SCI-Compiler has been designed to generate firmware for specific hardware platforms developed through the collaboration of CAEN and Nuclear Instruments. All SCI-Compiler building blocks have been simulated and hardware-validated on these platforms.

Platform Comparison

Development Kit

Model Channels Resolution Sampling FPGA Interface
DT1260 2 12-bit 65 MS/s Spartan7-LX25 USB 2.0

Professional Digitizers

Model Channels Resolution Sampling FPGA Form Factor
DT5571 1 14-bit 200 MS/s Open FPGA Desktop
DT5560SE 32 14-bit 125 MS/s Zynq Z-7030/35 Desktop
R5560 128 14-bit 125 MS/s 4× Zynq-7030/35 2U Rack
R5560SE 128 14-bit 125 MS/s 4× Zynq-7030/35 3U Rack
V2730 16 14-bit 500 MS/s Zynq UltraScale+ VME64/Desktop
V2740 64 16-bit 125 MS/s Zynq UltraScale+ VME64/Desktop
V2745 64 16-bit 125 MS/s Zynq UltraScale+ VME64X/Desktop
DAQ121 32 12-bit 1 GSPS 4x Zynq UltraScale+ 2U Rack
DAQ141 32 14-bit 1 GSPS 4x Zynq UltraScale+ 2U Rack
DAQ14125 8 14-bit 125 MS/s Zynq-7035 2U Rack

Special Function Platforms

Model Type Channels FPGA Form Factor
DT5550 ASIC Readout 32 analog Kintex-7 Desktop
DT5550W SiPM/ASIC 32-128 Kintex-7 Desktop
V2495 Digital Logic 64-162 I/O Cyclone V VME64

Choosing the Right Platform

Application Recommended Platform
Learning/Education DT1260 SCIDK
Laboratory R&D DT5560SE, DT5571
Large detector arrays R5560, R5560SE, V2730, V2740, V2745, V2495, DAQ121/141
VME-based systems V2730, V2740, V2745, V2495
High-speed signals V2730 (500 MS/s), DAQ121/141 (1 GSPS)
SiPM readout DT5550W, DAQ121, DAQ141
ASIC readout DT5550, DT5550W
Digital trigger logic V2495

Development Kit

Entry-level platform ideal for learning FPGA programming and SCI-Compiler fundamentals.

DT1260 - SCIDK (SCI-Compiler Development Kit)

DT1260 SCIDK

The DT1260 is a dual-channel, open FPGA Flash ADC unit designed as an introduction to firmware development using block-diagram-based programming. Perfect for beginners approaching open FPGA programming.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 2 (single-ended, LEMO)
ADC Resolution 12 bits
Sampling Rate 65 MS/s
Input Range 4 Vpp (programmable offset)
Bandwidth 30 MHz
Input Impedance 50 Ω / 1 kΩ (selectable)
Digital I/O 2 TTL (LEMO)
FPGA Xilinx Spartan7-LX25
Memory 200 KB on-chip
Interface USB 2.0
Power USB powered (<2W)

Key Features:

  • Automatic VHDL code generation from logic blocks
  • Advanced signal processing blocks included
  • JTAG connector for debugging
  • Factory-programmed fast bootloader

Link: https://www.caen.it/products/sci-compiler-smart/

Professional Digitizers

High-performance multi-channel digitizers for scientific instrumentation and data acquisition.

DT5571 - 1 Channel 14-bit 200 MS/s Desktop Digitizer

DT5571

High-performance single-channel waveform digitizer combining precision, speed, and flexibility in a streamlined desktop form factor. Ideal for reading scintillators, SiPMs, and fast detectors.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 1 (50 Ω)
ADC Resolution 14 bits
Sampling Rate 200 MS/s
Input Range 4 Vpp .. 20mV (programmable gain/offset)
Bandwidth 50 MHz
Input Impedance 50 Ω / 1 kΩ (selectable)
Digital I/O 2 TTL (LEMO)
Analog Output DaC 14 bit Output 125 MS/s
FPGA Open FPGA
Memory 64 MB on-chip
Interface USB 2.0, 1000 Mbps Ethernet
Form Factor Desktop

Key Features:

  • Software-selectable input polarity
  • Scope Mode for raw waveform recording
  • DPP Mode for real-time on-board signal processing
  • Compatible with WaveDump2 and CoMPASS software

Link: https://www.caen.it/products/dt5571/

DT5560SE - 32 Channel 14-bit 125 MS/s Desktop Digitizer

DT5560SE

Desktop waveform digitizer featuring an open FPGA architecture, designed for readout of detectors commonly used in high-energy physics and nuclear spectroscopy. Ideal for R&D and laboratory prototyping.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 32 (single-ended, LEMO)
ADC Resolution 14 bits
Sampling Rate 125 MS/s
Input Range 0.015 - 1.5 Vpp (programmable gain x1-x100)
Bandwidth 60 MHz
Input Impedance 50 Ω / 1 kΩ (programmable)
Digital I/O 6 programmable (LEMO)
FPGA Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC Z-7030
Interface USB 2.0, 1 Gbps Ethernet, optional 2×10 Gbps optical
Form Factor Desktop (257 × 102 × 331 mm)

Key Features:

  • Programmable DC offset adjustment on each input
  • 2.4" touch screen display
  • Web interface for configuration
  • Board-to-board synchronization via CAT5e

Link: https://www.caen.it/products/dt5560se/

R5560 - 128 Channel 14-bit 125 MS/s Rack-Mount Digitizer

R5560

A 2U, 19" rack-mount 128-channel digitizer designed for readout of large arrays of detectors (PMTs, segmented HPGe, ³He tubes) with customizable pulse processing through an open FPGA platform.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 128 (differential, RJ45)
ADC Resolution 14 bits
Sampling Rate 125 MS/s
Input Range 2 Vpp
Bandwidth 125 MHz
Input Impedance 100 Ω differential
Digital I/O 128 LVDS + 6 LEMO
FPGA 4× Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC (Z-7030/Z-7035)
Memory 1 GB per SoC
Interface 4× 1 Gbps Ethernet, USB 3.0, optional optical
Form Factor 2U 19" rack-mount

Key Features:

  • Multi-board synchronization via CAT5e cable
  • 2.4" touch screen display
  • Scalable to thousands of channels
  • Optimized cabling cost with RJ45 connectors

Link: https://www.caen.it/products/r5560/

R5560SE - 128 Channel 14-bit 125 MS/s Rack-Mount Digitizer (Single-Ended)

R5560SE

A 3U, 19" rack-mount 128-channel digitizer with single-ended MCX inputs and advanced programmable front-end. Designed for large detector arrays with flexible signal conditioning.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 128 (single-ended, MCX)
ADC Resolution 14 bits
Sampling Rate 125 MS/s
Input Range 0.015 - 1.5 Vpp (programmable gain x1-x100)
Bandwidth 60 MHz
Input Impedance 50 Ω / 1 kΩ (programmable)
Digital I/O 128 differential + 256 single-ended (VHDCI)
FPGA 4× Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC (Z-7030/Z-7035)
Memory 1 GB per SoC, 8 kS/ch waveform buffer
Interface 4× 1 Gbps Ethernet, USB 3.0, optional optical
Form Factor 3U 19" rack-mount

Key Features:

  • Programmable DC offset on each input
  • Supports LVCMOS 2.5V, LVDS, and BLVDS signal types
  • Multi-board synchronization
  • 2.4" touch screen display

Link: https://www.caen.it/products/r5560se/

V2730 - 32 Channel 14-bit 500 MS/s VME Digitizer

V2730

A 32-channel high-speed digital signal processor for radiation detectors in VME64 form factor. Features 500 MS/s sampling for fast detector signals.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 32 (single-ended)
ADC Resolution 14 bits
Sampling Rate 500 MS/s
Input Range 0.2 - 4 Vpp (programmable gain x1-x20)
Bandwidth 250 MHz
Input Impedance 50 Ω
Digital I/O 16 LVDS pairs + TTL/NIM
FPGA Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ XCZU19EG
Memory 5 GB DDR4
Interface USB 3.0, 1 Gbps Ethernet
Form Factor 1-unit wide 6U VME64

Key Features:

  • Quad-core ARM processor with 2 GB DDR4
  • Individual DC offset adjustment (±2.5V)
  • 125 MS/s 14-bit DAC output for signal inspection
  • Multi-board synchronization capability

Link: https://www.caen.it/products/V2730/

V2740 - 64 Channel 16-bit 125 MS/s VME Digitizer

V2740

A 64-channel digital signal processor for radiation detectors in VME64 form factor. Performs waveform digitization, recording, and multi-channel analysis for nuclear spectroscopy.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 64 (differential or single-ended)
ADC Resolution 16 bits
Sampling Rate 125 MS/s
Input Range 2 Vpp (±1.25V DC offset)
Bandwidth 50 MHz
Input Impedance 100 Ω differential / 50 Ω single-ended
Digital I/O 16 LVDS pairs + 4 TTL/NIM
FPGA Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ XCZU19EG
Memory 2.5 GB DDR4
Interface USB 3.0, 1/10 Gbps Ethernet
Form Factor 1-unit wide 6U VME64

Key Features:

  • Multiple firmware options (DPP-PHA, DPP-PSD, DPP-ZLE)
  • Quad-core ARM processor
  • 125 MS/s 14-bit DAC output

Link: https://www.caen.it/products/V2740/

V2745 - 64 Channel 16-bit 125 MS/s VME Digitizer with Programmable Gain

V2745

A 64-channel digital signal processor with software-programmable input gain, offering exceptional flexibility for various detector types in VME64X form factor.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 64 (differential or single-ended)
ADC Resolution 16 bits
Sampling Rate 125 MS/s
Input Range 0.04 - 4 Vpp (programmable gain x1-x100)
Bandwidth 20 MHz
Input Impedance 100 Ω differential / 50 Ω single-ended
Digital I/O 16 LVDS pairs + 4 TTL/NIM
FPGA Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ XCZU19EG
Memory 2.5 GB DDR4
Interface USB 3.0, 1/10 Gbps Ethernet
Form Factor 1-unit wide 6U VME64X

Key Features:

  • Software programmable gain (x1-x100 in 0.5dB steps)
  • Adjustable DC offset (±2.5V per channel)
  • Multiple firmware options (DPP-PHA, DPP-QDC, DPP-PSD)
  • Embedded Linux OS with quad-core ARM

Link: https://www.caen.it/products/V2745/

DAQ121 - 32 Channel 12-bit 1 GSPS High-Speed Digitizer

DAQ121

A high-performance, fully integrated digitizer developed by Nuclear Instruments for advanced SiPM-based muon detection systems. Ultra-high speed sampling at 1 GSPS per channel.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 32 (differential, RJ45)
ADC Resolution 12 bits
Sampling Rate 1 GSPS
Bandwidth 2 GHz
Input Impedance 100 Ω differential
Digital I/O 24 TTL LEMO + 32-ch LVDS
FPGA 4 x Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ XCZU7EV + Kintex-7 master
Interface Ethernet, Kafka, ZeroMQ
Form Factor Modular (4 DAQ boards per module)

Key Features:

  • Integrated SiPM bias and power control (20-80V)
  • Real-time dark count spectrum analysis
  • EPICS & IBEX integration
  • Embedded Linux on Zynq UltraScale+

Link: https://www.nuclearinstruments.eu/products/daq121/

DAQ141 - 32 Channel 14-bit 1 GSPS High-Speed Digitizer

DAQ141

Enhanced version of DAQ121 with 14-bit resolution for improved dynamic range. Designed for real-time digitization, processing, and streaming of high-speed analog signals.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 32 (differential, RJ45)
ADC Resolution 14 bits
Sampling Rate 1 GSPS
Bandwidth 2 GHz
Input Impedance 100 Ω differential
Digital I/O 24 TTL LEMO + 32-ch LVDS
FPGA 4 x Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ XCZU7EV + Kintex-7 master
Interface Ethernet, Kafka, ZeroMQ
Form Factor Modular (4 DAQ boards per module)

Key Features:

  • Maximum processed event rate >10 MHz per channel
  • Real-time signal processing
  • EPICS & IBEX integration
  • 4× ARM 64-bit cores per module

Link: https://www.nuclearinstruments.eu/products/daq141/

DAQ14125 - 8 Channel 14-bit 125 MS/s Rack-Mount Digitizer

DAQ14125

Precision data acquisition digitizer with customizable real-time signal processing capabilities. Compact 2U rack-mount form factor.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 8 (single-ended, BNC)
ADC Resolution 14 bits
Sampling Rate 125 MS/s
Input Range ±2V (programmable gain 1:80, ±2V offset)
Input Impedance 50 Ω / 1 kΩ (selectable)
Digital I/O 32 LVDS + 6 CMOS 1.8V + 58 CMOS 2.5V (VHDCI), TTL LEMO
FPGA Xilinx Zynq-7035 SoC
Memory 1 GB DDR3 RAM, 1 GB Flash
Interface 1 Gbps Ethernet, 2× SFP+ optical
Form Factor 2U 19" rack-mount

Key Features:

  • Real-time waveform acquisition
  • Dual-core ARM Cortex-A9
  • Integrated signal shaping and conditioning
  • User-programmable via Sci-Compiler

Link: https://www.nuclearinstruments.eu/products/daq14125/

Special Function Platforms

Specialized platforms for ASIC readout, programmable logic, and multi-channel detector systems.

DT5550 - 32 Channel Programmable Readout System

DT5550

A programmable 32-channel sequencer and readout system designed for physics applications. Capable of managing digital and differential analog signals, suitable for ASIC readout.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 32 (fully differential)
ADC Resolution 14 bits
Sampling Rate 80 MS/s
Input Range 2 Vpp
Bandwidth 80 MHz
Input Impedance 100 Ω differential
Digital I/O 48 differential + 8 programmable LEMO
FPGA Xilinx Kintex-7 XC7K160T
Memory 16 kS/ch
Interface USB 3.0 (240 MB/s)
Form Factor Desktop (163 × 50 × 226 mm)

Key Features:

  • Integrated system for ASIC outputs management
  • Default firmware for waveform recording and charge integration
  • Open-FPGA capability via SCI-Compiler

Link: https://www.caen.it/products/dt5550/

DT5550W - Complete Readout System based on Weeroc ASIC

DT5550W

Development and DAQ platform with programmable FPGA designed to read out Weeroc ASICs. Functions as both an evaluation system and a full-featured acquisition system for SiPM detectors.

Specification Value
Analog Channels 32 / 64 / 128 (depending on piggyback)
ADC Resolution 14 bits
Sampling Rate 80 MS/s
ASICs Supported Petiroc2A, Citiroc1A
SiPM Bias 20-85V on-board
Digital I/O 8 programmable LEMO + Clock I/O
FPGA Xilinx Kintex-7 XC7K160T
Interface USB 3.0 (240 MB/s)
Form Factor Desktop (24 × 152 × 260 mm)

Available Piggyback Boards:

Board ASIC Channels
A55PET4 4× PETIROC2A 128
A55PET2 2× PETIROC2A 64
A55PET1 1× PETIROC1A 32
A55CIT4 4× CITIROC1A 128
A55CIT2 2× CITIROC1A 64

Key Features:

  • 37 ps intrinsic timing resolution (Petiroc version)
  • Strip adapter (2.54mm pitch) included
  • Cross-board synchronization capability

Link: https://www.caen.it/products/dt5550w/

V2495 - Programmable Logic Unit PLUS

V2495

A general purpose programmable FPGA and I/O unit in VME format. The completely new version of the CAEN bestseller V1495, with 150% increase in logic resources.

Specification Value
Digital Inputs 64 base, expandable to 162
Digital Outputs 32 base, expandable to 130
I/O Standards LVDS, ECL, PECL, NIM, TTL
FPGA Altera Cyclone V 5CGXC4
Logic Elements 50,000
Gate & Delay Generators 32 programmable
Expansion Slots 3 piggyback slots
Interface VME Bus, USB 2.0
Form Factor 1-unit wide 6U VME64

Key Features:

  • Ideal for coincidence, trigger logic, gate/delay generation
  • Compatible with previous V1495 I/O expansion boards
  • User-customizable FPGA via SCI-Compiler
  • On-the-fly programmable via VME or USB

Link: https://www.caen.it/products/v2495/