CAEN Toolbox

CAEN Toolbox is a multi-functional software suite developed in Python, designed to consolidate all firmware management and board configuration operations for CAEN front-end electronics into a single, unified environment. It supersedes the CAEN Upgrader, incorporating all of its functionality while extending the feature set with new tools for licence management, PLL configuration, and low-level board access. The application is available in both a graphical user interface (GUI) and a command-line interface (CLI), and runs as a stand-alone executable on Windows and Linux without requiring additional software dependencies.

The firmware upgrade module supports the full range of CAEN front-end boards, including VME and CONET controllers and power supply units. For Digitizer 2.0 platforms, batch firmware updates across multiple boards can be fully automated using a single bash or PowerShell script, streamlining the maintenance of large-scale detector readout systems.

The integrated Licence Manager provides a straightforward workflow for activating optional firmware features: DPP (Digital Pulse Processing) firmware licences for Digitizer 1.0 boards, and Scaler firmware licences for the V2495, DT5495, and V1495 programmable logic modules. PLL configuration files for Digitizer 1.0 boards can be generated and customised through the dedicated PLL editor, allowing precise control over clock and synchronisation settings.

The Manual Controller function provides direct register-level access to any connected board, enabling read and write operations on individual hardware registers. This tool is particularly valuable during system commissioning, hardware characterisation, and low-level debugging of front-end electronics.