Hello, I am trying to measure the time between two pulses with a resolution of <10nsecs, using a cheap microcontroller. I know some MSP430 parts (MSP430F51x1) include the Timer D which allows a resolution of 4ns, but I do not know of any development kit available. Anybody has experience with this processor or knows of some other uC that allows this kind of time measurement? Thanks, Juan.
You do not write about the application: perhaps something like that? http://www.febo.com/pipermail/time-nuts/2014-February/082820.html
gpsdo wrote: > You do not write about the application: > perhaps something like that? > http://www.febo.com/pipermail/time-nuts/2014-February/082820.html thanks for the link, it seems interesting, however I would like just to use a development kit without added electronics, connecting PPS signals to GPIO inputs. I want to measure time between a number of PPS pulses coming from a GPS device as well as some computer synchronized with PTP. Regards, Juan.
While the STM32F334 has a timer with 217 ps resolution, it is a pity that this resolution is only for output, not for capture, as the poster asked. The Infineon Cortex Parts also have sub-nanosecond timers, but I don't know if this resolution can be used for capture. And datasheet download still requires a NDA! You can get about 5 ns resolution with the STM32F405 and bigger parts, running the timer at 168/180 MHz or LPC43xx at 204 MHz.
Juan Solano wrote: > I know some MSP430 parts (MSP430F51x1) include the Timer D which allows > a resolution of 4ns You need of course a high clock frequency, but this condition is "necessary but not sufficient". Also all other elements must be fast enough, e.g. the input to control the capture. I dont believe that this is possible, since not all parts of such a processor are GHz fast. Georg
Juan Solano wrote: > I am trying to measure the time between two pulses with a resolution of > <10nsecs, using a cheap microcontroller. Hi Juan, as to my knowledge all uC using a high relsolution timer do so for the OUTPUT of the timer. The TI C2000 series even goes down below 1ns but there is no way to do a single measurement with this resolution. Using repeated signals one could think about soltions like tuning the timer output and comparing the signals. Another option would be to feed a delayline with e.g. 1ns taps and to latch the taps into a register to do the measurement. rgds
Thanks all for your suggestions, I am now looking into these alternatives which on paper seem to be able to cope with high resolution capture timer (less than 10nsec): - STM32F405 as suggested above - MSP430F5172 http://www.ti.com/product/MSP430F5172/datasheet/specifications#SLAS6194794 Regards, Juan.
Hi Juan, I have the same problem and just wanted to ask if you have already found a suitable solution. I would appreciate an answer. best reguards Chris
Chris, I have had success with a MSP430F5172 in a Schmartboard: http://www.schmartboard.com/index.asp?page=products_dev&id=641 I need to do more testing to precisely measure resolution/jitter and add a serial port output, but my initial tests seem to work OK, you can have a look at the code here: https://github.com/jsln/msp430-time regards, Juan.
If external ICs are an option than you could take a look at the TDCs from ACAM or Maxim: http://www.acam.de/products/time-to-digital-converters/ or http://www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/industries/metering-energy-measurement/MAX35101.html
Juan Solano wrote: > I want to measure time between a number of PPS pulses coming from a GPS In this case I would suggest, to divide the problem into two separate problems: 1. measure the raw time span by counting with the available timer of your system 2. make a small time analog measurement from the starting edge of your signal to be measured to the counting edge of your raw measurement clock. This is rather easy, if you have a small CPLD or a high speed TTL: after a reset a open collector shortcuts a resistor+inductivity (in series) to ground. This is a simple constant current source.. When the starting edge comes, the open collector is released, this rises the voltage on it and fron this node a fast diode goes to a capacitor, which is loaded by the constant current. When the edhe of your reference clock comes, it resets the open collector to ground again the current source. After that you have some time to measure the voltage on the capacitor with the builtin ADC and then zero out the capacitor to ground , now ready for the next measurement. This is applicable for a small amount of digits, let me say for a time span of 20..50 ns with a useable resolution of approx. 5 bits, which makes ca. 1 ns resolution in time. Obviousely, it needs to be calibrated. W.S.
Try the LAUNCHXL-F28027 C2000 Piccolo LaunchPad from ti. the processor contains a HRCAP module . 300ps reolution on capture. Search "HRCAP" and youll get more info.
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