Digital adaptive filtering for resolution and live-time maximization

In many modern areas of application of detected radiation measurements, high rate and high resolution features are more and more a combination of primary importance of processors. In this scenario, it is well known that high resolution of measurements and high rate of pulses are conflicting issues, since the former requires filters as long as possible to approach the infinite length of the optimum filter, and the latter needs filters as short as possible to minimize the probability of pile-up corruption or needs mechanisms of pile-up rejection discarding too close pulses. This means a trade-off between live time of the system and precision of measurements. In this contribution we propose a digital processing procedure based on adaptive filters for maximizing both achievable resolution and sustainable rate. The method has been experimentally tested and validated on different configurable electronic devices.