In times of GHz processors we've gotten used to thinking in nanoseconds. Transducers Direct always was a step ahead and operates in the range of 100 GHz and more. Our profession is the measurement of picosecond time intervals by means of of TDCs (Time-to-Digital Converters). Our products must not be mixed up with expensive special solutions like laboratory equipment. We offer products for use in serial production dedicated to the whole spectrum of possible applications. The applications cover consumer products, industrial and automotive products up to research, aerospace- and space applications - all applications that need innovative solutions for their sensor electronics. Besides highest quality and performance we look for mass product capability and low price.

The key to this performance is the TDC measuring unit. Transducers Direct developed a spectrum of high-resolution, high-speed units, realized in different types of CMOS technology. It is common to all of them that they do not need analog elements. They are very flexible. The resolution ranges from 10ps to 250 ps. The time interval light needs to travel from the surface of this monitor to the reader's eye can easily be measured with a TDC.

PICOSTRAIN - Measuring resistor bridges without AD-Converters
Time is the most fundamental unit in nature. Nearly all physical units like position, weight and temperature can be captured by time measurement. Like ADCs convert voltages into digital numbers, TDCs convert time intervals into digital numbers.

With the PICOSTRAIN products Transducers Direct transfers the advantages of precision time interval measurement to applications with metal strain gauge resistors. Not only that the resolution and measuring rate of those products is comparable to the best 24-Bit A/D converters - the outstandning advantage of PICOSTRAIN is the drastically reduced system current consumption. Especially the current into the strain gages themselves is reduced.

System-on-Chip solutions with TDCs
A basic trend in modern measuring technologies is towards smaller and smaller sensors with ideally complete front-end systems. It is an important aspect that all the electronic circuit can be integrated into a chip. This is easier if the circuit is digital and will reduce system costs. Here is Transducers Direct's advantage. We work with approved standard CMOS technologies, available from many different production facilities. So we have been able to make single-chip solutions that include not only the TDC, but all the function necessary for measurement generation.

The acam-messelectronic is the competent company for the measurement of time intervals with resolutions in the pico second range. Time - the most universal of all physical sizes - offers fantastic possibilities to solve difficult measurement tasks elegantly. We develop and commercialize TDCs (Time to Digital Converter). Our products and development services contain many times proven standard solutions and custom specific developments as chip and as board-level products. We offer professional solutions for difficult measurement tasks.

Custom specific solutions
Standard ic's are dedicated to a broad range of users by nature. With respect to specific applications, they will have functionality which is of no use. On the other hand it would be helpful to add additional functions.

At all times Transducers Direct therefore developed custom specific solutions, dedicated and omtimized for specific measuring tasks.

acam-messelectronic gmbh
acam was founded 1996 in Karlsruhe, Germany. The aim was to establish circuits based on TDC technology in a broad spectrum of applications. Many products have been made since then, in well known and new application fields. We developed new measuring methods, many of them patended. System thinking and strong customer orientation is a main task for acam.

Get introduced to the possibilities of this new and innovative technology. With the TDC-Cookbook we have collected much worth knowing about the technology and the use of TDCs - an interesting reading for an first overview about the product and its possibilities.

If you need more information or if you have some questions, please feel free to contact Transducers Direct via e-mail Sales@acam-usa.com or simply call us (Tel.: 513-583-9491)