TimeTagger4 User Guide¶
The TimeTagger4 is a common-start low resolution, high throughput time-to-digital converter. Timestamps of leading or trailing edges (or both) of digital pulses are recorded.
The TimeTagger4 produces a stream of output packets, each containing data from a single start event.
The relative timestamps of all stop pulses that occur within a configurable time range are grouped into one packet, while all pulses outside that range are discarded.
Features¶
4-channel common-start TDC
Quantization (measurement resolution): 100 to 1000 ps
Standard range: 8.388 ms for Gen 1 and 1.677 ms for Gen 2 (24 bits)
Extended range: 1.073 s for Gen 1 and 0.429 s for Gen 2 (31 bits)
Double-pulse resolution: twice the quantization size
Dead time between groups: none
Minimum interval between starts: 4 ns for Gen 1 and 3.2 ns for Gen 2
Up to 8000 Hits per packet
5 to 0.625 GHz/s for bursts of up to 4096 starts (depending on variant)
5 to 0.625 GHits/s/channel for bursts of up to 3900 stops (depending on variant)
40 MHits/s/channel of sustained stops
60 MHits/s over all channels of sustained stops
PCIe x1 interface
Continuous mode, supporting unlimited recording of stops without starts
TimeTagger4 Variants¶
The TimeTagger4 exists in multiple variants. Each variant exists as a PCIe board or as a standalone desktop solution. For more information see Ordering Information.
Version |
-1G |
-2G |
-1.25G |
-2.5G |
-5G |
-10G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quantization |
1000 ps |
500 ps |
800 ps |
400 ps |
200 ps |
100 ps |
Data Format Bin Size |
500 ps |
500 ps |
100 ps |
100 ps |
100 ps |
100 ps |
DNL and INL |
0.01 LSB |
0.01 LSB |
0.01 LSB |
0.01 LSB |
0.01 LSB |
0.3 LSB |
PCIe line rate |
Gen 1 |
Gen 1 |
Gen 2 |
Gen 2 |
Gen 2 |
Gen 2 |
Readout Rate |
200 MB/s |
200 MB/s |
400 MB/s |
400 MB/s |
400 MB/s |
400 MB/s |
Status |
end of life |
end of life |
active |
active |
active |
active |
Applications¶
The TimeTagger4 can be used in all time measuremnt applications where a common-start setup with 100 ps resolution is sufficient.
For alternatives with higher resolution, more channels, or higher readout rates check our TDC website at www.cronologic.de.
The TimeTagger4 is well-suited for the following applications:
LIDAR down to 8 cm resolution
Blade oscillation measurements
Reciprocal counters
Coincidence measurements
Quantum key distribution (QKD)
Time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC)