Surface Concept SC-TDC-1100 Series User manual

Time-to-Digital Converter
SC-TDC-1100 Series
(Release 212, 312 & 322)
Manual

2SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual | Surface Concept GmbH
Surface Concept GmbH
Am Sägewerk 23a
55124 Mainz
Germany
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
web: www.surface-concept.de
All rights reserved. No part of this manual may
be reproduced without the prior permission
of Surface Concept GmbH.
User Manual for the
SC-TDC-1100 Series
Releases: 212, 312 & 322
Manual Version 2.3
Printed on 2020-02-26

3
SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual
SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual | Surface Concept GmbH
1 Table of Contents
1 Table of Contents...................................................................................................................... 3
2 General Information................................................................................................................ 5
2.1 General Information........................................................................................................ 5
2.2 Safety Instructions............................................................................................................ 5
2.2 General Overview..............................................................................................................6
3 Installation...................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Initial Inspection................................................................................................................7
3.2 Cabling..................................................................................................................................7
3.3 Software Installation, Requirements and Interface.............................................. 9
4 TDC Layout................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Schematic Description..................................................................................................11
4.2 Layout of the SC-TDC-1100 Series............................................................................ 12
4.2.1 TDC Stop Inputs.................................................................................................... 13
4.2.2 TDC Start Input..................................................................................................... 13
4.2.3 Device Synchronization Signal IN/OUT........................................................ 15
4.2.4 Start Frequency Divider (sub-R 70 only)...................................................... 15
4.2.5 Extended Measurement Range...................................................................... 16
5 Technical Data......................................................................................................................... 19
6 List of Figure............................................................................................................................. 23

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SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual
2 General Information
2.1 General Information
This manual is intended to assist users in the operation of the Releases 212, 312 and 322 of the SC-TDC-1100
series. It is divided into 4 chapters. The chapter “General Information” contains a brief overview of the
devices as well as the safety instructions. The chapter “Installation” refers to installation and cabling. The
other chapters contain amongst others technical details and the description of the device layout.
2.2 Safety Instructions
The“caution symbol”marks warnings, which are given to prevent an accidental damaging
of the detector or the readout system. Do NOT ignore these warnings and follow them
strictly. Otherwise no guarantee is given for arose damages.
Note
The “note symbol” marks text passages, which contain important information/hints
about the operation of the detector. Follow these information to ensure a proper
functioning of the detector.
The “high voltage symbol” marks warnings, given in conjunction with the description of
the operation/use of high voltage supplies and/or high voltage conducting parts.
Hazardous voltages are present, which can cause serious or fatal injuries. Therefore
only persons with the appropriate training are allowed to carry out the installation,
adjustment and repair work.
Please read this manual carefully before performing any electrical or electronic operations and strictly
follow the safety rules given within this manual. Surface Concept declines all responsibility for damages
or injuries caused by an improper use of the module due to negligence on behalf of the User.
The following symbols may appear throughout the manual:
Please also respect the Surface Concept Device Safety Instructions Manual in addition
and all given safety rules within it.
Note
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2.3 General Overview
The Surface Concept SC-TDC-1100 device in Release 312 is a 2 stop input channel (02D), in Release 322 a 4
stop input channel (04D) and in Release 212 a 8 stop input channel (08S) Time-to-Digital Converter with an
integrated FPGA board and a USB3.0 interface in a 2/12 NIM cassette. The SC-TDC-1100 device in Release
312 and 322 is laid out for NIM signals on LEMO 00 type connectors, in Release 212 it is laid out for low
voltage (LV)TTL signals on BNC connectors for all stop and the start inputs.
All other additional inputs (like SYNC IN) are laid out for LVTTL signals on BNC connectors. All LVTTL signal
inputs are TTL tolerant.
The devices come in two sub-releases 50 & 70. Sub-release 70 has an additional start frequency divider
implemented (see Chapter 4.2.4 for further details).
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SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual
3 Installation
3.1 Initial Inspection
Visual inspection of the system is required to ensure that no damage has occurred during shipping.
Should there be any signs of damage, please contact our provider immediately. Please check the delivery
according to the packing list (see Table 1) for completeness.
• SC-TDC-1100 (R212, R312, R322)
• 1x USB cable
• 1x power cable
Table 1: Packing list for the SC-TDC-1100 (R212, R312, R322)
3.2 Cabling
The general connection scheme of the SC-TDC-1100 devices is given in Figure 1.
Figure 1: General connection scheme of the SC-TDC-1100 devices.
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For release version 212
• Use the BNC sockets named “Stop“ to apply 1 - 8 LVTTL signals to the TDC stop input channels.
• To perform time measurements with respect to an external clock, provide start pulses to the start input
of the TDC. Use the BNC socket named “Start” to apply LVTTL signals (see Chapter 4.2.2 for detailed
information).
• Use the USB cable to connect the TDC to the PC. Do not use PC front panel USB connectors; they are
often restricted in performance (see Chapter 3.3 for further details).
• Please note that all inputs are internally 50Ohm terminated and are laid out for 50Ohm terminated
LVTTL (low voltage TTL) signal levels.
• Install the TDC device driver or software package prior to switching on the TDC.
For release versions 312 & 322
• Use the LEMO 00 sockets named “Stop“ to apply 1 - 2 (R312) and 1 - 4 (R322) NIM signals to the TDC
stop input channels.
• To perform time measurements with respect to an external clock, provide start pulses to the start input
of the TDC. Use the LEMO 00 socket named “Start” to apply NIM signals (see Chapter 4.2.2 for detailed
information).
• Use the USB cable to connect the TDC to the PC. Do not use PC front panel USB connectors; they are
often restricted in performance (see Chapter 3.3 for further details).
• Use BNC cables to connect your additional signals to the additional inputs of the TDC (e.g. SYNC IN).
• Please note that all additional inputs are internally 50Ohm terminated and are laid out for 50Ohm
terminated LVTTL (low voltage TTL) signal levels.
• Install the TDC device driver or software package prior to switching on the TDC.
Finish the complete cabling before the TDC is turned on and the GUI software is started.
Also, close the software and turn o the TDC before performing any changes to the
cabling.
This applies especially to the connection and disconnection of the start input of the TDC.
The start input of the TDC cannot handle pulses which are arriving in a time interval of
smaller than 120ns, as they are produced by e.g. connecting to and disconnecting from
the start input respectively.
If two subsequent pulses are applied to the start input of the TDC, the device will still
deliver results, but these results will contain wrong timing information.
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SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual
3.3 Software Installation, Requirements and Interface
All operation functions of the SC-TDC-1100 devices are encapsulated in a dynamic linked library (scTDC1.
dll). Data processing and presentation on the PC is realized by an end-user demo software. See the
corresponding software manual for detailed information on the software package and the DLL interface.
The delivery package of the SC-TDC-1100 devices includes a storage medium with hardware drivers and a
TDC Demo software. Connect the storage medium to your PC and install the software package as described
in the Software Installation Manual.
Read-out of the TDC is done with a standard PC via USB3.0. For the PC the following minimum system
requirements are highly recommended:
• Processor: Quad Core
• RAM: 4GB
• Windows 7 or higher
• USB (no front panel connector)
Note
Depending on the specic PC system used for the TDC readout (mainly depending on
the specic USB3.0 chip used on the PC motherboard), the use of USB3.0 can lead to
instabilities in the data communication. For those cases we then recommend the use
of USB2.0. The use of USB2.0 is always possible, but there might be limitations in the
maximum count rates for certain detector types and/or detector operation modes.
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SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual
4 TDC Layout
4.1 Schematic Description
The design of the SC-TDC-1100 series combines the excellent performance of the GPX TDC chip with a
high speed USB interface.
A eld programmable gate array (FPGA) enables comfortable setups and a variable data stream handling
from the TDC via USB.
The main delayline detector readout functionality is permanently programmed. A complex FIFO design
makes data losses almost impossible. The user DLL controls the data handling and streaming for the user.
The following brief description of the internal structure of the measurement unit is only informative:
Figure 2: Schematic sketch of TDC functioning.
Arrival times of pulses at the stop inputs are measured by the TDC with respect to either an internal
reference start signal, provided by the FPGA, or an external start signal. An internal electronics provide the
TDC start signal to an additional BNC socket for further extended measurement use. The measurement
dwell times for data from theTDC are settled within the FPGA by a quartz stabilized time gate in an interval
from 1ms to 1193h.
The synchronization pulse for the external acquisition start (Sync. In) is transferred directly into the FPGA
that controls the acquisition process. The FPGA also sends out a synchronization pulse for marking the end
of an acquisition (via the Sync. Out socket).
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4.2 Layout of the SC-TDC-1100 Series
1. BNC/LEMO 00 Socket for Start Input
2. BNC/LEMO 00 Sockets for Stop Inputs
3. BNC Sockets for Device Synchronization Signal IN and OUT
4. USB Connection Socket
5. Power switch to turn the TDC ON/OFF. Lighted when set to ON
6. Power Socket
Figure 3: Front Panel of SC-TDC-1100/08S (R212) and 1100/04D (R322)
1
Figure 4: Back Panel of SC-TDC-1100
1
2
3
5
4
2
3
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SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual
4.2.1 TDC Stop Inputs
The SC-TDC-1100 devices come with 2 (R312), 4 (R322) or 8 (R212) stop input channels. For Releases R312
and 322 all stop signals must be applied as NIM signals to the “stop” inputs (LEMO 00 socket), for Release
R212 as LVTTL signals to the“stop” inputs (BNC socket).
4.2.2 TDC Start Input
An external start signal must be provided to the TDC for real time resolved measurements. The external
start signal must be applied either as a NIM signal to the“start” input (LEMO 00 socket) for Release R312 &
R322 or as LVTTL signal to the“start”input (BNC socket) for Release R212. In addition the software must be
set to accept external start signals, by changing the corresponding entry in the tdc_gpx3.ini le.
The corresponding entry in the tdc_gpx3.ini le is:
Ext_Gpx_Start = X
X is either NO or YES. The default setting is YES.
“Ext_Gpx_Start” = YES must be set for the TDC to accept the external start signal.
In addition the following entries in the tdc_gpx3.ini must be set as follows:
StartCounter = YES
StartPeriod = 0x800000
Measurements are performed in respect to an internal start signal of the TDC when “Ext_Gpx_Start” =
NO. This internal start signal has no time correlation to any external clock and therefore also not to the
incoming stops. Any external start signal must be disconnected from the start input of the TDC, when
working with the internal start signal.
The rise time of the start signal is of great importance, the faster the rise time, the better the time resolution.
The maximum frequency of the start pulse must not exceed 9MHz (for R312 & R322) and 7MHz (for R212).
Note
Do not forget to save the ini le after any changes you make and restart the software. For
further information check the software manual.
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The start input of the TDC cannot handle pulses which are arriving in a time interval of
smaller than 120ns (e.g. as produced by connecting/disconnecting the start signal during
TDC operation). If two such subsequent pulses are applied to the start input of the TDC, the
device will still deliver results, but these results might contain wrong timing information.
The TDC does also not work with start signals of frequencies larger than 7 MHz (R212) and
9MHz (R312 & R322). For this reason, the TDCs are equipped with an internal frequency
divider. Larger start pulse frequencies must be divided down by an appropriate dividing
factor (e.g. dividing factor of 16 for 80MHz start pulse frequency). For start frequencies
smaller then 100kHz (R212) and 25kHz (R312 & R322) the user must make sure that all
stop signals are provided within a time window of 10.7µs (R212) and 40µs (R312 & R322)
after each start. Otherwise the TDC will deliver wrong time results, which are not easy to
be identied as such.
For applications with time distances larger 10.7µs (R212) and 40µs (R312 & R322) use the
start counter or the extended measurement range (see Chapter 4.2.5).
Note
The temporal resolution is mainly inuenced by the quality of the start signal because the
TDC measures the time of a rising or a falling edge using a constant voltage threshold.
Lower precision than expected may be observed for slow rise or fall times of the signals
or in case of any ripple/jitter on the switching edge of the signals. In particular, the time
resolution may distinctively depend on any voltage variation of the ground level of the
measured start signal.
Therefore, if the signals are varying in amplitude, one needs to process them by external
electronics components (e.g. constant fraction discriminators, CFDs).
Take care that measurements are performed either with the internal start signal (Ext_
Gpx_Start = NO) and no signal applied to the Start Input or with an external start signal
(Ext_Gpx_Start = YES) applied to the Start Input. In all other cases the TDC is not working
correctly.
Note
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SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual
4.2.3 Device Synchronization Signal IN/OUT
The data acquisition can be synchronized to an external signal for various measurement application linked
to external devices. This device synchronization signal has to be applied as LVTTL signal to the “SYNC IN”
BNC socket of the TDC. This functionality is switched on/o within the tdc_gpx3.ini le.
The corresponding entry in the tdc_gpx3.ini le is:
Ext_trigger = X
X is either NO or YES. The default setting is NO.
The TDC ignores any external synchronization signals if“Ext_trigger” = NO. In case that“Ext_trigger” = YES
and the “SYNC IN”signal is not provided, the device will not come to operation at all.
The TDC provides always a LVTTL signal on the “SYNC OUT” BNC socket after the end of each acquisition,
independent on the setting of“Ext_trigger”.
Note
Do not forget to save the ini le after any changes you make and restart the software. For
further information check the software manual.
4.2.4 Start Frequency Divider (sub-R 70 and 80 only)
The maximum start frequency for the SC-TDC-1100 devices is restricted to 9MHz. To cope with larger start
frequencies the SC-TDC-1100 devices are equipped with an internal start frequency divider for external
start frequencies of up to 150MHz (this mode only works when using the external start input). Herewith
the frequency divider can operate with dierent dividing factors, which can be set within the software, to
always guarantee a start frequency of below 9MHz.
The frequency divider is switched on/o within the tdc_gpx3.ini le, in which also the dividing factors are
set.
The corresponding entry in the tdc_gpx3.ini le is:
Start_Divider = X
X is an integer value and must be one of the following values: 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32. The value 1 is not allowed.
The default setting is 0
X = 0 switches o the start divider and leads to normal operation without dividing the start frequency.
The time histogram will appear X times in series, when using a dividing factor of X. This is due to the fact
that only each 1st start pulse out of a sequence of X start pulses will be accepted as start signal, while all
stop signals are detected. This leads to the multiple time histograms that appear sequentially in time. The
multiple histograms can be resorted to one single time histogram by a MODULO-operation during data
analysis.
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4.2.5 Extended Measurement Range
The measurement range in the normal start-stop operation mode is 10.7µs (R212) and 40µs (R312 & R322).
The SC-TDC-1100 devices come with an extended measurement range functionality, to cope with larger
measurement ranges .The reference measurement is switched on/o within the tdc_gpx3.ini le.
The corresponding entry in the tdc_gpx3.ini le is:
ReferenceMeasurement = X
X is either NO or YES. The default setting is NO.
X = NO switches the reference measurement o.
The extension of the measurement range is working in such a way, that start signals are internally counted
up to extend the global time axis. For this the TDC is operating with its internal start signal, while the
external start signal is given to one of the stop signals in addition to the regular stop signals. Time results
are then provided as reference results of the external start and the stop signals on basis of the internal
extended time axis.
Therefore one of the stop inputs of the TDC must be used to apply the external start signal, which reduces
the number of available stop inputs by one.
Additional changes in the tdc_gpx3.ini le must be made for the extended measurement range to function.
The corresponding entries in the tdc_gpx3.ini le to be made are:
Ext_Gpx_Start = NO
StartCounter = NO
StartPeriod = 0
It must also be dened in the tdc_gpx3.ini le which of the stop input channels provide the reference
signal for calculating the times of the other stop signals. The need of dening the reference channel also
allows to dene dierent reference channels for the dierent stop channels.
The corresponding entry in the tdc_gpx3.ini le is:
ReferenceChannelX = Y
X corresponds to the specic number of the stop channel. Ydenes the specic stop channel which is
used for stop channel X as reference channel. The channel numbering starts with 0. Single channels can
also be switched o in case that signals on that channel should not be measured itself, but only be used as
reference channel. In this case X can be set to -1.
The reading of this entry is: “the reference of channel X is channel Y”.
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SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual
Example 1
ReferenceChannel0 = -1
ReferenceChannel1 = 0
ReferenceChannel2 = 0
…..
ReferenceChannel# = 0
# represents the maximum available channel number.
With this denition all applied stop signals are measured in reference to the signal applied to channel 1 (0
in the software channel counting), while the signals of channel 1 themselves are not measured.
Example 2
ReferenceChannel0 = -1
ReferenceChannel1 = 0
ReferenceChannel2 = 2
ReferenceChannel3 = 2
With this denition the stop signal on channel 2 is measured in reference to the signal applied to channel
1 while the stop signal on channel 4 is measures in reference to the signal applied to channel 3. Also the
signals of channel 1 themselves are not measured, but the signals of channel 3 are measured in reference
to themselves. With such denition the results from channel 3 provide the time between two subsequent
signals on channel 3 (in case that this signal is a periodic signal, the time result represents exactly that
period).
It can happen that the use of more than one stop channel can lead to a wrong sorting of events within
the data stream in respect to their time while using the extended measurement range functionality. This
behaviour can be corrected by a sorting algorithm that resorts neighbouring signals within a certain
“depth”. This depth can be adjusted in the tdc_gpx3.ini le.
The corresponding entry in the tdc_gpx3.ini le is:
ChronoDepth = X
X is an integer value and must be set between 0 and 8.
The default setting is 0
X = 0 switches o the sorting algorithm.
The sorting algorithm works better at higher selected values, but higher values signicantly increase the
load on the PC CPU.
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SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual
SC-TDC-1100/08S - Release 212-50
• 2/12 NIM module
• Number of Stop Inputs: 8
• Number of Start Inputs: 1 (common start input usable as reset of the internal clock resolution adjust
mode: quartz-accurate, adjustable resolution, insensitive to temperature variations, adjustable via
software (no calibration necessary)
• Digital time bin resolution per channel: 82.3ps
• 5.5ns pulse-pair resolution on one channel and 0ns between two channels
• Trigger to rising edge
• Start retrigger frequency (max.): 7MHz
• Measurement range: 0ns – 10.7µs in start-stop operation
(measurement range of 10.7µs corresponds to a start frequency of 93.5kHz)
• Extended measurement range of up to 82.3ps x 64bit (>17000d) in reference mode
• Dynamic range: 2E19
• All channels provide precisely an equal resolution
• 32-fold multi-hit capability per channel
• 40MHz internal device measurement rate
• Stop Signal Input: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• External Start Signal Input: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• External Start Signal Output: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• Device Synchronization Signal Input: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• Device Synchronization Signal Output: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• USB Interface for Data Transfer
SC-TDC-1100/08S - Release 212-70
• 2/12 NIM module
• Number of Stop Inputs: 8
• Number of Start Inputs: 1 (common start input usable as reset of the internal clock resolution adjust
mode: quartz-accurate, adjustable resolution, insensitive to temperature variations, adjustable via
software (no calibration necessary)
• Digital time bin resolution per channel: 82.3ps
• 5.5ns pulse-pair resolution on one channel and 0ns between two channels
• Trigger to rising edge
• Start retrigger frequency (max.): 7MHz
5 Technical Data
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• Measurement range: 0ns – 10.7µs in start-stop operation
(measurement range of 10.7µs corresponds to a start frequency of 93.5kHz)
• Internal start frequency divider (2-, 4-, 8-, 16- and 32-fold divider)
• Dynamic range: 2E19
• All channels provide precisely an equal resolution
• 32-fold multi-hit capability per channel
• 40MHz internal device measurement rate
• Stop Signal Input: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• External Start Signal Input: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• External Start Signal Output: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• Device Synchronization Signal Input: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• Device Synchronization Signal Output: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• USB Interface for Data Transfer
SC-TDC-1100/08S - Release 212-80
• 2/12 NIM module
• Number of Stop Inputs: 8
• Number of Start Inputs: 1 (common start input usable as reset of the internal clock resolution adjust
mode: quartz-accurate, adjustable resolution, insensitive to temperature variations, adjustable via
software (no calibration necessary)
• Digital time bin resolution per channel: 82.3ps
• 5.5ns pulse-pair resolution on one channel and 0ns between two channels
• Trigger to rising edge
• Start retrigger frequency (max.): 7MHz
• Measurement range: 0ns – 10.7µs in start-stop operation
(measurement range of 10.7µs corresponds to a start frequency of 93.5kHz)
• Extended measurement range of up to 82.3ps x 64bit (>17000d) in reference mode
• Internal start frequency divider (2-, 4-, 8-, 16- and 32-fold divider)
• Dynamic range: 2E19
• All channels provide precisely an equal resolution
• 32-fold multi-hit capability per channel
• 40MHz internal device measurement rate
• Stop Signal Input: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• External Start Signal Input: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• External Start Signal Output: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• Device Synchronization Signal Input: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• Device Synchronization Signal Output: Low voltage TTL on 50Ohm BNC socket
• USB Interface for Data Transfer
SC-TDC-1100 Series Manual | Surface Concept GmbH