A 16 channel NIM module for a complete processing of fast scintillator signals

The 16 channels module has been developed to fully process signals coming from fast scintillator materials, e.g. Barium Fluoride, where the light emission exhibits a fast and slow component. The circuit of each channel provides the fast-slow discrimination, the total energy measurement and a constant fraction discriminator. Two analog Gaussian shaped outputs are produced for the measurement of the fast and slow component. The time information is given by a Constant Fraction Discriminator specifically optimized to work with the BaF2 signal rise-time. Moreover, an OR and Multiplicity of all CFD outputs are present on the front panel of the module. The “Fast” and “Slow” analog outputs are multiplexed on two lemo connectors when the corresponding channel is selected. All the programmable parameters of the module are stored in a non volatile memory and are reloaded at the power-on. By means of simple Terminal Emulator connected to the module through a RS485 serial interface, up to 16 modules can be easily programmed. Each module is identified by 4 bits address, settable on the front panel.