Modeling and simulation of the entire detector system by using Matlab and Simulink

An integrated and comprehensive model of a hybrid pixel detector has been developed by using Matlab and Simulink. Prior to this streamlined model, various team members (physicists, electronics and software engineers) used different software tools to separately simulate individual entities of the system. As a consequence, it was difficult to exchange and integrate the results, as well as to interpret outcomes from perspective of system performance. Nonetheless, specialised tools were still required for some refinement of the model and later on, during the detailed design work. The objective is to create a flexible and reliable model that simulates the entire system, starting from a pixellated detector through to a data acquisition system and including some aspects of image reconstruction. The model flexibility is achieved by minimizing interdependences among its entities, so they can be added or removed as needed. The primary purpose of the model is to evaluate a few system concepts and effects of variation of the system parameters before a detailed design is commenced. The model eliminates design reiterations by simulating performance for a wide range of parameters and their combinations. As the simulation results are used to select the most feasible concept and parameters for a real system, the practical design constraints are also included in the model.