[time-nuts] Testing the TAC, and a question about ADEV

Bob Camp lists at rtty.us
Fri Dec 28 18:24:03 UTC 2012


Hi

The statistical fill approach is a cute way to go. The gotcha comes in when you have a structure that *may* not be monotonic. 

Bob

On Dec 28, 2012, at 1:04 PM, Bruce Griffiths <bruce.griffiths at xtra.co.nz> wrote:

> Fabio Eboli wrote:
>> Hello
>> 
>> How could I test the time to analog converter
>> we talked few posts ago?
>> Something that can be done with things I have
>> or can easily find.
> One method is to use a statistical fill the buckets technique to measure the linearity.
> To do this one needs to use an incoherent source to trigger the interpolator and plot a histogram of the results.
> A noisy RC oscillator would be useful for this but care should be taken to avoid injection locking.
> To achieve useful measurement in a reasonable time interval a trigger rate somewhat greater than 1Hz is required.
> If the interpolator has 1024 time delay bins then ~ 100,000 trigger events are required to achieve a bin width measurement error of 10%.
> 
> Otherwise a series of measurements of a set of accurately known delays is required.
> Useful results can be produced by measuring the delay between various outputs of a shift register clocked at a sequence of different measured frequencies.
>> 
>> I was thinking that would be nice to try to
>> feed it with signals similar to the real ones,
>> but that can be controlled: PPS + 10MHz reference,
>> without the PPS tipical jitter.
>> 
> One should characterise the interpolator linearity etc first.
>> To do so I was thinking to use the PPS from
>> one of the 2 FE5680 and the 10MHz from the
>> second ad use these to simulate the real signals.
>> 
>> I can tune the frequency of the Rb with the
>> serial interface (tested and working).
>> I'd like to verify both the resolution and
>> repeteability.
>> 
>> I was trying to figure the approx jitter
>> I will have using the Rb like I said above,
>> so I'm giving an eye to this diagram from
>> John Miles page: http://www.ke5fx.com/rb.htm
>> 
>> If I'm understanding correctly, that 5680
>> at 1s should have most of the jitter (95% +-2sigma)
>> into an interval +- 3.08x10^-11 wide, i.e. about 62pS
>> on the PPS signal (non considering the PPS buffer
>> inside the 5680). Is this how it work, or I'm mistaking?
>> This is from only one unit, but both unit will have
>> the jitter, how to take into account the jitter
>> from both?
>> 
>> Is there a better method to make this test?
>> I could try to test the TAC alone feeding it
>> with a 100 to 200nS pulse, but I dont know
>> from where to start to generate a clean stable
>> and repeteable pulse.
>> 
> You dont need one (see above) as long as you have the means to accumulate the results of 100,000 measurements or preferably more.
>> I have the 2 5680, the counter with it's 10MHz
>> inputs and outpus, and a Vectron OCXO that came
>> with one of the 5680, with these markings:
>> OCXO500-18 63.897600MHz
>> 34537 A0715
>> and...
>> soldering iron, solder and scrap electronics :)
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Fabio.
>> 
> Bruce
> 
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