Miniature-MCA technology developments

Author

Halbig, J.K. ; Klosterbuer, S.F. ; Stephens, M.M. ; Biddle, R.S.

Author_Institution

Los Alamos Nat. Lab., NM, USA

Volume

39

Issue

4

fYear

1992

fDate

8/1/1992 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

798

Lastpage

803

Abstract

The authors have reduced the size of multichannel analyzers (MCAs) and have implemented more features in hardware to relieve software requirements. They built and tested a spectroscopy grade, 4096-channel MCA. Most of the hardware logic was implemented using a programmable, application-specific digital integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC not only reduced the size of the circuitry, but resulted in great versatility without relayout of the circuit boards. These ASIC techniques were used in a design to enhance the high-count-rate throughput of the portable MCA used extensively in safeguards. Exclusive of amplifier and power supply, the MCA fits on two boards each approximately 7 by 15 cm. The features and performance of the analyzer and some reasonable applications of these technologies are discussed

Keywords

application specific integrated circuits; nuclear electronics; pulse height analysers; 15 cm; 4096-channel MCA; 7 cm; ASIC; amplifier; application-specific digital integrated circuit; hardware logic; high-count-rate; miniature-MCA; portable MCA; power supply; programmable; safeguards; software requirements; spectroscopy grade; versatility; Application specific integrated circuits; Circuit testing; Digital integrated circuits; Digital relays; Hardware; Integrated circuit technology; Logic circuits; Printed circuits; Spectroscopy; Throughput;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/23.159710

Filename

159710