Time-to-Digital Converter offers 5 picosec timing resolution.
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Press Release Summary:
Model U1050A-002 of U1050A line of Acqiris time-to-digital converters has measurement range of up to 20 sec and ratio of 1:4.109. Module can operate in either single-start or multi-start acquisition modes with timing information on all 13 independent channels encoded relative to common channel. Time measurement on unit can be based on either internal low jitter of less than 3 ps rms, high stability of ±2 ppm clock source, or external 10 MHz reference input.
Original Press Release:
Agilent Technologies' Time-to-Digital Converter Delivers Unique Resolution for Precise Timing-Measurement Applications
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 19, 2008 -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced the expansion of its U1050A line of Acqiris time-to-digital converters (TDC). This product line now includes a new model that offers an ultrahigh timing resolution, making the TDC ideal for precise timing measurements in communications, nuclear research and weapon physics applications.
The new single-hit time-to-digital converter(U1050A-002) has a truly unique 5 picoseconds timing resolution and a wide measurement range of up to 20 seconds, a ratio of 1:4.109. This CompactPCI TDC module is ideal for applications where high timing resolution and precision are required, such as in large-scale physics experiments, including hydrodynamics, explosive testing, particle accelerator timing and nuclear fusion studies. Applications are also found in Time Domain Transmission Reflectometry in wide band, satellite and fiber-optics communications as well as in time-of-flight measurements in nuclear and life science mass spectrometry and 3D mapping using Lidar/Radar.
The U1050A-002 TDC has 13 identical hardware channels. Twelve channels are independent stop inputs; the 13th is the common start. The module can operate in either single-start or multi-start acquisition modes with the timing information on all the independent channels encoded relative to the common channel. The wide operating range allows start/stop events separated by as much as 20 s to be recorded, and the internal buffer allows the recording of up to 128 stops. In addition, the TDC features inputs with programmable thresholds and slopes, making the module ideal for measuring the time of the rising or falling edge of very fast trigger events.
Time measurement on the U1050A-002 TDC can be based on either the internal low jitter (<3 ps rms), high stability (±2 ppm) clock source, or an external 10 MHz reference input. Digitized data is fed directly to the onboard FPGA-based data processing unit. This handles the data and subsequent fast readout with direct memory access (DMA) mode, for increased data throughput to the PC.
Related Products and Applications
Products
o Family of time-to-digital converters
o U1050A twelve-channel single-stop CompactPCI time-to-digital converter
o U1051A six-channel multistart multistop CompactPCI time-to-digital converter
Test and measurement applications
o Hydrodynamics, explosive testing, particle accelerator timing, nuclear fusion, satellite, fiber optic communications
Embedded OEM applications
o Time-of-flight mass spectrometry, 3D mapping
U.S. Pricing and Availability
Pricing for the U1050A-002 multistart, single-stop time-to-digital converter starts at $16,000. Delivery is six weeks after receipt of order.
More information about the Agilent U1050A high-resolution time-to-digital converter family is available at www.agilent.com/find/tdc-single-stop.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 20,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.8 billion in fiscal 2008. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.
