Experimental timing and control using microcontrollers

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates using Raspberry Pi Pico microcontrollers as a cost-effective alternative to FPGA-based pulse generators for precise timing in physics experiments, achieving nanosecond resolution.

Contribution

It introduces a microcontroller-based timing system that offers high resolution and simplicity, providing a scalable alternative to traditional FPGA solutions.

Findings

Timing resolution down to 7.5 ns achieved

Minimum pulse width of 37.5 ns demonstrated

Microcontroller system offers a scalable, cost-effective solution

Abstract

Modern physics experiments rely on precise timing provided by programmable digital pulse generators. In many experimental control systems, this role is filled by custom devices built on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). While highly flexible and performant, these systems can be difficult to scale to very large systems due to cost and complexity. Recent advances in microcontroller systems allows these much simpler systems to fill the role of digital pulse generators. Here we demonstrate one such alternative based on the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller which allows for timing resolution down to 7.5 ns with a minimum pulse width of of 37.5 ns.