Clock Drivers

Products > Clock Drivers

Product Description:

Multiple timing signals ("clocks") are required by CCDs, IR FPAs, and some CMOS image sensors to transport electrical charge across the array to a sense amplifier for conversion into image data. Pulse Instruments offers a line of "clock drivers" for generating these timing signals. The parameters of these clocks (clock rate, pulse width, pulse amplitude, rise- and fall-times, etc.) greatly influence the behavior and performance of the imaging device. Our products take logic-level inputs from a pattern generator and allow the user to adjust the output parameters to suit their device and testing requirements. Clocks can be "tweaked" in real-time to determine optimal operating parameters for a particular device, or else programmed in accordance with a test plan for automated production test.

All of Pulse Instruments clock driver products have precision adjustable rails and adjustable T_R/T_F, with voltage- and/or current-sensing capability.⁽¹⁾ Our newest driver products also have a tri-stating feature. Instruments can be controlled locally, from a front-panel or keyboard and mouse, or over IEEE-488 via PI-Controller software. Our well-documented IEEE-488 command set also allows users to develop custom software or to integrate our instruments into existing test systems. 

Our clock drivers are offered in two form factors--CompactPCI and 4000 Series. Both types of equipment can be integrated into a complete test system via the PI-Bus Interface Card in CompactPCI.

Product Selection Guide:

Please use the following table to help select the appropriate driver for your application. The performance data shown below is summary-level only. Please see the linked web pages for detailed specifications.

CompactPCI--open-architecture design for maximum expandability at an affordable price. Designed for driving fast, low-voltage CCDs, FPAs and ROICs.

4000 Series--proprietary design to accommodate the higher-voltages and currents required to drive certain FPA materials as well as the newest back-illuminated and high-resistivity CCDs.

Special features:

* 40465--This is a tri-level driver card. In addition to programming the high-level and low-level, the user can also program mid-high-level and mid-low-level voltages, producing a "stepped" waveform essential for clocking certain types of CCDs. In tri-level mode, the maximum amplitude is 18.5 V into high impedance. This card is available on a special-order basis only.

** 40490--In addition to driving high voltages at high speed, this card also has programmable pulse width and pulse delay, to facilitate clock strobe time positioning for applications such as interleaving data from high-speed multiplexers. This card is no longer available for purchase, but is still supported by current PI mainframes, controllers, and software.

Notes:

(1) The 40490 driver card has a fixed rise/fall time of 5 ns into high impedance, or 3.5 ns into 50 Ohms.

History:

Pulse Instruments has a long history of developing clock drivers for demanding CCD and FPA test applications. The company's first commercial product was the PI-1000 Driver module, and the highly successful PI-451A CCD Driver plug-in for Tektronix-series mainframes launched the company into the forefront of the industry.

Today, Pulse Instruments clock drivers are used for characterization and production test of visible and infrared imaging devices used in missile-guidance systems, weapon sights, astronomy satellites, surveillance equipment, machine vision, automated inspection, medical imaging, and night vision applications from many major manufacturers of image sensors.

Pulse Instruments' current line of clock driver products is built on modern, expandable foundations that can grow and evolve with your testing needs. When used in conjunction with the PI-2005 Pattern Generator, our clock drivers can drive virtually any imaging device from yesterday, today, or tomorrow.

Pattern Generators | Low-Noise DC Bias | Data Acquisition | Turnkey Systems