Using hardware simulations in the design of large scale trigger and data acquisition systems

Abstract: The increasing complexity of physics experiments, especially in the field of high energy physics, requires efficient design methods to be used throughout the development. In the next generation of high energy physics experiments, e.g. at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, 107 or more measurement channels will be used and data volumes in the order of 100 Terabytes per second must be processed. To manage the complexity of these systems, hierarchical design methods must be used together with simulations to verify the design at all levels, as well as to investigate different design alternatives. It is of crucial importance to identify inconsistencies in the design as early as possible, since the cost increases dramatically as the development advances. However, there must be a close coupling between these simulations and the Monte Carlo simulations of the physical processes.This thesis presents experiences from some physics related development projects where such methods have been used. Especially the use of hardware simulations as a tool for system development will be discussed. Common to all projects is the use of the hardware description language VHDL.