The Thorlabs EPG1 Electrical Pulse and Delay Generator creates four precisely configurable low-jitter pulse outputs with an adjustable amplitude and repetition rate. Whether used for synchronization of pulsed lasers, data acquisition equipment, or other laboratory devices, the EPG1 pulse and delay generator provides a highly capable triggering solution. The intuitive EPG Software graphical user interface (GUI) allows easy configuration and visualization of pulse parameters, and the device can be automated using the SCPI interface over USB.

At-a-glance

• Four-Channel Output Pulse Generator with a Programmable Delay
• Pulse Widths from 1 ns to 10 s with 40 ps Typical Pulse Width and Delay Setting Resolution
• High Pulse Repetition Rates: Up to 200 MHz

Features

• Electrical Pulse and Delay Generator with Four Output Channels
• Wide Range of Pulse Repetition Rates from 0.1 Hz to 200 MHz
• 40 ps Typical Adjustment Step Sizes for Pulse Width and Delay
• Trigger Input and Output for Synchronization
• 10 MHz Reference Clock Input and Output
• Controlled by a PC Using Thorlabs' EPG Software or SCPI Interface

The EPG1 pulse generator has a short minimum pulse width (full width at half maximum or FWHM) of 1 ns and a fast maximum repetition rate of 200 MHz to support high-speed applications, but it is also fully configurable with pulse widths up to 10 s and repetition rates down to 0.1 Hz to suit a variety of laboratory needs. The pulse width and delay are configurable in 40 ps typical step sizes for pulses of width down to 5 ns; pulses with widths below 5 ns are configurable in 40 ps to 80 ps typical steps. The repetition rate is configurable in 1 Hz steps from 1 Hz to 200 MHz and 0.1 Hz steps from 0.1 Hz to 1 Hz. Skew on the EPG1 pulse generator is factory-calibrated to guarantee <200 ps time difference between the edges on any of the output ports and the trigger output.

The EPG1 pulse and delay generator can be triggered from the internal rate generator or can be configured for external triggering from the edges on the trigger input port. Each output has a trigger divider which can produce a sub-rate of the main rate that works in both internal or external trigger modes. An additional gated-internal mode creates pulses using the internal rate generator, but only allows pulse generation to start if the level on the trigger port exceeds the configured threshold.

Figure 1.1: Thorlabs EPG software GUI is used to configure the output pulse parameters and the clock and trigger settings for the EPG1 Pulse Generator.

A configurable number of pulses can be generated using burst mode, which produces the set number of pulses after the Run button is pressed. The pulse amplitude is adjustable, with the range for a high impedance load of 2.5 V to 5.0 V, and the range for a 50 Ω load of 1.0 V to 2.5 V. 

Synchronization

The EPG1 pulse generator has input and output triggers and 10 MHz clock signals for simple synchronization across multiple devices, allowing it to be a central timing component for a variety of applications. When accuracy requirements for an application exceed the 2 parts per million (ppm) internal timebase's accuracy (when manufactured), the reference clock input may be used to lock the device to a high-accuracy 10 MHz source. The clock output port provides a 10 MHz reference output which can be used to synchronize other devices to the EPG1 pulse and delay generator.

The trigger input port has adjustable threshold and termination and an edge on this port can be used to trigger the start of a pulse on the four outputs. The trigger output port provides an edge that is precisely synchronized with the pulse output ports. It can be used for triggering data collection instruments or other devices.

The timing jitter on the trigger output to the pulse output is 20 ps RMS for a delay setting of 0 s, with an additional jitter of 5 ppm of the programmed delay for non-zero delay settings. The trigger input to pulse output timing jitter has a higher base value of 2.5 ns for a delay setting of 0 s, with an additional jitter of 5 ppm of the programmed delay. The pulse width and delay accuracy are both ±250 ps, plus an additional term of the timebase accuracy multiplied by the programmed delay. 

Remote Control

The EPG1 pulse generator is powered by a USB Type-C connector with the provided DS5 power supply and cable, with an additional USB 2.0 Type-C connector for the data connection to a PC. Thorlabs' EPG Software provides full control over the output pulse settings, clock settings, and trigger settings, and it conveniently displays the four pulses in a graphical format in the main GUI window.

Additionally, the EPG1 pulse generator may be controlled without the GUI software using SCPI-style serial commands delivered through the USB port for integration into custom-made measurement software or scripted control. The EPG1 pulse generator is configured as a virtual serial port device for ease of integration with custom applications.

Figure 1.2  Sample 100 MHz EPG1 Pulse Generator Output Data Measured with an Oscilloscope into 50 Ω (Traces Offset Vertically for Visual Clarity)