Hello everyone, 

The new read_binary.cpp code 

I will be very glad if anyone can help with the old version of read_binary.cpp code. The latest version I saw online was updated on June 30th, 2014, but I need the old version of the code to compare what changes were made in the latest version. This will help me to modify it and be able to read my data successfully. Thanks

On the software download page at https://www.psi.ch/drs/software-download you find a link to all versions of the DRS software, which is located at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/clqo7ekr0ysbrip/AACoWJzrQAbf3WiBJHG89bGGa?dl=0

Earch .tar.gz file has a date, which should help you find the correct version.

I need to synchronize two signals. These signals have a different polarity.

I can set triggers on different levels. But I can't set different polarity of triggers.

Now I can set (T1 and T2), I need to set (T1 and (not T2))

Is it possible?

d->SetTriggerLevel(-0.4,0.4,0.0,0.0,false);

d->EnableTrigger(1, 0);  // Enable trigger

d->SetTriggerSource(1<<8 | 1<<9);  // T1 and T2

file DRS.cpp:

int DRSBoard::SetTriggerLevel(double voltage1,double voltage2, double voltage3,double voltage4,bool negative)

{

…

      SetDAC(fDAC_TLEVEL1, voltage1/2 + 0.8);

      SetDAC(fDAC_TLEVEL2, voltage2/2 + 0.8);

…

There is no way to select different polarities, it is not implemented in the firmware. Like your digital oscilloscope has also only one polarity switch.

The only way to do it is to use a (passive) inverter, so that you have two signals of the same polarity. Something like this:

http://www.phillipsscientific.com/pdf/460ds.pdf

Hi, 

I would like to save the waveform in a .dat binary file using drs_exam.cpp.

I know the distributed software allows us to save as binary files with the save button, but I currently need to save multiple runs using a script.

I've seen that drs_exam.cpp can save the waveform as .txt files.

Is there any .cpp file or function that allows us to save the waveforms in binary format (.dat)?

Thank you for your help. 

You have to write the C/C++ code yourself to write data in binary or any other format. All information is present after the waveform readout in drs_exam.cpp, so it's just a matter of proper write() functions. Please consult any C/C++ handbook on how to write to files.

Hi,

I have an old v2.0 board that I just upgraded firmware on using v4.0.0 download package which has a drs4_eval1.bit for v2.0 boards containing firmware 15158. So I would like to use the latest DRS Oscilloscope program, due to the faster acquisition speeds and advanced calibration techniques, however I seem to be running into a problem.

v4.0 DRS Oscilloscope program displays flat lines in any configuration instead of a pulse that I provide to it (I can't tell if calibration works because all my traces are flat and nothing triggers) but provides ~460Hz. Any idea why v4.0.0 DRS Oscilloscope program does not work with DRS4 Eval Board v2.0 fw:15158?

v3.0 DRS Oscilloscope program actually works and displays the pulse that I input (calibration also works), however it only has 64Hz speed due to v3.0.0 not having multithreading capability which is provided in v3.1.0 software version of the program.

Can you please upload and post on the website the latest software packages for v2 and v3? I would like to use v3.1.0 DRS Oscilloscope version. (Both Linux and Windows, but Linux preferably)

Also, I would like to report that for some reason, I don't know if it happens with v3.0 program used on v2.0 board only or a general issue, but after each calibration of voltage and timing, the trigger does not work. I have to exit the oscilloscope program, and run it again, then the trigger works fine, and the device is calibrated.

Thank you

Unfortunately I do not have the time to back-port any new software feature to the old V2 and V3 boards. That means you have to live with their software or try to get a new board. Right now we have the V5 board which allows you 1 ps time measurements. Maybe this is a good argument to upgrade the hardware.

/Stefan 

Hi i am using DRS4 Eval Board V2, How to acquire data to a bin file using it.    

Hello Sir,

Regarding to analog pulse counting by using DRS4 Rev.2.0 board, you have said that "There is a way to perform the counting dead time free, but that requires the V4 board, which has a hardware comparator on all four channels (The V2 board has only one comparator and a multiplexer). The output of these comparators go directly to the FPGA, which can then trigger on these signals. In principle one could implement a hardware counter in the FPGA, which works practically dead time free. But this requires a new firmware which has to be written. Either you do it yourself using the Xilinx development tools, or you wait until I find some time to implement this, which could take a couple of weeks or even months."

I am interested in it. I have DRS4 Rev.2.0 board. I have FPGA and Microcontroller firmware for this board. How can I implement this concept of counting pulses?

As I said above, you need a V4 board which has the four hardware comparators mounted. You cannot do that with the V2 board, even with a firmware upgrade.

The firmware upgrade for the V4 board is not yet ready and I won't have time for that in the next 3-4 weeks, but afterwards maybe.

Best regards,

Stefan 

 Thank you for your response.

The DRS4 Rev.2.0 with one Multiplexer and a Comparator I think may be is ok for me. Since I wanted to implement counter in FPGA, I have gone through firmware but its very difficult for me to get the flow of data from DRS to USB. Could you help me to get familiar with or to get flow of the data from DRS to the USB?

Thank You,

Sonal

Hi Sonai,

unfortunately I cannot teach you VHDL, you should take a course somewhere. Actually you don't have to touch the USB part, you just have to implement a new register in the firmware, and connect it to a VHDL counter attached to the trigger input. I will do this in a couple of weeks myself, so you can also just wait. I will however only do this for the V4 board, so you have to port it back to the V2 firmware.

Best regards,

Stefan

Hello, Stefan. Have you implemented pulse counting yet?

Best, Osip.

Nope. 

 Will it be done in the foreseeable future?

Yes. I will announce it in the forum. 

Hi,

Our group had previously heard that a "DRS-5.0" might be on the horizon and that it may have ethernet capabilities as well as 16-input channels (we heard this when ordering the DRS-4). Is this still in the works and accurate information? If so, is there a rough estimate to the "release date?"

Thanks for your time,

Zach Miller

You mix up two things: The DRS5 chip is a new device with improved samling speed (10 GSPS) and lower dead time. This chip might come in 2-3 years. The 16-input board you mentioned is a DAQ board based on the DRS4 chip. This board well be operational beginning of 2013 as a prototype. It is not clear however at this point in which way this board will be made available for public. Maybe we will license this to industry. The design is however pretty much defined: 16 channels with gain 0.1-100, 1 GHz Bandwidth, Gigabit Ethernet output, and multi-board capabilities. Trigger on each channel with logical combinations. 80 MSPS continuous sampling (in addition to the DRS4 sampling). Each channel can be biased 0-210 V for SiPMT or APD power. A 19" 3 HE crate will host 16 boards with 256 channels.

/Stefan

 Thanks, Stefan. That was the information we were looking for.

Cheers.

-Zach