AlazarTech ATS9373 User manual

ATS9373 User Manual
12 Bit, 4 GS/s
Waveform Digitizer for PCI Express Gen3 Bus
Written for Hardware Version 1.2
April 2015 Edition
Part Number: 9373-USR-1

ATS9373 User Manual i
Copyright © 2010 - 2015 AlazarTech. All rights reserved.
AlazarTech Contact Information
AlazarTech, Inc.
6600 Trans-Canada Highway
Suite 310
Pointe-Claire, QC
Canada H9R 4S2
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: inf[email protected]
Web site: www.alazartech.com
To comment on the documentation for ATS9373, send e-mail
to su[email protected]m.
Information required when contacting AlazarTech for
technical support:
Owned by: ___________________________
Serial Number: ___________________________
Purchase Date: ___________________________
Purchased From: ___________________________
Software Driver Version: __________________________
SDK Version: ___________________________
AlazarDSO Version: ___________________________
Operating System: ___________________________

ii ATS9373 User Manual

ATS9373 User Manual iii
Important Information
Warranty
The ATS9373 is warranted against defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of one year from the date of
shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation.
AlazarTech, Inc. will, at its option, repair or replace
equipment that proves to be defective during the warranty
period. This warranty includes parts and labor.
The media on which you receive AlazarTech, Inc. software
are warranted not to fail to execute programming
instructions, due to defects in materials and workmanship, for
a period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced by
receipts or other documentation. AlazarTech, Inc. will, at its
option, repair or replace software media that do not execute
programming instructions if AlazarTech, Inc. receives notice
of such defects during the warranty period. AlazarTech, Inc.
does not warrant that the operation of the software shall be
uninterrupted or error free.
A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be
obtained from the factory and clearly marked on the outside
of the package before any equipment will be accepted for
warranty work. AlazarTech, Inc. will pay the shipping costs of
returning to the owner parts that are covered by warranty.
AlazarTech, Inc. believes that the information in this
document is accurate. The document has been carefully
reviewed for technical accuracy. In the event that technical
or typographical errors exist, AlazarTech, Inc. reserves the
right to make changes to subsequent editions of this
document without prior notice to holders of this edition.
AlazarTech, Inc. may also make improvements and/or
changes in the products and/or programs described in this
document at any time. The reader should consult
AlazarTech, Inc. if errors are suspected. In no event shall
AlazarTech, Inc. be liable for any damages arising out of or
related to this document or the information contained in it.
The latest user manual can be found on the AlazarTech, Inc.
web page at www.alazartech.com/support/downloads.htm.

iv ATS9373 User Manual
EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN, ALAZARTECH, INC.
MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND
SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. CUSTOMER’S RIGHT TO RECOVER
DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON
THE PART OF ALAZARTECH, INC. SHALL BE LIMITED TO
THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE
CUSTOMER. ALAZARTECH, INC. WILL NOT BE LIABLE
FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA,
PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS, OR INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY THEREOF. This limitation of the liability of
AlazarTech, Inc. will apply regardless of the form of action,
whether in contract or tort, including negligence. Any action
against AlazarTech, Inc. must be brought within one year
after the cause of action accrues. AlazarTech, Inc. shall not
be liable for any delay in performance due to causes beyond
its reasonable control. The warranty provided herein does not
cover damages, defects, malfunctions, or service failures
caused by owner’s failure to follow the AlazarTech, Inc.
installation, operation, or maintenance instructions; owner’s
modification of the product; owner’s abuse, misuse, or
negligent acts; and power failure or surges, fire, flood,
accident, actions of third parties, or other events outside
reasonable control.
Copyright
Under the copyright laws, this publication may not be
reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storing in an
information retrieval system, or translating, in whole or in
part, without the prior written consent of AlazarTech, Inc.
Trademarks
AlazarTech, Inc.™, AlazarTech™, alazartech.com™, ATS™,
ATS9373™, AlazarDSO™, are trademarks of AlazarTech,
Inc. Product and company names mentioned herein are
trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
Warning Regarding Use of AlazarTech Products
1. ALAZARTECH, INC. PRODUCTS ARE NOT
DESIGNED WITH COMPONENTS AND TESTING

ATS9373 User Manual v
FOR A LEVEL OF RELIABILITY SUITABLE FOR
USE IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH SURGICAL
IMPLANTS OR AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN
ANY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHOSE FAILURE
TO PERFORM CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED
TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO A HUMAN.
2. IN ANY APPLICATION, INCLUDING THE ABOVE,
RELIABILITY OF OPERATION OF THE
SOFTWARE PRODUCTS CAN BE IMPAIRED BY
ADVERSE FACTORS, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO FLUCTUATIONS IN ELECTRICAL
POWER SUPPLY, COMPUTER HARDWARE
MALFUNCTIONS, COMPUTER OPERATING
SYSTEM SOFTWARE FITNESS, FITNESS OF
COMPILERS AND DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE
USED TO DEVELOP AN APPLICATION,
INSTALLATION ERRORS, SOFTWARE AND
HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS,
MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC
MONITORING OR CONTROL DEVICES,
TRANSIENT FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC
SYSTEMS (HARDWARE AND/OR SOFTWARE),
UNANTICIPATED USES OR MISUSES, OR
ERRORS ON THE PART OF THE USER OR
APPLICATIONS DESIGNER (ADVERSE FACTORS
SUCH AS THESE ARE HEREAFTER
COLLECTIVELY TERMED “SYSTEM FAILURES”).
ANY APPLICATION WHERE A SYSTEM FAILURE
WOULD CREATE A RISK OF HARM TO
PROPERTY OR PERSONS (INCLUDING THE RISK
OF BODILY INJURY AND DEATH) SHOULD NOT
BE RELIANT SOLELY UPON ONE FORM OF
ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DUE TO THE RISK OF
SYSTEM FAILURE. TO AVOID DAMAGE, INJURY,
OR DEATH, THE USER OR APPLICATION
DESIGNER MUST TAKE REASONABLY PRUDENT
STEPS TO PROTECT AGAINST SYSTEM
FAILURES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
BACK-UP OR SHUT DOWN MECHANISMS.
BECAUSE EACH END-USER SYSTEM IS
CUSTOMIZED AND DIFFERS FROM
ALAZARTECH, INC.’s TESTING PLATFORMS AND
BECAUSE A USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER

vi ATS9373 User Manual
MAY USE ALAZARTECH, INC. PRODUCTS IN
COMBINATION WITH OTHER PRODUCTS IN A
MANNER NOT EVALUATED OR CONTEMPLATED
BY ALAZARTECH, INC., THE USER OR
APPLICATION DESIGNER IS ULTIMATELY
RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING AND
VALIDATING THE SUITABILITY OF ALAZARTECH
INC. PRODUCTS WHENEVER ALAZARTECH, INC.
PRODUCTS ARE INCORPORATED IN A SYSTEM
OR APPLICATION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, THE APPROPRIATE DESIGN,
PROCESS AND SAFETY LEVEL OF SUCH
SYSTEM OR APPLICATION.

ATS9373 User Manual vii
Compliance
FCC/Canada Radio Frequency Interference Compliance*
Determining FCC Class
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rules
to protect wireless communications from interference. The
FCC places digital electronics into two classes. These
classes are known as Class A (for use in industrial-
commercial locations only) or Class B (for use in residential
or commercial locations). Depending on where it is operated,
this product could be subject to restrictions in the FCC rules.
(In Canada, the Department of communications (DOC), of
Industry Canada, regulates wireless interference in much the
same way.)
Digital electronics emit weak signals during normal operation
that can affect radio, television, or other wireless products.
By examining the product you purchased, you can determine
the FCC Class and therefore which of the two FCC/DOC
Warnings apply in the following sections. (Some products
may not be labeled at all for FCC; if so, the reader should
then assume these are Class A devices.)
FCC Class A products only display a simple warning
statement of one paragraph in length regarding interference
and undesired operation. Most of our products are FCC Class
A. The FCC rules have restrictions regarding the locations
where FCC Class A products can be operated.
FCC Class B products display either a FCC ID code, starting
with the letters EXN, or the FCC Class B compliance mark.
Consult the FCC web site http://www.fcc.gov for more
information.
FCC/DOC Warnings
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in strict accordance with the
instructions in this manual and the CE Mark Declaration of
Conformity**, may cause interference to radio and television
reception. Classification requirements are the same for the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the
Canadian Department of Communications (DOC).

viii ATS9373 User Manual
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by
AlazarTech Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment under the FCC Rules.
Class A
Federal Communications Commission
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential
area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense.
Canadian Department of Communications
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet
appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les
exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du
Canada.

ATS9373 User Manual ix
Compliance to EU Directives
Readers in the European Union (EU) must refer to the
Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for
information** pertaining to the CE Mark compliance scheme.
The Manufacturer includes a DoC for most every hardware
product except for those bought for OEMs, if also available
from an original manufacturer that also markets in the EU, or
where compliance is not required as for electrically benign
apparatus or cables.
To obtain the DoC for this product, click Declaration of
Conformity at
http://www.alazartech.com/support/documents.htm. This web
page lists all DoCs by product family. Select the appropriate
product to download or read the DoC.
* Certain exemptions may apply in the USA, see FCC
Rules §15.103 Exempted devices, and §15.105(c). Also
available in sections of CFR 47.
** The CE Mark Declaration of Conformity will contain
important supplementary information and instructions for the
user or installer.
Environmental Compliance
Alazar Technologies Inc., hereby certifies that this product is
RoHS compliant, as defined by Directive 2002/95/EC of the
European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003
on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances
in electrical and electronic equipment. All manufacturing has
been done using RoHS-compliant components and lead-free
soldering.

x ATS9373 User Manual
Table of Contents
Important Information ......................................................................iii
Compliance ..................................................................................... vii
Table of Contents ...............................................................................x
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION....................................................1
About Your ATS9373.........................................................................2
Acquiring Data with Your ATS9373 ..................................................3
Optional Upgrades..............................................................................6
CHAPTER 2 - INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION..........7
What You Need to Get Started............................................................8
Unpacking..........................................................................................9
Installing the ATS9373 ....................................................................10
Installing the ATS9373 in a Linux System .......................................18
Updating ATS9373 Driver................................................................19
CHAPTER 3 - HARDWARE OVERVIEW ..................................20
Physical Overview............................................................................22
Signal Connections...........................................................................24
Analog Input ....................................................................................25
Calibration .......................................................................................27
Optional External Clock...................................................................29
Streaming Data Across the Bus.........................................................31
APPENDIX A - SPECIFICATIONS..............................................42
APPENDIX B - BENCHMARKS...................................................49

ATS9373 User Manual 1
Chapter 1
Introduction
This chapter describes the ATS9373 and lists additional
equipment.

2 ATS9373 User Manual
About Your ATS9373
Thank you for your purchase of an ATS9373. This PCI
Express (PCIe Gen3 x8) based waveform digitizer has the
following features:
Two 12-bit resolution analog input channels
Real-time sampling rate of 4 GS/s to 1 KS/s with
internal clock and 4 GS/s to 300 MS/s with external
clock
Uses on-board SO-DIMM RAM as a very deep FIFO
Streaming of acquired data to PC host memory at
6.8 GB/s (exact rate is motherboard dependent)
1 GHz analog input bandwidth. Optional upgrade to 2
GHz available.
Half length PCI Express (8 lane) card
External trigger input channel with software-
selectable level and slope
DC coupling and fixed 50input impedance for
analog inputs
Pre-trigger and Post-Trigger Capture with Multiple
Record capability
NIST traceable calibration
Dual DMA engines for best latency protection against
Windows and Linux operating systems
Fully asynchronous software driver for fastest DMA
with least CPU overhead
All ATS9373 digitizers follow industry-standard Plug and Play
specifications on all platforms and offer seamless integration
with compliant systems.
Detailed specifications of the ATS9373 digitizers are listed in
Appendix A, Specifications.

ATS9373 User Manual 3
Acquiring Data with Your ATS9373
You can acquire data either programmatically by writing an
application for your ATS9373 or interactively with the
AlazarDSO software.
If you want to integrate the ATS9373 in your test and
measurement or embedded OEM application, you can
program the digitizer using C/C++, Python, MATLAB or
LabVIEW for Windows or Linux operating systems.
Windows operating systems supported are Windows
8, 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP, Windows
Both 32 bit and 64 bit operating systems.
The Linux CentOS distribution is also supported,
which is 100% compatible with Red Hat Entreprise
Linux. Drivers are compiled agains all RHEL
versions that are in Production 1 phase (RHEL 6 and
7 as of 2015-04-09).
For other Linux distributions, contact AlazarTech and
a driver will be compiled for you.
For using a programming language to acquire data from your
ATS9373, you must purchase the ATS-SDK package.

4 ATS9373 User Manual
Interactively Controlling your ATS9373
The AlazarDSO oscilloscope emulation software for
Windows allows you to interactively control your ATS9373 as
you would a desktop oscilloscope.
Under Linux, an equivalent application named Alazar Front
Panel is available.

ATS9373 User Manual 5
ATS-SDK API
The ATS-SDK API is used for programming the ATS9373 in
C/C++, C#, LabVIEW, MATLAB and Python. It provides the
exact same API that is used for writing AlazarDSO software.
To help you get started, ATS-SDK comes with examples you
can use or modify.
The ATS-SDK contains the necessary files to develop
applications both under Windows and Linux.

6 ATS9373 User Manual
Optional Upgrades
AlazarTech offers the following upgrades and accessories for
use with your ATS9373 digitizer:
ATS9373: External Clock Upgrade (300MHz to 2
GHz)
ATS9373: Screened External Clock Upgrade
(100MHz to 2 GHz)
ATS9373: DC-2 GHz Wideband Upgrade

ATS9373 User Manual 7
Chapter 2 - Installation and
Configuration
This chapter describes how to unpack, install, and configure
your ATS9373.

8 ATS9373 User Manual
What You Need to Get Started
To set up and use your ATS9373, you will need the following:
One or more ATS9373 digitizers
ATS9373 Installation Software on USB Disk

ATS9373 User Manual 9
Unpacking
Your digitizer is shipped in an antistatic clamshell package to
prevent electrostatic damage to the digitizer. Electrostatic
discharge can damage several components on the digitizer.
To avoid such damage in handling the digitizer, take the
following precautions:
Ground yourself via a grounding strap or by holding a
grounded object.
Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of your
computer chassis before removing the digitizer from
the package.
Remove the digitizer from the package and inspect
the digitizer for loose components or any other sign
of damage. Notify AlazarTech if the digitizer appears
damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged
digitizer into your computer.
Never touch the exposed pins of the connectors.