Product Features

They can therefore be described as analogies to ADCs (Analogue to Digital Converter), which have the same function with analogous voltage. Although this definition would permit wrist watches or simple digital meters to be considered TDCs, the term TDC is used only to describe high precision time measuring devices. Generally, the term 'TDC' is used for converters with a resolution of less than one nanosecond. This high resolution cannot be achieved using meters or similar devices without high expenditures so that new customized solutions become necessary. The TDCs of the acam-messelectronic gmbh are based on the use of digital propagation times - mainly with CMOS processors. The resolution that can actually be achieved is in the range of 30 ps  - 300 ps - depending on the semiconductor process used. The GP1 seems to cover the lower resolution area with it's 250 ps in 2 channel mode or it's 125 ps in High Resolution Mode.  

Part Descriptions

• 2 measuring channels with a resolution of typ. 250ps
• Optional high resolution mode with one channel and typ. 125 ps resolution
• 4-fold multi-hit capability per channel, double pulse resolution typ. 15ns, retriggerable
• 2 measurement ranges ---a: 2 ns -7.6 µs --- b: 60 ns-200 ms
• The 8 events of the two channels can arbitrarily be measured against one another. Negative times can also be measured.
• The resolution can be adjusted accurately via software in the 'resolution adjust' mode.
• Ports to measure capacities, coils or resistors
• Variable edge sensitivity of the measuring inputs
• Internal ALU for the calibration of the measurement result. A 24-Bit multiplication unit enables the results to be scaled.
• Wide range for the reference clock: 500 KHz - 35 MHz
• Surface mount TQFP44 package.
• Extremely low power consumption, fully battery operation possible
• 8-bit processor-interface

Applications of TDC-GP1: The Universal Time-to-Digital Converter

• Laser Distance Measurement
• Positioning Systems
• ToF Spectroscopy