PX5 Pulse Analyzer Block

The PX5 Pulse Analyzer Unit is an advanced laboratory digital pulse processor, multi-channel analyzer and power supply.

Peculiarities

Compatible with all Amptek detectors (SDD, Si-PIN, CdTe);
Includes:
- Digital pulse amplifier;
- Built-in multichannel analyzer;
- Power unit.
Compatible with detectors from other manufacturers and preamplifiers of any polarity;
High counting speed with excellent stability and throughput;
Over 8,000 analyzer output channels;
Oscilloscope mode - digital-to-analog converter for pulse monitoring.

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Software

Free software responsible for collecting data and displaying it;
Free software kit for developers.

Nutrition

Adjustable high voltage from ±100V to ±1.5kV;
Adjustable high voltage bias (±100V to ±1.5kV);
Thermoelectric cooling power supply with feedback system;
Controlled by +5VDC (AC adapter included).

Technical parameters

Low power: 3W;
Small size: 165 x 135 x 40 mm;
Light weight: 750 g.

Application

X-ray and gamma ray detectors;
Nuclear equipment;
Portable systems;
OEM and specialized equipment;
Technological control.

Description

The PX5 interfaces (1) an X-ray and gamma ray detector and preamplifier with (2) a data acquisition computer and control software. Designed specifically for Amptek's XR100 series of detectors (SDD, Si-PIN, CdTe), the PX5 can be used with a variety of other detectors and preamplifiers, including HPGe detectors and scintillators. It is compatible with preamplifiers of both polarities. The PX5 includes a high-quality pulse analyzer, a multi-channel analyzer, and high and low voltage sources.

The PX5 offers a number of advantages over traditional systems, such as improved performance (very high resolution, high throughput and increased stability), extensive customisation options for full system optimisation and a host of plug-and-play options. The PX5 is based on the latest generation of Amptek digital pulse processing technology, also used in the DP5 range.

The input signal to the PX5 is the output signal from the preamplifier. The PX5 digitizes the preamplifier output signal using real-time digital signal processing, determines the amplitude of the peaks, and records this value in its histogram memory, generating an energy spectrum. The spectrum is then transmitted to a computer via one of the PX5 ports (USB, Ethernet, or RS232)

PX5 is compatible with 32 and 64 bit operating systems, including Windows 7.

The PX5 is a complete digital pulse processing system with power supply.

Digitizes the signal from the preamplifier
Generates the output spectrum of a multichannel analyzer
Generates the output spectrum of a multichannel analyzer (MCA)
Provides all necessary power supplies for Amptek XR100 Series detectors.

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Fig. 1

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Fig. 2 Block diagram of a typical system using PX5 and Amptek XR100SDD detector.

Characteristics

Digital Pulse Processor Parameters

Gain settings	Combination of coarse and fine chain adjustment, smoothly adjustable from x0.75 to x516.
Rough amplification	16 logically arranged coarse tuning steps from x0.75 to X413.
Smooth gain	Smooth gain adjustable from 0.75 to 1.25, 13-bit resolution
Full scale	1000 mV input pulse at X1 gain
Gain stability	<30 ppm/°C (typical)
ADC clock frequency	20 or 80 MHz, 12-bit ADC.
Pulse shape	Trapezoidal or peaking (A semi-Gaussian amplifier with shaping time t has a peak time of 2.4t and is comparable to a trapezoidal shape of the same peak time)
Peak time	Software selectable from 0.05 to 102 µs, corresponding to semi-Gaussian shaping times from 0.04 to 42.5 µs.
Plateau time	Software selectable for each peak time (peak time dependent), >0.05 µs.
Maximum counting speed	With a peak time of 0.2 µs, 4x106 counts per second
Dead time	1.05 peak time. No conversion time.
Counting speed on fast channel	20 MHz: 200, 400, 1600 ns 80 MHz: 50, 100, 400 ns
Pulse resolution time on fast channel	1.2 x peak time on fast channel (minimum 60 ns)
Pulse selection	Pulses with a time greater than the resolution time on the fast channel are selected and those with a time less than the dead time (1.05 peak time) are rejected.
Restore scan line	Asymmetrical, 16 software-selectable slew rate settings.
Rise Time Dependency (RTD)	The digital processor can programmatically select pulses based on their rise time.
Gateway	The input gateway is used to determine whether a signal should be included in the spectrum. There are two possible gateway modes - active or passive (deactivated)

Multi-Channel Analyzer (MCA) Parameters

Number of channels	Software selectable from: 256; 512; 1,000; 2,000; 4,000; or 8,000 channels.
Number of bytes per channel	3 bytes (24 bits), 16.7x106 events.
Signal collection time	From 10 ms to 466 days.
Information transfer time	USB: 1,000 channels in 4.8 ms; Ethernet: 1,000 channels in 35 ms
Conversion time	N/C
Presets	Time, number of events, number of events per channel.
MCS time base	from 10 ms/channel to 300 sec/channel
External management of MCA	Input: pulses are accepted only by external logic.

Equipment

Microprocessor	Silicon Labs 8051F340 8051
External memory	512 kb, SRAM
Embedded software	Signal processing is controlled by built-in software, which can be upgraded for specific purposes.

Connection

RS-232	Standard RS-232 interface with speed up to 115 or 56 kBytes.
USB	USB 2.0 Full Speed (12 Mb/s) standard.
Ethernet	Standard 10Base-T

Connection

Analog input (BNC)	The analog input accepts positive or negative pulses coming from a charge-sensitive preamplifier.
Nutrition	+ 5VDC.
USB	Standard USB mini connector.
Ethernet	Standard Ethernet connector.
AUX-1 (BNC)	Can be configured as: (1) analog output, for monitoring amplified pulse or signal diagnostics; (2) digital output for signal diagnostics; or (3) digital input.
AUX-2 (BNC)	Can be configured as: (1) digital output for signal diagnostics; or (2) digital input for data acquisition synchronization.
AUX-3 (connector 15 pin D "female")	Includes: (a) lines for RS232 interface, (b) two lines that can be configured as digital input or output, (c) 8 outputs for single-channel analyzers (SCA), and (d) a line for remote power control.

XR100 Power: 6-Pin Lemo Connector.

1	Temperature
2	Offset (up to ±1500V)
3	-8.5 or -5 VDC
4	+8.5 or +5 VDC
5	- cooling (grounding)
6	+ cooling
Grounding on the body

Nutrition

+5 V	+5 VDC at 500 mA (2.5 W). The current is directly dependent on the detector temperature and varies from 300 to 800 mA at 5 VDC.
Input range	+4 V to +5.5 V (0.4 to 0.7 A).
The beginning of the transition process	2 A at <100 ns

Additional inputs and outputs

Connectors that are responsible for outputting logic signals not related to the main application of the PX5: spectrum acquisition and its transmission outside the standard interface. These are mainly low-level logic signals related to each individual pulse, its processing by the PX5; used to synchronize the acquisition and accumulation of PX5 data with external equipment and for direct output of the count/timing. The signals are described below.
Single Channel Analyzer (SCA)	8 single-channel analyzers.
Digital output	2 independent outputs, 8 software-selectable settings: INCOMING_COUNT, PILEUP, MCS_TIMEBASE, etc. LVCMOS (3.3V) levels (TTL compatible).
Digital input	2 independent inputs, the mode is selected programmatically from: MCA_GATE, EXTERNAL_COUNTER.
DAC output	Used in oscilloscope mode to display pulse waveform and other signal diagnostics. Voltage range: 0 to 1 V.
Digital oscilloscope	Display of oscillogram on PC. Display of output signal shape, input signal on ADC, etc. is programmatically selected.

General characteristics and external environment

Operating temperature	From -40 °C to +85 °C.
Warranty period	1 year
Service life	From 5 to 10 years, depending on use.
Shelf life	10+ years in dry conditions.
Storage and transportation	-40°C to +85°C, 10 to 90% humidity without condensation
Correspondence	RoHS compliant
	TUV Certification Certificate #: CU 72112987 01 Tested: UL 61010-1:2004 R10.08 CAN/CSA-C22.2 61010-1-04+GI1 (R2009)

Dimensions

Dimensions	165 x 135 x 40 mm
Weight	750 g

Software interface
DPPMC	The PX5 can be controlled using the Amptek DPPMCA display and dedicated software. This program completely controls and configures the PX5, acquires and displays these data. It supports ROI, calibration, peak search, etc. The DPPMCA software includes an interface for XRF analysis and a software package. It runs under Windows XP PRO SP3 or later.
SDK	The PX5 comes with a free software development kit (SDK). The user can use this kit to write their own code to control the PX5 to solve their own problems.
VB demo software	The VB demo software runs on a personal computer and allows the user to configure the PX5, start and stop data collection, and save data files. It comes with source code and can be modified by the user. This software is intended to demonstrate how to control the PX5 manually or via the USB or RS-232 interface using basic commands without an SDK. This is primarily needed when writing software for non-Windows platforms.

Digital input/output ( I/O ): 15 pin D connector (female)

1	Gnd
2	RS232-TX
3	RS232-RX
4	SCA 6 Out
5	SCA 5 Out
6	Gnd
7	Aux 3
8	Aux 4
9	SCA 8 Out
10	External Power On
11	SCA 7 Out
12	SCA 1 Out
13	SCA 2 Out
14	SCA 3 Out
15	SCA 4 Out

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Fig. 3 Photo of I/O cable.

Throughput vs. Peak Time PX5

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Fig. 4 PX5 throughput for different peak times. Obtained using an Amptek XR-100SDD detector.

PX5 signal

Fig. 5 PX5 signals, from preamplifier output to pulse shape.

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Fig. 6 PX5 peak shape.

High voltage switch

Warning! Using the wrong polarity will cause damage to the detector that is not covered by the warranty. Always check the correct polarity before turning on the PX5.

The PX5 can supply either positive or negative potential. Polarity is set by the switch shown below. Amptek Si-PIN and CdTe detectors require positive potential. Using negative potential will cause damage to the detector that is not covered by the warranty. Amptek SDD detectors require negative potential. Using positive potential will cause damage to the detector that is not covered by the warranty.

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Fig. 7 High voltage switch PX5 set to positive potential mode for Si-PIN or CdTe detectors.

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Fig. 8 High voltage switch PX5 set to negative potential mode for SDD detector.

CAUTION! Using the wrong polarity will cause damage to the detector that is NOT covered by the warranty. Always check the correct polarity before turning on the PX5.

Full-fledged XRF system