We introduce MKIDGen3, a scalable and cost-efficient RFSoC-based readout system for UVOIR-sensitive Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs). MKIDGen3 not only doubles readout bandwidth, but also reduces power consumption and costs by 80% and 50%, respectively. The system features a central control node which facilitates array-level setup, data storage, image synthesis, and UI server functionality connected to a cluster of of low-cost RFSoC boards, each responsible for a 2 kilopixel sub-array. This open-source platform is tailored for smaller research groups lacking dedicated FPGA staff, offering ease of maintenance and adaptability. A notable innovation in MKIDGen3 is its system-level performance simulator, designed to eliminate guesswork in the development of optical MKID readouts and facilitating informed decision-making for DSP and device setup algorithms, a significant advancement. We discuss the development and demonstrated performance of the readout and simulator, highlighting their application to detectors in the laboratory and on sky.
|