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{{more citations needed|date=July 2011}}
[[File:Short Nuclear Instrumentation Crate - side view.jpg|thumb|A NIM crate with a variety of modules]]
The '''Nuclear Instrumentation Module''' (NIM) standard defines mechanical and electrical specifications for [[modular crate electronics|electronics modules]] used in experimental [[particle physics|particle]] and [[nuclear physics
The NIM standard is one of the first (and perhaps the simplest) such
The NIM standard also specifies cabling, connectors, [[Electrical impedance|impedances]] and levels for [[Boolean logic|logic]] signals. The fast logic standard (commonly known as '''NIM logic''') is a current
Apart from the above
NIM modules cannot communicate with each other through the crate backplane; this is a feature of later standards such as [[Computer Automated Measurement and Control|CAMAC]] and [[VMEbus]]. As a consequence, NIM
==Standard pin assignments==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ NIM standard module connector pin assignments (required by DOE/ER-0457T)
! Pin # !! Function !! Pin # !! Function
|-
| 1 || Reserved [+3 V]
| 2 ||
|-
| 3 || Spare
| 4 || Reserved
|-
| 5 || Coaxial
| 6 || Coaxial
|-
| 7 || Coaxial
| 8 || 200
| 10 || +6 V
|-
|
|
|-
▲| 11 || -6 V
▲|-
| 13 || Spare
| 14 || Spare
|-
| 15 || Reserved
| 16 || +12 V
|-
| 17 ||
| 18 || Spare
|-
| 19 || Reserved
| 20 || Spare
|-
| 21 || Spare
| 22 || Reserved
|-
| 23 || Reserved
| 24 || Reserved
|-
| 25 || Reserved
| 26 || Spare
|-
| 27 || Spare
| 28 || +24 V
|-
| 29 ||
| 30 || Spare
|-
| 31 || Spare
| 32 || Spare
|-
| 33 || 117
| 34 || Power-return
|-
| 35 || Reset (scaler)
| 36 || Gate
|-
| 37 || Reset (aux)
Line 64 ⟶ 77:
| 40 || Coaxial
|-
| 41 || 117
| 42 || High-quality
|-
| G ||
|}
▲The '''Nuclear Instrumentation Module''' (NIM) standard defines mechanical and electrical specifications for electronics modules used in experimental [[particle physics|particle]] and [[nuclear physics|nuclear]] physics. The concept of [[module]]s in [[electronic systems]] offers enormous advantages in flexibility, interchange of instruments, reduced design effort, ease in updating and maintaining the instruments.
▲The NIM standard is the first (and perhaps the simplest) such standard. First defined by the [[United States Atomic Energy Commission|U.S. Atomic Energy Commission]]'s report TID-20893 in 1968-1969, NIM was most recently revised in 1990 (DOE/ER-0457T). It provides a common footprint for electronic modules (amplifiers, [[Analog-to-digital converter|ADC]]s, [[Digital-to-analog converter|DAC]]s, discriminators, etc.), which plug into a larger chassis ('''NIM crate''', or '''NIM bin'''). The crate must supply ±12 and ±24 [[Volt]]s [[Direct current|DC]] power to the modules via a [[backplane]]; the standard also specifies ±6V DC and 220V or 110V [[Alternating current|AC]] pins, but not all NIM bins provide them. Mechanically, NIM modules must have a minimum standard width of 1.35 inches (3.43 cm) and a height of 8.75 in (22.225 cm). They can, however, also be built in multiples of this standard, that is, double-width, triple-width etc.<ref>W.R. Leo, ''Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments - A How-to Approach''. 1994 </ref>
▲The NIM standard also specifies cabling, connectors, [[Electrical impedance|impedances]] and levels for [[Boolean logic|logic]] signals. The fast logic standard (commonly known as '''NIM logic''') is a current based logic, with negative true (at -2 Volts); an [[Emitter-Coupled Logic|ECL]]-based logic is also specified.
▲Apart from the above mentioned mechanical/physical and electrical specifications/restrictions, the individual is free to design his module in any way desired, thus allowing for new developments and improvements for efficiency or looks/aesthetics.
▲NIM modules cannot communicate with each other through the crate backplane; this is a feature of later standards such as [[CAMAC]] and [[VMEbus]]. As a consequence, NIM based ADC modules are nowadays uncommon in nuclear and particle physics. NIM is still widely used for amplifiers, discriminators, nuclear pulse generators and other logic modules which do not require digital data communication but benefit from a backplane connector that is better suited for high power use.
==See also==
* [[BNC connector]]s for analog and logic signals
* [[Computer Automated Measurement and Control]] (CAMAC)
* [[Data acquisition]]
* [[LEMO]] connectors, for higher density modules
* [[Nuclear electronics]]
* [[RG-58]] 50 ohm [[coaxial cable]] for timing and logic signals
* [[RG-62]] 93 ohm [[coaxial cable]] for [[
* [[VMEbus]]
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Experimental particle physics]]
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