Optimization of a Time-to-Digital Converter and a coincidence map algorithm for TOF-PET applications

This contribution describes the optimization of a multichannel high resolution Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) in a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) initially capable of obtaining time resolutions below 100ps for multiple channels. Due to its fast propagation capability it has taken advantage of the FPGA internal carry logic for accurate time measurements. Furthermore, the implementation of the TDC has been performed in different clock regions and tested with different frequencies as well, achieving improvements of up to 50% for a pair of channels. Moreover, since the TDC is potentially going to be used in a trigger system for Positron Emission Tomography (PET), the algorithm for coinci…