Physics and Chemistry Timing Solutions:
PRL modules are used in accelerator labs around the world for timing
distribution, frequency division, data acquisition triggering, and data
translation.
Our most common physics application is fanout of a data, trigger or
timing signal to multiple receivers, such as counters, oscilloscopes, logic
analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc. Fanout buffers are different from RF
splitters (even active splitters) because fanout buffers regenerate clean logic
signals.
Our fanout buffers are also popular because they include 50 Ω
drive capability, critical for maintaining signal integrity over
long cables. Popular models include:
- PRL-434A,
1:4 NECL Fanout Buffer, 4+ GHz
- PRL-434LP,
1:4 LVPECL Fanout Buffer, 4+ GHz
-
PRL-424LV, 1:4
LVDS Fanout Buffer, 1.25 GHz
-
PRL-414B,
1:4 TTL Fanout Buffer, 130 MHz
-
PRL-430N, 2
Ch. NECL Line Driver/Receiver
-
PRL-431N, 1:2
NECL Fanout Buffer, 3+ GHz
- PRL-444, 4 Ch.
TTL Line Driver with High-Z Input
A complete list of models is available on
Fanout Buffers page.
 Frequency
division
The time base of an accelerator or precision reference can be divided
with very low jitter to trigger lower-frequency phenomena or
instrumentation synchronously. Lasers, data acquisition systems,
oscilloscopes, and streak cameras can be triggered at different rates,
including non-binary and prime-number divisors from the reference with precise phasing relative
to the RF.
Our physics customers demand high frequency, large division ratios, and
low jitter. Our edge-triggered designs produce extremely low jitter with
very wide operating ranges (DC to fmax, except for the
AC-coupled PRL-257-8). Ratios can be fixed or programmable from f/2 up to
f/10000, and multiple units can be cascaded for ratios into the millions.
Popular models include:
- PRL-260ANT, 2-Phase
Programmable NECL/TTL Frequency Divider, f/2 - f/4096
-
PRL-257-8, 12 GHz, Programmable 2-Φ
divider, f/8-f/128
-
PRL-255N, NECL divider, ÷2, ÷4
-
PRL-220A, TTL divider, ÷2, ÷4,
÷8, ÷16
-
PRL-230, TTL divider, ÷10, ÷100,
÷1000,÷10,000
Independent
review shows 1-sigma RJ of less than 1 ps for the PRL-257-8:
Fig. 1: PRL-257-8 Jitter Performance*, 10.3125 GHz clock divided by 64
 Sine
wave to square wave conversion
Frequency sources are often supplied as sinewaves, whereas trigger
inputs often require logic-level square waves. Furthermore, the slow slew
rates of sinewaves can often degrade jitter performance, especially if the
signals are teed or branched off to multiple receivers. PRL offers variety
of ways to convert sinewave to square waves with fast, low-jitter edges
and logic-level compatibility to drive your trigger inputs.
Nearly All PRL units with ECL-structured input can be driven by
AC-coupled sinewaves with minimum amplitudes of 200 mVpp.
For recovering smaller signals we offer comparator inputs with
sensitivity as low as 10 mVpp.
Sine- to square-wave conversion is available with or without frequency
division. Popular models include:
- PRL-255CN,
Small-signal frequency divider (f/2 & f/4), NECL outputs
-
PRL-350ECL, 2 Channel Comparator with NECL Outputs
-
PRL-350TTL, 2 Channel Comparator with TTL Outputs
-
PRL-434A, 1:4
ECL Fanout Buffer
There are many, many ways to configure one or more PRL modules to
handle sine- to square wave conversion. Please email
support@pulseresearchlab.com
for pre-sales support or application assistance.
The alphabet soup of digital data standards can be daunting, especially
since they are nearly all mutually incompatible. PRL modules enable translation of
trigger, data, and clock signals
to/from NECL, CML, RS-422, and 124 Ω ECL. Popular models include:
A complete list of models is available on
Level Translators
page.
Thank you for visiting PRL, and please browse the rest of the site for
solutions to a variety of pulse, data, and trigger applications. |
