A PC-Based Time Interval Counter With 200 Ps Resolution

Józef Kalisz, Ryszard Szplet

Abstract: This paper describes the design and technical features of the precise time-interval counters realized as PC computer boards with ISA, PCI, and PXI interfaces. Thanks to the use of a specialized, interpolating counter chip fabricated in CMOS FPGA technology, the 200 ps resolution (1 LSB - Least Significant Bit) was achieved in single-shot measurements of time intervals within the range from 0 to 43 s. The standard measurement uncertainty is below 1 LSB as a result of automatic correction of nonlinearity of two interpolators contained in the FPGA counter chip. The counter board can also be used for frequency measurement up to 1.1 GHz. The dedicated software operating in a Windows environment provides comprehensive control, diagnostics, and statistical processing of the measured data.
Published in: Proceedings of the 35th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting
December 2 - 4, 2003
Hilton Resort on Mission Bay
San Diego, California
Pages: 359 - 370
Cite this article: Kalisz, Józef, Szplet, Ryszard, "A PC-Based Time Interval Counter With 200 Ps Resolution," Proceedings of the 35th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, San Diego, California, December 2003, pp. 359-370.
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