Experience in Designing Multi-Channel Time-To-Digital Converter

Abstract

Objectives: The article presents the results of the development of multi-channel timeslot measurement system for laser radar for space application. Methods: FPGA Spartan-6 system (Xilinx, USA) was used for the development of our system. Vernier method was applied for timeslot measurement that enabled to obtain high accuracy of the results without using high-frequency signals. Findings: The result of our work was the development of time-to-digital converters (TDC) with extremely low sensitivity to temperature changes. At the same time our TDC was a complete digital device and had lower sensitivity to electromagnetic interference and noise in the supply chain. The results of this development could be interesting to a wide range of specialists focusing on the development of digital systems for both ground and space application. Improvements: A 64-channel TDC has been developed. Due to the self-measurement of characteristics in real time the developed TDC does not require additional correction and adjustment before use. Keywords: Programmable Logic Device (PLD), Time-to-Digital Converters (TDC)