detect and correct them. We calculate the error thresholds below which the gauge-redundant digitization with Gauss’s law error correction has better fidelity than the gauge-fixed digitization involving only gauge-invariant states. Our results provide guidance for fault-tolerant quantum simulations of lattice gauge theories. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Digitization and subduction of S U ( N ) gauge theories

The simulation of lattice gauge theories on quantum computers necessitates digitizing gauge fields. One approach involves substituting the continuous gauge group with a discrete subgroup, but the implications of this approximation still need to be clarified. To gain insights, we investigate the subduction of S U ( 2 ) and S U ( 3 ) to discrete crystal-like subgroups. Using classical lattice calculations, we show that subduction offers valuable information based on subduced direct sums, helping us identify additional terms to incorporate into the lattice action that can mitigate the effects of digitization. Furthermore, we compute the static potentials of all irreducible representations of Σ ( 360 × 3 ) at a fixed lattice spacing. Our results reveal a percent-level agreement with the Casimir scaling of S U ( 3 ) for irreducible representations that subduce to a single Σ ( 360 × 3 ) irreducible representation. This provides a diagnostic measure of approximation quality, as some irreducible representations closely match the expected results while others exhibit significant deviations. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Digital Filter Design for Point-on-Wave Sensors: Highlighting Frequency Response Limitations and Enhancing Grid Simulation Accuracy

Data is proving to be the backbone of today's and, more importantly, tomorrow's grid. As the system changes and introduces fast-acting devices like power electronics, overall observability tends to decrease from the utility point-of-view. This can be mitigated by adding more high-fidelity sensors onto the grid, although this incurs a cost. These sensors are never ideal, and each have unique frequency responses that may influence the data produced. This may, in turn, impact the protection and control of the power grid. This paper presents a methodology of representing these point-on-wave sensors digitally by estimating digital-filter representations of them, thereby introducing means of improving the sensor models used in electromagnetic-transient (EMT) simulations. This may help with identifying potential high-frequency, sensor-induced distortions, and system resonance compensation. Three commercial-grade medium-voltage point-on-wave sensors are utilized in a lab environment to obtain experimental frequency responses with a frequency sweep, and it is shown that both Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) and Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter representations may approximate these responses with varying degrees of accuracy, though each has their own strengths and weaknesses. It is found that, in general, FIR estimation better approximates these sensors than IIR estimation does.

Wilson, Aaron [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000327331697)↗

Digital Twin Based Condition Monitoring of LCC-LCC Inductive Power Transfer Systems

Inductive power transfer (IPT) systems provide a flexible, hands-free charging opportunity to electric vehicles (EV). The resonant network components and the transmitter and receiver coils are often subjected to high voltages or currents. Component aging in the compensation network and coils of resonant IPT systems is detrimental to the reliability and power transfer efficiency of the IPT system. Monitoring the component health of such multi-element complex systems requires robust optimization algorithms. This paper discusses condition monitoring of a resonant IPT system for an EV charger using a digital twin model. A hybrid estimation algorithm based on genetic algorithms and adaptive particle swarm optimization is developed to estimate the parameters of the digital twin model. Simulation results are used to verify the monitoring capabilities of the developed algorithm under various operating conditions of the IPT system.

Weldehawaryat, Lidya Mussie [graduate research ass↗

A multi-modal scanning system to digitize CBRNE emergency response scenes

A handheld system developed to digitize a contextual understanding of the scene at a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and/or explosives (CBRNE) events is described. The system uses LiDAR and cameras to create a colorized 3D model of the environment, which helps domain experts that are supporting responders in the field. To generate the digitized model, a responder scans any suspicious objects and the surroundings by carrying the system through the scene. The scanning system provides a real-time user interface to inform the user about scanning progress and to indicate any areas that may have been missed either by the LiDAR sensors or the cameras. Currently, the collected data are post-processed on a different device, building a colorized triangular mesh of the encountered scene, with the intention of moving this pipeline to the scanner at a later point. The mesh is sufficiently compressed to be sent over a reduced bandwidth connection to a remote analyst. Furthermore, the system tracks fiducial markers attached to diagnostic equipment that is placed around the suspicious object. The resulting tracking information can be transmitted to remote analysts to further facilitate their supporting efforts. The paper will discuss the system's design, software components, the user interface used for scanning a scene, the necessary procedures for calibration of the sensors, and the processing steps of the resulting data. The discussion will close by evaluating the system's performance on 11 scenes.

Salathe, Marco↗

Design and Evaluation of the LAr Trigger Digitizer Board in the ATLAS Phase-I Upgrade

The Phase-I upgrade of the trigger readout electronics for the ATLAS Liquid Argon (LAr) calorimeters will be installed during the second long shutdown of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2019-2020 which will enable enhanced instantaneous luminosities during LHC Run 3 from 2021 through 2023. In this trigger upgrade, so-called supercells are introduced to provide higher granularity, higher resolution and longitudinal shower shape information from the LAr calorimeters to the Level-1 trigger processors. A new LAr Trigger Digitizer Board (LTDB) will process and digitize up to 320 channels of supercell signals, and transmit them via 40 fiber optical links to the back end where the data are further processed and transmitted to the trigger processors. Five pairs of bidirectional GBT links are used for slow control and monitoring between LTDB and the Front-End LInk eXchange (FELIX) in the ATLAS Trigger and Data Acquisition (TDAQ) system. Here, the LTDB also outputs 64 summed analog legacy signals to the current Tower Builder Board via a new baseplane. A test system for the production of 124 LTDBs has been developed, supporting configuration and calibration of all ASICs

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A Novel Method for Preoperative Positioning of Total Ankle Replacement Using 3D Digital Model

Abstract Objective To establish a digital model of the ankle joint through 3D imaging technology and explore the preoperative placement of ankle replacement prostheses. Methods Computed tomography images of intact ankle joints from 54 cases in the outpatient and inpatient departments of our hospital were collected; according to the INBONE® total ankle system surgery process, the surgery model and surgical osteotomy were finished using MIMICS based on computer simulation method. The shortest distance was measured between the center point and the anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral, respectively, to ensure the precise position of the ankle replacement prosthesis by digital simulation surgery. The relationship between the two variables was analyzed by bivariate correlation analysis. Results The dataset of this study included 48 cases of the sub‐data set (26 males and 22 females) and included 27 cases of left ankle and 21 cases of right ankle. The average medial malleolar angle was 18.67°± 2.87°, the average amount of bone resection was 12.13 ± 1.86 cm 3 , the mid‐anterior distance was 1.72 ± 0.19 cm, the mid‐posterior distance was 2.00 ± 0.19 cm, the ratio of mid‐anterior to mid‐posterior was 0.87, the mid‐medial distance was 1.26 ± 0.17 cm, the mid‐lateral distance was 1.19 ± 0.16 cm, and the ratio of mid‐medial to mid‐lateral was 1.06. After osteotomy, the anteroposterior diameter was 3.73 ± 0.32 cm, the transverse diameter was 2.46 ± 0.27 cm, and the ratio of anteroposterior diameter to transverse diameter was 1.53. In the bottom view, the shape after osteotomy is rectangular. The mid‐anterior distance was strongly negatively correlated with age, the mid‐anterior distance and the amount of bone resection, the mid‐medial distance and the amount of bone resection, the mid‐lateral distance and the amount of bone resection, the mid‐lateral distance and the anteroposterior diameter, the anteroposterior diameter and the transverse diameter were all strongly positively correlated. Conclusion The projection point of the lower tibia centerline on the tibial horizontal osteotomy surface is located at a position slightly anterior to the midpoint of the transverse diameter after ankle arthroplasty. The rational positioning of the total ankle replacement is located at both a position slightly anterior to the midpoint of the transverse diameter and midpoint of the anteroposterior diameter, which can be used as a reference method before total ankle arthroplasty surgery.

Wu, Shi‐xun↗

Measurement of Deformation Heterogeneity During Shale Swelling Using Digital Image Correlation

Abstract Rock-fluid interactions in shale formations are one of the main sources of wellbore instability issues and inadequate stimulation performance. For better planning of fracturing operations and optimizing production from these reservoirs, it is important to understand the mechanisms behind these interactions. These issues are especially prevalent in clay-rich shales, such as Tuscaloosa Marine Shale, which is the subject of this study. Conventional techniques to quantify these shale-fluid interactions comprise of measuring swelling in powdered rock grains or measurement of deformation in the whole pieces of the core using a linear variable differential transformer and strain gages. However, the contribution from individual laminae to overall deformation cannot be evaluated using these methods. In this study, we developed an experimental setup to evaluate the spatial deformation in shale during interaction with water using digital image correlation (DIC). Deformation of two shale samples, with 34 wt% to 51 wt% clay content, was studied. White paint was used to generate a random speckle pattern on the specimen and then immersed in deionized water. The deformation process was captured using a digital camera and images were analyzed using DIC to quantify the deformation. The implementation of the DIC technique enables the visualization and quantification of spatial deformation in the specimen during interacting with water. The results show the localization of large strains in select laminations. The results provide a better understanding of shale deformation when interacting with water in comparison to traditional measurements that can provide only an average strain value.

Energy & Fuels↗

A Digital Twin Framework Utilizing Machine Learning for Robust Predictive Maintenance: Enhancing Tire Health Monitoring

We introduce a novel digital twin (DT) framework for the predictive maintenance of long-term physical systems. Using monitoring tire health as an application, we show how the DT framework can be used to enhance automotive safety and efficiency, and how the technical challenges can be overcome using a three-step approach. First, to manage the data complexity over a long operation span, we employ data reduction techniques to concisely represent physical tires using historical performance and usage data. Relying on these data, for fast real-time prediction, we train a transformer-based model offline on our concise dataset to predict future tire health over time, represented as remaining casing potential (RCP). Based on our architecture, our model quantifies both epistemic and aleatoric uncertainties, providing reliable confidence intervals around predicted RCP. Second, to incorporate real-time data, we update the predictive model in the DT framework, ensuring its accuracy throughout its lifespan with the aid of hybrid modeling and the use of the discrepancy function. Third, to assist decision-making in predictive maintenance, we implement a tire state decision algorithm, which strategically determines the optimal timing for tire replacement based on RCP forecasted by our transformer model. This approach ensures that our DT accurately predicts system health, continually refines its digital representation, and supports predictive maintenance decisions. Furthermore, our framework effectively embodies a physical system, leveraging big data and machine learning (ML) for predictive maintenance, model updates, and decision-making.

advanced computing infrastructure↗

Design of a digital beam attenuation system for computed tomography. Part II. Performance study and initial results

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to present a performance study of the digital beam attenuator (DBA) for implementing fluence field modulated CT (FFMCT) using a simulation framework developed to model the incorporation of the DBA into an existing CT system. Additionally, initial results will be presented using a prototype DBA and the realization of the prototype will be described. To our knowledge, this study represents the first experimental use of a device capable of modulating x-ray fluence as a function of fan angle using a CT geometry. Methods: To realize FFMCT, the authors propose to use a wedge design in which one wedge is held stationary and another wedge is moved over the stationary wedge. Due to the wedge shape, the composite thickness of the two wedges changes as a function of the amount of overlap between the wedges. This design allows for the wedges to modulate the photon fluence incident onto a patient. Using a simulation environment, the effect of changing the number of wedges has on dose, scatter, detector dynamic range, and noise uniformity is explored. Experimental results are presented using a prototype DBA having ten Fe wedges and a c-arm CT system geometry. The experimental DBA results are compared to non-DBA scans using scatter and detector dynamic range as metrics. Both flat field and bowtie filtered CT acquisitions were simulated for comparison with the DBA. Results: Numerical results suggest that substantial gains in noise uniformity and scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR) can be obtained using only seven wedges. After seven wedges, the decrease in noise ununiformity and SPR falls off at a lower rate. Simulations comparing CT acquisitions between flat field, bowtie enabled, and DBA CT acquisitions suggest DBA-FFMCT can reduce dose relative to flat field CT by Almost-Equal-To 3 times. A bowtie filter under the same imaging conditions was shown to only allow a dose reduction of 1.65 times. Experimentally, a 10 wedge DBA prototype result showed a SPR reduction of Almost-Equal-To 4 times relative to flat field CT. The dynamic range for the DBA prototype was 3.7 compared to 84.2 for the flat field scan. Conclusions: Based on the results presented in this paper and the companion paper [T. Szczykutowicz and C. Mistretta, 'Design of a digital beam attenuation system for computed tomography. Part I. System design and simulation framework,' Med. Phys. 40, 021905 (2013)], FFMCT implemented via the DBA device seems feasible and should result in both a dose reduction and an improvement in image quality as judged by noise uniformity and scatter reduction. In addition, the dynamic range reduction achievable using the DBA may allow photon counting imaging to become a clinical reality. This study may allow for yet another step to be taken in the field of patient specific dose modulation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Anatomical noise in contrast-enhanced digital mammography. Part I. Single-energy imaging

Purpose: The use of an intravenously injected iodinated contrast agent could help increase the sensitivity of digital mammography by adding information on tumor angiogenesis. Two approaches have been made for clinical implementation of contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM), namely, single-energy (SE) and dual-energy (DE) imaging. In each technique, pairs of mammograms are acquired, which are then subtracted with the intent to cancel the appearance of healthy breast tissue to permit sensitive detection and specific characterization of lesions. Patterns of contrast agent uptake in the healthy parenchyma, and uncanceled signal from background tissue create a 'clutter' that can mask or mimic an enhancing lesion. This type of 'anatomical noise' is often the limiting factor in lesion detection tasks, and thus, noise quantification may be useful for cascaded systems analysis of CEDM and for phantom development. In this work, the authors characterize the anatomical noise in CEDM clinical images and the authors evaluate the influence of the x-ray energy used for acquisition, the presence of iodine in the breast, and the timing of imaging postcontrast administration on anatomical noise. The results are presented in a two-part report, with SE CEDM described here, and DE CEDM in Part II. Methods: A power law is used to model anatomical noise in CEDM images. The exponent, {beta}, which describes the anatomical structure, and the constant {alpha}, which represents the magnitude of the noise, are determined from Wiener spectra (WS) measurements on images. A total of 42 SE CEDM cases from two previous clinical pilot studies are assessed. The parameters {alpha} and {beta} are measured both from unprocessed images and from subtracted images. Results: Consistent results were found between the two SE CEDM pilot studies, where a significant decrease in {beta} from a value of approximately 3.1 in the unprocessed images to between about 1.1 and 1.8 in the subtracted images was observed. Increasing the x-ray energy from that used in conventional DM to those of typical SE CEDM spectra with mean energies above 33 keV significantly decreased {alpha} by about a factor of 19, in agreement with theory. Compared to precontrast images, in the unprocessed postcontrast images at 30 s postinjection, {alpha} was larger by about 7.4 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -7} mm{sup 2} and {beta} was decreased by 0.2. While {alpha} did not vary significantly with the time after contrast administration, {beta} from the unprocessed image WS increased linearly, and {beta} from subtracted image WS increased with an initial quadratic relationship that plateaued by about 5 min postinjection. Conclusions: The presence of an iodinated contrast agent in the breast produced small, but significant changes in the power law parameters of unprocessed CEDM images compared to the precontrast images. Image subtraction in SE CEDM significantly reduced anatomical noise compared to conventional DM, with a reduction in both {alpha} and {beta} by about a factor of 2. The data presented here, and in Part II of this work, will be useful for modeling of CEDM backgrounds, for systems characterization and for lesion detectability experiments using models that account for anatomical noise.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗