MORE ABOUT THE M81-SSM SYSTEM

MeasureSync architecture allows for tightly synchronized data collection from the remotely located modules. Amplitude and frequency signals are transmitted to/from the remote amplifier modules using a proprietary, real-time analog voltage method that minimizes noise and ground errors while ensuring tight synchronization of all modules. This analog interface keeps noisy digital circuitry away from the modules’ sensitive analog circuits. The signals are digitized by a dedicated converter for each channel, which are synchronized by the shared MeasureSync clock. Each rising edge of the clock triggers every ADC to take a reading and triggers each DAC to update its output. In between clock edges, all of the data is transferred from ADCs to the controller and each DAC is preloaded with a value that is applied on the next edge. Unlike multiplexed systems, this maintains total synchronization and continuous sampling of each channel. Digital signals are generated or processed by a configurable DSP core.

Each measure channel can be configured to perform DC, AC, or lock-in measurements. The core processes the individual readings collected at 375 kSa/s and produces fully processed and calibrated readings at up to 5 kSa/s. These readings can be observed on the front panel and collected via the remote interface.

The multiple parameter query structure allows a single data query to return multiple readings in one query, which maintains synchronization. Additionally, the configurable data streaming interface can be used to provide a continuous stream of synchronized data at a fixed, regular time interval, or a burst of high-speed collection. This combination of an analog interface to the distributed modules, a centralized simultaneous acquisition clock, and a unified remote interface provides end-to-end signal synchronization that cannot be easily achieved with separate instrumentation.