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4 BASIC CONCEPTS
4.1 Modular architecture
The PICO SCALE is set up in a modular architecture to allow for highest possible fl exibility , un-
derstandability and e ffi cient maintenance. Each module has inputs and/or outputs that can be
con fi gured by the user. The inputs may be outputs from other modules while the outputs can
either be directly linked to interfaces like the PICO SCALE Breakout-Box (BOB) or set up as input
for subsequent modules. This very open architecture allows you to set up sophisticated networks.
The
PICO SCALE modules and their possible dependencies are depicted in fi gure 4.1. The func-
tionality of the modules can be summarized as follows.
4.1.1 Advanced trigger
The Advanced Trigger module is a versatile tool that allows control of a variety of other modules.
Within this module, triggers can be con
fi gured that can be used as start or stop events for other
modules (Clock Generator, Counters, Signal Generator, Stream Generator) or they can be directly
displayed through the GP
I O interface. Several data sources can be used within the Advanced Trig-
ger module to con fi gure the respective events. Beyond others, position data, data increments or
external data (through the GP I O interface) can be used to con fi gure trigger sources. Furthermore,
trigger sources can be linked with logical operations to allow for sophisticated trigger con fi gura-
tions. A detailed description of the Advanced Trigger functions can be found in section 7.3.
4.1.2 Stream generator
The data transfer between the
PICO SCALE
controller and the user PC is called streaming. A so-
phisticated aggregation, compression and decompression protocol ensures highest possible data
rate of up to 480 Mbit/s so that position data, which is a 48 bit data source, can transferred with a
10 MHz rate.
The Stream Generator is the fundamental software module that handles PICO SCALE data
sources. Within this module you can con fi gure the data stream to your PC (USB or Ethernet)
and set up the appropriate data rate as well as appropriate digital low-pass fi lters to avoid alias-
ing or unnecessary oversampling. The Stream Generator is connected to the trigger module so
that triggered data streaming can be set up. All functions of the stream generator can be con-
veniently be accessed via the
PICO SCALE GU I . For example, start and stop trigger events can be
chosen and the number of frames to be acquired can be de fi ned. Details on the Stream Generator
con fi guration can be found in section 7.6.4.
21 PicoScale User Manual