Skip to main content
Log in

Testing Pulse Timing Devices Using Arbitrary Function Generators

  • Published:
Automatic Control and Computer Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Arbitrary function generators in the mode of generating time intervals are used to test pulse timing devices (PTDs). It is shown that the generators have a specific amplitude-dependent error when variations of the amplitude of pulses that specify the time intervals cause distortions in the duration of the generated intervals. At the same time, the results of the PTD testing have a characteristic step component, which allows one to reduce the mathematical processing of the test results to the separation into the components: smooth (actually the PTD characteristic) and step (determined by the amplitude-dependent error of the generator). To identify the break points of the derivative corresponding to the transitions between the amplitude subbands, a discrete differentiation is performed based on the calculation of finite differences of the first or second order. The step function is formed in the process of discrete integration of finite differences. The efficiency of accounting for the amplitude-dependent error of generators of special form is demonstrated by the example of testing the PTD with constant and tracking thresholds. It is shown that a picosecond testing accuracy is achievable.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Meleshko, E.A., Bystrodeistvuyushchaya impul’snaya elektronika (High-Speed Pulse Electronics), Moscow: Fizmatlit, 2007.

  2. Leo, W.R., Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments, Springer, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  3. HRM-CFD Constant Fraction Discriminator. http://www.sensl.com/downloads/ds/DS-110522_CFD_ v1p1.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2020.

  4. Model 2128A Constant Fraction Discriminator. https://www3.nd.edu/~wzech/2128a.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2020.

  5. Ortec Model 9327 1-GHz Amplifier and Timing Discriminator. https://www.ortec-online.com/-/media/ametekortec/manuals/9327-mnl.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2020.

  6. Karpekov, Yu.D., Soldatov, M.M., and Yakimchuk, V.I., Modules for generating nanosecond pulses and logical selection of events for IHEP experiments, Preprint of Inst. for High Energy Phys., Protvino, 2014, no. 2014–12.

  7. Photomultiplier Tubes. Basics and Applications, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., 2007.

Download references

Funding

The paper was supported by the European Regional Development Fund, project no. Nr.1.1.1.1/16/A/174 “High precision synchronous timing in widely distributed scientific instrumentation.”

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to V. A. Bespal’ko or A. S. Rybakov.

Ethics declarations

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Translated by N. Semenova

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bespal’ko, V.A., Burak, I. & Rybakov, A.S. Testing Pulse Timing Devices Using Arbitrary Function Generators. Aut. Control Comp. Sci. 54, 466–473 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3103/S0146411620050041

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S0146411620050041

Keywords:

Navigation