The Associative Memory Serial Link Processor for the Fast TracKer (FTK) at ATLAS

The Fast TracKer (FTK) is an extremely powerful and very compact processing unit, essential for efficient Level 2 trigger selection in future high-energy physics experiments at the LHC. FTK employs Associative Memories (AM) to perform pattern recognition; input and output data are transmitted over serial links at 2 Gbit/s to reduce routing congestion at the board level. Prototypes of the AM chip and of the AM board have been manufactured and tested, in preparation of the imminent design of the final version.