Technical Data

Each board is tested against the values listed in the columns “Min” and “Max”. “Typical” (Typ.) is the mean value of the first 10 boards produced or a value that is set by design.

TDC Characteristics

TDC Measurement Characteristics for Gen 1

Symbol	Parameter	Min	Typ.	Max	Units
INL	Integral non-linearity			0.5	bins
DNL	Differential non-linearity		0.2		bins
tData	Data format bin size		500		ps
tRes1	Double pulse resolution for -1G		1000		ps
tRes2	Double pulse resolution for -2G		500		ps
ΔtStart	Interval between consecutive starts	4			ns
tRange	Measurement range using hits only		8.368		ms
tExtended	Extended range using rollovers		2.147		s
fReadout	Readout rate			48	MHits/s

TDC Measurement Characteristics for Gen 2

Symbol	Parameter	Min	Typ.	Max	Units
INL	Integral non-linearity			0.5	bins
DNL	Differential non-linearity				tData
	-1.25G to -5G			0.01
	-10G			0.3
tData	Data format bin size		100		ps
tQuant	Quantization				ps
	-1.25G		400
	-2.5G		200
	-5G		100
	-10G		100
tRes	Double pulse resolution		2		tQuant
tRange	Measurement range using hits only			1.677	ms
tExtended	Extended range using rollovers			0.429	s
fStart,burst	Burst rate for up to 4096 starts				GHz
	-1.25G			0.625
	-2.5G			1.25
	-5G			2.5
	-10G			5
fStart,sust	Sustained rate of starts			18	MHz
fStop,burst	Burst rate for up to 3900 stops				GHits/s
	-1.25G			0.625
	-2.5G			1.25
	-5G			2.5
	-10G			5
fReadout,single	Readout rate per channel			40	MHits/s
fReadout,all	Readout rate of all channels			60	MHits/s

Oscillator Time Base

Symbol	Parameter	Min	Typ.	Max	Units
ΔT	Temperature stability 20°C to 70°C			250	ppb
F	Initial calibration			1	ppm
ΔF/F1	Aging first year			2	ppm
ΔF/F10	Aging 10 years			8	ppm

Electrical Characteristics

Power Supply

Symbol	Parameter	Min	Typ.	Max	Units
Ptotal	Total power consumption			10	W
VCC3.3	PCIe 3.3 V rail power supply voltage	3.1	3.3	3.5	V
I3.3	PCIe 3.3 V rail input current			650	mA
VCC12	PCIe 12 V rail power supply voltage	11.1	12.0	12.9	V
I12	PCIe 12 V rail input current			550	mA
VCCaux	PCIe 3.3 VAux rail power supply voltage		3.3		V
Iaux	PCIe 3.3 VAux rail input current		0		mA

TDC Inputs

The TimeTagger4’s inputs are single-ended AC-coupled with 50 Ω termination.

All inputs are AC-coupled. The inputs have very high input bandwidth requirements and therefore there are no circuits that provide over-voltage protection for these signals.

Keep in mind, that the input baseline V_Base is affected by the ratio of pulse length t_Pulse to average pulse distance (for continuous signals the term is called duty cycle).

Attention

Any voltage on the inputs above 5 V or below −5 V relative to the voltage of the slot cover can result in permanent damage to the board.

Attention

Make sure not to drive the inputs when the connector is configured as a TiGer output.

Symbol	Parameter	Min	Typ.	Max	Units
VBase	Input Baseline	0		5	V
VThreshold	Trigger Level	VBase – 1.27		VBase + 1.13	V
|ΔVmin|	Magnitude of minimal pulse height	10			mV
tPulse	Pulse Length				ns
	-1.25G	0.8
	-2.5G	0.4	5	200
	-5G	0.2
	-10G	0.1
tRise	Pulse Edge 20% to 80%			10	ns
tFall	Pulse Edge 80% to 20%			10	ns
Zp	Input Impedance		50		Ω
ITerm	Termination Current	–50	–20	50	mA

Information Required by DIN EN 61010-1

Manufacturer

The TimeTagger4 is a product of:

cronologic GmbH & Co. KG

Jahnstraße 49

D-60318 Frankfurt

Germany HRA 42869 beim Amtsgericht Frankfurt/M

VAT-ID: DE235184378

PCI Vendor ID: 0x1A13

Intended Use and System Integration

The devices are not ready to use as delivered by cronologic. It requires the development of specialized software to fulfill the application of the end-user. The device is provided to system integrators to be built into measurement systems that are distributed to end users. These systems usually consist of the TimeTagger4, a main board, a case, application software and possibly additional electronics to attach the system to some type of detector. They might also be integrated with the detector.

The TimeTagger4 is designed to comply with DIN EN 61326-1 when operated on a PCIe compliant main board housed in a properly shielded enclosure. When operated in a closed standard compliant enclosure the device does not pose any hazards as defined by DIN EN 61010-1.

Radiated emissions, noise immunity, and safety highly depend on the quality of the enclosure. It is the responsibility of the system integrator to ensure that the assembled system is compliant to applicable standards of the country that the system is operated in, especially regarding user safety and electromagnetic interference.

When handling the board, adequate measures must be taken to protect the circuits against electrostatic discharge (ESD). All power supplied to the system must be turned off before installing the board.

Environmental Conditions for Storage

The board shall be stored between operation under the following conditions:

Symbol	Parameter	Min	Typ.	Max	Units
Tstore	ambient temperature	–30		60	°C
RHstore	relative humidity at 31°C noncondensing	10		70	%

Environmental Conditions for Operation

Symbol	Parameter	Min	Typ.	Max	Units
Toper	ambient temperature	5		40	°C
RHoper	relative humidity at 31°C	20		75	%

Attention

Do not connect any DC-coupled inputs to a channel while the TiGer of that channel is configured as an output. Doing so could permanently damage the TimeTagger4 and the external hardware.

Cooling

The TimeTagger4 in its base configuration has passive cooling that requires a certain amount of airflow. If the case design can’t provide enough airflow to the board, a slot cooler like Zalman ZM-SC100 can be placed next to the board. Active cooling is also available as an option for the board.

Recycling

cronologic is registered with the “Stiftung Elektro-Altgeräte Register” as a manufacturer of electronic systems with Registration ID DE 77895909. The TimeTagger4 belongs to category 6, “Kleine Geräte der Informations- und Telekommunikationstechnik für die ausschließliche Nutzung in anderen als privaten Haushalten.” Devices sold before 2018 belong to category 9, “Überwachungs und Kontrollinstrumente für ausschließlich gewerbliche Nutzung.” The last owner of a TimeTagger4 must recycle it, treat the board in compliance with §11 and §12 of the German ElektroG, or return it to the manufacturer’s address listed under Manufacturer.