Electrical – Counter for 20 GHz clock

counterfpgaprogrammable-logic

I am designing time critical application where I need time resolution in order of 100 picoseconds.

I am considering to make an ring oscillator of 20 GHz and clock from ring oscillator.

Is there IC's for it or can I implement it using CoolRunner II CPLD or other FPGA?

I looked at its datasheet, and the maximum frequency for system clock is about 256 MHz and external clock is 145 MHz.Datasheet

Should I look for faster device or is there any other way to build it?

Best Answer

15 years ago I designed a two parameter digitizer (energy and time) to measure time of flight. For this system I used a constant current source into a cap held in reset by a JFET. On receiving the trigger (NIM fast logic, level shifting kept in the analog (as opposed to saturated switching) regime, the JFET opened, and I was able to achieve 50ps resolution by digitizing the linear ramp, and interpolating from a 62.5MSPS ADC in an FPGA . The circuit was quite simple, and matched simulations perfectly.