PulseBlaster
Summary
The PulseBlaster is a versatile, high-performance, programmable pulse/pattern TTL signal
generator operating at speeds of 100 MHz or more!) and capable of generating
pulses/delays/intervals ranging from 50 ns to two years per instruction. It is connected via PCI or
PCIe port and can accommodate pulse programs with highly flexible control commands of up to 64k
i.e., 65,536) program words Model PB24-100-64k). Its high-current output logic bits are individually
controlled with a voltage of 3.3 V.
Specifications
Pulse Parameters
•Up to 24 individually controlled digital output lines TTL levels, 3.3 V logical “one”)
•Variable pulses/delays for every TTL line
•Up to 25 mA output current per TTL line depends on board and firmware, see Firmware Designs )
•50 ns shortest pulse/interval for internal memory models: PB12-100-4k and PB24-100-4k
•90 ns shortest pulse/interval for external memory models: PB24-100-32k, PB24-100-64k
•2 years longest pulse/interval at 100 MHz, with the use of the “Long Delay” instruction)
•10 ns pulse/interval resolution at 100 MHz)
•Up to 64k pulse program memory words/instructions Model PB24-100-64k)
•External triggering and reset – TTL levels
Pulse Program Control low
•Loops, nested 8 levels deep
•20 bit loop counters max. 1,048,576 repetitions)
•Subroutines, nested 8 levels deep
•Latency after trigger WAIT state) – 8 clock cycle latency 80 ns at 100 MHz), adjustable to 40
seconds in duration
•5 MHz max. re-triggering frequency at 100 MHz clock frequency)
Note on Related Boards Compatible with this Manual
Much of the programming information provided in this manual is nearly universal to SpinCore's
lines of boards. More complex boards such as the PulseBlasterESR, PulseBlaster-DDS, and
RadioProcessor lines of boards still rely on the same PulseBlaster core for TTL pulse generation.
Therefore, the basic example programs for the PulseBlaster will be able to produce the same results
on any of the more complex boards. The exception is the PulseBlaster-DDS-II board which uses a
96-Bit or 124-Bit instruction word, depending on the firmware, instead of an 80-Bit instruction word
and is currently not compatible with PulseBlaster methods of programming the board.
http://www.spincore.com 2021/03/22
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