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PIXIE-4 User’s Manual
V2.69
©
XIA
2015. All rights reserved.
lix
Each module can be enabled to share triggers over the backplane lines or not. In this way, a
trigger group can be extended over several modules or each module can form its local sub-
group.
7.2.3 Trigger Distribution across PXI segment boundaries
In PXI chassis with more than 8 slots, the PCI bus as well as the PXI bussed backplane lines
are divided into segments with not more than 8 slots. While the PCI bus is bridged between
the segments, the PXI bussed backplane lines are usually only buffered from one segment to
the next; i.e. the line in one segment drives the line in the neighboring segment. Since this
buffer is essentially a one-way communication (though the direction may be selectable), no
wire-OR can be build across the segment boundary. (Note: Sometimes there is no connection
at all.)
For applications with more than 7 modules, the Pixie-4 have to be operated in a chained OR
mode, where trigger signals are passed from module to module using the PXI nearest neighbor
lines which are not interrupted by the segment boundaries. In this mode, each module ORs the
trigger signal from its right neighbor with its own contributions and passes it to the left. The
leftmost module issues the combined OR to a bussed PXI line. The chassis has to be configured
such that the leftmost segment drives all other segments to the right. The Pixie-4 modules can
be set up to operate in this mode using the chassis control panel of the Pixie Viewer. The PXI
backplane buffering has to be set up with the tools provided by the chassis manufacturer: the
lines named PXI_TRIG0 (fast trigger), PXI_TRIG1 (event trigger) and PXI_TRIG2
(synchronization) have to be set up to be driven from the leftmost segment.
7.2.4 Trigger Distribution between PXI chassis
In principle it is possible to distribute triggers between several chassis with Pixie-4 modules
using XIA’s PXI PDM module. Please contact XIA for details.
7.2.5 External Triggers
External triggers usually do not have the correct format and fast trigger vs event trigger timing
required by the Pixie-4 trigger logic. The Pixie-4 therefore includes specific logic to turn an
external signal into distributed triggers.
External signals (3.3V TTL standard) can be connected to the Pixie-4 front panel input labeled
“DSP-OUT”. The DSP variable XETDELAY (Control field
Validation delay …
in the C
HASSIS
S
ETUP
panel controls generation of fast and event triggers. If the value is zero, no triggers are
generated. If the value is nonzero, a fast trigger is issued to the backplane immediately after
detection of a rising edge on the front panel, and an event trigger is issued the specified delay
thereafter. As the triggers are sent to the backplane, the external triggers appear as if an
additional module with a pileup inspection time (energy filter rise time plus flat top) equal to
XETDELAY had seen a pulse. Sharing triggers over the backplane must be enabled even for
the module connecting to the external signal.