FPGA-based algorithm for center of gravity calculation of clustered signals

The acquisition system for a two-dimensional neutron detector processes both detector coordinates. The read-out electronics for each coordinate incorporates 4 ASICs which are able to process 128 strips of one detector coordinate delivering analog signals, ASIC channel number and digitized timing of incoming events. One neutron can create signals on 3-5 detector strips, thus the main task of FPGA signal processing is to identify such clusters and determine their center of gravity (CoG) allowing real time processing. Two approaches of cluster identification algorithm and arithmetic core calculating CoG itself are discussed with respect to complexity and FPGA hardware limitations.