VME / Optical Link / USB and Ethernet Bridges

Controllers

Photo of VME / Optical Link / USB and Ethernet Bridges

CAEN Bridges are controllers with enhanced data rate and extended interfacing capabilities that make them flexible and suitable for all the possible experimental setup.

CAEN offers controllers in VME, Desktop and PCIe form factors with USB C (2.0 or 3.0) and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces for better compatibility with host devices, also in a small form factor (A4818) simplifying the use in mobile environments.

All CAEN Bridges feature also an Optical Interface with a transfer rate up to 80 MB/s. The optical link communication protocols used are the CONET1 or the newer CONET2. Through the CONET2 it is possible to handle the VMEbus through the CAEN VMEbus Optical Link Bridges or to control directly CAEN modules with built-in optical link.

While the V3718 is the new VME to USB 2.0/Optical Link Bridge that fully replaces the discontinued V1718 (VME USB) and V2718 (VME CONET) models, the V4718 is CAEN state of art in terms of enhanced data rate, extended interfacing capabilities, thanks to the on-board MPSoC (including an ARM processor running Linux) and ease of use thank to the embedded Web Interface.

  • USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Ethernet and CONET (CAEN Daisy Chainable Optical Link Protocol) interfaces
  • Libraries, Demos and Software tools for Windows® and Linux
  • System Controller capabilities
  • Interrupt handler
  • Front-panel DataWay Display (remotely readable from PC)
  • Front-panel LEMO TTL/NIM fully programmable I/Os (VME version)

VME / Optical Link / USB and Ethernet Bridges Models

Grid Compare
V4718
New

V4718

  • USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet and CONET2 (CAEN Daisy Chainable Optical Link Protocol) interfaces

  • Designed for high performances at high transfer rates

  • Compliant with A2818, A3818, A4818, and A5818 cards for optical link control
A5818

A5818

  • PCI Express Gen 3 x8

  • 4 Optical Links available

  • CONET2 CAEN Proprietary Optical Link Compatible
VX3718

VX3718

  • USB 2.0 and CONET (CAEN Daisy Chainable Optical Link Protocol) interfaces

  • Compliant to A3818, A4818, and A5818 cards for optical link control

  • Up to 8 VME crates controlled by 1 CONET link
V3718

V3718

  • USB 2.0 and CONET2 (CAEN Daisy Chainable Optical Link Protocol) interfaces

  • Compliant to A3818 , A4818, and A5818 cards for optical link control

  • Up to 8 VME crates controlled by 1 CONET link
VX4718
New

VX4718

  • USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet and CONET (CAEN Daisy Chainable Optical Link Protocol) interfaces

  • Designed for high performances at high transfer rates

  • Compliant with A2818, A3818, A4818, and the A5818 cards for optical link control
Image
Name
Package
Link
Max Transfer Rate (MByte/s)
No. of Links
Programmable I/O
Data-way Display
I/O Connectors
V4718
New

V4718

VME

USB 3.0/Ethernet/Optical link -> VME

80

1 Opt. + 1 Eth. + USB 3.0

4 out + 2 in TTL/NIM

Yes

LEMO
A5818

A5818

PCIe

PCIe Gen 3 -> Optical link

80

4

n / a

n / a

n / a
VX3718

VX3718

VME64X

USB 2.0/Optical Link -> VME

80

1 Opt. + USB 2.0

5 out + 2 in TTL/NIM

Yes

LEMO
V3718

V3718

VME

USB 2.0/Optical Link -> VME

80

1 Opt. + USB 2.0

4 out + 2 in TTL/NIM

Yes

LEMO
VX4718
New

VX4718

VME64X

USB 3.0/Ethernet/Optical link -> VME

80

1 Opt. + 1 Eth. + USB 3.0

4 out + 2 in TTL/NIM

Yes

LEMO

Interfaces & I/O

USB An USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 type C link is provided in VME and Desktop form factors for an easy data readout.

Ethernet A Gigabit Ethernet link is available in VME boards (V/VX4718 only) for network-friendly solutions.

Optical Link An Optical link is provided in any form factor for high performance data readout through CAEN proprietary daisy-chainable CONET communication protocol. it is possible to connect up to 8/32 ADC modules to a single Optical Link Controller Digital I/O Digital I/Os (TTL/NIM on LEMO connectors) are provided in VME boards to implement functions like Timer, Counter, Pulse generator, I/O register, and others.

Digital I/O
Digital I/Os (TTL/NIM on LEMO connectors) are provided in VME boards to implement functions like Timer, Counter, Pulse generator, I/O register, and others.

A5818

The A5818 is a PCI Express Gen 3 x8 cards able to control up to 32 CAEN VME Digitizers or Bridge. The A5818 has 4 Optical link where each single Optical connection can handle up to 8 boards.

Go to the product page

A4818

The A4818 is a CAEN USB 3.0 to CONET adapter, USB-powered. CONET is the CAEN proprietary protocol for the optical link, which is able to communicate with Digitzers and VME Controllers with direct connection or in daisy chain up to 8 boards simultaneously.

Go to the product page

V3718 - VX3718

The V3718 is the new VME to USB 2.0/Optical Link Bridge that fully replaces the V1718 (VME-USB) and V2718 (VME- CONET) models. The Bridge Implements a VME master controlled by a PC via USB 2.0 and Optical Link (CAEN CONET protocol) including all the functions of its two predecessors in a unique device. The mechanics is 1-unit wide VME 6U.

Go to the product page

V4718 - VX4718

The VX4718 is CAEN New Bridge with enhanced data rate and extended interfacing capabilities, thanks to the on-board MPSoC (including an ARM processor running Linux). The board is a VME Master which can be controlled by an external PC via USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet connections. Optical link interface is also available (CAEN CONET protocol). The mechanics is 1-unit wide VME 6U.

Go to the product page

A2818 - A3818

The A2818 and A3818 are 32-bit 33 MHz PCI and PCI Express x8 cards respectively, able to control up to 8 CAEN VME Digitizers or Bridge on a single Optical connection. The A3818 has 1, 2 or 4 Optical link while the A2818 has only one Optical link.

Go to the A3818 pageGo to the A2818 page