Modeling and Simulation of Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors Readout System using Simulink and RF Blockset

Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) represent a class of low-temperature superconducting detectors employed for observing astronomical phenomena spanning from the submillimeter through visible bands. Renowned for their intrinsic Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM) capability at microwave frequencies, MKIDs offer the advantage of eliminating the need for complex cryogenic multiplexing electronics. However, the overall readout architecture remains complex, necessitating sophisticated room-temperature electronics, and optimizing overall performance poses a significant challenge. This paper introduces a novel approach to behavioral modeling and simulation for the MKID readout system utilizing Simulink and the RF Blockset library. The models incorporate major non-idealities of electronic components to investigate their impacts on system performance. Additionally, the model of the MKID array is included based on measured S21 data, ensuring high simulation accuracy. The proposed simulation tool facilitates the study and high-level design of the MKID readout system before delving into hardware implementation.