1
ORTEC MODEL FTA820A OCTAL FAST TIMING AMPLIFIER
AND MODEL FTA420C QUAD FAST TIMING AMPLIFIER
1. DESCRIPTION
The Model FTA820A and FTA420C Fast Timing
Amplifiers are high-performance, wide-bandwidth
amplifiers designed for boosting very fast linear
signals from photomultipliers, electron multipliers,
silicon surface-barrier detectors, and other
detectors used in fast timing applications. The rise
time on both versions is <1 ns with a 5-V output,
enabling excellent timing resolution.
Both units are single-width NIM modules. The
FTA820A is an 8-channel unit with a gain of 200,
noninverting. The 4-channel FTA420C offers a gain
of 20, noninverting. LEMO type 00C50 connectors
are used for all signal connections.
2. SPECIFICATIONS
2.1. PERFORMANCE
GAIN FOR EACH CHANNEL (10% gain tolerance
on both versions):
FTA820A 200, noninverting.
FTA420C 20, noninverting.
NUMBER OF CHANNELS
FTA820A 8
FTA420C 4
RISE TIME
1 ns.
NOISE
20 µV rms equivalent input noise.
BANDWIDTH 10 to 350 MHz.
PROPAGATION DELAY
30-ps variation between
channels.
OUTPUT RANGE 0 to
5 V with 50-
load.
INPUTS One per channel. LEMO connector; input
impedance 50
.
OUTPUTS One per channel. LEMO connector;
0 to
5V output with a 50-
load. Output
impedance
1
.
2.2. ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL
POWER REQUIRED
FTA820A +12 V, 400 mA.
FTA420C +12 V, 200 mA.
DIMENSIONS Standard single-width NIM module,
3.4 cm × 22.1 cm (1.35 in. × 8.714 in.) per
DOE/ER-0457T.
WEIGHT
Net 1 kg (2.2 lb).
Shipping 2.7 kg (5.9 lb).
3. INSTALLATION
The FTA820A and FTA420C contain no internal
power supply and must obtain power from a NIM-
standard bin and power supply. The bin and power
supply should be turned Off when modules are
inserted and removed. The power supply voltages
should be checked after modules are inserted.
Ensure that the unit has sufficient cooling air
circulating to prevent any localized heating of the
solid-state circuitry used throughout the module.
The FTA820A and FTA420C should not be
subjected to temperatures in excess of 50
(
C.
