VX1743
16 Channel 12bit 3.2 GS/s Switched Capacitor Digitizer
Features
- 12-bit @ 3.2 GS/s, 1024 samples per event
- Developed in collaboration with CEA/IRFU & CNRS/IN2P3/LAL and based on the SAMLONG chip
- 3.2, 1.6, 0.8, 0.4 GS/s software selectable sampling frequencies
- Analog inputs on MCX coax. connectors
- 16 channels in 1-unit VME64X 6U form factor
- 2.5 Vpp input dynamic range with programmable individual DC offset adj.
- One discriminator per channel with programmable threshold
- Adjustable post-trigger delay (up to 1.25 µs @ 3.2 GS/s)
- Digital Memory buffer: 7 events/ch
- 1024 samples per channel (320 ns recorded time per event @ 3.2 GS/s)
- Dead time due to event conversion: 125 µs (max. @ 1024 samples)
- Real time hit counting independent of acquisition rate on each channel
- On-board charge calculation for fast histogramming (user-defined integration window)
- One embedded pulser per channel for test and reflectometry applications
- Optical Link interface (CAEN proprietary protocol)
- VME64X-compliant interface
- A2818(PCI) / A3818 (PCIe) Controller available for handling up to 8/32 modules Daisy chained via Optical Link
- Firmware upgradeable via VMEbus/Optical Link
- Multi-board synchronization features
- 16 programmable LVDS I/Os
- Fully controlled by the WaveCatcher readout software
- Drivers and libraries for Windows and Linux 32/64-bit
Overview
The Mod. VX1743 is a VME64X 6U module housing 16 Channel 12 bit 3.2 GS/s Switched Capacitor Digitizer, with 2.5 Vpp single-ended input dynamics, issued from the collaboration with CEA/IRFU & CNRS/IN2P3/LAL and based on SAMLONG chip. A programmable DAC on each channel allows for DC Offset adjustment in the ±1.25 V range.
The analog input signals are continuously sampled into the SAMLONGs (sampling intervals down to 312.5 ps) in a circular analog memory buffer (1024 cells). As a trigger signal arrives, all analog memory buffers are frozen and subsequently digitized with a resolution of 12 bits into a digital memory buffer. During analog to digital conversion process, the VX1743 cannot handle other triggers (Dead Time: 115 us).
The memory buffer allows to store up to 7 full events for each cannel (1 event = 1024x12bit). The buffer can be read by VME bus or Optical Link simultaneously with write operation of successive events.
The module features front panel Clock Input and Output, as well as a PLL for clock synthesis from internal/external references. VX1743 supports multi-board synchronization allowing all switched capacitor memories to be synchronized to a common clock source and ensuring Trigger time stamps alignment. Once synchronized, all data will be aligned and coherent across multiple VX1743 boards
Each channel is equipped with an individual discriminator, with programmable threshold, which generates a trigger request when the input signal goes over threshold. The trigger requests from the channels are processed by the board to generate a common trigger causing all the channels to acquire an event simultaneously. The common trigger can also be provided externally via the front panel Trigger Input or via the software, for debug purposes, through VMEbus/Optical Link
VX1743 houses VME (VME64X compliant) and Optical Link interfaces. The VME interface allows data transfers of 60 MB/s (MBLT64), 100 MB/s (2eVME), 160 MB/s (2eSST). The Optical Link supports transfer rate of 80 MB/s and offers Daisy chain capability. Therefore, it is possible to connect up to 8/32 ADC modules to a single Optical Link controller (Mod. A2818).
Mod. VX1743 features an embedded Charge Mode, where the pulse integration window is defined by the user (high rates ~3.5 KEvents/s). This feature allows to perform on-line processing on detector signal directly digitized.
Some typical applications:
- Precise characterization of high speed detectors (PMTs, SiPMs, APDs,…)
- High Resolution Photon timing with MCP-PMTs
Software available (Windows and Linux):
CAEN provides drivers for all the different types of physical communication channels, a set of C libraries (CAENComm and CAENDigitizer) for Windows and Linux OS, as well as a control software tool for Windows:
- CAENUpgrader: tool that allows the user to update the firmware of the digitizers, change the PLL settings, load, when requested, the license for the pay firmware and other utilities.
- WaveCatcher: fully graphical program that implements an oscilloscope.
Technical Specifications
- GENERAL
Form Factor: 1-unit wide VME 6U module
Weight: 535 g
- ANALOG INPUT
Channels 16 channels single ended
Impedance 50 Ω
Connector MCX Full Scale Range
2.5 Vpp DC coupled
Bandwidth 500 MHz Offset Programmable 16-bit DAC for DC offset adjustment on each channel.
+Range: ± 1.25 V
- TEST FUNCTION
One pulser per channel with programmable 16-bit pattern (fixed amplitude)
- DIGITAL CONVERSION
Analog Memory (Switched Capacitor Array)
SAMLONG Fast Analog Memory chip
2 channels, 1024 storage cells/ch
320 ns minimum recorded time/eventResolution
12 bitsSampling Rate
3.2/1.6 /0.8/0.4 GS/s
SW selectableDead Time (Event A/D Conversion)
125 µs (max. @ 1024 samples)
Note: value decreasing proportionally with the recording depth (configurable record length)
- NOISE LEVEL
0.75 mV RMS
- TIMING RESOLUTION
< 8 ps RMS (5 ps RMS typical) @ 3.2GS/s
Obtained at thermal regime, after INL time calibration and with dual-pulse timing measurement by pulse generator
Test conditions: periodic input pulses with 1V Amplitude, 1kHz Frequency, rise time of 0.8/1.6/2.5 ns; the resolution does not change significantly when varying the delay Δt between the two pulses
Note: it is recommended to provide proper cooling to improve the resolution performances
- SYSTEM PERFORMANCES
Sampling Time Precision - < 20 ps @ 3.2 GS/s (before calibration)
- < 5 ps @ 3.2 GS/s (after calibration)
Note: obtained with factory calibration and dual-pulse timing measurement with pulse generator.
Test conditions:
- Periodic input pulses with 1-V Amplitude
- 1-kHz Frequency Rise time of 0.8 / 1.6 / 2.5 ns.
The resolution does not change significantly when varying the delay Δt between the two pulses.
Noise Level 0.75 mV RMS
- CLOCK GENERATION
- Synchronization clock source: internal/external
- On-board PLL provides generation of the main board clocks from an internal (50 MHz loc. oscillator) or external (front panel CLK-IN connector) reference
- ACQUISITION MEMORY
- 7 full event/ch (1024 S/event; 2 µs @ 3.2 GS/s) Multi‐event buffers
- Independent read and write access
- Programmable event size and pre/post‐trigger
- TRIGGER
Trigger Source:
- Self-trigger: channel over/under threshold (based on analog discriminator on each channel with DAC adjusted threshold) for Common trigger generation
- External-trigger: common trigger by TRG-IN connector
- Software-trigger: common trigger by software command
Trigger Propagation: TRG-OUT programmable digital output
Trigger Time Stamp: 40-bit counter, 5-ns resolution, 83-min range Timer reset by S-IN input connector
Trigger Threshold: Programmable through a 16-bit DAC in the range of ±1.25 V on each channel
- SYNCHRONIZATION
Clock Propagation Daisy chain through CLK-IN/CLK-OUT (AC coupled differential LVDS, ECL, PECL, LVPECL, CML on AMP MODU II connectors)
One-to-many clock distribution from an external clock source on CLK-IN connector
Acquisition Synchronization Sync Start/Stop through digital I/O (S-IN or TRG-IN input, TRG-OUT output)
External Trigger time Stamp reset
Trigger Time Stamps Alignment By S-IN input connector
- ADC & MEMORY CONTROLLER
Altera Cyclone EP3C16 (1 FPGA serves 4 channels)
- COMMUNICATION INTERFACE
Optical Link CAEN CONET proprietary protocol, up to 80 MB/s transfer rate Daisy chainable: it is possible to connect up to 8/32 ADC modules to a single Optical Link Controller (Mod.A2818/A3818)
VME VME 64X compliant Data transfer mode: BLT32, MBLT64 (70 MB/s using CAEN Bridge), CBLT32/64, 2eVME, 2eSST (up to 200 MB/s)
- ANALOG MONITOR
12-bit / 125MHz DAC, FPGA-controlled, provides a Trigger Majority signal on the MON/Σ front panel connector, proportional to the number of the over-threshold channels (in steps of 125 mV)
- LVDS I/O
- 16 general purpose LVDS I/O controlled by the FPGA: Data Ready, Memory full, Memory Clear, TTT reset and other functions available.
- An Input Pattern from the LVDS I/O can be associated to each trigger as an event marker
- DIGITAL PULSE PROCESSING
Software selectable embedded Charge Mode for input pulse high rate charge integration and fast histogramming
- FIRMWARE UPGRADE
Firmware upgreadable via VMEbus/Optical Link
- SOFTWARE
General purpose C libraries and configuration tools (Windows® and Linux® support); WaveCatcher readout software (Windows® only)
- POWER CONSUMPTIONS
4 A @ +5 V
625 mA @ +12 V
-12 V not used

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Ordering Options
Code | Description |
---|---|
WVX1743XAAAA | VX1743 - 16 Ch. 12 bit 3.2GS/s Switched-Capacitor Digitizer: 7 events/ch (1kS/event), EP3C16, SE RoHS |