The VFAT Production Test Platform for the TOTEM Experiment

VFAT is the front-end ASIC designed for the charge readout of silicon and gas detectors within the TOTEM experiment of the LHC. A stand alone portable Totem Test Platform (TTP) with USB interface has been developed for the systematic testing of the TOTEM hybrids equipped with VFAT chips. This paper is divided into 3 sections; the first describes the hardware features of the TTP, the second describes the software routines for the control and systematic testing of VFATs, the third presents the analysis and a sample of results.