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Installation Procedure
ComTec GmbH
2-1
2. Installation
Procedure
2.1. Hard- and Software Requirements
For operating the MPA4 you need a standard PC with USB 2.0 port and Microsoft Windows XP or
higher. USB 1.0 ports do not work. The MPA4 works well using only one USB 2.0 port. The
maximum throughput then is 30 Mbyte/sec. This throughput can be somewhat increased by
using two USB ports. USB port 1 will then be used for controlling and parameter transfer, USB
port 2 will be used for data transfer only using two pipes acting interleaved in parallel switching 1
kbyte buffers between two different endpoints. The maximum throughput then is typically
35 Mbyte/sec but we have seen a record of about 40 Mbyte/sec on one computer.
The large 1 or 2 GB FIFO is able to buffer data recorded at 33 million events/sec. Of course it will
take some time after stopping an acquisition to empty a full FIFO, 2 Gbyte / 30Mb/sec is about a
minute. The filling status of the FIFO is shown in the software. There is also an indicator showing
if any data is lost. The fast FIFOs on each 100ps TOF input channel can buffer data recorded
with 10 GHz without loss up to 6.5 mikrosec. See chapter 4.2 in this manual.
We do not expect any problems with host compatibility as we do not use something else than any
USB hard disk or memory stick. Of course, it is necessary that the PC has a true USB 2.0 port.
Older PC's that do not have USB 2.0 on the motherboard can use a PCI card providing USB 2.0
ports. We have no good experience with such PCI cards, the throughput will be much lower,
typically only 15..20 Mbyte/sec, and some cards may not work at all. So we recommend a PC
with true USB 2.0 ports on the motherboard, as is now standard even for laptops.
First check you have all shipped equipment available:
•
Transport
case
•
MPA4
module
•
Power supply module 100…240 V
AC
/ 12 V
DC
•
Power
line
cord
•
(6x) SMA – BNC cable, RG316, 2 m
•
(2x) USB 2.0 (A/B) cable, 3 m
•
User
manual
•
CD or USB stick with operating software