PulseBlaster^TM is a general-purpose, multichannel, programmable TTL pulse generator / digital word generator. It offers up to 24 independently controlled channels, up to 64k instruction words, powerful program-flow features, and variable output rates ranging from ns to days per interval.

PulseBlaster^TM implements a novel 80-bit Very-Long Instruction Word (VLIW) architecture. Due to its versatility and intelligence, it is most commonly used as a powerful timing engine for applications requiring sophisticated pulse sequences and output patterns, precision timing of wide-ranging intervals, and complex system control.

The standard form factor is PCI, and standard clock frequency is 100 MHz. Compact-PCI boards and higher clock rates are available, currently up to 500 MHz.

Key Specifications

• Standard clock frequency of 100 MHz
• High-speed models available, currently up to 500 MHz clock frequency
• up to 24 independently controlled output channels
• 25 mA output current per channel
• DB-25 bracket mounted connector
• IDC headers for on-board access to signals.
• Programmable pulse lengths from five clock periods (50 ns at 100 MHz), to 7 days per instruction.  Pulses as short as 2.0 ns are available (PulseBlasterESR-PRO model at 500 MHz).
• 10 ns pulse resolution (at 100 MHz)
• 512, 4k, 32k, 64k pulse program instruction words
• Advanced pulse-program flow control: nested loops (16 levels), branches, and subroutines
• 20-bit loop counter (over 1 million events/repetitions)
• Software and hardware triggering, up to 5 MHz retriggering frequency
• PCI or Compact-PCI form factor.