The timestamp function allows recording of trigger moments relatively to the start of recording or synchronized to an external radio clock. The timestamp function is designed as an enhancement to the Multiple Recording, Gated Sampling and the ABA mode but could also be used without these options.
The memory of the timestamp function is designed as a FIFO buffer. This allows continuous recording with timestamps even in the FIFO mode.

Standard Mode

In standard mode the timestamp counter is set to zero once with a call to TS_RESET. After this call the counter counts continuously. The timestamps of all recorded trigger events are referenced on this common zero time. With this mode the exact time difference between different recordings could be calculated.

StartReset Mode

In this mode the timestamp counter is set to zero on every start of the board. The timestamps of one recording are referenced to the start of the recording. This mode is useful for Multiple Recording and Gated Sampling.

RefClock Mode

The counter is controlled by the seconds signal of an external radio clock or GPS signal. Therefore the counter is divided in a HIGH and a LOW part. The HIGH part counts the seconds that elapse since reset of the counter. The LOW part is reset on every seconds signal and defines the position of the trigger event in the current second.
The seconds signal of the radio clock must be fed in to the timestamp module as a TTL signal. This mode needs the option BaseXIO installed.
This mode allows the recording of an absolute time of a trigger event. This allows synchronisation of data recorded at different locations.