Ndigo6G-12

Ndigo6G-12

Ndigo6G-12: Versatile pulse acquisition platform - analog to digital converter

Description
Downloads
FAQ

The Ndigo6G-12 ADC offers a 6,4 Gsps sample rate, 12-bit resolution, and a greatly improved readout rate of 5.2 GB/s.

The Ndigo6G-12 is a hybrid ADC/TDC solution for the acquisition of short pulses. This is correct: The unit combines a four-channel transient recorder with a four-channel time interval analyzer. This combination gives the device a wide range of uses. It builds on the established platform of the Ndigo5G-10, but takes it to the next level in both, performance and flexibility.

The Ndigo6G-12 is particularly well-suited for time-of-flight applications (TOF systems) like LIDAR, Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry, in time-resolved single photon counting (TCSPC), time-of-flight based multispectral imaging, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), etc. Pulse arrival times can be measured with an accuracy down to 5 ps in combination with information on pulse shape such as area or amplitude.
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Four channels with 1600 Msps at 12 bit resolution can be acquired independently. Alternatively, the four channels can be combined into two channels or decreased to a single channel. This way, either a higher temporal resolution up to 6400 Msps or a larger dynamic range can be achieved.

cronologic will support you with drivers for Windows and Linux.

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Detect pulses above a certain threshold and only acquire the relevant data to massively reduce the amount of data that needs to be copied and transferred to the host PC.

Zero suppression

Detect pulses above a certain threshold and only acquire the relevant data to massively reduce the amount of data that needs to be copied and transferred to the host PC.
When acquiring unipolar pulses, shift the baseline to the edge of the ADC range to double your dynamic range.

Configurable DC offset

When acquiring unipolar pulses, shift the baseline to the edge of the ADC range to double your dynamic range.

High dynamic range

A multitude of useful details help you to create a highly integrated setup with a minimum of external components. Using the integrated TiGer timing pattern generator can provide digital pulse patterns to control your experiment or internal triggers. Use gate and veto functions with our gating logic. This also works across channels or from the additional digital input with a flexible trigger matrix.

Flexible utility functions

A multitude of useful details help you to create a highly integrated setup with a minimum of external components. Using the integrated TiGer timing pattern generator can provide digital pulse patterns to control your experiment or internal triggers. Use gate and veto functions with our gating logic. This also works across channels or from the additional digital input with a flexible trigger matrix.
The Ndigo6G-12 features four TDC channels that can be used on separate inputs to bring the total channel count up to eight. Or you can connect the same signals to ADC and TDC and detect pulses that are hidden by ADC noise to further improve the dynamic range. This is facilitated by integrated high-end discriminators with adjustable thresholds.

Time to Digital Converter

The Ndigo6G-12 features four TDC channels that can be used on separate inputs to bring the total channel count up to eight. Or you can connect the same signals to ADC and TDC and detect pulses that are hidden by ADC noise to further improve the dynamic range. This is facilitated by integrated high-end discriminators with adjustable thresholds.
The overflow-proof buffers of the Ndigo6G-12 are only limited by the size of your PC's main memory. Data is streamed at a rate of 5.2 GByte/s concurrently with data acquisition. There is no dead time and latency is minimized.

Streaming architecture

The overflow-proof buffers of the Ndigo6G-12 are only limited by the size of your PC's main memory. Data is streamed at a rate of 5.2 GByte/s concurrently with data acquisition. There is no dead time and latency is minimized.

Ndigo6G-12

Technical Data

Optimized for
ADC channels
TDC channels
Gating channels
Connectors
Sample rate single channel
Sample rate multi channel
Resolution
Maximum bandwidth
TDC bin size
TDC double pulse resolution
Multihit
Dead time between groups
TDC readout rate
ADC readout rate
Timestamp range
Common start/stop
Number of boards that can be synced
Readout interface
Time base
On-board calibration data storage
Adjustable trigger windows
Overlapping events possible
Easy to use Windows C API
In-system firmware update
Linux support available
TOF applications
4
4
2
10x LEMO 00
6400 Msps
1600 Msps
12 bits
TBD
13 ps
typically 5ns
unlimited
none
30 MHits/s total; 11,6 MHits/s
5200 MByte/s
106 d
yes / yes
TBD
PCIe3 x8
50 ppb on board or external 10 MHz clock
No items found.

Ndigo Crates

Our Ndigo Crates allow for using up to 8 PCIe-boards with a conventional PC. The external chassis is connected employing a  PCIe2 x16-interface.

Ndigo Crate

Connection to host
Bandwidth to host
Performance relative to
10 Gbps Thunderbolt link
PCIe2 16x slots with 8 lanes
PCIe2 16x slots with 4 lanes
PCI slots 5 V, 32 bit, 33 MHz
PCI slots 3 V, 32 bit, 66 MHz
Cable and link boards
Crate5
Crate3
Crate
PCIe3 x16
8 GByte/s
16x
2
3
2
0
included
PCIe3 x16
8 GByte/s
16x
2
3
0
2
included
PCIe2 x16
8 GByte/s
8x
0
8
0
0
included

Applications:

FLIM

(fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy)
The decay time of an excited fluorophore is typically in the range of a few nanoseconds. In fluorescence lifetime imaging the exponential decay of a sample is determined requiring a timing resolution in the picosecond regime.

LIDAR

also known as: LIDAR, LiDAR, and LADAR, "light detection and ranging", "laser imaging, detection, and ranging", "3-D laser scanning", "LIDAR mapping", "airborne laser scanning", ALS
LIDAR Systems emit ultraviolet, visible, or near-infrared light to image objects and measuring the time-of-flight (TOF) of reflected photons. Such systems are used for object detection and tracking in many different fields, ranging from archaeology to agriculture, autonomous vehicles and robots etc.

OTDR

optical time-domain reflectometry, optical time-domain reflectometer, remote fiber testing
An optical time domain reflectometer is the optical equivalent of an electronic time domain reflectometer and is used for the non-destructive testing of optical fibers and systems. OTDR measurements are based on the transmission of a series of light pulses, usually by means of a laser.

Quantum Sensing

see also: quantum metrology
Quantum sensing is an overall term that encompasses techniques and methods that use quantum mechanical phenomena to make precise measurements of physical quantities. Thereby, quantum mechanical states and effects are used to improve the measurement accuracy beyond the limits of classical sensors.

TOF mass spectrometry

ToF- & MASS- spectroscopy detectors, TOFMS
In many ToF-MS units cronologic TDCs are used to measure precisely the arrival of single ions. From the arrival time, the ion’s time-of-flight is deduced, from which the mass-to-charge ratio of the detected particle can be determined.

Time Domain Reflectometry

TDR, distance-to-fault, DTF
TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) is an electronic measurement method that measures reflections along a conductor. It belongs to the category of Distance-to-Fault (DTF) measurements. TDR measurements provide meaningful information about the broadband behavior of transmission systems.

Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

TOF-SIMS (Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) is a high-resolution, if required, imaging analysis method for characterizing solid surfaces.

Here you find all current downloads for this product. Please contact us for further support on our ADCs and TDCs.

Frequently asked Questions

product choice

I have no idea whatsoever which measuring card is suitable for my application. Can you advise me on this?

We would be happy to assist you in selecting a board for your application.

For this purpose we need the following information:

How many measurement channels are needed?

What is the required time resolution?

Do you want to measure the area, intensity or shape of the pulse? Or is the time of occurrence sufficient?

Do you prefer a PCIe CEM card housed in a PC, or do you prefer an external device connected to a Thunderbolt / USB4 port?

Are you aiming for the most space-efficient data acquisition integration possible?

Regarding your timeframe, are you only interested in products that are available now, or are you also interested in upcoming products or custom solutions?

The best way would be for you to use one of our inquiry forms and fill it out completely.

specific connection formats

Are cronologic measurement boards also available with optical inputs, BNC/SMA or SMB connections or with additional converters?

For some of our major customers, we currently offer solutions with SMA connections as part of special developments. Depending on the desired measuring card, it might be quite easy to find such a solution for you as part of a custom design.

We can also implement other connection formats as part of custom designs for larger product volumes.

However, suitable adapter cables may also be available on the market.

Please let us know your exact requirements and the intended quantities so that we can take care of the matter.

PC configuration

Is there a recommended PC configuration for use with these measuring boards?

As virtually all reasonably up-to-date PCs will run with our measurement cards, we do not provide any explicit details in this regard. Writing the memory contents to your PC does not require particularly high performance. Rather, the performance requirements of the computer used are determined by the application software used.

size of jitter

What size is the jitter of the cronologic TDCs?

Jitter refers to the deviation in the time it takes for data to arrive at each time window. It is often assumed that the jitter is at the FWMH value of 2 bins. This is not the case with our TDCs, as here jitter is not the limiting factor. Double-pulse resolution, on the other hand, is an important specification for most applications and is the limiting factor in terms of resolution. However, this is not directly related to the jitter of our measurement cards, as the jitter of our TDCs is significantly smaller than the bin size. Accordingly, the RMS error is so small that we do not consider it to be significant.

See also: bin-size, jitter, and RMS

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input level

In which level should the signals I use range, which I feed to the inputs of the measuring cards?

Please refer first and foremost to our information in the User Guide for the respective product. The following technical specifications are subject to change without notice.

  • Our standard TDCs are AC coupled. The DC base line can be between 0V and 5V for these devices. Short positive and negative pulses with an amplitude of up to 5V can be processed. The discriminator threshold can be set between -1.32V and 1.18V relative to the DC baseline, with a step size of 40 µV. In general, the threshold voltage should be set well above the noise level of the input signal.
  • The inputs of our standard ADCs are AC-coupled single-ended analog inputs. The maximum input voltage is 0.5 V and the input impedance is 50 Ω. The analog offset can be between -0.25 and +0.25 V.

bin size, jitter and RMS

How are bin size, jitter and RMS error related?

The bin size, jitter, and RMS measurement error are all important parameters that play a role in the digital acquisition of time data.

  • The bin size refers to the width of the time windows into which the data is divided during the measurement. The smaller the bin size, the higher the temporal resolution of the measurement. However, if the bin size is too large, there may be an overlap of data between each time window, resulting in an inaccurate measurement.
  • Jitter refers to the deviation in the time it takes for data to arrive at each time window. When jitter is high, data in a circuit can be erratic or inconsistent, resulting in an inaccurate measurement. Jitter is not directly related to bin size and therefore cannot be calculated directly from it. Jitter can be considered as the measure of the temporal variability of the acquired signal edges.
  • The RMS measurement error refers to the average deviation between the actual values of the input data and the values generated by the measurement. The lower the RMS measurement error, the more accurate the measurement.

ADC integration

How can I integrate cronologic ADCs into my measurement setup?

Our ADCs are currently integrated exclusively via their PCIe interface.

pulse width measurement

Do TDCs only provide the arrival time of incoming pulses or also the pulse width?

Since the pulse amplitude is not measured when using TDCs, in many applications a derivation of the pulse intensity from the pulse width comes into question. In these cases, it may be useful to measure the pulse width as well as the arrival time of the pulse. For the acquisition of single photons, however, this is usually not necessary.

The measurement of pulse widths (i.e., a simultaneous measurement of falling and rising pulse edges) is feasible in most cases, but the specifics depend on the type of card in use.

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  • The cronologic TimeTaggers are optimally suited for capturing the arrival time in conjunction with the pulse width. They provide (if enabled) timestamps of both the rising and falling edges of the measured pulse. The time difference corresponds to the pulse width.
  • Pulse width measurement is also possible with the xTDC4-PCIe, though it is more involved.
  • The integrated TDCs of the Ndigo5G-10 and the Ndigo6G-12 are also capable of capturing both edges of the pulse.
  • The xHPTDC8-PCIe captures only one edge per pulse, so the pulse width cannot be obtained with this device.

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firmware updates

Is it possible to update the firmware of my cronologic product by myself?

Yes, a corresponding program for updating the firmware is part of the driver package for our cards. Caution: Each firmware update requires a new calibration of the card using the provided calibration software. In some cases, it is necessary to provide appropriate input signals for this purpose.

driver download

Where can I find the appropriate driver for my cronologic product?

On the pages containing product information, there is a corresponding tab. Plus on this website, all downloads for our products are listed. This also applies to products that are no longer in our current range.

For Linux support please use this page.

software integration

With the measurement cards, do you offer software that can display histograms, count rates, coincidences, etc. with controlled time windows such as counts/s or counts/ms?

No. As our customers' requirements for evaluation software are very application-specific, they prefer to program their evaluation software and are happy about the lower hardware costs. Histogramming and other analysis of the timestamps can be programmed by the user with a few lines of code. We provide a C API that can be used to receive a stream of timestamps in almost any programming language.

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In case you are active in research, e.g. in the field of atomic physics, we can put you in touch with partner companies that offer our products in a package with software packages.

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MATLAB

Is it possible to use the cronologic DAQ boards with MATLAB based software?

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We provide a C API that can be used to receive a stream of timestamps in almost any programming language. Histogramming and other analysis of the timestamps can be programmed by the user in a few lines of code.

We do not provide a separate interface to MATLAB. Basically, our drivers are intended to be used either directly in C/C++ programs or, when used in other languages, with a C/C++ wrapper that provides the driver's functions in the respective language and converts the data to the respective data format.

Matlab probably offers several ways to use C++ classes. This seems to be a viable way, although it is not trivial.

Another possibility is demonstrated here.

By the way: For basic applications that are rarely called, there is another way to solve the problem as the driver of our measuring cards offers a tool which records the data into a .csv file. This can then be analyzed in MatLab or also Excel. However, the amount of data generated is quite large, so you have to make sure in your own code that the data is really processed in real-time.

golang

Is it possible to use the cronologic DAQ boards with Go based software?

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We provide a C API that can be used to receive a stream of timestamps in almost any programming language. Histogramming and other analysis of the timestamps can be programmed by the user in a few lines of code.

We do not provide a separate interface to Go / Golang. Basically, our drivers are intended to be used either directly in C/C++ programs or, when used in other languages, with a C/C++ wrapper that provides the driver's functions in the respective language and converts the data to the respective data format.

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Julia

Is it possible to use the cronologic DAQ boards with Julia based software?

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We provide a C API that can be used to receive a stream of timestamps in almost any programming language. Histogramming and other analysis of the timestamps can be programmed by the user in a few lines of code.

We do not provide a separate interface to Julia. Basically, our drivers are intended to be used either directly in C/C++ programs or, when used in other languages, with a C/C++ wrapper that provides the driver's functions in the respective language and converts the data to the respective data format.

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LabView

Is it possible to use the cronologic DAQ boards with LabView based software?

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We provide a C API that can be used to receive a stream of timestamps in almost any programming language. Histogramming and other analysis of the timestamps can be programmed by the user in a few lines of code.

We do not provide a separate interface to LabView. Basically, our drivers are intended to be used either directly in C/C++ programs or, when used in other languages, with a C/C++ wrapper that provides the driver's functions in the respective language and converts the data to the respective data format.

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Rust

Is it possible to use the cronologic DAQ boards with Rust based software?

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We provide a C API that can be used to receive a stream of timestamps in almost any programming language. Histogramming and other analysis of the timestamps can be programmed by the user in a few lines of code.

We do not provide a separate interface to Rust. Basically, our drivers are intended to be used either directly in C/C++ programs or, when used in other languages, with a C/C++ wrapper that provides the driver's functions in the respective language and converts the data to the respective data format. Wolfgang Löffler has created Rust bindings for our drivers. He has published code on GitHub under the Mozilla Public License that shows how to use TimeTagger4 and HPTDC8 with Rust. It should be easy to port this code to the xTDC4 and xHPTDC8 in case.

Linux

How can I use cronologic hardware most efficiently in Linux environment?

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Our Linux-Supportweb page provides drivers and support for GNU/Linux based applications. ‍Please provide us with information about your application and the driver requirements for your Linux distribution and kernel version. Please note that only kernel versions from 5.0 (March 2019) are supported.

Python

Is it possible to use the cronologic DAQ boards with Python based software?

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We provide a C API that may be used to receive a stream of timestamps in almost any programming language. Histogramming and other analysis of the timestamps can be programmed by the user in a few lines of code.

In principle, the use of Python based software is possible along with wrappers. Our customers write their own wrappers suitable for their particular application. For example, there is a Python wrapper for the HPTDC8.

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ADC synchronization

How many cronologic ADCs can be operated synchronously?

When using one of our Ndigo Crates, up to eight Ndigo5G-10 cards can be mounted and operated in sync. The synchronization of Ndigo6G-12 is currently not possible.

defense

The company I work for is also closely associated with suppliers operating in the defense sector, or we produce military products ourselves. Is cronologic willing to supply us?

As part of our own sales policy, we would like to ensure that our products are not used in weapons systems. If you are considering purchasing our ADCs or TDCs, please let us know how you can ensure that the use of our products for military purposes can be reliably excluded.

ordering process

How exactly does the ordering process work at cronologic?

  • Usually, you will receive an informal message from us in advance of your order with the current prices of the requested items.
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  • In case of interest, we will provide you with an official quote, in which any freight costs or insurance costs, etc. are also taken into account. If the desired item is in stock, we will schedule two weeks for final quality control, calibration, and preparation for dispatch.
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  • As soon as we have received your order, we will send you an order confirmation. The item is thereby reserved for you. Please note: We observe international embargoes concerning individual countries, institutions and persons and reserve the right to carry out an export assessment in advance for each individual order, which may delay or prevent the implementation of the delivery.
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  • In the next step, we carry out a final in-house check and calibrate the product.
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  • Your invoice will only be issued when the goods are dispatched and your payment term is 14 days as standard. Depending on the selected shipping method, payment is therefore also possible after receipt of the goods.
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  • You will receive your invoice by email and also with the shipment. Together with the invoice, you will receive the consignment note with the tracking number, which you can use to track the shipment if required.
  • Advice for urgent orders: Specifying the exact person who is to receive the goods can be helpful to ensure that the receipt of your goods is registered promptly. We will take this information into account when sending the goods.

formal quote

What do I need to do to get a formal quote?

Please provide us with the following information:

  • Details of the quantity of the desired cronologic products
  • if necessary, information about the desired delivery date
  • Your complete billing address and delivery address including the telephone number of your head office
  • If your billing address is in the European Union: Your VAT number
  • Your FedEx or UPS customer number. Please inform us immediately if you do not have one.
  • Information about your transport insurance. Please inform us immediately if you do not have one.

shipping insurance

Are the goods covered by insurance when they are shipped ?

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We ship fully covered unless you specifically tell us that you have external insurance and therefore would not like us to do so.

shipments

How do we ship your goods?

We ship your goods via FedEx or UPS through your account. Thus you have full control over the shipping costs and can use your own conditions with the shipping company. In case you do not have a FedEx or UPS account, we will ship your order via our own UPS account and show the shipping costs separately on your invoice or within our offer. Please note that this procedure usually leads to significantly higher shipping costs. It is financially more worthwhile for you to open a new FedEx or UPS customer account - especially because you can then take advantage of the new customer offers of these shipping companies.

FCA incoterms

What does shipping to FCA Incoterms mean?

The International Commercial Terms are clauses for the interpretation of commercial contract standards. FCA (Free CArrier) is one of the clauses, which exclude the assumption of the costs for the main transport by the seller. In this case, cronologic takes over the handover to the carrier and, if necessary, also the customs declaration.

delivery restrictions

Are there any restrictions regarding the delivery of measurement cards to certain countries?

Our ADCs are classified as so-called dual-use goods, as they could be used for military purposes in addition to civilian applications. TDCs and Crates are not affected by these restrictions.

Regardless of the fact that we at cronologic want to exclude the use of our products for military purposes, the laws of the EU and many other countries restrict exports. Since we have to apply for a General Export Permit for these countries, delivery processes may be delayed or delivery to certain countries may become impossible.

For the application of this export license we need the following documents from you:

  • Exporter declaration
  • Company profile
  • Gegbf. import license (country dependent)

There are countries for which a general export license can be used for the export of dual-use goods. In this case we need documents from you and there will be no further delay:

These include:

  • Australia
  • Japan
  • Canada
  • Liechtenstein
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Switzerland
  • Singapore
  • USA

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export license

What documents are required to apply for an export license?

There are countries for which a general export license can be used when exporting dual-use goods.

In this case, we will need documentation from you and there will be no further delay:

These include:

  • Australia
  • Japan
  • Canada
  • Liechtenstein
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Switzerland
  • Singapore
  • USA

As for other countries: To apply for an export license for dual-use goods we need the following documents from you:

  • Exporter declaration
  • Company profile
  • If applicable, an import license (this depends on the country of the importer.)

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Please note: We observe international embargoes concerning individual countries, institutions and persons and reserve the right to carry out an export assessment in advance for each individual order, which may delay or prevent the implementation of the delivery.

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goods dispatch

How long does it take to receive my ordered goods?

Provided that the ordered goods are products from our standard portfolio and are in stock, it can usually be assumed that the delivery will be dispatched within 14 days after receipt of the order. During this time, the item is subjected to a further detailed calibration and final inspection, packed and made ready for dispatch. Of course, it is always a requirement that all details regarding customs and shipping have been clarified in advance.

import permit

For which purpose is an import permit required and where can I get it?

Governments may impose certain restrictions on the imported goods as well as on their quantity. As a result, import licenses may be required. Such an import license is a document issued by a national government that allows certain goods to be imported into its territory. This is the international import document IC, which you may need to apply for at your customs office. Each import license specifies the quantity of imports allowed, and the total quantity allowed should not exceed the quota.

You need our export declaration to apply for an import permit.

Please find more information on the WTO website.

company profile

Why is a company profile needed and in what form can it be presented?

When trading dual-use goods, a company profile of the company to be supplied must be submitted to the German authorities. This company profile has to be created by you. It can be submitted in the form of company brochures, presentations, excerpts from the website or a self-representation on letterhead with company logo, letterhead or company stamp.

The purpose of this company profile for the authority is to prove the existence of the company as well as, if necessary, to make a prognosis decision on whether the goods are used in the civil or military sector.

It is mandatory to provide the complete address and communication data of your company and the company website. If your company is an affiliated company (such as a part of a holding company), a reference to this is helpful. Please describe the business activities of your company by listing all industries in which you operate and all product groups manufactured.

end-use statement

What is an end-use statement (EUS) and how do I fill out this document?

The end-user certificate (EUC) is a document in which the use of the goods for a specific purpose and, if applicable, the recipient country are documented. This applies exclusively to dual-use goods, such as our ADCs. The signature of the consignee on the end-use declaration is one of the prerequisites for the export of the goods in question. To ensure smooth processing of the shipment of goods, you should complete the designated form, if necessary, and preferably attach your official letterhead to it.

You will receive the necessary forms from us together with instructions on how to fill in the German End-Use Certificate. Further information can be found on the BAFA website.

Please note: We observe international embargoes concerning individual countries, institutions and persons and reserve the right to carry out an export assessment in advance for each individual order, which may delay or prevent the implementation of the delivery.

reseller

We are resellers and need sufficient margin for our services. Can cronologic help us with this?

As a matter of principle, yes, this is possible. In the run-up to our collaboration with companies that consider themselves resellers, we examine their business model in detail. This will take some time. Please provide us with comprehensive information about your company respectively your corporate group, your customers and the complete scope of your product range.

dual use

What is a dual-use item?

Due to their construction or design, dual-use goods can be used for both civilian and military purposes and are thus subject to the export control of the exporting country. The export of an item listed as dual-use usually requires an export license or a general export license from the responsible German authority. With regard to cronologic, this currently only applies to ADCs.

Please find detailed information on the BAFA website.

Please note: We observe international embargoes concerning individual countries, institutions and persons and reserve the right to carry out an export assessment in advance for each individual order, which may delay or prevent the implementation of the delivery.

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