Highland Technology T550 OEM Digital Delay Generator

HIGHLAND TECHNOLOGY T550 DIGITAL DELAY GENERATOR OPERATION

The Highland Technology T550 is a semi-custom embeddable digital delay generator intended for OEM use in systems which require precise timing. Typical applications include gated image intensifiers, Q-switches, and radar/lidar systems.

The T550 is available in either its standard configuration (described in the T550 data sheet) or as a custom modified product. Modifications can include more output channels, board size and form factor changes, improved accuracy and jitter, and different interface protocols.

For those needing a laboratory digital delay generator with similar capabilities, Highland will soon be introducing the D550 benchtop instrument. The D550 will be based on T550 technology but will feature a convenient front panel user interface and display, greater output channel flexibility, and AC power input, all in a small benchtop case.

BASIC OPERATION

The purpose of a digital delay generator is to produce a precise time delay of programmable length. Typically, each of several output channels can be independently programmed to its own time delay; all time delays are measured from a single input trigger. The standard version of the T550 has three such channels. Each channel output remains low after a trigger pulse until its programmed delay has timed out; it then goes high.

The T550's combination of high accuracy and high resolution is achieved using a combination of digital and analog delay circuitry. An input trigger edge starts the delay by starting a stable oscillator. As the period of this oscillator is reliably known, a specific number of oscillator periods will correspond to a known time. This is the digital portion of the delay. As the required delay will probably not be equal to an integer multiple of oscillator periods, the remaining fraction of the programmed delay is handled by analog vernier circuitry. This vernier circuitry produces a precisely settable delay that can vary in length from zero to one oscillator period.

The channel output rises after the required number of oscillator periods plus the additional fractional delay have timed out.

A microprocessor is used to control both the oscillator count and the vernier delay, and is used as well for interface communications and other control functions.

Highland Technology T550 OEM digital delay generator operation

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	HIGHLAND TECHNOLOGY T550 DIGITAL DELAY GENERATOR OPERATION The Highland Technology T550 is a semi-custom embeddable digital delay generator intended for OEM use in systems which require precise timing. Typical applications include gated image intensifiers, Q-switches, and radar/lidar systems. The T550 is available in either its standard configuration (described in the T550 data sheet) or as a custom modified product. Modifications can include more output channels, board size and form factor changes, improved accuracy and jitter, and different interface protocols. For those needing a laboratory digital delay generator with similar capabilities, Highland will soon be introducing the D550 benchtop instrument. The D550 will be based on T550 technology but will feature a convenient front panel user interface and display, greater output channel flexibility, and AC power input, all in a small benchtop case. BASIC OPERATION The purpose of a digital delay generator is to produce a precise time delay of programmable length. Typically, each of several output channels can be independently programmed to its own time delay; all time delays are measured from a single input trigger. The standard version of the T550 has three such channels. Each channel output remains low after a trigger pulse until its programmed delay has timed out; it then goes high. The T550's combination of high accuracy and high resolution is achieved using a combination of digital and analog delay circuitry. An input trigger edge starts the delay by starting a stable oscillator. As the period of this oscillator is reliably known, a specific number of oscillator periods will correspond to a known time. This is the digital portion of the delay. As the required delay will probably not be equal to an integer multiple of oscillator periods, the remaining fraction of the programmed delay is handled by analog vernier circuitry. This vernier circuitry produces a precisely settable delay that can vary in length from zero to one oscillator period. The channel output rises after the required number of oscillator periods plus the additional fractional delay have timed out. A microprocessor is used to control both the oscillator count and the vernier delay, and is used as well for interface communications and other control functions.
	Highland Technology T550 OEM digital delay generator operation