2 Ch. Comparator, NIM-compatible Outputs

Applications:

• Window Comparators
• Zero crossing Detectors
• High Speed Timing
• Line Receivers
• Threshold Detection
• Peak Detection
• Sine Wave to Square Wave Converters

Features:

• f_max > 300 MHz
• 450 ps t_r/tf_f
• +50 mV, 0 V or -50 mV Preset Input Threshold Voltage
• -2.0 V to +3.0 V Input Common Mode Range
• 10 mV_PP Minimum Input @ 150 MHz.
• DC Coupled 50 Ω Inputs
• 0 V to -800 mV complementary outputs into 50 Ω
• SMA I/O Connectors
• Self-contained units include AC/DC Adapters

Description

The PRL-350NIM is a high-speed dual-channel comparator modules with complementary 0 V to -800 mV NIM outputs. The PRL-350NIM is designed for driving 50 Ω transmission lines terminated to 50 Ω. All outputs of the PRL-350NIM are 50Ω back terminated and must be terminated into 50Ω for optimum performance.

The input threshold voltage can be selected either from a set of preset values of +50 mV, 0 V or 50 mV using a common three-position switch, or varied independently in each channel by applying a DC voltage to one of the two inputs. Input Common Mode Range is -2.0 V to +3.0 V.

The input threshold voltage can also be varied independently in each channel by applying an external DC bias voltage or shunt resistor to the D input.

• If the external DC bias has a sufficiently low output impedance, it will over-ride the internally-generated V_TH, and the toggle switch setting is a don’t-care.
• For an external shunt resistor, the effective threshold voltage, V_THE, will be the result of the resistor-divider network formed by the external shunt resistor and the internal 50 Ohm termination to the selected V_TH.
• In the following example, the internal V_TH is set to +50 mV, and it is pulled down to an effective V_THE of +10 mV via a 12.5 Ω shunt resistor:
• 
• This technique is typically provides a more useful operating range when using the PRL-350NIM-NIM (special order), with settable ±400 mV thresholds.
• To prevent oscillation, the external shunt resistor should be placed as close as possible to the D input, e.g. by using the male end of the PRL-PINET-SMF or similar device.

These high speed comparators are Mini Modular Instruments ™ that can be used as peak detectors, threshold detectors, sine wave to square wave converters, window comparators or differential line receivers, etc. Typical minimum input voltage required at 150 MHz is 10 mV_PP into 50 Ω.

Each unit is supplied with a ±8.5 V AC/DC Adapter and housed in an attractive 1.3 x 2.9 x 3.9-in. extruded aluminum enclosure.