FAQ Archive - CAEN - Tools for Discovery

Preamplifiers / Detectors

Maurizio Lippi — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 08:31:36 +0000

L'articolo Preamplifiers / Detectors proviene da CAEN - Tools for Discovery.

CUP files for Digitzer 2.0

Maurizio Lippi — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:47:14 +0000

L'articolo CUP files for Digitzer 2.0 proviene da CAEN - Tools for Discovery.

x5203 boards – Acquisition Modes

t.masini@caen.it — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 12:41:33 +0000

The A5203 and DT5203 supports Common Start, Common Stop, Trigger Matching and Streaming acquisition modes as described in the following lines.

Common Start

Ch O is the common start that opens the acquisition gate and represents the time reference for the acquisition. All the other N channels provide DT time measurements with respect to the reference channel. The gate width is programmable by software. Any hit falling outside the gate will be discarded. In the case of multiple hits fall inside an acquisition window for the same channel, only the first will be used for the DT (although all multiple hits will be acquired by the picoTDC).

The event data are composed by:

Trigger ID
56 bit coarse time stamp (LSB = 12.8 ns) for the absolute time
List of To for all the channels: the Tref (i.e. Ch 0) fine time stamp (minimum LSB = 3.125 ps) and the list of DT (minimum LSB = 3.125 ps) for the channels from 1 to 63 (only those channels that have been hit)
List of ToT (if enabled)

It is possible to save the leading edge only, or leading edge + ToT of the recorded hits.

Common Stop

Similar to common start, but the common time reference on Ch 0 is used as a stop that closes the acquisition gate. In case of multiple hits only the last one before the stop will be used.

Trigger Matching

A trigger signal (typically coming from the LEMO 00 inputs) defines a data acquisition window with programmable width and offset. All hits falling within that window will be recorded. Multi-hit acquisition is supported. All time measurements are referred to the start of the acquisition window with coarse timing resolution (LSB = 25.6 ns). However, the relative timing between the channels keeps the maximum resolution of 3.125 ps.

The event data are composed by:

Trigger ID
56 bit coarse time stamp (LSB = 12.8 ns) for the absolute time of the trigger
List of the hit time stamps (ToA) of all channels (minimum LSB = 3.125 ps)
List of ToT (if enabled)

It is possible to save the leading edge only, leading edge and trailing edge, or leading edge + ToT of the recorded hits.

Streaming

This acquisition mode implements a continuous hit recording, without any gate or trigger windowing. All hits received by the inputs are converted into a 64 bit time stamp (minimum LSB = 3.125 ps) and saved in the form of a sorted list. It is possible to save leading edge only, leading edge plus trailing edge or leading edge plus ToT ^{(coming soon)}

L'articolo x5203 boards – Acquisition Modes proviene da CAEN - Tools for Discovery.

CAEN VME Crates – Digitizers compatibility table

t.masini@caen.it — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 08:39:40 +0000

CAEN VME Digitizers are compatible with all CAEN VME & VME64X crates. However, CAEN VME64x Digitizers are only compatible with CAEN VME64X crates due to mechanical match requirements. CAUTION: do not use the CAEN V/VX1740, V/VX1751, V/VX1730, V/VX1743, V/VX2740, V/VX2745, and VX2730 digitizers with VME8001, VME8002, VME8004, and VME8004A crates: overheat may damage the modules. The following table shows the compatibility of all CAEN VME CRATES with all digitizers.

DIGITIZER

VME8004X

VME8008X

VME8100¹ (VME64x)

VME8200

μ-crate

NV8020A

VME8004B

VME8008B

VME8010

VME8011

VME8100 (VME)²

VME8001

VME8002³

VME8004³

VME8004A³

V2730B

✓

VX2730

✓

VX2751

✓

V2740

✓

VX2740

✓

V2745

✓

VX2745

✓

V1720

✓

VX1720

✓

V1724

✓

VX1724

✓

V1725s

✓

VX1725S

✓

V1730S

✓

VX1730S

✓

V1740

✓

VX1740S

✓

V1742

✓

VX1742

✓

V1743

✓

VX1743

✓

V1751

✓

VX1751

✓

V1761

✓

VX1761

✓

¹Obsolete models. ²Models of the VME8100 series equipped with VME64X backplane. ³ Models of the VME8100 series equipped the VME64 backplane.

L'articolo CAEN VME Crates – Digitizers compatibility table proviene da CAEN - Tools for Discovery.

Power Supply Grounding

Maurizio Lippi — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 07:38:10 +0000

L'articolo Power Supply Grounding proviene da CAEN - Tools for Discovery.

A3818 – Tested Computer Solutions

t.masini@caen.it — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 10:31:53 +0000

The A3818 is PCI Express v2.0 fully compliant card. CAEN cannot guarantee compatibility with PCI Express v3.0 (or higher) out of the tested solutions even if backward compatibility is declared by the computer manufacturer. CAEN A3818 has been tested on the following list of computer solutions available on the market:

Entry-level Solution (Windows 10 Pro – Linux)
- 1. Shuttle XH110G
Middle-level Solutions (Windows 10 Pro – Linux)
- 1. ASUS ESC500 G4 Workstation
- 2. FUJITSU Workstation CELSIUS W570 power+
High-level Solutions (Linux)
- 1. GOMA SERVER S_GAP-151R_Broadwell-EP-1
- 2. HP DL380 gen10 Server
- 3. HP ProLiant DL120 G7 Server

Contact CAEN for any further information.

L'articolo A3818 – Tested Computer Solutions proviene da CAEN - Tools for Discovery.

CAEN A3818 Driver Microsoft Signature

t.masini@caen.it — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 10:59:09 +0000

The A3818 windows driver is not certified by Microsoft®. The driver can still be installed on Windows PCs by disabling the system service for the driver signature check (i.e. Secure Boot Function in UEFI firmware interface of recent computers).
The Secure Boot function (i.e. the execution of signed modules) is only present on PCs with UEFI, the firmware interface that replaces the BIOS of the old PCs. The secure boot is activated / deactivated on Windows 10 systems with UEFI with the following commands:

Recovery > Restart now (menu Advanced Startup) > Troubleshoot > Advanced options> UEFI firmware settings > SecureBoot ON/OFF in “Security” UEFI menu

On a Lenovo laptop PC, showing driver installation problems due to signatures, the system information is as follows:

In particular:

BIOS mode = UEFI
Secure Boot state = ON

With this configuration, the driver signature problems (CAENUSB dated 19/12/17 and A3818 2.0 currently available on the CAEN website) can be found. By disabling secure boot, drivers can still be installed.
On PCs with the classic BIOS (legacy) the Secure Boot is not supported and, although on Win10 there is still the option to activate / deactivate it, this has no effect. This is made even more evident by the absence of the "UEFI firmware settings" menu on systems with legacy BIOS.
Typical system information of a PC with Legacy BIOS are the following:

In particular:

Windows 10 with updates up to December 2017
BIOS mode = legacy
Secure Boot state = unsupported

With this configuration, the driver signature problems are not found (CAENUSB and A3818 installed correctly and working). Of course, disabling or enabling secure boot has no effect because of the legacy BIOS.
In general, you can choose to load the operating system via UEFI or BIOS legacy mode when installing Windows. It could also work using a special tool to switch from BIOS to UEFI. All explained here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/boot-to-uefi-mode-or-legacy-bios-mode

L'articolo CAEN A3818 Driver Microsoft Signature proviene da CAEN - Tools for Discovery.

SY4527 – SY5527 Premium Version

Maurizio Lippi — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 12:02:15 +0000

CAEN offers its new modular High Voltage Power Supply System in a unique pack including all the options available at an attractive price.

The Premium Version is available as an ordering option of the SY4527 and SY5527 products. The Premium Version features:

- 10,4" LCD Touch Screen (5.7" for SY 5527)
- Full Version of the CPU
- Advanced Control Software
- Wi-Fi capability for remote wireless control

LCD
The wide LCD touch screen allows the user to easily take advantage of the brand new Control software developed by CAEN.

Advanced Software
The new SY4527 beneficial of a completely redesigned control software:
This new software is embedded in the system and can be installed on a PC, Laptop or Tablet too for local and remote control. It is Windows and Linux compatible (only Windows for Tablets) an it is possible to control up to 4 systems and to set and monitor the parameters of all the High Voltage Boards. The visualization of the different boards and their parameters is completely customizable and groups can be created for common settings. It is also possible to save settings in a mass storage device and restore them later if necessary.
In addition the advanced version of the software introduces Logging and Scripting Capability. The Logger is a useful tool which records every command sent to the system and every warning/alarm detected by the system. In this way it is possible to automatically monitor the behaviour of every single parameter during operations. Complex and advanced commands can be managed through the Scripting capability. Based on a simple proprietary syntax, this tool ensures flexible and fully customizable control on every system and board aspect.

Wi-FI
The WiFi Dongle makes possible the wireless remote control.

CPU
The FULL CPU Version provides the complete set of panel connectors, the ENABLE, RESET, INTERLOCK control sections, and front panel fan speed control.

L'articolo SY4527 – SY5527 Premium Version proviene da CAEN - Tools for Discovery.

About EASY (Embedded Assembly SYstem)

Maurizio Lippi — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 11:38:30 +0000

EASY (Embedded Assembly SYstem) is the CAEN high/low voltage power supply to be used every time the magnetic field and radiation become a problem.

For More information about EASY Products click here.

Why EASY?

During the last decade, CAEN has been involved in developing different solutions in order to satisfy the requirements coming from main LHC experiments where the electronic equipment of the experiment is dealing with high dose of radiation and strong magnetic field.
In order to provide safe and reliable operations in these hostile areas, CAEN started tests with rad-tolerance components and magnetic field resistant solutions, patenting this technology that is now used in a line of products for "hostile" area.
In addition even if designed for harsh environment the EASY modules can work also in normal conditions with excellent performance.
Widely used in LHC experiments, producing over 6,500 electronic units, containing more than 190,000 sub-boards.

In addition even if designed for harsh environment the EASY modules can work also in normal condition with excellent performance.

System Philosophy

The power supply is located directly in the hostile area; here the EASY modules provide a wide variety of output voltages to satisfy the requirements of most detectors and front end electronics (LV up to 100A and HV up to 12 kV).The control of the EASY power supply system can be done remotely using a Branch Controller (model A1676A) plugged in a SY1527 or SY2527 mainframe located in the control room. Trough the mainframe an immediate and "automatic" interfacing with the DCS or the custom control software is achieved using the provided and full reliable OPC server software.

Flexibility and Compatibility

Each branch controller module can handle up to 6 EASY crates. Since the A1676A is a one unit wide board, each SY1527 power system can house up to 16 branch controller boards, while each SY2527 can house up to 6 branch controller boards, enabling the monitoring up to 96 EASY systems. The module can work even side by side with standard HV and/or LV board. An unique interface and a cost effective set-up for all the experiment's power requirements!

Architecture

The EASY3000 (for boards up to 40cm long, A3XXX Family) can house up to 10 boards depending on the boards' width, while the EASY4000 (for boards up to 55cm long, A4XXX Family) can house up to 9 boards. As illustrated in Figure, the branch controller is the interface between the supply unit (SY1527 or SY2527) and the remote boards in the EASY crate. The branch controller role is to configure the EASY channels as they belong to the supply unit slot in which the branch controller is located. In this way all the channels of the EASY boards, will be considered as channels of the branch control board, increasing hugely the number of channels the system can handle.

EASY3000/4000 Crates and Boards hostile areas tolerances

- Magnetic field: 2 kGauss
- Radiation:
  - 1·10¹¹ p/cm²TD
  - 2·10¹² n/cm²TD
  - 15 kRad TID

L'articolo About EASY (Embedded Assembly SYstem) proviene da CAEN - Tools for Discovery.

SYX527 Quick Troubleshooting Guide

Maurizio Lippi — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 14:46:05 +0000

Goal of this troubleshooting guide is helping the CAEN Mainframe SYX527 user to quickly identify the most common reason in the system malfunctioning and, if possible, leading him to fix it by himself.

For more information about mainframes see the following web pages:

SY4527
19"-wide, 8U-high
(16 slot)

SY5527
19"-wide, 4U-high
(6 slots)

SY4527LC
Low Cost 19"-wide, 8U-high
(10 slot)

SY5527LC
Low Cost 19"-wide, 4U-high
(4 slot)

Problem: The system does not power up.
Possible Issue to check:

Is the 110V/220V cable connected?
If not: plug it properly.
Is the rear Main Switch on "I" position?
If not: put it on the "I" position.
Is the rear fuse continuity still intact?
If not: replace the fuse.
Is the front panel key on "LOC" (if you are working locally) or "REM" (if you are working remotely) position?
If not: put the key in the desired position according to you needs.
Are the CPU board and the Primary Power Supply and the Booster properly plugged?
If not: plug them properly.
Are all the AC-OK, VDD, +VCC, -VCC, VFAN, VPWR led on the A4531 front panel on?
If not: contact the CAEN Power Supply support and follow their instruction. If asked, send the A4531 back for repairing.
Are all the HV SYNC, CHK PASS led on the A4528 front panel on?
If not: contact the CAEN Power Supply support and follow their instruction. If asked, send the A4528 back for repairing.

Problem: I cannot connect to the system.
Possible Issue to check:

Is the Ethernet cable connected both to the pc and to the system?
If not: plug it properly.
Is the host PC set as DHCP client?
If not: set the pc as DHCP client.
If the system is directly connected to the pc, is the system set as DHCP server?
If not: set it as DHCP using the HiVoCS web interface.
Are the system IP address and subnet mask properly set?
If not: set them properly using the HiVoCS web interface.
Did you forget the system IP address or the admin user and password?
If yes: in order to restore the default setting, connect an USB keyboard to the USB connector of the CPU panel and use key combination CTRL+ALT+DEL; the system will produce a "buzz" sound, after the last buzz, wait for about 15 sec, then reboot the system, default settings will be restored.
If none of the previous point worked: contact CAEN Power Supply support and follow their instruction. If asked, send the A4528 CPU back for reparation.

Problem: The SY hosted boards cannot be switched on or do not provide any voltage/current.
Possible Issue to check:

Are the boards properly plugged?
If not: plug them properly.
Are the boards recognized by the SY system?
If not: contact the CAEN Power Supply support and send the board back for repairing.
Is the CPU Interlock led on?
If yes: change the interlock switch position.
Is the CPU Enable switch on "LOC" (if you are working locally) or "REM" (if you are working remotely) position?
If not: put the switch in the desired position according to you needs.
Do the boards foresee a 50 Ohm termination? If yes, is the terminator plugged?
If not: plug a 50 Ohm termination.
If none of the previous point worked: contact CAEN Power Supply support and follow their instruction. If asked, send the board back for reparation.

L'articolo SYX527 Quick Troubleshooting Guide proviene da CAEN - Tools for Discovery.