Introduction - FAST ComTec

P7889
100 ps / 10 GHz Time-of-Flight / Multiscaler
User Manual
 copyright FAST ComTec GmbH
Grünwalder Weg 28a, D-82041 Oberhaching
Germany
Version 3.14, Januar 14, 2014
Warranty Information
Warranty Information
FAST ComTec warrants proper operation of this software only when used with software and
hardware supplied by FAST ComTec. FAST ComTec assumes no responsibility for modifications
made to this software by third parties, or for the use or reliability of this software if used with
hardware or software not supplied by FAST ComTec. FAST ComTec makes no other warranty,
expressed or implied, as to the merchantability or fitness for an intended purpose of this software.
Software License
You have purchased the license to use this software, not the software itself. Since title to this
software remains with FAST ComTec, you may not sell or transfer this software. This license
allows you to use this software on only one compatible computer at a time. You must get FAST
ComTec's written permission for any exception to this license.
Backup Copy
This software is protected by German Copyright Law and by International Copyright Treaties. You
have FAST ComTec's express permission to make one archival copy of this software for backup
protection. You may not otherwise copy this software or any part of it for any other purpose.
Copyright  2001 - 2014 FAST ComTec Communication Technology GmbH,
D-82041 Oberhaching, Germany. All rights reserved.
This manual contains proprietary information; no part of it may be reproduced by any means
without prior written permission of FAST ComTec, Grünwalder Weg 28a, D-82041 Oberhaching,
Germany. Tel: ++49 89 66518050, FAX: ++49 89 66518040, http://www.fastcomtec.com .
The information in this manual describes the hardware and the software as accurately as
possible, but is subject to change without notice.
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Important Information on Hardware Compatibility
Important Information on Hardware Compatibility
The P788x Series Multiscalers are PCI Local Bus compliant devices. As such the board contains
the configuration space register organization as defined by the PCI Local Bus Specification.
Among the functions of the configuration registers is the storage of unique identification values for
our devices as well as storage of base address size requirements for correct operation specific to
each of our products.
The host computer that our products are installed in is responsible for reading and writing to/from
the PCI configuration registers to enable proper operation. This functionality is referred to as 'Plug
and Play' (PnP). As such, the host computer PnP BIOS must be capable of automatically
identifying a PCI compliant device, determining the system resources required by the device, and
assigning the necessary resources to the device. Failure of the host computer to execute any of
these operations will prohibit the use of the P788x Series Multiscalers in such a host computer
system.
It has been determined that systems that implement PnP BIOS, and contain only fully compliant
PnP boards and drivers, operate properly. However, systems that do not have a PnP BIOS
installed, or contain hardware or software drivers, which are not PnP compatible, may not
successfully execute PnP initialization. This can render the P788x Series inoperable. It is beyond
the ability of FAST ComTec's hardware or software to force a non-PnP system to operate P788x
Series Multiscalers.
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WARNINGS
WARNINGS
Damage to the P7889 board, the computer or injury to yourself may result if power is applied
during installation.
Static electricity discharges can severely damage the P7889. Use strict antistatic procedures
during the installation of the board.
Take care to provide ample airflow around the P7889 board.
Take care not to exceed the maximum input values as described in the technical data.
The START and STOP inputs are ultra high speed, high sensitivity inputs and thus, susceptible to
oscillation. Take care to apply low impedance (≤ 50 Ω) source signals and well shielded, 50 Ω
cables.
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1-1
2. Installation Procedure .............................................................................................................. 2-1
2.1. Hard- and Software Requirements ............................................................................. 2-1
2.2. Hardware Installation .................................................................................................. 2-1
2.3. Software Installation.................................................................................................... 2-2
2.4. Getting Started with a basic measurement................................................................. 2-2
2.4.1. Connecting the test signals ............................................................................ 2-3
2.4.2. Starting MCDWIN and setup for the measurement ....................................... 2-3
3. Hardware Description .............................................................................................................. 3-1
3.1. Overview ..................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2. START / STOP Inputs................................................................................................. 3-2
3.3. SYNC / Monitor Outputs.............................................................................................. 3-3
3.4. TAG Inputs .................................................................................................................. 3-4
3.5. 'GO'-Line ..................................................................................................................... 3-6
3.6. FEATURE (Multi) I/O Connector................................................................................. 3-6
3.7. Timebase .................................................................................................................... 3-7
4. Functional Description ............................................................................................................. 4-1
4.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 4-1
4.2. Modes of Operation..................................................................................................... 4-1
4.2.1. Stop-After-Sweep Mode ................................................................................. 4-1
4.2.2. Sequential Mode ............................................................................................ 4-1
4.2.3. Start Event Marker ......................................................................................... 4-1
4.2.4. Tagged Spectra Acquisition ........................................................................... 4-2
4.3. FIFO Concept.............................................................................................................. 4-2
4.4. Measurement Time Window, Acquisition Delay and Trigger Hold Off........................ 4-2
4.5. Sweep Counter ........................................................................................................... 4-3
5. Windows Server Program ........................................................................................................ 5-1
5.1. Server functions .......................................................................................................... 5-1
5.1.1. Initialisation files ............................................................................................. 5-1
5.1.2. Action menu ................................................................................................... 5-2
5.1.3. File menu........................................................................................................ 5-3
5.1.4. Settings dialog................................................................................................ 5-4
5.1.5. System definition dialog ................................................................................. 5-8
5.1.6. File formats................................................................................................... 5-10
5.2. Control Language...................................................................................................... 5-11
5.3. Controlling the P7889 Windows Server via DDE...................................................... 5-16
5.3.1. Open Conversation ...................................................................................... 5-16
5.3.2. DDE Execute................................................................................................ 5-16
5.3.3. DDE Request ............................................................................................... 5-17
5.3.4. Close Conversation ...................................................................................... 5-18
5.3.5. DDE Conversation with GRAMS/386........................................................... 5-19
5.4. Controlling the P7889 Windows Server via DLL....................................................... 5-20
6. MCDWIN Software................................................................................................................... 6-1
6.1. File Menu .................................................................................................................... 6-2
6.2. Window Menu ............................................................................................................. 6-3
6.3. Region Menu............................................................................................................... 6-4
6.4. Options Menu.............................................................................................................. 6-7
6.5. Action Menu .............................................................................................................. 6-18
7. Programming and Software Options........................................................................................ 7-1
8. Appendix .................................................................................................................................. 8-1
8.1. Performance Characteristics....................................................................................... 8-1
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Table of Contents
8.2.
8.3.
8.4.
8.1.1. General........................................................................................................... 8-1
8.1.2. Timebase........................................................................................................ 8-1
8.1.3. Data Throughput ............................................................................................ 8-2
Specification................................................................................................................ 8-2
8.2.1. Absolute Maximum Ratings ........................................................................... 8-2
8.2.2. Recommended Operating Conditions ............................................................ 8-2
8.2.3. Power Requirements...................................................................................... 8-2
8.2.4. Connectors ..................................................................................................... 8-2
8.2.5. Tag Input Timing ............................................................................................ 8-5
8.2.6. Physical .......................................................................................................... 8-6
Accessories................................................................................................................. 8-6
Trouble Shooting......................................................................................................... 8-7
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Table of Figures
Table of Figures
Figure 2.1: TAG input port connector............................................................................................ 2-1
Figure 2.2: Basic measurement timing diagram ........................................................................... 2-2
Figure 2.3: Basic measurement setup .......................................................................................... 2-3
Figure 2.4: Bracket mounted signal connectors ........................................................................... 2-3
Figure 2.5: P7889 / MCDWIN startup window .............................................................................. 2-4
Figure 2.6: P7889 Settings window .............................................................................................. 2-5
Figure 2.7: Input Threshold window.............................................................................................. 2-5
Figure 2.8: Axis Parameter window .............................................................................................. 2-6
Figure 2.9: Calibration of P7889 ................................................................................................... 2-6
Figure 2.10: MCDWIN properly setup........................................................................................... 2-7
Figure 2.11: Resulting spectrum of the basic measurement ........................................................ 2-7
Figure 3.1: P7889 PCI board ........................................................................................................ 3-1
Figure 3.2: Connectors on the mounting bracket.......................................................................... 3-2
Figure 3.3: START / STOP input schematic ................................................................................. 3-2
Figure 3.4: Trace of the STOP input sensitivity ............................................................................ 3-3
Figure 3.5: Fast-NIM SYNC_1 output schematic.......................................................................... 3-4
Figure 3.6: TAG input connector................................................................................................... 3-4
Figure 3.7: TAG input simplified schematic .................................................................................. 3-5
Figure 3.8: TAG input connector pinning (TTL connector is optional) .......................................... 3-5
Figure 3.9: 'GO'-line connector ..................................................................................................... 3-6
Figure 3.10: 'GO'-line logic circuit schematic ................................................................................ 3-6
Figure 3.11: FEATURE (multi) I/O connector pinning................................................................... 3-7
Figure 3.12: FEATURE (multi) I/O port connector ........................................................................ 3-7
Figure 3.13: FEATURE (multi) I/O port schematic........................................................................ 3-7
Figure 4.1: Two step FIFO concept for highest data throughput .................................................. 4-2
Figure 5.1: P7889 Server Window ................................................................................................ 5-1
Figure 5.2: P7889 Ini File .............................................................................................................. 5-2
Figure 5.3: Data Operations dialog ............................................................................................... 5-3
Figure 5.4: Replay Settings dialog ................................................................................................ 5-3
Figure 5.5: Settings dialog ............................................................................................................ 5-4
Figure 5.6: Input Thresholds dialog .............................................................................................. 5-6
Figure 5.7: Principle of "Software CFT" ........................................................................................ 5-6
Figure 5.8: Example of Software CFT........................................................................................... 5-7
Figure 5.9: System Definition dialog box for a single P7889 card ................................................ 5-8
Figure 5.10: System Definition dialog box, two P7889 cards ....................................................... 5-9
Figure 5.11: Remote control dialog............................................................................................... 5-9
Figure 5.12: Opening the DDE conversation with the P7889 in LabVIEW ................................. 5-16
Figure 5.13: Executing a P7889 command from a LabVIEW application................................... 5-17
Figure 5.14: Getting the total number of data with LabVIEW ..................................................... 5-17
Figure 5.15: Getting the data with LabVIEW .............................................................................. 5-18
Figure 5.16: Closing the DDE communication in LabVIEW........................................................ 5-18
Figure 5.17: Control Panel of the demo VI for LabVIEW ............................................................ 5-19
Figure 6.1: MCDWIN main window............................................................................................... 6-1
Figure 6.2: MCDWIN Map and Isometric display.......................................................................... 6-2
Figure 6.3: Print dialog box ........................................................................................................... 6-3
Figure 6.4: ROI Editing dialog box, left: Single spectra, right: 2D spectra.................................... 6-6
Figure 6.5: Single Gaussian Peak Fit ........................................................................................... 6-6
Figure 6.6: Log file Options for the Single Gaussian Peak Fit ...................................................... 6-7
Figure 6.7: Colors dialog box ........................................................................................................ 6-8
Figure 6.8: Color Palette dialog box.............................................................................................. 6-8
Figure 6.9: Single View dialog box................................................................................................ 6-9
Figure 6.10: MAP View dialog box.............................................................................................. 6-10
Figure 6.11: Slice dialog box....................................................................................................... 6-10
Figure 6.12: Isometric View dialog box ....................................................................................... 6-11
Figure 6.13: Axis Parameter dialog box...................................................................................... 6-11
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Table of Figures
Figure 6.14: Scale Parameters dialog box.................................................................................. 6-12
Figure 6.15: Calibration dialog box ............................................................................................. 6-13
Figure 6.16: Comments dialog box ............................................................................................. 6-14
Figure 6.17: P7889 Settings dialog box ...................................................................................... 6-15
Figure 6.18: Data Operations dialog box .................................................................................... 6-16
Figure 6.19: System Definition dialog box .................................................................................. 6-16
Figure 6.20: Replay dialog box ................................................................................................... 6-17
Figure 6.21: Tool Bar dialog box................................................................................................. 6-17
Figure 6.22: Function keys dialog box ........................................................................................ 6-18
Figure 7.1: Autocorrelation software option .................................................................................. 7-1
Figure 8.1: Save TAGs = 0 timing................................................................................................. 8-5
Figure 8.2: Save TAGs = 1 timing................................................................................................. 8-5
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Introduction
1.
Introduction
The P7889 64Bit/66MHz/3.3V PCI board is one of the fastest commercially available multiple
event time digitizers. It can be used as an ultra fast Multiscaler/TOF system in Time-of-Flight
Mass-Spectrometry and time-resolved Single Photon Counting. The P7889 is capable of
accepting one edge event (stop pulse) in every time bin. A genuine feature is the P7889's
capability to detect rising and falling edges simultaneously. Thus, Time-over-Threshold (ToT)
measurements can easily be accomplished. Burst/peak count rates of up to 10 GHz can be
handled with no deadtime between timebins. The proprietary input logic securely prevents double
counting.
The exceptionally dynamic range of up to 64 bit enables sweeps for an incredible 54 years with a
time resolution of 100 ps. A crystal stabilized PLL oscillator assures a resolution of typically
<400 ps FWHM at a full scale time range of 100 µs (measured in the last time bin of 400,000 time
bins and 30 minutes acquisition time). An optional available oven stabilized oscillator further
improves long-term and temperature stability.
A two step FIFO1 memory concept enables for ultra high event rate capability. Full 10 GHz bursts
can be buffered for at least 6.5 µs. The first 1024 deep multi event FIFO buffers incoming events
at a maximum countrate of 10 GHz. A second 32k deep FIFO is filled at over 31 MHz and buffers
the subsequent data transfer over the PCI bus. Data reduction is performed by recording
interesting, i.e. inside a preselected time window arriving stop events only.
For experiments requiring repetitive sweeps the spectral data obtained from each sweep can be
summed in the PC enabling extremely high sweep repetition rates. A presettable 32 bit sweep
counter enables for exact normalization calculations.
The ultra fast discriminator inputs (±1V input voltage range) allow for a large range of START and
STOP input signals.
Sixteen TAG inputs allow for a wide range of spectra routing, multi detector experiments,
sequential acquisition etc.
An open-drain 'GO'-line (compatible to other products of FAST ComTec) allows for overall
experiment synchronization.
Two software configurable SYNC outputs provide synchronization and triggering of external
devices or experiment monitoring.
A versatile 8 bit digital I/O2 port may further satisfy your experimental needs.
The P7889 is a fully digital design with "state-of-the-art" components offering excellent
performance and reliability.
The high-performance hardware is matched by sophisticated software delivered with each P7889.
MCDWIN - the MS-WINDOWS based operating software - provides a powerful graphical user
interface for setup, data transfer and spectral data display.
Some of MCDWIN´s features are high-resolution graphics displays with zoom, linear and
logarithmic (auto)scaling, grids, ROIs3, Gaussian fit, calibration using diverse formulas and
FWHM4 calculations. Macro generation using the powerful command language allows task
oriented batch processing and self-running experiments.
A DLL (Dynamic Link Library) is available for operation in a Laboratory Automation environment.
1 FIFO: First In, First Out
2 I/O: Input / Output
3 ROI: Region Of Interest
4 FWHM: Full Width at Half Maximum
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Installation Procedure
2.
Installation Procedure
2.1.
Hard- and Software Requirements
The P7889 requires a personal computer (with INTEL compatible processor) with an available
64 Bit / 3.3V PCI slot.
A Pentium II or higher processor and at least 64MB of memory are recommended.
A Microsoft WINDOWS 2000/XP or higher operating system must be installed.
2.2.
Hardware Installation
Turn off the power to your computer system and remove the line cord. Discharge your body from
any static electricity by touching a grounded surface – e.g. the metal surface of the power supply
– before performing any further hardware procedure.
FAST ComTec assumes no liability for any damage, caused directly or indirectly, by improper
installation of any components by unqualified service personnel. If you do not feel comfortable
performing the installation, consult a qualified technician.
WARNING
Damage to the P7889 board, the computer or injury to yourself may result if power is applied
during installation.
Static electricity discharges can severely damage the P7889. Use strict antistatic procedures
during the installation of the board.
Open the cover of the computer case and insert the P7889 PCI board in an unused 64 Bit / 3.3V
PCI slot. You might first have to remove the cover from the rear of the PCI expansion slot you
selected. After the board is carefully seated in the PCI slot, make sure you fasten the board with a
screw to the mounting bracket.
WARNING
Take care to provide ample airflow around the P7889 board.
Figure 2.1: TAG input port connector
If you purchased the TAG-bits input option install the TAG input port connector now. Mount the
housing bracket with the 68-pin SCSI-2 type connector in another available slot of your computer.
On the P7889 PCI board Plug in the 68-pin socket connector (at the end of the ribbon cable) into
the 68 pin four-walled header named TTL TAG INPUT or LVDS TAG INPUT respectively.
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Installation Procedure
2.3.
Software Installation
If you are using Windows ME, Windows 2000 or XP, the hardware manager will recognize the
PCI card as a new hardware the first time after power on with the PCI card mounted, and will ask
for a driver. Please insert then the installation disk and specify the WDMDRIV directory on the
installation medium as the driver location.
To install the P7889 software on your hard disk insert the P7889 installation disk and start the
installation program by double clicking from the explorer
SETUP
A directory called C:\P7889 is created on the hard disk and all P7889 and MCDWIN files are
transferred to this directory. Drive C: is taken as default drive and \P7889 as default directory. It is
not mandatory that the P7889 operating software is located in this directory. You may specify
another directory during the installation or may copy the files later to any other directory.
The Setup program has installed two shortcuts on the desktop, one icon is for Launch89.exe.
Launch89.exe starts the P7889 Hardware Server program P7889.EXE in high priority, this is
recommended when using DMA mode. The other icon starts directly the P7889.EXE in normal
priority. The server program will automatically call the MCDWIN.EXE program when it is
executed. The P7889 Server program controls the P7889 board but provides no graphics display
capability by itself. By using the MCDWIN program, the user has complete control of the P7889
along with the MCDWIN display capabilities.
If you have more than one P7889 modules installed, edit the line devices=1 in the file P7889.INI
and enter the number of modules. The frequency of the PLL in units of Hz has to be defined in
the P7889.INI file by a line like pllfreq=10e9.
To run the P7889 software, simply double click on the “P7889 Server Program“ icon. To close it,
close the P7889 server in the Taskbar.
2.4.
Getting Started with a basic measurement
To ease getting familiar with the use of the P7889 we will now setup a basic measurement. We
use a simple TTL signal generator to supply START and STOP signals.
We want to measure the arrival time of multiple STOP events in a time window of 4 µs that begins
10 µs (delayed acquisition) after a START (Trigger) pulse. After a specific sweep a new start
(trigger) should not be accepted for an additional 50 µs (trigger hold off). The measurement
should run for exactly 1,000,000 sweeps (scans, shots) until it ends. The resulting spectrum is
suggested to look like a garden fence with peaks every 100 ns or 1000 time bins.
Figure 2.2: Basic measurement timing diagram
First let's setup up the wire connections to the board and then start the software to run the
measurement.
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Installation Procedure
2.4.1.
Connecting the test signals
The generator should be able to drive two 50 Ω inputs to some hundred millivolts and should not
exceed 1.7 V as not to exceed the absolute maximum ratings of the inputs. For this, a 50 Ω
power splitter divides the 10 MHz TTL signal into two branches. The two output signals of the
power splitter are connected to the START and STOP inputs on the PCI bracket (ref. Figure 2.4).
START
10 MHz
P7889
GENERATOR
POWER
SPLITTER
STOP
Figure 2.3: Basic measurement setup
Figure 2.4: Bracket mounted signal connectors
2.4.2.
Starting MCDWIN and setup for the measurement
Next step is to start the P7889 software by double clicking the corresponding icon. This will
automatically start the MCDWIN program. On startup the P7889 Server is iconized and one does
not have to worry about it since all hardware settings are also accessible from the MCDWIN
program which actually is the graphical user interface and which will appear now on your screen
(ref. Figure 2.5).
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Installation Procedure
Figure 2.5: P7889 / MCDWIN startup window
Now we first have to setup the P7889. Click on Options – Range, Preset … to find the P7889
Settings window pop up. Set the Range to 10,000 time bins (Binwidth = 1) which corresponds to
the desired 1 µs time range. Set the Acquisition Delay to 10,000 ns = 10 µs and the Hold Off to
50,000 ns.
Enable the sweep preset and type in the number of sweeps as 1,000,000 (ref. Figure 2.6). Then
click on Inputs to select the desired input threshold levels.
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Installation Procedure
Figure 2.6: P7889 Settings window
Select the Start and Stop inputs and set them to 'Customized' and a voltage level corresponding
to your signal amplitude (e.g. +0.5 V, ref. Figure 2.7). Now click OK to get back to the P7889
Settings window. Again click OK.
Figure 2.7: Input Threshold window
To verify the quality of the discriminated signals select START resp. STOP on the Fast NIM1
SYNC output (ref. Figure 2.6) and connect the SYNC_1 output to an oscilloscope. Take care to
1 NIM: Nuclear Instrument Modules. This is a standard for mechanical and electronic properties of such modules.
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Installation Procedure
terminate the cable with 50 Ω. Now you can online watch the effect of changing the input
thresholds.
Now lets change the display to have a grid and the axis numbered. Click on Options – Axis….
Enable the grid and the axis ticks (ref. Figure 2.8). Also enable 'Use Calibration' to see the x-axis
in time units rather than channels. Then click OK.
Figure 2.8: Axis Parameter window
Now lets setup the scale calibration feature to see the actual time data in the spectrum. Click on
Options – Calibration…. and make sure 'Use Calibration' is enabled (ref. Figure 2.9) and the
calibration formula is set to p0 = 10,000 (offset) and p1 = 0.1 (time bin width) while the 'Unit'
should be nsec.
Figure 2.9: Calibration of P7889
The hardware is initialized properly now and also the display should appear as in Figure 2.10. To
start the measurement now click on the Start button.
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Installation Procedure
Figure 2.10: MCDWIN properly setup
The measurement will begin to run and ends when 1,000,000 sweeps are done. The resulting
spectrum should look as in Figure 2.11. The peaks are separated by 1000 channels or 100 ns.
The sweep counter shows that exactly 1,000,000 sweeps have been acquired.
Figure 2.11: Resulting spectrum of the basic measurement
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Hardware Description
3.
Hardware Description
3.1.
Overview
The P7889 is a full size 64 Bit / 66 MHz / 3.3V PCI PC board with bus master capabilities. All
settings are software selectable. No jumper, switch, etc. configurations are necessary. It is able to
measure multiple events with a time resolution of 100 ps. The logic is able to accommodate an
incredible burst edge rate of 10 GHz only limited by the analog STOP input bandwidth and
sensitivity. No deadtime between the time bins and secure prevention of double counting is
established by the sophisticated input logic circuitry. A unique feature is the P7889's capability to
measure rising and falling edge events simultaneously. Thus, even Time-over-Threshold or pulse
width measurements are easily accomplished.
The concept of a two step onboard FIFO with an ultra fast 1024 deep multi event FIFO and a
second 32k deep FIFO allows for unprecedented burst and average count rates.
Additional features are two onboard discriminators. This enables the inputs to be adjusted for a
large range of input signals.
Figure 3.1: P7889 PCI board
Besides, two SYNC outputs with a large variety of output signal options (all software selectable)
and the 'GO'-line (compatible to other FAST products) allow for easy synchronization or triggering
of other measurement equipment.
Furthermore a versatile, user configurable 8 bit digital I/O port allows for a whole bunch of
experimental control, monitor or whatsoever other tasks.
Moreover, the 16 bit TAG input allows for multi-detector configurations, sequential data
acquisition etc.
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Hardware Description
3.2.
START / STOP Inputs
Figure 3.2: Connectors on the mounting bracket
The START (Trigger) and STOP (event) inputs are SMA types located on the mounting bracket
(ref. Figure 3.2). The input impedance is 50 Ω. The inputs are edge sensitive with software
selectable rising or falling edge and additionally both edges for the STOP input. The threshold
level is software tunable in a range of ±2.0 V.
WARNING
Take care not to exceed the maximum input values as described in the technical data (ref.
chapter 8.2.1).
Figure 3.3: START / STOP input schematic
WARNING
The START and STOP inputs are ultra high speed, high sensitivity inputs and thus, susceptible to
oscillation. Take care to apply low impedance (≤ 50 Ω) source signals and well shielded, 50 Ω
cables.
The discriminator signals, as detected by the input circuitry, may be monitored online with an
oscilloscope on the Fast-NIM SYNC_1 output. Thus, optimization of the threshold voltages was
never as easy.
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Hardware Description
The high sensitivity of the START / STOP discriminators together with the monitoring feature on
the SYNC outputs allow signal amplitudes even below 10 mV to be used (ref. Figure 3.4).
Figure 3.4: Trace of the STOP input sensitivity
3.3.
SYNC / Monitor Outputs
The SYNC outputs provide a large variety of output signals for a lot of synchronizing, triggering,
monitoring or whatever application. The selectable output signals are:
• START:
Discriminated START input signal (available on SYNC_1 only)
• STOP:
Discriminated STOP input signal (available on SYNC_1 only)
• 156.25 MHz
10 GHz Sampling clock / 64
• 78.125 MHz
10 GHz Sampling clock / 128
• PCICLK
PCI bus clock
• 10 MHz
10 MHz reference clock
• INPUT_ON:
indicates a running sweep when logic '1'
• WINDOW:
indicates the active measurement / acquisition time window
• HOLD_OFF
Trigger hold off time window
• COUNT[0]:
6.4 ns = 2 x 6.4 ns periodic timer signal active only while a sweep is running
• COUNT[1]:
12.8 ns = 2 x 6.4 ns periodic timer signal active only while a sweep is running
• COUNT[2]:
25.6 ns = 2 x 6.4 ns periodic timer signal active only while a sweep is running
…
• COUNT[31]:
13.74 s = 2 x 6.4 ns periodic timer signal active only while a sweep is
running
• SWEEP[0]:
bit 0 (LSB) of the sweep counter
• SWEEP[1]:
bit 1 of the sweep counter
• SWEEP[2]:
bit 2 of the sweep counter
…
• SWEEP[31]:
bit 31 (MSB) of the sweep counter
0
1
2
31
All these signals may be output on the Fast-NIM SYNC_1 output on the mounting bracket and on
the TTL SYNC_2 output on the FEATURE connector as well (START/STOP only on SYNC_1).
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Hardware Description
NOTE:
The initial states of the 'SWEEP' output bits depend on the preset value of the corresponding
counter. The sweep counter is a 32 bit up-counter. In case of a preset it is set to ( FFFFFFFFhex –
'preset_value') and runs until FFFFFFFFhex is reached. When no preset is used the sweep
counter is initially set to all zero.
Figure 3.5: Fast-NIM SYNC_1 output schematic
The Fast-NIM SYNC output supplies standard Fast-NIM (0…-0.7 V / 14 mA) signals into a 50 Ω
load. The output impedance also is 50 Ω. For Fast-NIM signals a logical 'TRUE' corresponds to a
low voltage (-0.7 V), e.g. while a sweep is running 'ON' will result in –0.7 V (= 'TRUE') output.
3.4.
TAG Inputs
(optional)
Figure 3.6: TAG input connector
A unique feature of the P7889 is a 16 bit TTL/LVDS TAG input with a time resolution of 6.4 ns.
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Hardware Description
TTL
ENABLE
TO OTHER
TAG INPUTS
PULLDOWN
32 k Ω
TTL ENABLE
TAG_IN(x)
100 Ω
+5V
TTL TAG
INPUT(x)
7V
LVDS TAG
INPUT(x)
PULLDOWN
110 Ω
Figure 3.7: TAG input simplified schematic
As can be seen from the above figure the TTL_ENABLE input must be connected to +5V when
the TTL TAG inputs are used. Otherwise - if the LVDS TAG input or no TAGs at all are used TTL_ENABLE should be left unconnected.
A short between wires 34 and 68 on the TAG input cable would be sufficient for either case.
For a functional description of the TAG input refer chapter 4.2.4.
TTL TAG Input
GND
GND
T1
GND
GND
GND
T3
GND
GND
GND
T5
GND
GND
GND
T7
GND
GND
GND
T9
GND
GND
GND
T11
GND
GND
GND
T13
GND
GND
GND
T15
GND
GND
+5V
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
- T0
- GND
- GND
- GND
- T2
- GND
- GND
- GND
- T4
- GND
- GND
- GND
- T6
- GND
- GND
- GND
- T8
- GND
- GND
- GND
- T10
- GND
- GND
- GND
- T12
- GND
- GND
- GND
- T14
- GND
- GND
- TCLK Out
- GND
- TTL_ENABLE
LVDS TAG Input
T0_P
GND
T1_P
GND
T2_P
GND
T3_P
GND
T4_P
GND
T5_P
GND
T6_P
GND
T7_P
GND
T8_P
GND
T9_P
GND
T10_P
GND
T11_P
GND
T12_P
GND
T13_P
GND
T14_P
GND
T15_P
GND
TCLK_P Out
+5V
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 -
T0_N
GND
T1_N
GND
T2_N
GND
T3_N
GND
T4_N
GND
T5_N
GND
T6_N
GND
T7_N
GND
T8_N
GND
T9_N
GND
T10_N
GND
T11_N
GND
T12_N
GND
T13_N
GND
T14_N
GND
T15_N
GND
TCLK_N Out
+5V
Figure 3.8: TAG input connector pinning (TTL connector is optional)
(valid for card #124 and higher)
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Hardware Description
3.5.
'GO'-Line
The system-wide open-drain 'GO' line enables any connected device to enable and stop all
participating measurement equipment simultaneously. This allows for easy synchronization of
electronic devices previously often not possible.
Figure 3.9: 'GO'-line connector
The 'GO' line is a system-wide open-drain wired-AND signal that can start and stop a
measurement. This line is also available on the Multi I/O port connector (ref Figure 3.11). The
'GO'-line may be enabled, disabled, set and reset by the software.
5V
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT LOGIC
GO_OUT
5V
22k Ω
22 Ω
'GO'-LINE
GO_IN
Figure 3.10: 'GO'-line logic circuit schematic
When watching of the 'GO'-line is enabled a low voltage will halt the measurement. When output
to the 'GO'-line is enabled starting a measurement will release (high impedance output) the 'GO'line whereas a halt of the measurement will pull down the 'GO'-line to a low state. Since it is an
open drain output wired AND connection with other devices is possible.
3.6.
FEATURE (Multi) I/O Connector
A very versatile 8 bit digital I/O port is implemented on the 15-pin high-density female D-SUB
connector on the mounting bracket. Since the resistors are socket mounted (ref. Figure 3.12) they
can be easily user configured in a most flexible way.
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Hardware Description
GND
GND
15
10
5
DIG_IO 7
DIG_IO 4
DIG_IO 1
+5V
'GO'-LINE
DIG_IO 5
11
1
6
DIG_IO 2
GND
REF_CLK_IO
SYNC 2 OUT
DIG_IO 6
DIG_IO 3
DIG_IO 0
Figure 3.11: FEATURE (multi) I/O connector pinning
This I/O port is fully software controllable and each single (1-bit) port is individually configurable. It
might be used for external alert signals, sample changer control, status inputs / outputs etc.
Figure 3.12: FEATURE (multi) I/O port connector
As can be seen from Figure 3.13 each bit of the digital I/O port might be configured as input only
(tri-stated output) or open drain (pull-up) output with readback capability. Wired-OR/AND
connections are also feasible (ref. chapter 0).
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT LOGIC
5V
5V
DIGIO_OE(x)
R I/O
R PULL
1k Ω
(default)
DIGITAL I/O(x)
DIGIO_IN(x)
22 Ω
(default)
Figure 3.13: FEATURE (multi) I/O port schematic
3.7.
Timebase
To derive the outstanding temperature and long-term stability the P7889 is equipped with an
onboard crystal stabilized PLL (phase locked loop) 10 GHz synthesizer oscillator.
The reference is a 10 MHz clock. Either the internal (on-board) or an external reference is
software selectable.
For highest stability requirements an optional oven stabilized crystal oscillator is available.
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Hardware Description
The ovenized option is particularly recommended for longer sweep ranges or long-term
measurements. When figuring that a measurement at say 10 ms after the start has a dynamic
range of 100 million channels a low timebase drift of only 1 ppm will result in a 100(!) channels
drift at the end of the 10 ms range.
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Functional Description
4.
Functional Description
4.1.
Introduction
The P7889 measures the arrival time of STOP input events relative to a previous START signal.
The resolution or time bin width is 100 ps. The full dynamic range is 64 bit which results in the
incredible maximum sweep time of over 58 years. 32 bits [6…37] of the timer are also accessible
via the SYNC outputs ( COUNT[0…31], ref. chapter 3.3). The measured data is transferred into
the PC memory in list mode, i.e. as they are acquired.
4.2.
Modes of Operation
4.2.1.
Stop-After-Sweep Mode
This might be the most usual mode of operation. When the P7889 is armed it waits for a START
input signal. When one occurs the sweep is started / triggered meaning the time starts to count.
Now the arrival times of the STOP input signals relative to the start are acquired. A STOP event
can be either a falling or rising edge or both. Since the type of edge is detected and marked in the
datastream even Time-over-Threshold or pulse width measurements can be accomplished.
An acquisition delay time might be selected to accept only STOP signals that arrive after the
selected delay.
When the selected measurement time range has elapsed the sweep and so the data acquisition
ends. After a short (≤ 80 ns) end-of-sweep deadtime the P7889 is ready for a new start and
begins a new sweep as soon as the next START signal arrives.
To reduce the overall average countrate a HOLD OFF might be selected that discards START
signals until the selected hold off time has elapsed.
4.2.2.
Sequential Mode
Like the stop-after-sweep mode but with a preselected number of sweeps. When the sweep
preset is reached the FIFO is emptied, the corresponding spectrum closed and a new sequence
with the same number of sweeps is started. Thus, the timely development of a histogrammed
distribution may be watched.
4.2.3.
Start Event Marker
For e.g. off-line or replay analysis of an experiment start markers may be inserted into the list
mode data stream. This also enables to keep the full correlation of start and subsequent stop
events. So one always knows what stop events belong to a special start event.
In this case care should be taken not to fill up the fast 1024 deep FIFO as this might lead to the
loss of data integrity when a start event marker is missed due to a full FIFO. The detection of a
filled FIFO is possible via an overflow flag in the decoded data.
For sequential mode it is better to enable Start Events and use “Starts Preset” than the hardware
sweep counter, as the software can then count the number of sweeps and switch to the next
memory part without stopping the acquisition (ref. chapter 5.1.4 ).
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Functional Description
4.2.4.
Tagged Spectra Acquisition
16 TAG inputs allow for sequenced spectra acquisition, multi detector configurations etc. The
16 TAGs are sampled synchronuously to the STOP input with an uncertainty of 6.4 ns.
The TAG input signal should be stable 9 ns before til 3 ns after the corresponding stop input
signal edge. For timing details please refer to the Appendix 8.2.5.
E.g. in a multi detector experiment it is feasible to measure which detector has fired and still
maintain the incredible 100 ps binwidth. This allows also for ultra fast coincidence measurements
with very little external logic required.
In case of using the TAG bits part of the upper 32 bits of the 64 bit time data word are replaced by
the TAGs.
4.3.
FIFO Concept
A two step FIFO concept is used to get the ultra high burst count rate of upto 10 GHz while also
providing a large average or sustained event rate.
The detected stop events are fed into a 1024 deep, 6.4 ns wide ultra fast multiple event First-InFirst-Out memory. A sophisticated input logic allows to buffer stop edges every 100 ps for at least
6.55 µs which corresponds to a burst count rate of 10 GHz for a whole 64k spectrum (!). As a
matter of fact each of the 1024 FIFO words contains a period of 6.4 ns regardless of the number
of stop events. This data is then transferred to the second 32k deep FIFO memory at over
22.3 MHz. The depth of this second FIFO assures that high speed DMA data transfer over the
PCI bus is feasible without easily loosing data by a filled up FIFO.
EVENT
DETECTION
ULTRA FAST
MULTI
EVENT
FIFO
6.4 NS x 1024
DEEP
LARGE
FIFO
32K DEEP
WRITE
READ
PCI BUS
10 GHZ
78 MHZ
CLOCK
PCI
CLOCK
Figure 4.1: Two step FIFO concept for highest data throughput
When an experiment requires to be absolutely sure not to miss any single stop event the
condition of an occasionally filled FIFO_1 is detectable via an overflow flag in the data stream.
Thus, the experimental setup might be changed to prevent e.g. shadow effects or wrong
normalization that might occur from such a situation. A filled-up FIFO_2 is no problem as long as
the FIFO_1 is still not full as well. Thus, it is sufficient to watch for a FIFO_1 full condition only.
4.4.
Measurement Time Window, Acquisition Delay and Trigger Hold Off
The time window in which stop events are acquired is programmable over a wide range. The
begin (delay after the Start/Trigger) and end of the window is fully programmable. This enables to
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Functional Description
detect even late events with large input count rates. This is due to the data reduction executed.
The fact is that all data, that occur outside the selected time window, are discarded.
An acquisition delay, programmable in increments of 6.4 ns, begins data acquisition only when
the selected time after the corresponding START signal has elapsed. Then data is sampled for
the selected time range. All events occurring before the acquisition offset time has elapsed are
discarded and do not contribute to the burst and average data rate.
64
The theoretical limit of the measurement window is 58.5 years ≅ 2 time bins.
Example:
Average STOP data rate of 100 MHz. Interesting time window is 1 µs at 1 ms after the START /
TRIGGER signal:
In a time range of 1 ms the 100 MHz input rate would result in 100,000 STOP events which would
cause data loss due to filled FIFOs. When programming an acquisition offset of 1 ms and a 1 µs
measurement time window the resulting number of events per sweep is only 100. Thus, no data
loss at all will occur. And even with highest speed sweep repetition rates an average data rate of
only some 1000 sweeps/sec x 100 events/sweep = 100,000 events/sec has to be stored.
Additionally a trigger hold off time, also programmable in increments of 6.4 ns, can be selected to
further reduce the average datarate by accepting only a new start / trigger after this additional
time has elapsed.
Example:
Average number of STOP events per sweep is 1,000. Say your computer allows an average
transfer rate of 40 Mevents/s a maximum of 40MHz / 1000 = 40kHz sweep repetition rate can be
accepted. With a sweep length of e.g. <5 µs and start signals every 5 µs the average datarate
would be 200 MHz. A trigger hold off after every sweep of 20 µs will reduce the startrate to
40 kHz and thus the average countrate to 40kHz x 1,000 = 40MHz.
4.5.
Sweep Counter
A presettable 32 bit sweep counter is incremented at every start of a sweep. In fact the sweep
counter counts the real start of a new sweep rather than the completion of sweeps. When the
preset is enabled and the preselected number of sweeps have occurred further start of a sweep
is disabled.
The individual bits may be output and watched on the SYNC outputs (ref. Chapter 3.3). They are
particularly useful when some experiment should be periodically changed after a fixed number of
sweeps.
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5.
Windows Server Program
P7889
The window of the P7889 server program is shown here. It enables the full control of the P7889 card to
perform measurements and save data. This program has no own spectra display, but it provides - via a
DLL („dynamic link library“) - access to all functions, parameters and data. The server can be completely
controlled from the MCDWIN software that provides all necessary graphic displays.
Figure 5.1: P7889 Server Window
5.1.
Server functions
To start the software, just double click a shortcut icon linking to the server program. The server program
performs a test whether the card works well on this computer, then starts MCDWIN and gets iconized.
Usually you will control everything from MCDWIN, but it is possible to work with the server alone and
independently from MCDWIN.
Note:
To go sure that no events are lost due to a full FIFO when working with MCDWIN and other applications,
we strongly recommend that the P7889 server program runs in high priority at high counting rates if using
DMA mode. This can be achieved by starting it with Launch89.EXE or by using the Windows task
manager (use the ‚Processes‘ tab and right click the entry of P7889.EXE). Please note the remarks on
DMA mode in section 5.1.4
5.1.1.
Initialisation files
At program start the configuration files P7889.INI and P7889A.CFG are loaded. Up to 4 P7889 modules
can be used. Specify the number of modules in the P7889.INI file with a line devices=n. You can also
specify more than one module if you have only physical module. The software runs then for the not
physical modules in demo mode and it is possible to load spectra and compare them in MCDWIN.
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Figure 5.2: P7889 Ini File
The frequency of the PLL in units of Hz has to be defined in the P7889.INI file by a line like pllfreq=10e9.
This is also a command of the control language. The frequency can be set in steps of 40 MHz. Other
parameters that can be set only by editing the P7889.INI file are the updaterate in msec for the refresh of
the status, and the blocksize parameter. The default value of 1024 is for moderate counting rates. For
very high counting rates you may chose a value like 4096 or 8192.
The file P7889A.CFG (P7889B.CFG... for more modules) contains the default settings. It is not necessary
to edit this file, it is saved automatically. Instead of this .CFG file any other setup file can be used if its
name without the appendix ‘A.CFG’ is used as command line parameter (e.g. P7889 TEST to load
TESTA.CFG).
5.1.2.
Action menu
The server program normally is shown as an icon in the taskbar. After clicking the icon it is opened to
show the status window. Using the „Start“ menu item from the action menu a measurement can be
started. In the status window every second the acquired events, the counting rate and the time are
shown. Clicking the „Halt“ menu item the measurement is stopped and via „Continue“ proceeded.
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Figure 5.3: Data Operations dialog
5.1.3.
File menu
The Data... item in the File menu opens the Data Operations dialog box. Mark the checkbox „Save at
Halt“ to write a spectrum- and a configuration file at the stop of a measurement. The filename can be
entered. If the checkbox „auto incr." is marked, a 3-digit number is appended to the filename that is
automatically incremented with each saving. The format of the data file can be ASCII or binary (extension
.ASC or .DAT). Click on „Save“ to write a data- and configuration file of the actual data with the specified
name. By pressing „Load“ previously stored data can be loaded or a control file (extension .CTL)
executed. With „Add“ or „Sub“ a stored spectrum can be added to or subtracted from the present data.
Check the checkbox „calib.“ to enforce using a calibration and shift the data to be added according to the
calibration. The „Smooth“ button performs a n-point smoothing of the spectrum data. The number of
points to average can be set with the „Pts“ edit field between 2 and 21. „Erase“ clears the spectrum.
The menu item File – Replay... opens the Replay dialog.
Figure 5.4: Replay Settings dialog
Enable Replay Mode using the checkbox and specify a Filename of a list file (extension .LST) or search
one by pressing Browse... With the radio buttons it is possible either to choose the complete list file by
selecting All or a selected Start# Range. Specify the sweep range by editing the respective edit fields
from: and Preset: . The Replay Speed can be specified in units of 100 kB per sec. To Use Modified
Settings enable the corresponding checkbox; otherwise the original settings are used. To start Replay
press then Start in the Action menu or the corresponding MCDWIN toolbar icon.
The MCDWIN menu item in the file menu starts the MCDWIN program if it is not running.
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Figure 5.5: Settings dialog
5.1.4.
Settings dialog
The Hardware... item in the Settings menu opens the P7889 Settings dialog box. The checkbox DMA
mode sets the DMA mode for data transfer.
DMA mode is recommended for high counting rates above 300000 events per second. For low counting
rates please disable "DMA mode" in the settings. Don't use then the shortcut on the desktop for
starting the server in high priority. When not using DMA, the server should run in normal priority. For very
high counting rates of several million events / sec edit the P7889.INI and set a blocksize of 32768,
start the server in high priority and use DMA mode.
The mode of the measurement can be Wrap around if the corresponding checkbox is crossed, or
Sweep mode. In Sweep mode usually via an external start signal a sweep is started, after completion the
next sweep starts with the next start pulse. Wrap around mode means that the sweep is started once and
runs until the acquisition is stopped by software. The time counter will count as long as possible (when
using 62 bits for the time information up to 14.6 years) and in a list file the full time information for every
stop event is written, but the channel pointer for the histogram wraps around and keeps counting along
from zero. This mode can be used together with the sync out to synchronize the experiment. If Softw.
Start is marked, no start signal is necessary. The time-counter for the spectra is masked corresponding
to the chosen range. The signal for the synchronisation of the experiment can be obtained from one of the
two Sync Out outputs.
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Via the Sync out - combo boxes the Synchronisation / Monitor signals specified in chapter 3.3 can be
selected.
An acquisition mode "Time differences" is implemented for analyzing pulse trails. In this mode the first
stop event is used as a reference point and for following stop events the time difference to the reference
is calculated. The displayed spectra is then a relative time distribution of stop events related to the
reference point. Even wrap around mode works in this differential mode. The first stop event that falls out
of the chosen time range after a reference event is taken as a new reference point.
If Start event generation is checked, a start event is inserted as a zero into the data stream and counted
by the software. The measurement can be stopped automatically after a specified number of sweeps by
checking Starts preset or Sweep preset. In the former case the start events are used, in the latter case
the hardware sweep counter. If DMA Mode is checked, the data are acquired using DMA PCI bus master
mode, otherwise by direct port control. The maximum possible data transfer rate is higher in DMA mode,
but after a preset condition it takes some time to get out of the DMA read routine. A List file can be written
by checking the corresponding checkbox Write List file. If No Histogram is checked, no histogramming
is made.
A series of measurements can be acquired into separate memory parts by checking Sequential cycles
and specifying the number of cycles. Each single measurement should be terminated by any of the preset
conditions, the complete run stops after performing the specified number of cycles or is repeated
accordingly if the specified number of Sequences is greater than 1.
Check Tagged spectra if you want to acquire up to 65536 seperated spectra marked by tag bits as
mentioned in chapters 3.4 and 4.2.4. (MCDWIN will show the spectra in a 2 dimensional view). Here is
the scheme for the y- coordinate of a tagged 2D spectra:
y = 0 for no tag bit ON.
when using up to nmax = 18 tagged spectra:
y = nmax - n - 2 for tag bit n ON, n=0..15.
y = nmax-1 if more than 1 tag bit is on
When using more than 18 tagged spectra, y is the pattern of tag bits seen as a binary number. The
numbering of the tag bits is reversed, i.e. tag [0] is the most significant bit of the tag pattern.
When using 6 sweep counter bits and less than 11 tag bits together, the first used tag bit is tag[6], not
tag[0].
If the checkbox Eventpreset is marked, the measurement will be stopped after acquiring more events
than specified in the corresponding edit field. The events are counted only if they are within the ROI limits,
i.e. >= the lower limit and < the upper limit. It is not necessary that this ROI is within the spectra range.
Another possibility is to acquire data for a given time via the Time preset. In the edit field Range the
length of the spectrum can be entered. A Bin width of 1 means the highest time resolution. The Binwidth
can be chosen in powers of 2 up to 16777216 times the elementary dwell time. If an Acq. Delay is
specified, data are acquired in a sweep not before the specified time. Hold after sweep allows to wait a
specified time after a sweep before the next sweep can be started.
The Inputs... button opens the Input Thresholds dialog box. Here you can specify the threshold level at
the falling edge of the input signal. The combo box provides a choice between standard Fast NIM (-0.4 V)
and customized, i.e. Voltage level set by hand between -2 .. +2 V (scroll bar or edit field). For the start
and stop inputs the rising or falling edge of the input signal can be selected. For the stop input it is also
possible to chose both edges. As the edge information is contained in bit 62 of the data (a 1 in that bit
means rising edge) it is possible to distinguish stop events from rising and falling signals and it is possible
to analyze the pulse width of the signals. Depending on the polarity of the stop signals there is a choice
between Over threshold or Under threshold for the Pulse width analyzing.
To see the events from rising and falling signals seperated, first set the STOP discrimination to 'Both
edges', then click the checkbox for Pulse width in the settings dialog and set y-Range to 2 inside the box
labeled “2D spectra”. You will get a two dimensional spectra with an y-dimension of 2, for y=0 it contains
the stop events from rising edges and for y=1 from falling edges. You can see here the seperation time
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between both edges. If you set then the y-Range to a value larger than the maximum pulse width in
channels, you will get a 2-dimensional spectra with the time of the first edge as x coordinate and the
pulse width as y coordinate.
Figure 5.6: Input Thresholds dialog
Figure 5.7: Principle of "Software CFT"
A well known method named "Constant Fraction Timing" (CFT) is used in electronic discriminators to get
an enhanced time resolution for a trigger signal made from a detector signal. Due to the capability of
detecting both edges of a peak a similar method can be used in the P7889 software too. By assuming
that the shape of the signal does not depend on the amplitude, one can get a good estimation for the time
of the peak by assuming that it is always at the same fraction of the time between both detected edges.
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Select Both + CFT in the drop-down listbox for the edge detection, and enter a suited value for the
fraction "Time after Peak / Time to Peak" i.e. time-after-peak divided by time-to-peak. For example
enter 2 for a peak shaped like shown in Fig. 5.7, when the time after peak is twice the time to peak. A
suited Max. Width for the pulse width in units of time bins must be entered, to reject spurious signals with
too large width. Note that for using CFT again the "Pulse width mode" must be chosen accordingly as
"Under threshold" for low going (negative) pulses or "Over threshold" for rising pulses. It is important that
no data are lost, as both edges of a signal pulse must be detected.
Figure 5.8: Example of Software CFT
The enhancement in resolution can be studied with the supplied sample list file TESTCFT.LST. Fig. 5.8
shows replay results of that file. Compare the result of replaying that file with original settings using CFT
(upper picture) and using "Both Edges" (lower picture) instead of "Both + CFT". You may also test the
"pulse width" capabilities of the software by replaying that list file.
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5.1.5.
System definition dialog
The „System...“ item in the settings menu opens the System Definition dialog box. If more than one
P7889 modules are used, several cards can be combined to form one or up to 4 seperate systems that
can be started, stopped and erased by one command. In addition the use of the Digital Input / Output and
the GO-Line can defined: It can be used either to show the status of the MCA if the checkbox Status Dig
0 (0..3 for more modules) is marked. At the respective pins +5 Volt are output if an acquisition is running
and 0 V if not. The polarity can be inverted by checking Invert. Alternatively, it can be used for example
with a sample changer by checking "Value inc. at Stop". Here, the 8 bit value entered in the edit field (a
number between 0 and 255) is output at the Dig I/O port. This value will always be incremented by 1 if the
P7889 is stopped. The Invert checkbox allows to invert the logical level. See also the commands pulse
and waitpin how to handshake a sample changer. The output mode of the Dig I/O ports is Open Drain.
Figure 5.9: System Definition dialog box for a single P7889 card
It is also possible to use the digital input 4 as an external trigger for starting the system (more modules:
Dig inputs 4..7 start systems 1..4) (DESY control line). If the corresponding checkbox is marked, a start
command for the respective system will not immediately start the system. After the start command, the
digital input will be permanently checked for its logical level. If the level changes from high to low, the data
for the system is cleared and it will then be started. It will stop if the level returns to high (or vice versa if
Invert is marked) and can again be restarted with the next level change. A stop command for the system
will finish the digital input checking. By checking Clear before Start the spectra is cleared before the
start. A stop command for the system will finish the digital input checking.
The Use of the GO-Line is controled via the 3 checkboxes Watch, Release at Start, and Low at Sweep
Preset reached. The GO line gates directly the hardware. "Low at Sweep preset reached" means that
the GO line is immediately pulled down when a sweep preset is reached.
If more than one P7889 card is used, the system definition dialog box comes up as shown in Figure 5.10.
Here the several units can be combined to form up to 4 separate systems that can be started, stopped
and erased by one command.
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Figure 5.10: System Definition dialog box, two P7889 cards
In the shown setting a single system is formed. The two modules MC_A and MC_B are combined.
System 1 can be started, stopped, erased, and continued with the respective commands in the Action 1
menu. It is also possible for example to form two independent systems 1 and 2: Click on the button
labeled <<All below the list box „System1“ to remove all units from system 1. They are then shown in the
„Not active“ list box. Then select unit A and click on the button labeled >> below the „System 1“ list box to
include it into system 1 and perform the respective action for unit B and System 2.
OK accepts all settings and displays the value of P (the time counter preset value). Cancel rejects all
changes. Pressing „Save Settings“ stores all settings in the file P7889A.CFG using the control language
(see the following section)
This file is loaded at program start automatically and the parameters set. Together with each data file a
header file with extension .889 is saved. This header also contains all settings and in addition some
information like the date and time of the measurement and comments entered in the MCDWIN program.
Figure 5.11: Remote control dialog
The Remote... button opens the Remote control dialog box. Here all settings can be made for the control
of the P7889 server program via a serial port. If the Checkbox Use Remote Control is marked and the
COMCTL.DLL is available (i.e. you have the optional MCDLAN software), the specified COM port will
be used for accepting commands (see Control language). If Echo command is marked, the input line will
be echoed after the newline character was sent. Echo character, on the other hand, immediately echoes
each character.
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5.1.6.
File formats
Spectra data is written into two seperate files, one with extension .889 containing configuration data and
one containing pure spectra data with an extension indicating the chosen format. The .889 file contains
the settings in ASCII format using the control language described in section 5.2. Spectra data files with
extension .asc contain in each line one decimal number in ASCII containing the corresponding count
value in the histogram. Binary data files with extension .dat are written with 4 bytes per data value, as
usual in the Intel world in reverse order i.e. the least significant byte comes first. Another ASCII file format
is the x y format with extension .csv. It can be read for example with Excel and contains the channel
number and content as two decimal numbers in ASCII per line seperated by a TAB character.
A special ASCII format for 2D files, also with extension .asc can be read with the MPAWIN software for
the FAST ComTec MPA/PC multiparameter system. It has got a small header starting with a line
[DISPLAY] and ending with a line [DATA] and then only for each non zero data point a line containing 3
values seperated by TAB characters, the x and y channel numbers and the channel content.
Listfiles have the extension .lst and start with a header containing the usual report and configuration data
in ASCII as in the .889 files. The header ends with a line containing [DATA]. Then follows the data,
depending on the format chosen for the data file either in ASCII or binary. In ASCII format one 64 bit
number is written as two numbers per line, first the high double word in hex format and then the low
double word in decimal notation. In binary format each stop event is written with 8 bytes, as usual in the
Intel world in the reverse order, i.e. the least significant byte comes first.
The highest bits may contain tag bits (see chapter 3.4 and 4.2.4), a card id, or the 6 least significant bits
of the sweep counter. The following table shows the possible data formats depending on these settings,
together with the maximum possible sweep length. Bit 63 contains for all data formats a flag if the FIFO
was full, and bit 62 is the edge information of the stop event, 1 means a rising edge. The remaining 62
bits allow a maximum sweep length of 14.6 years.
Tag bits
Card ID bits
Sweep counter
Time
bits
Max. sweep
length
-
-
-
62
14.623 y
-
3 (Bit[61:59]=cardID[2:0]) -
59
1.828 y
3 (Bit[61:59]=Tag[0:2])
-
-
59
1.828 y
9 (Bit[61:53]=Tag[0:8])
-
-
53
10.4 d
6 (Bit[58:53]=Tag[0:5])
3 (Bit[61:59]=cardID[2:0]) -
53
10.4 d
-
3 (Bit[61:59]=cardID[2:0]) 6 (Bit[58:53]=Sweeps[5:0]) 53
10.4 d
13 (Bit[61:49]=Tag[0:12]) -
-
49
15.6 h
10 (Bit[58:49]=Tag[0:9])
3 (Bit[61:59]=cardID[2:0]) -
49
15.6 h
4 (Bit[52:49)=Tag[9:12])
3 (Bit[61:59]=cardID[2:0]) 6 (Bit[58:53]=Sweeps[5:0]) 49
15.6 h
16 (Bit[61:46]=Tag[0:15]) -
-
46
117.3 min
13 (Bit[58:46]=Tag[0:12]) 3 (Bit[61:59]=cardID[2:0]) -
46
117.3 min
3 (Bit[61:59]=cardID[2:0]) 6 (Bit[58:53]=Sweeps[5:0]) 46
117.3 min
7 (Bit[52:46)=Tag[9:15])
16 (Bit[58:43]=Tag[0:15]) 3 (Bit[61:59]=cardID[2:0]) 16 (Bit[61:46]=Tag[0:15]) -
43
6 (Bit[45:43]=Sweeps[2:0], 40
Bit[42:40]=Sweeps[5:3]
16 (Bit[58:43]=Tag[0:15]) 3 (Bit[61:59]=cardID[2:0]) 6 (Bit[42:37]=Sweeps[5:0]) 37
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5.2.
Control Language
A sequence of commands that is stored in a file with extension .CTL can be executed by the P7889
server program with the „Load“ command. A lot of these commands are used in the configuration file
P7889A.CFG, also the header files with extension .889 contain such commands to set the parameters.
Each command starts at the beginning of a new line with a typical keyword. Any further characters in a
line may contain a value or a comment. Following methods are available to execute commands:
• Load the command file using the Load command in the file menu.
• Enable remote mode in the server and send commands via the serial connection. The COMCTL.DLL
is necessary which is part of the optional available MCDLAN software.
• Open a DDE connection and send the commands via DDE as described in chapter 5.3. The
application name for opening the DDE connection with the standard P7889 server program
P7889.EXE is P7889, the topic is 7889-. Implemented are the DDE Execute to perform any command,
and the DDE Request with items RANGE and DATA.
• Send the commands over a TCP/IP net using a remote shell and the optional available MCDLAN
software. It is necessary to have TCP/IP networking installed and that the remote shell daemon
program MCWNET is running. See the readme file on the installation disk.
• Send the commands via the DLL interface from LabVIEW, a Visual Basic program or any other
application (software including the complete source code of the DLL and examples optional available).
• From your own Windows application, register a Windows message and then send the command as
can be seen in the DLL source code.
The file P7889A.CFG contains a complete list of commands for setting parameters. An example is:
digio=0
; Use of digital I/O and GO-Line (hex):
; bit 0: status dig 0..3
; bit 1: Output digval and increment digval after stop
; bit 2: Invert polarity
; bit 3: Push-Pull output
; bit 4..7: Input pins 4..7 Trigger System 1..4
; bit 8: GOWATCH
; bit 9: GO High at Start
; bit 10: GO Low at Sweep preset reached
; bit 11: Clear before external triggered start
digval=0
; 8 bit digital I/O value for sample changer
range=4096
; sets histogram length
fstchan=0
; sets time offset = number of first channel / 64
holdafter=0
; sets hold after sweep in units of 64 basic dwelltimes
sweepmode=280
; (hex) sweepmode & 0xF: 0 = normal, 4=sequential
; bit 4: Softw. Start
; bit 5: DMA mode
; bit 6: Wrap around
; bit 7: Start event generation
; bit 8: Enable Tag bits
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; bit (9,10): 0=rising, 1=falling, 2=both, 3=both+CFT
; bit 11: pulse width
; bit 12: 6 bits of Sweepcounter in Data
; bit 13: card ID in data
swpreset=1000
; Sweep-Preset value
prena=0
; Presets enabled (hex)
; bit 0: real time preset enabled
; bit 2: sweep preset enabled
; bit 3: ROI preset enabled
; bit 4: Starts preset enabled
syncout=0
; sync out (hex): bit 0..7 NIM sync out, bit 8..15 TTL sync out
cycles=1
; for sequential mode or number ot tagged spectra
dac0=6700
; (hex) LOWORD: START threshold
; bit 16: edge
dac1=6700
; (hex) LOWORD: STOP threshold,
; bit 16: pulse width over threshold
bitshift=0
, Bin width (0: 1, 1:2, 2:4, 3:8,...)
rtpreset=50
; Time preset (seconds)
evpreset=100000000 ; ROI preset
autoinc=0
; Enable Auto increment of filename
datname=data\spec2.asc
savedata=0
; Filename
; bit 0: 1 if auto save after stop
; bit 1: write list file
; bit 2: list file only, no histogram
fmt=dat
; Format (ASCII: asc, Binary: dat)
smoothpts=5
; Number of points to average for a smooth operation
roimin=0
; ROI lower limit (inclusive)
roimax=512
; ROI upper limit (exclusive)
caluse=0
; bit 0=1: Use calibration, higher bits: formula
calch0=0.00
; First calibration point channel
calvl0=0.000000
; First calibration point value
calch1=100.00
; Second calibration point channel
calvl1=50.000000
; Second calibration point value
caloff=0.000000
; Calibration parameter: Offset
calfact=0.500000
; Calibration parameter: Factor
calunit=nsec
; Calibration unit
The following commands perform actions and therefore usually are not included in the P7889A.CFG file:
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fpll=10e9
; Set PLL frequency (Hz)
fpll+=-0.04e9
; Change PLL frequency (Hz)
start
; Clears the data and starts a new acquisition. Further
; execution of the .CTL file is suspended until measurements
; stops due to a preset.
start2
; Clears and starts system 2. Further execution suspended (see start).
start3
; Clears and starts system 3. Further execution suspended (see start).
start4
; Clears and starts system 4. Further execution suspended (see start).
halt
; Stops an acquisition if one is running.
halt2
; Stops acquisition of system 2 if running.
halt3
; Stops acquisition of system 3 if running.
halt4
; Stops acquisition of system 4 if running.
cont
; Continues an acquisition. If a Realtime preset is already
; reached, the time preset is prolongated by the value which
; was valid when the start command was executed. Further
; execution of the .CTL file is suspended (see start).
cont2
; Continues acquisition of system 2 (see cont).
cont3
; Continues acquisition of system 3 (see cont).
cont4
; Continues acquisition of system 4 (see cont).
savecnf
; Writes the settings into CFG file
MC_A
; Sets actual multichannel analyzer to MC_A for the rest of
; the controlfile.
MC_B ... MC_D
; Sets actual multichannel analyzer to MC_B ... MC_D for the
; rest of the controlfile.
savedat
; Saves data.
pushname
; pushes the actual filename on an internal stack that can hold 4 names.
popname
; pops the last filename from the internal stack.
load
; Loads data; the filename must be specified before with a
; command datname=...
add
; Adds data; the filename must be specified before with a
; command datname=...
sub
; Subtracts data from actual multichannel analyzer; the filename
; must be specified before with a command datname=...
smooth
; Smoothes the data in actual multichannel analyzer
eras
; Clears the histogram
eras2
; Clears the data of system 2.
eras3
; Clears the data of system 3.
eras4
; Clears the data of system 4.
sweep
; Starts a sweep by software
exit
; Exits the Server (and MCDWIN) programs
alert Message
; Displays a Messagebox containing Message and an OK
; button that must be pressed before execution can continue
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waitinfo 5000 Message; Displays a Messagebox containing Message, an OK
; and an END button. After the specified time (5000 msec)
; the Messagebox vanishes and execution continues. OK
; continues immediately, END escapes execution.
beep *
; Makes a beep. The character '*' may be replaced with
; '?', '!' or left empty. The corresponding sound is defined in the
; WIN.INI file in the [sounds] section.
delay 4000
; Waits specified time (4000 msec = 4 sec).
run controlfile
; Runs a sequence of commands stored in controlfile. This
; command cannot be nested, i.e. from the controlfile called a
; second run command cannot be executed.
onstart command
; The command is executed always after a start action when the
; acquisition is already running. The command can be any valid
; command, also 'run controlfile' is possible.
onstart off
; Switches off the 'onstart' feature. Also a manual Stop command
; switches it off.
onstop command
; The command is executed always after a stop caused by a
; preset reached. This can be used to program measure
; cycles. For example the command 'onstop start' makes a
; loop of this kind.
onstop off
; Switches off the 'onstop' feature. Also a manual Stop command
; switches it off.
oncycle command
; executes command after a cycle end in sequential mode.
; It is possible to enter up to 512 different such commands,
; each can be maximal 20 character long. The next in the
; series will be executed after the next cycle. When the last
; such entered command was executed the first one will be
; executed again after the next cycle.
oncycle off
; switches off the oncycle command executing.
lastrun=5
; Defines the file count for the last run in a measure cycle. After a
; file with this count or greater was saved with autoinc on, instead
; of the 'onstop command' the 'onlast command' is executed.
numruns=5
; Defines the file count for the last run in a measure cycle. The
; last count is the present one plus the numruns number.After a
; file with this count was saved with autoinc on, instead of the
; 'onstop command' the 'onlast command' is executed.
onlast command
; The command is executed after a stop caused by a preset
; reached or trigger instead of the 'onstop command', when the
; last file count is reached with autoinc on. This can be used to
; finish programmed measure cycles.
onlast off
; Switches off the 'onlast' feature. Also a manual Stop command
; switches it off.
pulse 100
; Output a TTL pulse of 100 msec duration at dig 3 (pin 11)
waitpin 4000
; Waits 4000 ms for going the level at dig 7 (pin 13) going low.
; After a timeout a Message box warns and waits for pressing OK.
; Can be used for connecting a sample changer.
exec program
; Executes a Windows program or .PIF file. Example:
; exec notepad test.ctl opens the notepad editor and loads
; test.ctl.
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deleteallrois
; Deletes all ROIs in the active Display of MCDWIN or the active
; multichannel analyzer if MCDWIN is not running.
deleteallrois MC_A
; Similar to the deleteallrois command, but using the argument allows to
; specify which spectrum should be treated independently of
; which child window is activated in MCDWIN
fitrois
; Makes a single peak Gaussian fit for all ROIs in the active
; Display of MCDWIN and dumps the result into a logfile. This is
; performed by the MCDWIN program and therefore can be
; made only if this application is running.
fitrois MC_A
; Similar to the fitroi command, but using the argument allows to
; specify which spectrum should be evaluated independently of
; which child window is activated in MCDWIN
autocal
; Makes a single peak Gaussian fit for all ROIs in the active
; Display of MCDWIN for which a peak value was entered in the
; MCDWIN Region Edit dialog and uses the results for a
; calibration. This is performed by the MCDWIN program and
; therefore can be made only if this application is running.
autocal MC_A
; Similar to the autocal command, but using the argument allows
; to specify which spectrum should be evaluated independently of
; which child window is activated in MCDWIN
The following commands make sense only when using the serial line, TCP/IP or DLL control:
MC_A?
; Sends the status of MC_A via the serial port and make MC_A
; actual.
MC_B?
; Sends the status of MC_B via the serial port and make MC_B
; actual.
MC_C?
; Sends the status of MC_C via the serial port and make MC_C
; actual.
MC_D?
; Sends the status of MC_D via the serial port and make MC_D
; actual.
?
; Send the status of the actual multi channel analyzer
sendfile filename
; Sends the ASCII file named filename over the serial line.
The execution of a control file can be ended from the Server or MCDWIN with the Halt button.
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5.3.
Controlling the P7889 Windows Server via DDE
The P7889 program can be a server for DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange). Many Windows software
packages can use the DDE standard protocols to communicate with other Windows programs, for
example GRAMS, FAMOS or LabVIEW. In the following the DDE capabilities of the P7889 program are
described together with a demo VI („Virtual Instrument“) for LabVIEW. It is not recommended to use the
DDE protocol for LabVIEW, as also a DLL interface is available that is much faster. The following should
be seen as a general description of the DDE conversation capabilities of the P7889 program.
5.3.1.
Open Conversation
application: P7889
topic: 7889
Any application that wants to be a client of a DDE server, must open the conversation first by specifying
an application and a topic name. The application name is P7889 and the topic is 7889.
Figure 5.12: Opening the DDE conversation with the P7889 in LabVIEW
5.3.2.
DDE Execute
The DDE Execute command can be used to perform any action of the P7889 program. Any of the Control
command lines described in section 5.2 can be used. For example a sequence of control commands
saved in a file TEST.CTL can be executed by specifying the command
RUN TEST.CTL
The P7889 program then executes the command and, after finishing, it sends an Acknowledge message
to the DDE client. This can be used to synchronize the actions in both applications.
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Figure 5.13: Executing a P7889 command from a LabVIEW application
5.3.3.
DDE Request
The DDE Request is a message exchange to obtain the value of a specified item. Only two items are
defined for DDE request up to now: RANGE and DATA. The value is obtained as an ASCII string, i.e. it
must be converted by the client to get the numbers. All other parameters concerning the setup can be
obtained by the client application by reading and evaluating the configuration file.
RANGE
The RANGE item can be used to obtain the total number of data.
Figure 5.14: Getting the total number of data with LabVIEW
DATA
With the DATA item the data is obtained. The value of this item is a multiline string that contains in each
line a decimal number as an ASCII string.
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Figure 5.15: Getting the data with LabVIEW
5.3.4.
Close Conversation
After finishing the DDE communication with the server program, it must be closed.
Figure 5.16: Closing the DDE communication in LabVIEW
The following figure shows the „Panel“ of the described VI for LabVIEW.
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Figure 5.17: Control Panel of the demo VI for LabVIEW
5.3.5.
DDE Conversation with GRAMS/386
The following file GRAMS889.CIF can be used to get the P7889 data into GRAMS/386 via DDE using the
„Collect“ menu:
P7889 DDE Test
Query
P7889
7889
DATA
save
end
spc
1 second
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5.4.
Controlling the P7889 Windows Server via DLL
The P7889 server program provides access to all functions, parameters and data via a DLL („dynamic
link library“). So the server can be completely controlled by the MCDWIN software that provides all
necessary graphic displays.
In the following some parts of the header and definition files of the DP7889.DLL are listed, that may help
an experienced programmer to use the DLL for own applications. The arguments „item, nDevice,
nDisplay, nSystem“ are only for compatibility with other devices controlled by the MCDWIN software and
must be zero.
NOTE:
The complete documented sourcecode of the DLL including fundamental VI’s and an example VI for
LabVIEW and an example Visual Basic and C program is available as an option.
typedef struct{
int started;
double runtime;
double totalsum;
double roisum;
double roirate;
double ofls;
double sweeps;
double stevents;
unsigned long maxval;
} ACQSTATUS;
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
aquisition status: 1 if running, 0 else
running time in seconds
total events
events within ROI
acquired ROI-events per second
fifo full;
Number of sweeps
Start Events
Maximum value in spectrum
typedef struct{
unsigned long range;
long prena;
// spectrum length
// bit 0: realtime preset enabled
// bit 1: single sweeps enabled
// bit 2: sweep preset enabled
// bit 3: ROI preset enabled
// bit 4: Starts preset enabled
long cftfak;
// LOWORD: 256 * cft factor (t_after_peak / t_to_peak)
// HIWORD: max pulse width for CFT
unsigned long roimin;
// lower ROI limit
unsigned long roimax;
// upper limit: roimin <= channel < roimax
double eventpreset;
// ROI preset value
double timepreset;
// time preset value
long savedata;
// bit 0: 1 if auto save after stop
// bit 1: write listfile
// bit 2: listfile only, no histogram
long fmt;
// format type: 0 == ASCII, 1 == binary
long autoinc;
// 1 if auto increment filename
long cycles;
// for sequential mode
long sweepmode;
// sweepmode & 0xF:
// 0 = normal, 4=sequential
// bit 4: Softw. Start
// bit 5: DMA mode
// bit 6: Wrap around
// bit 7: Start event generation
// bit 8: Enable tag bits
// bit (9,10): 0=rising, 1=falling,
//
2=both, 3=both+CFT
// bit 11: pulse width
// bit 12: 6 bits of Sweepcounter in Data
// bit 13: card ID in data
long syncout;
// sync out; bit 0..5 NIM syncout,
// bit 6..12 TTL syncout
long bitshift;
// Binwidth = 2 ^ (bitshift)
long digval;
// digval=0..255 value for samplechanger
long digio;
// Use of Dig I/O, GO Line:
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//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
//
long dac0;
long dac1;
double swpreset;
long nregions;
long caluse;
double fstchan;
long active;
long calpoints;
} ACQSETTING;
typedef struct{
unsigned long HUGE *s0;
unsigned long far *region;
unsigned char far *comment0;
double far *cnt;
HANDLE hs0;
HANDLE hrg;
HANDLE hcm;
HANDLE hct;
} ACQDATA;
typedef struct {
int nDevices;
int nDisplays;
int nSystems;
int bRemote;
unsigned int sys;
//
//
//
//
//
//
bit 0: status dig 0..3
bit 1: Output digval and
increment digval after stop
bit 2: Invert polarity
bit 3: Push-Pull output
bit 4..7: Input pins 4..7
Trigger System 1..4
bit 8: GOWATCH
bit 9: GO High at Start
bit 10: GO Low at Stop
bit 11: Clear before
ext. triggered Start
LOWORD: DAC0 value (START)
bit 16: rising edge
LOWORD: DAC1(STOP)
bit 16: time under threshold
sweep preset value
number of regions
bit 0 == 1 if calibration used,
higher bits: formula
first time channel * 32
1 for module enabled in system 1
number of calibration points
//
//
//
//
pointer
pointer
pointer
pointer
to
to
to
to
spectrum
regions
strings
counters
// Number of spectra = number of modules
// Number of active displays 0...nDevices
// Number of systems 0...4
// 1 if server controlled by MCDWIN
// System definition word:
bit0=0, bit1=0: MCD#0 in system 1
bit0=1, bit1=0: MCD#0 in system 2
bit0=0, bit1=1: MCD#0 in system 3
bit0=1, bit1=1: MCD#0 in system 4
bit2=0, bit3=0: MCD#1 in system 1 ...
bit6=1, bit7=1: MCD#3 in system 4
} ACQDEF;
/*** FUNCTION PROTOTYPES (do not change) ***/
BOOL APIENTRY DllMain(HANDLE hInst, DWORD ul_reason_being_called, LPVOID
lpReserved);
VOID APIENTRY StoreSettingData(ACQSETTING FAR *Setting, int nDisplay);
// Stores Settings into the DLL
int APIENTRY GetSettingData(ACQSETTING FAR *Setting, int nDisplay);
// Get Settings stored in the DLL
// Store System Definition into DLL
VOID APIENTRY StoreStatusData(ACQSTATUS FAR *Status, int nDisplay);
// Store the Status into the DLL
int APIENTRY GetStatusData(ACQSTATUS FAR *Status, int nDisplay);
// Get the Status
VOID APIENTRY Start(int nSystem);
// Start
VOID APIENTRY Halt(int nSystem);
// Halt
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VOID APIENTRY Continue(int nSystem);
// Continue
VOID APIENTRY NewSetting(int nDevice);
// Indicate new Settings to Server
UINT APIENTRY ServExec(HWND ClientWnd);
// Execute the Server P7886.EXE
VOID APIENTRY StoreData(ACQDATA FAR *Data, int nDisplay);
// Stores Data pointers into the DLL
int APIENTRY GetData(ACQDATA FAR *Data, int nDisplay);
// Get Data pointers
long APIENTRY GetSpec(long i, int nDisplay);
// Get a spectrum value
VOID APIENTRY SaveSetting(void);
// Save Settings
int APIENTRY GetStatus(int nDevice);
// Request actual Status from Server
VOID APIENTRY Erase(int nSystem);
// Erase spectra
VOID APIENTRY SaveData(int nDevice);
// Saves data
VOID APIENTRY GetBlock(long FAR *hist, int start, int end, int step,
int nDisplay);
// Get a block of spectrum data
VOID APIENTRY StoreDefData(ACQDEF FAR *Def);
int APIENTRY GetDefData(ACQDEF FAR *Def);
// Get System Definition
VOID APIENTRY LoadData(int nDisplay);
// Loads data
VOID APIENTRY AddData(int nDisplay);
// Adds data
VOID APIENTRY SubData(int nDisplay);
// Subtracts data
VOID APIENTRY Smooth(int nDisplay);
// Smooth data
VOID APIENTRY NewData(void);
// Indicate new ROI or string Data
VOID APIENTRY HardwareDlg(int item);
// Calls the Settings dialog box
VOID APIENTRY UnregisterClient(void);
// Clears remote mode from MCDWIN
VOID APIENTRY DestroyClient(void);
// Close MCDWIN
UINT APIENTRY ClientExec(HWND ServerWnd);
// Execute the Client MCDWIN.EXE
int APIENTRY LVGetDat(unsigned long HUGE *datp, int nDisplay);
// Copies the spectrum to an array
VOID APIENTRY RunCmd(int nDisplay, LPSTR Cmd);
// Executes command
int APIENTRY LVGetRoi(unsigned long FAR *roip, int nDisplay);
// Copies the ROI boundaries to an array
int APIENTRY LVGetCnt(double far *cntp, int nDisplay);
// Copies Cnt numbers to an array
int APIENTRY LVGetStr(char far *strp, int nDisplay);
// Copies strings to an array
EXPORTS
;
Functions in dp7889.c
StoreSettingData
GetSettingData
StoreStatusData
GetStatusData
Start
Halt
Continue
NewSetting
ServExec
StoreData
GetData
GetSpec
SaveSetting
GetStatus
Erase
SaveData
GetBlock
StoreDefData
GetDefData
LoadData
NewData
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Windows Server Program
HardwareDlg
UnregisterClient
DestroyClient
ClientExec
LVGetDat
RunCmd
AddData
LVGetRoi
LVGetCnt
LVGetStr
SubData
Smooth
StoreExtSettingData
GetExtSettingData
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MCDWIN Software
6.
MCDWIN Software
The window of the MCDWIN program is shown here. It enables the full control of the P7889 card
via the server program to perform measurements, save data and to show the data online in
several windows.
The server program P7889.EXE automatically starts MCDWIN. If you try to start MCDWIN in
advance to the server, a message box warns that you should start the server first.
Figure 6.1: MCDWIN main window
A status window at the left side gives all information about the status of the P7889. A toolbar
provides fast access to many used functions in the menu. A status bar at the bottom gives help
about the meaning of the toolbar icons. A cursor appears when clicking the left mouse button
inside the graphics area. To get rid of the cursor, make a double click with the right mouse button
outside the graphics area. To define a region, press the right mouse button, and while keeping
the button pressed, drag a rectangle. In zoomed state a scrollbar appears that allows to scroll
through the spectrum.
MCDWIN has also viewing capabilities for two dimensional spectra. A single spectrum can be
converted into a two dimensional one by specifying the x dimension in the display option dialog. It
is possible to drag a rectangle and zoom into this rectangle. Rectangular ROIs can be set and the
ROISum and Net ROISum is displayed. The Net Sum is calculated the same way like in the
single view, by subtracting a linear interpolated background from the both outmost channels in xdirection. This Net sums are then summed up in y-direction. The ROI editing dialog is changed
into a Rectangular Editing dialog for MAP and ISO displays. The Cursor can be moved in x and y
direction using the mouse and the arrow keys, in ISO display only using the arrow keys.
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MCDWIN Software
Figure 6.2: MCDWIN Map and Isometric display
A status window at the left side gives all information about the status of the P7889. A toolbar
provides fast access to many used functions in the menu. A status bar at the bottom gives help
about the meaning of the toolbar icons. A cursor appears when clicking the left mouse button
inside the graphics area. The cursor can be moved using the arrow keys. To get rid of the cursor,
make a double click with the right mouse button outside the graphics area. To define a region,
press the right mouse button, and while keeping the button pressed, drag a rectangle. In zoomed
state a scrollbar appears that allows to scroll through the spectrum.
In the following the several menu functions are described together with the corresponding toolbar
icons.
6.1.
File Menu
Load..., Add..., Save, Save As...
These menu items provide the usual functions for loading and saving data common to most
Windows programs. When saving data, you have the choice between binary (.DAT) and ASCII
(.ASC) format. When you load data, select a header file (extension .889). This file contains the
information about the length and format of the data file, which is then automatically read.
It is also possible to load a file with extension .CTL containing commands which are then
executed. With „Add“ the data is added to the present data. The data loaded from a file is
corrected according to the calibration, if available.
Open New...
With the Open New menu item or the corresponding icon a new Display window will be created
and shown as the active window.
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Open All
By selecting the Open All menu item, all available Displays are shown. The window of the last
opened Display becomes active.
Print...
The Print menu item opens the print dialog. It allows to arrange several pictures on a page into
zones. The number of zones in vertical and horizontal direction can be specified. The Color can
be black/white, RGB (colored) or Gray scale. RGB is recommended also for black laser printers.
Some info lines containing date, filename and title can be added. For each page a temporary file
PRINT1.WMF, PRINT2.WMF... will be created. This file is in Windows Metafile format and can be
exported into some other Windows applications.
Figure 6.3: Print dialog box
NOTE:
If printing takes a long time and disk activity is high, please note the following: The picture for the
printing is first built in the memory, but it may need quite a lot of memory if the printer resolution is
high and therefore Windows makes intense virtual memory swapping to disk if for example only
8 MB RAM are available. Therefore it is recommended: never use a 600 dpi printer driver for the
printout of spectra. For example for an HP Laser 4, install the PCL driver and use 300 dpi. The
PCL driver is also much more effective than a Postscript driver, printing is much faster. With
600 dpi, the maximum figure size is indeed limited to about 12 cm x 7 cm (Windows 9x cannot
handle on an easy way bitmaps larger than 16 MB).
Setup Printer...
The Setup Printer menu item allows to configure the printer.
Exit
The Exit menu item exits the MCDWIN.
6.2.
Window Menu
The Window menu allows to arrange the Display windows.
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Tile
With the Tile menu item or clicking the corresponding icon, all opened and displayed MCDWIN
Display windows are arranged over the full MCDWIN client area trying to make the same size for
all windows.
Cascade
The Cascade menu item or respective icon arranges all windows in a cascade.
Arrange Icons
By the Arrange Icons menu item, the minimized MCDWIN Display windows are arranged in a
series at the bottom of the MCDWIN client area.
Close All
By selecting the Close All menu item, all Display windows are closed.
Window list
At the end of the Window menu, all created Display windows are listed with their names, the
current active window is checked. By selecting any of the names, this window becomes the active
and is displayed in front of all others.
6.3.
Region Menu
The Region menu contains commands for Regions and ROIs (Regions of Interest). A Region can
be marked in a display with the mouse using the right mouse button by dragging a rectangle over
the area one is interested in. A ROI, i.e. an already defined region in a single spectra can be
shown zoomed by double-clicking with the left mouse button on the corresponding colored area in
the bar at the bottom of the spectra display. A single mouse click with the left button on the
corresponding colored area makes this to the active ROI and lets the counts contained in this ROI
be displayed in the information lines of the respective window.
Zoom
The Zoom item or respective icon enlarges a Region to the maximum Display Spectrum size.
Back
The Back menu item or clicking the corresponding icon restores the last zoom view. A successive
Back command returns to the previous view.
Zoom Out
The Zoom Out menu item or clicking the corresponding icon reduces the actual zoom factor by 2,
if applicable.
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Home
Clicking the Home menu item or the corresponding icon restores a Display to the basic
configuration.
Shape
Selecting the Shape menu item opens a submenu with the items Rectangle, X-Slice, Y-Slice, and
Polygon to choose the ROI shape.
Rectangle
Sets the region shape to a rectangle with arbitrary dimensions. To enter the rectangular region,
press the right mouse button, drag a rectangle, and release the button to define the region.
X-Slice
Sets the Region shape to the rectangle with maximum height.
Y-Slice
Sets the Region shape to the rectangle with maximum width.
Create
The Create menu item creates a new ROI from the current marked Region.
Delete
By selecting the Delete menu item or the respective icon, the current active ROI is deleted and
the previously defined ROI is activated.
Edit...
With the Edit item, a dialog box is opened which allows to edit the ROI list, i.e. create a new one,
delete, change and activate an existing ROI. Also the peak values (e.g. energy, mass etc.) for an
automatic calibration can be entered here. A ROI can be edited and added to the list. It can also
be made to the „Active ROI“, that is the special ROI that is used by the server program to
calculate the events within this ROI and look for an event preset. The ROI list can be cleared and
can be written to a file with extension .CTL, which can be directly loaded into the server to restore
the ROI list.
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MCDWIN Software
Figure 6.4: ROI Editing dialog box, left: Single spectra, right: 2D spectra
The selected ROI can be changed by clicking on it in the ROI list. In the MCDWIN spectrum
display the total and net sum of the selected ROI is displayed.
Fit...
By selecting the Fit... menu item or the respective icon, A single Gaussian peak fit with linear
background is performed for the currently marked region. The fitted curve is displayed and a
dialog box shows the results:
Figure 6.5: Single Gaussian Peak Fit
The full width at half maximum FWHM and Position of the Gaussian can be changed and a New
Fit can be performed, they even can be fixed to the entered value by marking the respective
checkbox. The Position and FWHM are displayed in channels and also in calibrated units, if a
calibration is available. The area of the Gaussian is also shown. For all values also the standard
deviations are given. The value of Q is the normalized chi**2. To take into account the systematic
error of the lineshape, you may multiply the errors with the squareroot of Q. Click on Save to
append a line containing the results to a Logfile with the specified name. OK closes the dialog
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and the fitted function remains in the display - also if the display is refreshed -, whereas after
Cancel the curve no longer will be shown in a refreshed display. Options... opens a new dialog
box to define the information in the logfile:
Figure 6.6: Log file Options for the Single Gaussian Peak Fit
The several quantities are written in standard text format with Tabs as separators and a Newline
character at the end of each line, so the file can be read with standard calculation programs like
EXCEL. Click on Print Header to write a header line.
Fit ROIs
With the Fit ROIs item, for all ROIs a Single Gaussian Peak Fit is performed and the results are
dumped into the logfile.
Auto Calib
Makes a Gauss fit for all ROIs in the active Display for which a peak value was entered, and
performs a calibration using the fit results.
6.4.
Options Menu
The Options Menu contains commands for changing display properties like scale, colors etc.,
hardware settings, calibration and comments.
Colors...
The Colors menu item or respective icon opens the Colors dialog box.
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Figure 6.7: Colors dialog box
It changes the palette or Display element color depending on which mode is chosen. The current
color and palette setup may be saved or a new one can be loaded.
Figure 6.8: Color Palette dialog box
To change on of the colors, select "Palette colors" and click on one of the colors. In the Color
Palette dialog box the RGB values can be edited or for a 256 color video driver one of the
Physical palette colors can be chosen.
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Display...
The Display menu item or the corresponding icon opens for single spectra the Single view dialog
box.
Here the graphic display mode of single spectra can be chosen. The 'Type' combo box gives a
choice between dot, histogram, spline I and line. The 'Symbol' combo box gives a choice
between None, Circle, Triangle down, Triangle up, Cross, Snow-flake and Diamond. The symbols
can be filled by checking Fill, error bars can be displayed by checking Error Bar.
'Dot' means that each spectra point is shown as a small rectangle or the specified symbol, the
size can be adjusted with the size combo box. 'Histogram' is the usual display with horizontal and
vertical lines, 'spline I' means linear interpolation between the points, and 'line' means vertical
lines from the ground to each spectra point.
If the displayed spectra range contains more channels as pixel columns are available in the video
graphic display, usually „All“ data is displayed. But it can also explicitly specified by marking the
checkboxes „Max Pixel“, „Mean Pixel“ or „Min Pixel“ which value in the pixel column will be
displayed. It is also possible to display all three possible values in different colors that can be
chosen in the colors dialog. For the „Mean Pixel“ a Threshold value can be entered; channel
contents below this value then aren't taken into account for the mean value calculation.
It is possible to change to a two dimensional view of the spectrum by specifying the x Dimension
and clicking the button ">> MAP".
Figure 6.9: Single View dialog box
For MAP displays the Display Options dialog is changed and allows a choice between four
Graphic types: bitmap dot, vector dot, bitmap contour and vector contour. Bitmap Dot is
recommended as a standard, because it makes a good and fast display. Vector Contour paints
colored contour lines. To calculate the lines takes a lot of time and causes the mouse pointer
changing to an hourglass. But it gives very impressive colored pictures suited especially for
presentation and when looking carefully at spectra details.
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MCDWIN Software
Figure 6.10: MAP View dialog box
Clicking the Slice button allows to create new single spectra displays, showing a slice in a 2D
spectra. The Slice dialog box is displayed.
Select “x=const” or “y=const” for the slice direction, and the coordinate. Clicking the "create"
button creates the new display window. In the title bar of the new window the name of the 2D
spectra and the slice coordinate is shown.
The slice position can be changed using the scroll bar in the Slice dialog, or by entering the value
in the edit fileld and pressing the button which is labeled “Set” after creation of the slice view.
The Slice dialog can be closed by clicking its close field. Created slice spectra displays remain
visible and their coordinates can be changed later using the Slice dialog again. The position of
the Slice dialog with respect to the MCDWIN main window can be saved in the MCDWIN.CNF
file. Rectangular ROIs are visible in the slice spectra display and can be created here.
Figure 6.11: Slice dialog box
From the MAP View dialog it is possible to change to Single view by clicking ">> Single" or
change to Isometric View by clicking ">> Isometric".
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Figure 6.12: Isometric View dialog box
In isometric mode several single spectra are drawn behind each other. The Precession angle
around the vertical axis can be chosen in multiples of 90 degrees. The Tilt angle is between the x
and y axis and can be chosen between 15 and 89 degrees. The Height specifies the percentage
of the z-axis length respective to the whole drawing, it can be entered between 0 and 99. With
hidden it can be specified whether the hidden parts are not drawn. If "Monochrome" is checked,
the spectra are painted monochrome, otherwise in color.
Axis...
By the Axis... menu item or the respective icon, the Axis Parameters dialog box is opened.
Figure 6.13: Axis Parameter dialog box
It provides many choices for the axis of a display. The frame can be rectangular or L-shape, the
frame thickness can be adjusted (xWidth, yWidth). A grid for x and y can be enabled, the style
can be chosen between Solid, Dash, DashDot and DashDotDot. Ticks on each of the four frame
borders can be enabled, the tick length and thickness can be chosen. The style of the axis
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labeling depends on enabled ticks at the bottom respective left side: If no ticks are enabled there,
only the lowest and highest values are displayed at the axis, otherwise the ticks are labeled.
Scaling...
The Scaling menu item or the corresponding icon opens the Scale Parameters dialog box.
Figure 6.14: Scale Parameters dialog box
It allows to change the ranges and attributes of a Spectrum axis. By setting the Auto scaling
mode, the MCDWIN will automatically recalculate the y-axe's maximum value for the visible
Spectrum region only. To keep the same height of the visible region for a longer time, deselect
the Auto scaling mode. Then with the scroll bar thumb one can quickly change the visible region
scale, otherwise the scale will be changed automatically. The Minimum auto scale mode helps to
display weak structures on a large background.
Lin / Log scale
Chose between Linear or Logarithmic scaling. All options have effect only on the active Display.
Calibration...
Using the Calibration menu item or the corresponding icon opens the Calibration dialog box.
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MCDWIN Software
Figure 6.15: Calibration dialog box
Make a choice of several calibration formulas. Enter some cursor positions and the corresponding
values (e.g. energy, mass etc.), click on Add and then on Calibrate. The obtained coefficients can
be inspected together with the statistical error, or they can be changed and entered by hand. If
‘use calibration’ is enabled, the calibrated values are displayed together with the channel position
of the cursor.
Comments...
Up to 13 comment lines with each 60 characters can be entered using the Comments dialog box.
The content of these lines is saved in the data header file. The first line automatically contains the
time and date when a measurement was started. The titles of each line can be changed by
editing the file COMMENT.TXT.
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Figure 6.16: Comments dialog box
Range, Preset...
This dialog box allows to make all P7889 settings (ref. chapter 5.1.4).
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Figure 6.17: P7889 Settings dialog box
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Data...
The Data dialog box allows to perform all the P7889 data operations (ref. chapter 5.1.3).
Figure 6.18: Data Operations dialog box
System...
The System Definition dialog box allows to make all the respective P7889 settings (See chapter
0).
Figure 6.19: System Definition dialog box
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MCDWIN Software
Replay...
The menu item Options – Replay... opens the Replay settings dialog (ref. chapter 5.1.3).
Figure 6.20: Replay dialog box
Tool Bar...
Selecting the Tool Bar Menu item opens the Tool Bar Dialog Box. It allows to arrange the icons in
the Tool Bar.
Figure 6.21: Tool Bar dialog box
If it is enabled, an array of icons in the MCDWIN Menu is shown. Clicking the left mouse button
with the cursor positioned on an icon, the user can perform a corresponding MCDWIN Menu
command very quick.
It is also possible to include icons for free programmable function keys F1...F12 into the Toolbar.
The function keys can be programmed in the Function keys dialog. It can be accessed either by
clicking the "Function keys..." button or directly from the options menu.
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MCDWIN Software
Figure 6.22: Function keys dialog box
The functions can be executed by clicking the corresponding icon in the toolbar or by the
corresponding function key on the keyboard simultaneously with the CTRL key. The MCDWIN
window must be the active on the desktop and have the focus.
Status bar
With this menu item the Status bar at the bottom of the MCDWIN main window can be switched
on or off. A corresponding checkmark shows if it is active or not. The Status bar usually shows if
an acquisition is running. When the left mouse button is held down while the mouse cursor is on a
toolbar icon, it displays a short help message what the toolbar icon does.
Status window
The same way it is possible to hide or show the status window at the left side of the MCDWIN
main window.
Save
Stores all parameters defined in the Options menu to the MCDWIN.CNF config file.
Save As...
Stores all parameters defined in the Options menu to a user defined config file.
Retrieve...
Loads a new configuration.
6.5.
Action Menu
The Action Menu or corresponding toolbar icons contain the commands to start, stop, continue
and erase a measurement. If more than one system is formed, also more actions menus are
available, otherwise they are grayed or disabled.
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MCDWIN Software
Start
The Start toolbar button erases the histogram data and starts a new measurement.
Halt
The Halt toolbar button stops a measurement.
Continue
The Continue toolbar button continues a measurement.
Erase
The Erase toolbar button clears the histogram data.
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Programming and Software Options
7.
Programming and Software Options
P7889
The P7889 can be controlled by user-written programs using the DLL software interface with
example programs for Visual Basic, LabVIEW and C that is available as an option. Furthermore,
LINUX software is available as an option containing a driver, library and console test program. A
Windows software similar to the LINUX package that runs without the server using a stand-alone
DLL is also available on demand for customers who own one of the two available library
packages.
Auto-Correlation: an optional available expansion of the Server program allows to acquire data
into a two dimensional array M(i,j). The channel (i,j) is incremented when in a single sweep the
channel i and i+j has an event. The two dimensional MAP can be viewed in MCDWIN even
during the acquisition. Use the display options and switch to MAP and later to ISOMETRIC.
Figure 7.1: Autocorrelation software option
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Appendix - Performance Characteristics
8.
Appendix
8.1.
Performance Characteristics
8.1.1.
General
Resolution1 FWHM2:
at 10 µs ≅ 100,000 chs over 60 min: ...................... typ. < 160 ps
at 1 ms ≅ 10,000,000 chs over 60 min: .................. typ. < 180 ps
Oven stabilized option: ................................................................
at 100 ms ≅ 1,000,000,000 chs over 24 hours............ typ. < TBD
64
Dynamic range:
....................................................................2 x 100 ps = 58.5 a
Differential non-linearity:
........................................................................................<< ± 1 %
Start / trigger delay:
................................................................................... typ. < 10 ns
Deadtime:
Start of sweep pipeline delay: ................................ 44.8 ± 6.4 ns
End of sweep: .................................................................. < 80 ns
between time bins: .............................................................. none
Sweep repetition time:
............................... ≤ (Acq. Delay + Range + Hold Off + 132 ns)
8.1.2.
Timebase
Reference oscillator:
Nominal frequency: ..................................................10.000 MHz
Initial accuracy (25°C): .............................................. ≤ ± 50 ppm
Frequency stability:
in operating temperature range: .............................. ≤ ± 100 ppm
Oven stabilized option:
Nominal frequency: ..................................................10.000 MHz
Adjustment tolerance: ............................................ ≤ ± 0.25 ppm
Frequency stability:
in operating temperature range: ............................. ≤ ± 0.03 ppm
-9
vs. Supply voltage change ±5 %: ............................≤ ± 5.0 * 10
-10
vs. Short term: ......................................................≤ ±1.0 * 10 /s
-9
Aging: ..............................................................≤ ± 2.0 * 10 /day
-1 st
.........................................................................2.0 * 10 /1 year
Warm-up time: ...................................................≤ 1 min. @ 25°C
............................................................................≤ 2 min. @ 0°C
Synthesizer frequency:
Nominal: .......................................................................... 10 GHz
1 Input signal is a highly stable 10MHz Rubidium Frequency Standard sine wave signal in a laboratory surrounding
2 Full width at half maximum. All FWHM data is derived from a gaussian fit.
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Appendix 8-1
Appendix - Specification
8.1.3.
Data Throughput
6
DMA data rate into PC1:
-1
............................................................................. 22.3 x 10 sec
6
-1
............................................................................. ≤ 51 x 10 sec
Burst STOP edge input rate: .......................................................................................... 10 GHz
Max. burst length:
(initially empty 1024 deep FIFO_1) ............................... ≥ 6.55 µs
FIFO_1-to-FIFO_2 rate:
....................................................................................≥ 22.3 MHz
(at burst input rate) .................................................. max. 51 MHz
8.2.
Specification
8.2.1.
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Input voltage:
any multi I/O port: ................................................. -0.5 to + 5.5 V
any TTL TAG input port: ....................................... -0.5 to + 5.5 V
any LVDS TAG input port: .................................... -0.5 to + 2.9 V
any discriminator input: ....................................................± 1.7 V
DC current:
any multi I/O port .............................................................± 10 mA
any TTL TAG input port...................................................± 40 mA
any LVDS TAG input port................................................± 20 mA
any discriminator input: ................................................± 200 mA
8.2.2.
Recommended Operating Conditions
Supply voltage:
(from PC power supply).......................+3.3V, +5 V, +12 V, -12 V
Temperature range:
....................................................................................... 0 to 50°C
GO Line load:
........................................................................ min. 1 kΩ to +5.0V
or .....................................................................min. 2 kΩ to GND
8.2.3.
Power Requirements
Supply voltage:
............................................................................. +3.3 V ± 0.16 V
................................................................................ +5 V ± 0.25 V
................................................................................ +12 V ± 0.6 V
................................................................................. -12 V ± 0.6 V
Supply current:
+3.3 V: ................................................................................... TBD
+5 V: ....................................................................................2.2 A
+12 V: ..................................................................................0.2 A
-12 V: .................................................................................0.25 A
8.2.4.
Connectors
±1 V Discriminator Inputs
Location:
.......................................................................... mounting bracket
1 depends largely on the computer used
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Appendix 8-2
Appendix - Specification
Connector:
...................................................................................female SMA
Impedance:
.............................................................................................. 50 Ω
Input voltage range:
...........................................................................................± 1.0 V
Threshold voltage:
(power-up default = 0.0 V) .................................................±2.0 V
............................................................................ in steps of 1 mV
Sensitivity:
..............................................................................typ. < 10 mVpp
Bandwidth STOP input:
( - 3dB) .................................................................... typ. > 3 GHz
Bandwidth START input:
( - 3dB) .................................................................... typ. > 1 GHz
Fast-NIM SYNC_1 Output
Location:
.......................................................................... mounting bracket
Connector:
...................................................................................female SMA
Impedance:
.............................................................................................. 50 Ω
Output HIGH voltage:
(50 Ω load) ................................................................. typ. –0.0 V
Output LOW voltage:
(50 Ω load) .................................................................. typ. –0.8 V
Output short circuit current:
VOUT = GND ................................................................. typ. 28 mA
SYNC_2 Output
Location:
...................................... ref. FEATURE (multi) I/O port connector
Output HIGH voltage:
IOutHIGH = -24mA ........................................................... min. 2.4 V
Output LOW voltage:
IOutLOW = 48mA .......................................................... max. 0.45 V
Recommended current:
VOUT = LOW ..................................................................< 180 mA
VOUT = HIGH ................................................................. < - 90 mA
Reference Clock I/O:
Location:
...................................... ref. FEATURE (multi) I/O port connector
Impedance:
..........................................................................(dc blocked) 50 Ω
Output HIGH voltage:
(50 Ω load) .................................................................... typ. 2.0 V
Output LOW voltage:
(50 Ω load) .................................................................... typ. 0.4 V
Input Amplitude:
(clipped sine or sine wave).........................................typ. 3.3 VPP
The clock I/O circuitry is widely adjustable to individual needs.
Contact factory for details.
Digital I/O 0…7
Location:
...................................... ref. FEATURE (multi) I/O port connector
R PULL :
(default) .............................................................................1.0 kΩ
R I/O:
(default) ............................................................................... 22 Ω
Input HIGH voltage:
(at PINi, ref Figure 3.13. )1 .......................................... min. 2.0 V
Input LOW voltage:
(at PINi) ....................................................................... max. 0.8 V
1 Note: input and output voltages are measured at the internal logic pads not at the external connectors. Thus, the corresponding
pull and series resistors must be considered to get the external voltages
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Appendix 8-3
Appendix - Specification
Output HIGH voltage:
(at POUTi) IOutHIGH = -4.0mA ........................................ min. 2.4 V
Output LOW voltage:
(at POUTi) IOutLOW = 8.0mA ......................................... max. 0.4 V
GO-Line
Location:
...................................................................................... PCI board
.......................................................... ref. multi I/O port connector
Connector:
2 pin header on PCI board: ........LUMBERG 2,5 MSFW 2(MBX)
suitable socket connector: ....................... LUMBERG 2,5 MBX 2
Line Type :
.................................................................open drain / wired-AND
Pull-up Resistor:
.............................................................................. 22kΩ to +5.0 V
Input HIGH voltage:
...................................................................................... min. 2.0 V
Input LOW voltage:
..................................................................................... max. 0.8 V
Output LOW voltage:
IOut LOW = 8mA ............................................................. max. 0.4 V
TTL TAG Input 0…15
Location:
................................................ ref. TTL TAG input port connector
R PULL-DOWN :
............................................................................................ 110 Ω
Input HIGH voltage:
...................................................................................... min. 2.0 V
Input LOW voltage:
..................................................................................... max. 0.8 V
Time resolution:
............................................................................................ 6.4 ns
Sampling uncertainty:
TAG to cor. STOP: ........................................................ ± 6.4 ns
Pulse width:
recommended: ............................................................... >12.8 ns
TTL TAG Clock Output
Location:
................................................ ref. TTL TAG input port connector
Output frequency:
...................................................................................156.25 MHz
Output period:
............................................................................................ 6.4 ns
Output HIGH voltage:
IOut HIGH = 128mA........................................................... min. 2.0 V
Output LOW voltage:
IOut LOW = 64mA ............................................................ max. 0.4 V
Output HIGH current:
...............................................................................max. –128 mA
Output LOW current:
.................................................................................max. 256 mA
LVDS TAG Input 0…15
Location:
............................................. ref. LVDS TAG input port connector
R Differential :
............................................................................................ 100 Ω
detail of each input: .............100 Ω to GND and 100 Ω to +2.5 V
Input DIFFERENTIAL volt.:
................................................................................min. ±100 mV
................................................................................. typ. ±350 mV
Input Common-Mode volt.:
(diff. ±350 mV).............................................................. min. 0.2 V
..................................................................................... typ. 1.25 V
..................................................................................... max. 1.8 V
Time resolution:
............................................................................................ 6.4 ns
Sampling uncertainty:
TAG to cor. STOP: ......................................................... ± 6.4 ns
ComTec GmbH
Appendix 8-4
Appendix - Specification
Pulse width:
recommended: ............................................................... >12.8 ns
TAG Clock Output
Location:
............................................. ref. LVDS TAG input port connector
Output frequency:
...................................................................................156.25 MHz
Output period:
............................................................................................ 6.4 ns
Output DIFFERENTIAL volt.: RDiff = 100 Ω ............................................................. min. 250 mV
...................................................................................typ. 350 mV
.................................................................................max. 400 mV
Output Common-Mode volt.: RDiff = 100 Ω ............................................................. min. 1.125 V
....................................................................................... typ. 1.2 V
................................................................................. max. 1.375 V
8.2.5.
Tag Input Timing
TAG input signal with a save "0" recognition:
Figure 8.1: Save TAGs = 0 timing
TAG input signal with a save "1" recognition:
Figure 8.2: Save TAGs = 1 timing
TAG tSETUP (rel. STOP):
recommended: ................................................................... >9 ns
TAG tHOLD (rel. STOP):
recommended: ................................................................... >3 ns
TAG pulse width:
recommended: ................................................................. >12 ns
ComTec GmbH
Appendix 8-5
Appendix - Trouble Shooting
8.2.6.
Physical
PCI long board (ISA assembly, 64Bit, 3.3V)
Size:
(incl. retainer) ........................................................ 341 x 107 mm
Weight:
(board alone) .................................................................... ≈ 220 g
8.3.
Accessories
SMA – BNC adapter cables
TAG input port connector cable
ComTec GmbH
Appendix 8-6
Appendix - Trouble Shooting
8.4.
Trouble Shooting
•
System hangs on power-up: Take care that the board is well seated in the PCI connector.
Push it towards the bracket to ensure proper connections.
•
PCI device is not properly detected: Push the board in the PCI slot towards the bracket to
ensure proper connections.
•
Error message "P7889 A not found or FAST7889 device driver not installed!" at the first
start of the software:
Maybe you did not install the device drivers. If Windows 2000/XP is installed with the P7889
board plugged in, a wrong device driver for a "general PCI communication device" may be
installed. Check it using the Device manager, remove the wrong driver and install the correct
driver from the WDMDRIV directory on the diskette.
ComTec GmbH
Appendix 8-7
Appendix - Trouble Shooting
•
Personal Notes
ComTec GmbH
Appendix 8-8

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