Ndigo-Crate

Ndigo-Crate

Ndigo-Crate: Your solution for combining several PCIe cards

Description
Downloads
FAQ

Add up to 8 PCIe and PCI slots to your PC with comfortable front access.

The enclosure is specifically designed to operate multiple synchronized cronologic boards in order to create, for example, a high-speed data acquisition system with up to 32 ADC channels. The Ndigo Crate is specifically designed to house multiple Ndigo digitizers in a single computer, providing ample space, power, and cooling not available in a standard PC. This allows, for example, to mount and synchronize up to eight Ndigo5G-10 boards. Although our crate was originally developed for our time interval analyzers (TDCs) and transient recorders, it can of course also be used to accommodate other DAQ cards, GPUs for high-performance computing, storage adapters, or network devices.

The connection of the external chassis to the PC happens over a PCIe 2.0 x16 link with a full-duplex bandwidth of 2x 8 GByte/s. You can add as many Ndigo Crates directly to your PC as you have free PCIe slots available. You can even add more units by daisy-chaining crates!

The PCIe extension is fully transparent. The operating system can not distinguish between boards in the PCIe expansion box and boards inside the PC itself. No drivers are required.

The slot covers are located at the front of the enclosure. As a result, status information is fully visible and your connectors and cables are nicely reachable during operation.

The crate is delivered as a set including an interfacing cable and a low-profile PC link board.

Crate-3 and Crate-5 can be used as PCIe to PCI adapters while providing five additional PCIe slots.

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When setting up your experiment you need to change cables all the time? Stop crouching underneath your desk and place a Ndigo Crate on your desk or in a 19" rack to conveniently access all connectors from the front.

Front access

When setting up your experiment you need to change cables all the time? Stop crouching underneath your desk and place a Ndigo Crate on your desk or in a 19" rack to conveniently access all connectors from the front.
Expensive high-end equipment tends to have long life cycles. Keep using your best electronics on modern computers with the PCI 5V 33MHz and 3.3V 66 MHz PCI slots of the Ndigo Crate 5 and Ndigo Crate 3.

Legacy PCI

Expensive high-end equipment tends to have long life cycles. Keep using your best electronics on modern computers with the PCI 5V 33MHz and 3.3V 66 MHz PCI slots of the Ndigo Crate 5 and Ndigo Crate 3.
The Ndigo Crate is specifically designed to house up to eight Ndigo digitizers in a single computer, providing ample space, power, and cooling not available in a standard PC. This allows up to six of the mounted boards to be synchronized.

Synchronize many channels

The Ndigo Crate is specifically designed to house up to eight Ndigo digitizers in a single computer, providing ample space, power, and cooling not available in a standard PC. This allows up to six of the mounted boards to be synchronized.

Ndigo-Crate

Data

Optimized for
ADC channels
TDC channels
Gating channels
Connectors
Sample rate single channel
Sample rate multi channel
Resolution
Maximum bandwidth
TDC bin size
TDC double pulse resolution
Multihit
Dead time between groups
TDC readout rate
ADC readout rate
Timestamp range
Common start/stop
Number of boards that can be synced
Readout interface
Time base
On-board calibration data storage
Adjustable trigger windows
Overlapping events possible
Easy to use Windows C API
In-system firmware update
Linux support available
No items found.
No items found.

Ndigo Crates

Our Ndigo Crates allow for using up to 8 PCIe-boards with a conventional PC. The external chassis is connected employing a  PCIe2 x16-interface.

Analog to Digital Converters

Connection to host
Bandwidth to host
Performace relative to
10 Gbps Thunderbolt link
PCIe2 16x slots with 8 lanes
PCIe2 16x slots with 4 lanes
PCI slots 5 V, 32 bit, 33 MHz
PCI slots 3 V, 32 bit, 66 MHz
Cable and link boards
Crate5
Crate3
Crate
PCIe3 x16
8 GByte/s
16x
2
3
2
0
included
PCIe3 x16
8 GByte/s
16x
2
3
0
2
included
PCIe2 x16
8 GByte/s
8x
0
8
0
0
included

Applications:

OTDR

optical time-domain reflectometry, optical time-domain reflectometer, remote fiber testing
In optical time-domain reflectometry the time of the reflections is determined from the reflection loss by measuring from the same end of the fiber how much light returns via the Rayleigh backscatter or is being reflected from individual locations along the fiber.

TOF mass spectrometry

ToF- & MASS- spectroscopy detectors, TOFMS
In many ToF-MS units cronologic TDCs are used to measure precisely the arrival of single ions. From the arrival time, the ion’s time-of-flight is deduced, from which the mass-to-charge ratio of the detected particle can be determined.

Time Domain Reflectometry

TDR, distance-to-fault, DTF
TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) is an electronic measurement method that measures reflections along a conductor. It belongs to the category of Distance-to-Fault (DTF) measurements. TDR measurements provide meaningful information about the broadband behavior of transmission systems.

Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting

TCSPC, photon counting, time-correlated single photon counting, detection of individual photons, single-photon detectors (SPD), photosensors
Whether in astrophysics, materials science, quantum information science, quantum encryption, medical imaging, DNA sequencing or in fiber-optic communication: Single-photon detectors (SPD) provide a timing signal from which, for example, fluorescence lifetimes of excited matter can be deduced.

atomic clocks comparisons

two-way satellite time and frequency transfer, TWSTFT, coupling of atomic clocks
We are quite proud that our time to digital converters resolve so accurately that they are suitable for comparing atomic clocks.

fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy

FLCS, FCS, fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy
Fluorescence-correlation-spectroscopy is a highly sensitive optical measurement method. Fluctuations in the fluorescence emission intensity over time are recorded, which are caused by individual fluorophores that pass through the detection volume.

low-energy nuclear physics

LENP in nuclear astrophysics (NAP), cosmology and astronomy
While many aspects of nuclear physics are considered well understood after almost 100 years of research, several challenging questions are still open and under investigation. Our TDCs are used in gas detectors for nuclear physics experiments helping to understand the microcosm of the nucleus.

neutron detectors

Neutron detectors are not only used in the in area of radiation safety, e.g. in reactor instrumentation or special nuclear material (SNM) detection. They are as well employed in fusion plasma physics, particle physics, materials science, and even cosmic ray detection.

quantum research

Quantum research affects many areas of modern science: quantum cryptography, quantum information science, quantum encryption, quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum electro dynamics (QED), quantum computing etc.
Quantum phenomena such as superposition, uncertainty, and entanglement are studied in quantum research with the goal that they can be safely fabricated when needed and made useful in various disciplines.

Here you find all current downloads for this product. Please contact us for further support on our ADCs and TDCs.

Frequently asked Questions

product choice

I have no idea whatsoever which measuring card is suitable for my application. Can you advise me on this?

We would be happy to assist you in selecting a board for your application.

For this purpose we need the following information:

How many measurement channels are needed?

What is the required time resolution?

Do you want to measure the area, intensity or shape of the pulse? Or is the time of occurrence sufficient?

Do you prefer a PCIe CEM card housed in a PC, or do you prefer an external device connected to a Thunderbolt / USB4 port?

Are you aiming for the most space-efficient data acquisition integration possible?

Regarding your timeframe, are you only interested in products that are available now, or are you also interested in upcoming products or custom solutions?

The best way would be for you to use one of our inquiry forms and fill it out completely.

TDC synchronization

How many cronologic TDCs can be operated synchronously?

Just like the predecessor model HPTDC8, the xHPTDC8-PCIe also provides the option of synchronization when using multiple TDCs. The sync can take place via a total of 24 channels. A 10 MHz signal is used for the synchronization. Other cronologic TDCs such as TDC modules or TimeTaggers currently do not offer a direct synchronization option.

ADC synchronization

How many cronologic ADCs can be operated synchronously?

When using one of our Ndigo Crates, up to eight Ndigo5G-10 cards can be mounted and operated in sync. The synchronization of Ndigo6G-12 is currently not possible.

defense

The company I work for is also closely associated with suppliers operating in the defense sector, or we produce military products ourselves. Is cronologic willing to supply us?

As part of our own sales policy, we would like to ensure that our products are not used in weapons systems. If you are considering purchasing our ADCs or TDCs, please let us know how you can ensure that the use of our products for military purposes can be reliably excluded.

ordering process

How exactly does the ordering process work at cronologic?

  • Usually, you will receive an informal message from us in advance of your order with the current prices of the requested items.
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  • In case of interest, we will provide you with an official quote, in which any freight costs or insurance costs, etc. are also taken into account. If the desired item is in stock, we will schedule two weeks for final quality control, calibration, and preparation for dispatch.
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  • As soon as we have received your order, we will send you an order confirmation. The item is thereby reserved for you. Please note: We observe international embargoes concerning individual countries, institutions and persons and reserve the right to carry out an export assessment in advance for each individual order, which may delay or prevent the implementation of the delivery.
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  • In the next step, we carry out a final in-house check and calibrate the product.
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  • Your invoice will only be issued when the goods are dispatched and your payment term is 14 days as standard. Depending on the selected shipping method, payment is therefore also possible after receipt of the goods.
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  • You will receive your invoice by email and also with the shipment. Together with the invoice, you will receive the consignment note with the tracking number, which you can use to track the shipment if required.
  • Advice for urgent orders: Specifying the exact person who is to receive the goods can be helpful to ensure that the receipt of your goods is registered promptly. We will take this information into account when sending the goods.

shipping insurance

Are the goods covered by insurance when they are shipped ?

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We ship fully covered unless you specifically tell us that you have external insurance and therefore would not like us to do so.

shipments

How do we ship your goods?

We ship your goods via FedEx or UPS through your account. Thus you have full control over the shipping costs and can use your own conditions with the shipping company. In case you do not have a FedEx or UPS account, we will ship your order via our own UPS account and show the shipping costs separately on your invoice or within our offer. Please note that this procedure usually leads to significantly higher shipping costs. It is financially more worthwhile for you to open a new FedEx or UPS customer account - especially because you can then take advantage of the new customer offers of these shipping companies.

FCA incoterms

What does shipping to FCA Incoterms mean?

The International Commercial Terms are clauses for the interpretation of commercial contract standards. FCA (Free CArrier) is one of the clauses, which exclude the assumption of the costs for the main transport by the seller. In this case, cronologic takes over the handover to the carrier and, if necessary, also the customs declaration.

delivery restrictions

Are there any restrictions regarding the delivery of measurement cards to certain countries?

Our ADCs are classified as so-called dual-use goods, as they could be used for military purposes in addition to civilian applications. TDCs and Crates are not affected by these restrictions.

Regardless of the fact that we at cronologic want to exclude the use of our products for military purposes, the laws of the EU and many other countries restrict exports. Since we have to apply for a General Export Permit for these countries, delivery processes may be delayed or delivery to certain countries may become impossible.

For the application of this export license we need the following documents from you:

  • Exporter declaration
  • Company profile
  • Gegbf. import license (country dependent)

There are countries for which a general export license can be used for the export of dual-use goods. In this case we need documents from you and there will be no further delay:

These include:

  • Australia
  • Japan
  • Canada
  • Liechtenstein
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Switzerland
  • Singapore
  • USA

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goods dispatch

How long does it take to receive my ordered goods?

Provided that the ordered goods are products from our standard portfolio and are in stock, it can usually be assumed that the delivery will be dispatched within 14 days after receipt of the order. During this time, the item is subjected to a further detailed calibration and final inspection, packed and made ready for dispatch. Of course, it is always a requirement that all details regarding customs and shipping have been clarified in advance.

import permit

For which purpose is an import permit required and where can I get it?

Governments may impose certain restrictions on the imported goods as well as on their quantity. As a result, import licenses may be required. Such an import license is a document issued by a national government that allows certain goods to be imported into its territory. This is the international import document IC, which you may need to apply for at your customs office. Each import license specifies the quantity of imports allowed, and the total quantity allowed should not exceed the quota.

You need our export declaration to apply for an import permit.

Please find more information on the WTO website.

reseller

We are resellers and need sufficient margin for our services. Can cronologic help us with this?

As a matter of principle, yes, this is possible. In the run-up to our collaboration with companies that consider themselves resellers, we examine their business model in detail. This will take some time. Please provide us with comprehensive information about your company respectively your corporate group, your customers and the complete scope of your product range.