Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Ultrafast X-ray computed tomography (UFXCT) is a fast tomographic imaging technique based on the principle of electron beam scanning. It is used for the investigation of transient multiphase flows. A UFXCT scanner comprises of multiple detector modules generating gigabytes of raw data per second for imaging rates of up to 8,000 frames per second. During the data acquisition, this data is stored in RAM on each detector module and can therefore only be accessed after the acquisition. This limits applicability of UFXCT systems because real-time control of the scanned process or the scanner itself is not possible. Using the newly developed FPGA-based data acquisition described in this paper, the data acquisition is enhanced to real-time operation, i.e., streaming the acquired data to the processing computer within microseconds of their acquisition. The developed FPGA firmware handles control of peripherals (such as analog-digital converters), synchronization between detector modules, electron beam deflection, and data transfer via gigabit ethernet.