Time-to-Digital Converter Chip offers 10 ps resolution.

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New TDC Chip with 10-picosecond Resolution Allows Distance Measuring Accuracy of ±1 mm rms to Rrange of 1500 Meters for Next Generation of Laser Range Finders, Radars, Medical Imaging Scanners, Ultrasonic Flow Meters, and Navigation Systems

New TDC chip with 10-picosecond resolution allows distance measuring accuracy of ±1 mm rms to range of 1500 meters for next generation of laser range finders, radars, medical imaging scanners, ultrasonic flow meters, and navigation systems Four selectable modes include 81-ps resolution with 0 to endless measurement range, and 10-ps resolution with 100 ns to 10 µsec range Cincinnati, OH, May 2006 - Time-of-flight distance measurement enters a new era of precision with the introduction of the TDC-GPX chip, developed by Acam-Messelectronic GmbH and available in North America exclusively through Transducers Direct. With resolution as low as 10 picoseconds (10 × 10-12 seconds) and a measurement range up to 40 µsec, the new GPX time-to-digital converter is a powerful engine for navigation systems, missile defense systems, range finders and speed measurement devices, frequency and phase measurement instruments, and medical imaging scanners. Operating in M-mode, the GPX's 10 picosecond resolution translates to a measurement accuracy of ±1 mm rms to a range of 1500 meters, with peak-to-peak 70 picoseconds (±5 mm). A peak pulse rate of 182 MHz makes the GPX chip ideal for 3D laser scanners where high a sampling rate and excellent single-shot resolution are required. Four selectable operating modes make the GPX ideal for a wide range of applications. In I-mode, the GPX provides eight LVTTL input channels, a resolution of 81 ps, infinite measurement range, and 5.5 ns pulse-pair resolution. G-, R- and M-modes all provide either two LVTTL or two LVPECL input channels. In G-mode, the resolution is 40 ps, the measurement range is 65 µsec, and the minimum pulse-width measurement is 1.5 ns. In R mode, the resolution is 27 ps, the measurement range is 40 µsec, and the pulse-pair resolution is 5.5 ns. In M-mode, the resolution is 10 ps rms with a peak-to-peak of 10 ps, and the measurement range is 10 µsec. Power consumption of the GPX typically ranges from 39 to 45 mA, making it suitable for battery powered devices. To aid in product development and begin measuring high-precision time intervals, the optional ATMD-GPX PC-based evaluation system allows design engineers to access the power of the GPX chip through a convenient PC interface. The ATMD-GPX consists of hardware that connects to a PC and allows setting of all the relevant registers of the TDC-GPX. The PC communicates directly with the GPX chip at a data rate limited by the software and communication, and the system enables the GPX to collect data at a peak rate of 200 MHz. Measurement data can be displayed directly or as a histogram, as well as exported. For more information, visit the web site www.transducersdirect.com or www.acam-usa.com ACAM Messelectronic GmbH is a leading developer of integrated time-to-digital converters (TDC's) for ultra-precise measurement of time intervals in the picosecond range. Headquartered in Blankenloch, Germany, the company was founded in 1996. ACAM TDC's are widely used in nuclear and high-energy physics, laser rangefinders, ultrasonic position feedback devices and for measurement of capacitance, resistance frequency and phase. Transducers Direct is a key supplier of transmitter, sensor, potentiometer, and transducer products to end users, OEM's, military, homeland defense, and Fortune 100 companies around the world. The company was founded by sensor-business insiders who recognized industry's need for an ultra-convenient, value-oriented channel of automation components including free technical/application assistance.