[Manuals and User Guides]

DESCRIPTION

 

MUSST is an NIM module that produces trigger patterns synchronised with external events. A trigger pattern is a sequence of trigger output signals that can be adapted to the specific needs of a particular experiment and be used to synchronise the different beamline components involved. In addition, the built-in data storage capability makes possible to use the module as a data acquisition unit.

The detection of events is achieved by hardware comparators that guarantee the proper synchronisation of trigger patterns and minimum delays in the generation of output signals. Events can be chained in order to produce specific trigger sequences. A programmable sequencer is in charge of executing application specific programs that can be written by the user in a high-level language and transferred to MUSST through one of the available communication ports: GPIB or serial line.

The functionality of this module covers a wide range of the requirements found at the ESRF beamlines in what concerns synchronisation and triggering. Existing applications that could benefit from the features of the module are among others: continuous scans at constant or variable step, 2D mapping, synchronous operation of shutters or fast scans with special detectors like CCD sensors in kinetics mode.

 

FEATURES

 

  • Properly address a wide range of synchronisation problems in a uniform and simple way.

  • Independent of the actual drivers, sensors or detectors involved in the experiment.

  • The sequencer runs a microcoded program that takes actions based on changes of the input signals.

  • Internal timer with different timebases.

  • GPIB and RS232/RS422 serial lines control

  • Available signals:

    • 6 input channels: pulse counting (photon pulses, V/F, …), incremental or absolute encoders, analog signals

    • 16 input/output digital lines

    • Spectroscopy ADC interface

    • Trigger IN/OUT signal

  • The module may be used to trigger external devices and/or store input data in its internal memory.

  • Applications:

  • Continuous scans

  • Shutter syncronisation

  • Time resolved experiments

  • Mapping