The Data Merger block is no longer selectable from the DAQ menu in the current version, although it was available in previous versions. I can still see the block if I don’t select any target board. What happened to it?
The Data Merger block has been replaced by two new blocks: the Arbiter and the Round Robin Arbiter. These blocks serve a similar purpose but are more flexible and efficient for handling data streams from multiple sources.
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Arbiter: This block manages the access to a shared resource (such as a bus) by granting access to one source at a time. It ensures that only one component at a time can write to or read from the shared resource, preventing conflicts. The arbiter uses specific priority rules to determine which source gets access first.
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Round Robin Arbiter: This variation of the arbiter provides equal access to all components by distributing access in a cyclic order. Instead of prioritizing certain sources, it ensures that each source gets a fair chance to access the resource, making it ideal for systems where equal bandwidth distribution is important.
These blocks have replaced the Data Merger because they offer more advanced methods of managing multiple data streams, especially in systems with higher channel counts or more complex data flows. The Round Robin Arbiter is particularly useful in DAQ systems with time-sensitive data, ensuring that each data source has an equal opportunity to send or receive data.