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Test stand shopping

Hardware Setup

The ETL Test Stand Firmware is designed to run on a KCU105 evaluation board: https://www.xilinx.com/products/boards-and-kits/kcu105.html

The KCU105 board has optics available on 2 SFPs and on a Firefly FMC.

The two SFP modules are included with the development kit and allow for connection to one LPGBT each. This can be used for example to connect to two readout boards (DAQ only), or one readout board (DAQ + Trigger).

Eight additional transceivers can be connected with a Firefly FMC, available at https://www.samtec.com/kits/optics-fpga/14g-firefly-fmc. The of whether the FMC is required should be made by each test stand.

Additional Shopping

Some additional components are needed to connect to a readout board. Other additional components are optional.

  1. VTRX Optical Adapter

    The readout board features VTRX+ optics, which have a (female) MT12 Ferrule. To connect this to the KCU105 board, you need to break this out into LC connectors.

    The "proper" way to connect to the VTRX is with an actual MT ferrule with a spring clamp, but a male MTP connector works fine.

    1. Option A: Fanout Cable

      You can use an "octopus cable" e.g.

      You also then need some LC fibers of whatever length you choose. e.g.

      You also need some LC adapters, e.g.

    2. Option B: Cassette

      Another nice option that can be quite a bit more organized on the benchtop is to use a fiber cassette. e.g.

      You need one cassette:

      You need an MTP M-F connector

      You need several OM3 LC patch cables (of the length you prefer), e.g.

  2. Firefly Mezzanine Optical Components

    The firefly adapter has a single MTP24 connector which mates with an MPO male (see drawing at: http://suddendocs.samtec.com/prints/ref-193429-01-mkt.pdf)

    This can be broken out to LCs with a cassette , e.g. https://www.fs.com/products/57024.html, which mates with an MPO female. We

    The two can be connected together with a 24 fiber MPO Male to Female cable, e.g. https://www.fibertronics.com/1m-24-fiber-mtp-m-f-multimode-om4-pin-1-13-2

    You then need a number of LC fiber patch cables to connect to the readout boards (through the breakouts described above).

  3. MT-MPO Adapter

    An MT to MPO adapter is recommended to ensure a good connection. An example is Molex p/n 1061141150:

  4. Clock Source