High-Channel Count Electronic Tools for Picosecond (ps) Timing

High precision timing measurements in next generation detectors will require the development of circuitry to measure time to 1 ps or better over channel counts that may exceed 100,000. In addition, a method to distribute a stable reference clock with jitter of 5 ps of less and precise frequency stabilization is needed. Such a clock system needs to distribute the clock to multiple detector components distributed by distances of order ten to twenty meters. Custom radiation-hard ASIC devices will eventually be needed for many such high precision uses, but non-radiation hard demonstration systems meeting ps sensitivity and stability are of immediate interest.