Greenfield GFT9404 User manual

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GFT9404
EIGHTCHANNELDIGITALDELAYGENERATOR
USERMANUAL
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Four high resolution delay channels
o1 ps delay resolution
o< 50 ps rms jitter + delay x10-7
o> 20 second delay range
Four auxiliary delay channels
o5 ns delay resolution
o< 100 ps rms jitter + delay x10-7
o> 20 second delay range
oAvailable on front panel and PXI TRIG
Four sources of trigger: external, internal, PXI STAR
and software trigger
Two trigger modes: single shot or repetitive
One Slot 3U PXI, hybrid compatible
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Totalsheets:21
GREENFIELD TECHNOLOGY 
NUT018.Ed.3.1
06/2010
USERMANUAL
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CONTENT
1.GENERAL INFORMATION ....................................................................................................... 4
What do you need to get started.......................................................................................................................... 5
Unpacking........................................................................................................................................................... 5
2.INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING......................................................................................... 6
Installing the Software ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Installing the Hardware....................................................................................................................................... 6
3.OPERATING INFORMATION................................................................................................... 7
Functional Overview........................................................................................................................................... 7
Timing Principle Using External Triggering....................................................................................................... 8
Front Panel.......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Trigger Routing Architecture............................................................................................................................ 10
Self-Test............................................................................................................................................................ 10
Status................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Multiple Board Synchronization....................................................................................................................... 11
4.APPLICATION SOFTWARE.................................................................................................... 13
Connecting a Board........................................................................................................................................... 13
Board Setup....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Delay Reference................................................................................................................................................ 15
Channel Setup................................................................................................................................................... 15
Trigger Setup .................................................................................................................................................... 16
RUN and STOP Delay Sequence...................................................................................................................... 16
Checking Board Status...................................................................................................................................... 17
Saving and Loading Configuration Files .......................................................................................................... 18
APPENDIX A: SPECIFICATIONS.................................................................................................. 19
APPENDIX B: TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.......................... 21
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EDITION
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Ed.DateDescription
115/05/2009Creation
230/09/2009Updatethespecification
327/07/2010Updatethespecification
3.126/02/2016MinorcorrectionBoardsetupsection.
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1. GENERALINFORMATION
TheGFT9404moduleprovidesfourindependentdelaychannels(T0toT3).Thedelayresolutionis
1ps,andtrigger‐to‐channeljitterislessthan50ps.SMBoutputsdeliver5V,2nsrisetime,under
50Ω.Amplitudeandwidthareadjustableoneachoutputchannel.
TheGFT9404alsoprovidesfourauxiliarydelaychannelsavailableonthefrontpanel(AT0toAT3)
and/oronPXItriggerlines(PXITRIG0toPXITRIG3).Thedelayresolutionis5ns(onetimebase
clock),andtrigger‐to‐channeljitteris100ps.
Oneinputtrigger(TRIGIN),PXISTAR,internalfrequency,orsoftwaretriggerisusedtotriggeroff
alloutputchannels.
Themoduleofferstwooperatingtriggermodes,repetitiveorsingleshot.
ThecontrolpanelsoftwareforWindowsprovidesasimplemethodtoconfiguresettingsforeach
channel,suchasamplitude,width,triggersource,andtriggermode,andtocontroloperation.You
cansaveandrecallsettings.ThesoftwareallowsyoutoinstallandoperatemultipleGFT9404
boardsinthesamePXIchassis.Themoduleserialnumberspecifiesthemoduleaddress.
TheGFT9404istheidealinstrumenttoprovidepreciselytimedpulses,asencounteredin
picosecondlasersystemandotheracceleratorapplications.
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PackageContents
Theboxyoureceivedshouldcontainthefollowing:
GFT9404 module,
CD containing the PDF user manual, LabVIEW driver, and GFT9404 application
software,
Certificate of calibration.

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Whatdoyouneedtogetstarted
To set up and use the GFT9404, you need the following items:
GFT9404 delay generator,
GFT9404 user manual,
GFT9404 CD driver,
NI-VISA,
PXI chassis, or PXI Express chassis with hybrid slots,
PXI embedded controller or a computer connected to the PXI chassis using MXI.
Unpacking
The GFT9404 is shipped in an antistatic package to prevent electrostatic damage to the
module. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage several components on the module.
Caution: Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
To avoid such damage when handling the module, take the following precautions:
Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by touching a grounded object.
Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis before removing
the module from the package.
Remove the module from the package and inspect the module for loose components or any
sign of damage. Notify Greenfield Technology if the module appears damaged in any way. Do
not install a damaged module into the computer.
Store the GFT9404 in the antistatic package when not in use.

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2. INSTALLINGANDCONFIGURING
This chapter describes how to install the GFT9404 hardware and software and how to
configure the device.
InstallingtheSoftware
Refer to the readme.htm file on the GFT9404 CD for software installation directions.
Note : be sure to install the driver software before installing the GFT9404 hardware.
The software includes a control application for using the board directly, as well as a library for
designing C/C++ applications and LabVIEW VIs.
This release of the GFT9404 control application supports Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Vista,
and Windows 7.
For application development, you need either a C/C++ compiler and an IDE such as Visual
Studio, or LabVIEW.
InstallingtheHardware
The following information provides general installation instructions. Consult the chassis user
manual or technical reference manual for specific instructions and warnings about installing
new modules.
1. Power off and unplug the chassis.
2. Choose an available PXI or PXI hybrid slot in the chassis.
3. Remove the filler panel for the PXI slot you chose in step 2.
4. Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by touching a grounded object. Follow the ESD
protection precautions described in the Unpacking section of Chapter 1, General information.
5. Insert the GFT9404 into the PXI slot. Use the ejector handle to fully insert the module into
the chassis.
6. Screw the front panel of the device to the front panel mounting rail of the chassis.
7. Visually verify the installation. Make sure the module is not touching other modules or
components and is fully inserted into the slot.
8. Plug in and power on the chassis.

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3. OPERATINGINFORMATION
FunctionalOverview
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Figure3‐1FunctionalOverview
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When the module is in the RUN state, a rising edge on a trigger starts a delay sequence. The
internal trigger comes from TRIG IN, PXI STAR, or software trigger.
The sequence includes two external trigger phases:
After an insertion delay, a pulse appears on each channel after a specified delay
At the end of sequence, after the last delayed pulse, the delay generator is ready for
repetitive trigger mode.
When a sequence is in progress, the instrument does not respond to any trigger event.
The GFT9404 must be configured (trigger, delay, etc.) in the STOP state before starting any
sequence. In the STOP state, outputs are automatically disabled.
When a delay sequence starts, the green front panel LED turns on for 1 second.
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TimingPrincipleUsingExternalTriggering
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Figure3‐2TriggerTiming
In response to the input trigger the board can generate a single delayed output (single shot
mode) or repetitive delayed outputs (repetitive mode).
Calibration parameters are saved onboard.
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FrontPanel
The GFT9404 fits into a single slot of a 3U PXI or PXI Express hybrid chassis.
The front panel has two LEDs and 9 connectors.
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LEDs
TRIG(green)Lightsonwhenatriggeris
detected
FAULT(red)Lightsonifafaultisdetected
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ConnectorsSMBtype
TRIGINExternaltriggerinput
T0toT3Fourhighresolutionoutputs
ConnectorsMMCXtype
AT0toAT3Fourauxiliaryoutputs
Ejectorhandle
Includesalabelwiththeserialnumber
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Figure3‐3FrontPanel
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TriggerRoutingArchitecture
Thetablebelowlistsavailableconnections.Ifaparticularcellisfilledin,theconnectionispossible.If
acellisempty,thisconnectionisnotpossible.
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Destinations
FrontPanelBackplaneOnboard
Front
Panel
T<0..3>AT<0..3>PXI_CLK10
STAR
TRIGGER<0..12>
PXI
TRIG<0..7>Clock
TRIGINX(1)X(2) 0..3(2)
Internal
X(1)X(2)0..3(2)
Backplane
PXI_CLK10   X
STAR
TRIGGER<0..12>X(1)X(2)0..3(2)
PXI_TRIG<0..7>    
Onboard
Clock    
GlobalSW
TriggerX(1)X(2)0..3(2)
(1)Resolution=1ps
(2)Resolution=5ns
Triggers available on the PXI_TRIG lines are copies of the auxiliary triggers. Accordingly, to
control the delay on a PXI_TRIG line you have to set the appropriate delay for the
corresponding auxiliary trigger. The mapping is as follows: AT0 is available on PXI _TRIG0,
AT1 on PXI_TRIG1, AT2 on PXI_TRIG2, and AT3 on PXI_TRIG3. Note that, in order to avoid
accidental “double driving” of PXI_TRIG lines when using multiple boards in the same chassis,
triggers on PXI_TRIG lines are disabled by default. You will have to issue a specific software
call to enable the copy of an auxiliary trigger to the corresponding PXI_TRIG line.
Self‐Test
The red FAULT LED indicates whether the board has one of the following problems:
Loss of 10 MHz PXI backplane
PLL unlock
Oscillator unlock

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Status
Foreachchannel,astatusindicatorshowsifthechannelhasgeneratedthepulses.
In single shot mode, this status indicator is erased when the RUN state is activated.
In repetitive mode, this status is erased when the STOP state is activated.
MultipleBoardSynchronization
Externaltriggercopy:
T0
TRIG
IN
T1
T2
T3
AT0
AT1
AT2
AT3
TRIG FAULT
GFT9404
DELAY
GENERATOR
T0
TRIG
IN
T1
T2
T3
AT0
AT1
AT2
AT3
TRIG FAULT
GFT9404
DELAY
GENERATOR
TRIG
IN
TRIG
IN / 2
TRIG
IN / 2
T splitter
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Figure3‐4MultipleBoardSynchronization
WithaTsplitter(e.g.RadiallreferenceR114781000),youcansynchronizemultipleboards(passive
solution)asshownabove.
WithanyNIPXI‐665X,PXIe‐6672,orPXI‐6682board,multipleGFT9404boardscanbesynchronized
usingthePXISTARlines.
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Fivemodulessynchronized:
Thisconfigurationprovides36synchronizeddelayedoutputsfromasingletriggersource.Theuseof
anexternaltriggersourceisshownbelow.TheGFT9404boardontheleftisusedtocontrolthe
sourceoftriggerstosynchronizethefourotherGFT9494boardsviatheAT0toAT3outputs.
T0
TRIG
IN
T1
T2
T3
AT0
AT1
AT2
AT3
TRIG FAULT
GFT9404
DELAY
GENERATOR
T0
TRIG
IN
T1
T2
T3
AT0
AT1
AT2
AT3
TRIG FAULT
GFT9404
DELAY
GENERATOR
T0
TRIG
IN
T1
T2
T3
AT0
AT1
AT2
AT3
TRIG FAULT
GFT9404
DELAY
GENERATOR
T0
TRIG
IN
T1
T2
T3
AT0
AT1
AT2
AT3
TRIG FAULT
GFT9404
DELAY
GENERATOR
T0
TRIG
IN
T1
T2
T3
AT0
AT1
AT2
AT3
TRIG FAULT
GFT9404
DELAY
GENERATOR
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4. APPLICATIONSOFTWARE
ConnectingaBoard
StarttheGFT9404controlapplicationbydoubleclickingthegft9404.exefileorbyusingthemenu
command<Start>‐>Programs‐>Gft9404–PXIdelayGeneratorforVISA‐>Gf9404–PXIdelay
GeneratorforVISA.
Themainapplicationwindowisshownbelow.

Forconnectingthesoftwaretoaboard,useFile‐>OpenadeviceorusetheshortcutCtrl+O.
Thisopensawindowthatshowsalistofboardsfoundinthesystem.

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SelecttheboardyouwanttoconnecttoandclicktheOKbuttonordoubleclickontheboardinthe
listtoconnecttheboardtothecontrolapplication.Thecontrolapplicationreadstheregistersofthe
boardandshowsthedelays,amplitude,widthandtriggervaluesonthepanel.
Iftheboardisinpoweronstate,thecontrolapplicationconfigurestheboardwithdefaultvalues.
BoardSetup
Thefrontpanelincludessomebuttonsandnumericdisplaystoconfigureandruntheboard.The
elementsofthepanelcanbeaccesseddirectlywiththemouseorthroughthekeyboardusingthe
TABorShiftTABkeys.Whenanelementisselected,athinredlinesurroundsit.

Whenselected,theusermaychangeabuttonstatebypressingthespacekey.
Numericelementsaremodifiedwiththearrowkeys,bymovingthemouseorbythemousewheel.
Tomodifyanumberyoucanplacethecursoronthenumber,presstheleftmousebuttonandmove
themouseupordownwhilekeepingtheleftmousebuttonpressed.Thenumberwillbe
incrementedordecrementedbyavaluedependingoftheweightofthedigitinthenumber.Tohelp
selectingtheweightoftheincrement,thedigitselectedisunderlined.
Forexample,ifthenumbercontainsthevalue1234.56andyoupressthemousebuttononthedigit
2,thenumberwillincrementordecrementbyavalueof100.
Hereisanexamplewhenpressingtheleftmousebuttononthedigit2

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And,whenmovingthemouseupwhilekeepingtheleftbuttonpressed
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Intheexampleabove,iftheusermovesthemouseslowlytheincrementis100.Iftheusermovesthe
mousequickly,theincrementwillbe1000.
DelayReference
Delayscanbeexpressedasabsolutedelays,wherethereferenceisthetimeoftheincomingtrigger,
orasrelativedelays,wherethereferenceisthetimeoftheincomingdelayplustheminimum
insertiondelay.Astheinsertiondelayisasmall,butnon‐zerodelay(typicallyoftheorderof50ns),
anyabsolutedelayhastobeatleastaslongastheinsertiondelay.However,whenusingrelative
delays,adelayvalueofzeroispossible.

ChannelSetup
Channelsetupisdonesimplybychoosingthedelay,amplitudeandwidthforeachchannel.
SetthechannelenablebuttontoONtoenabletriggeroutputforthatchannel.

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TriggerSetup
Thetriggersignalcanhavemanysourcesandcharacteristics.
Triggersource
TriggerDescriptionLevelFrequency

Thetriggersignalcomesfromthefrontpanelconnectoror
fromthePXIbus

Thetriggersignalcomesfromtheboardinternalfrequency.
Inthiscase,thetriggermodeisrepetitive.Triggerinputand
polarityareignored.


Thetriggersignalcomesfromthefrontpanel'strigger
connector.
ThetriggersignalcomesfromthePXISTARtriggerline.
Triggermode
ModeDescriptionEXTINT

Theboardisinsingleshotmode.Enabledchannels output
onlyonepulseonthefirsttriggersignaloccurrence.

Theboardisinrepetitivemode.Enabledchannelsoutputa
pulseforeachtriggersignaloccurrence.
Triggerslope
ModeDescriptionEXTINT

Thedelaysstartonthelowtohightransitionofthetrigger
signal.

Thedelaysstartonthehightolowtransitionofthetrigger
signal.
RUNandSTOPDelaySequence
Tostartadelaysequence,clickontheRUNSTOPbutton.Whentheboardisinrunningmode,the
panelelementsaredisabled(withtheexceptionofthemanualtriggerbutton).
Whentheboardisinsingleshottriggermode,theboardstopsafterthefirsttrigger.
Whentheboardisinrepetitivemode,clickontheRUNSTOPbuttontostoptheboard.


NUT 018 Ed. 3.1 février 16
©GREENFIELDTECHNOLOGY  17GFT9404UserManual
CheckingBoardStatus
Tochecktheboardstatus,theapplicationpanelprovidesasummaryoftheerrorflagsanda
summaryofthetriggerflags.

ThefaultLEDisonifoneoftheboard'serrorflagsison.ThisLEDisonaslongasanerrorispresent.
ThetriggerLEDisonforonesecondwhentheboardisinrepetitivemodeandatleastonechannel
hastriggered.Iftheboardisinsingleshottriggermode,theLEDisonassoonasachannelhas
triggeredandremainsonuntiltheboardisstartedagain.
Thefullstatusoftheboardisavailablebyselectingthestatusmenu.

Choosingthismenuitemopensthestatuswindow.

Thiswindowshowsthethreeerrorflagsandtheeighttriggerflagsoftheboard.

NUT 018 Ed. 3.1 février 16
©GREENFIELDTECHNOLOGY  18GFT9404UserManual
SavingandLoadingConfigurationFiles
Acompleteboardconfigurationcanbesavedorloadedwiththemenuitems"Saveconfig"or"Load
config".

The"Saveconfig"menuitemsavesthecompleteboardconfigurationinanXMLfilethatcanbelater
reloadedwiththe"Loadconfig"menuitem.


NUT 018 Ed. 3.1 février 16
©GREENFIELDTECHNOLOGY  19GFT9404UserManual
AppendixA:Specifications
Dela
y
s
Channels Four inde
p
endent dela
y
out
p
uts
Ran
g
e 0 to > 20 seconds
Resolution < 10
p
s
RMS
j
itter
(
External tri
gg
er to an
y
50
p
s rms + dela
y
x 10-7
A
ccurac
y
< 250
p
s + dela
y
x 10-7
Time base 200 MHz, 25
pp
m
Time reference from PXI bus 10 MHz, 25
pp
m from PXI bus
Auxiliar
y
Dela
y
s
Channels Four inde
p
endent dela
y
out
p
uts
Ran
g
e 0 to > 20 seconds
Resolution 5 ns
RMS
j
itter
(
External tri
gg
er to an
y
100
p
s rms + dela
y
x 10-7
A
ccurac
y
1 ns + dela
y
x 10-7
Tri
gg
e
r
source
Internal
Fre
q
uenc
y
1 Hz to 10 kHz, ste
p
= 1 Hz
External
Max re
p
etition rate < 50 kHz
Tri
gg
er level, From 0.1 to 5 V
Tri
gg
er slo
p
e Positive or ne
g
ative
Minimum tri
gg
er Dela
y
< 50 ns
PXI bus tri
gg
er PXI STAR
Soft tri
gg
er
Tri
gg
er mode
Sin
g
le shot or re
p
etitive
Out
p
ut T0 to T3
A
m
p
litude 2 to 5 V
Width 200 ns to 10
µ
s
Load 50 Ω
Rise time < 2 ns
Fall time < 5 ns
Connector SMB
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NUT 018 Ed. 3.1 février 16
©GREENFIELDTECHNOLOGY  20GFT9404UserManual
Out
p
ut AT0 to AT3
A
m
p
litude 5 V
Width 200 ns
Load 50 Ω
Rise time < 5 ns
Fall time < 5 ns
Additional PXI TRIG
A
m
p
litude, rise and fall time PXI standard
Width 25 ns
Connector PXI connector
General
Size PXI, 1 slot
Power 15 W
(
on + 3.3 V / + 5 V / + 12 V
)
LEDs Red : fault;
g
reen : tri
gg
er on
Environmental
A
mbient tem
p
erature ran
g
e + 10 to 40 °C
Indoor use onl
y
Free LabVIEW driver for Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7, based on NI-VISA
