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MCA-166 USB User Manual v3.0

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1. 1 Parameter Preamplifier switch integer value Results Return Code see MMCA RESET command Name MMCA SET HIGH VOLTAGES Description The command sets the detector high voltage and controls the HV inhibit signal 1 Parameter High voltage integer value 0 3000 2 Parameter High voltage inhibit long value i 0 Inhibit off i 1 Canberra DGF mode HV shut down if inhibit signal high i 1 Ortec mode HV shut down if inhibit signal low Results 20 The high voltages will ramp up or down by the MMCA 46 ELEKTRONIK Return Code see MMCA RESET command 47 MCA166 USB MCA Data Setup Commands Name MMCA SET TDF Description The command sets the dead time correction parameter 1 Parameter Tdf integer value 100 3000 default 800 Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET USER DATA Description The command stores a 32 bit value in the MCA parameter memory 1 Parameter Number integer value 0 63 2 Parameter Value long or float value 0 Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET UF6 ROIS Description The command sets the begin and the end of a ROI used by the other UF6 commands 1 Parameter ROI number integer value 2 Parameter ROI begin integer value LLD lt begin lt end
2. 3 Parameter ROI end integer value begin lt end lt ULD end begin lt 250 Results Return Code 48 see MMCA_RESET command ELEKTRONIK MCA Query Commands Name MMCA QUERY USER DATA Description The command reads 32 user data 32 bit values from the MCA parameter memory 1 Parameter Number n integer value 0 Result array User data n long or float value 0 Return Code see MMCA_RESET command Contents of the MMCA User Date memory Byte Offset 0 U235 Enrichment Constant 1 WinSPEC Index for the analysis program WinSCAN Scan method and scan parameter Byte Offset 4 U235 Enrichment Constant 2 WinSPEC A Repeat mode options WinSCAN Gridlines offset and period Byte Offset 8 U235 Enrichment Constant 3 WinSPEC A Repeat mode options Byte Offset 12 U235 Enrichment Constant 4 WinSPEC A Repeat mode options Byte Offset 16 MCA Application Mode U235 LENG SPEC MCS RATE UF6 WMCA WMCS WSPC WSCN WUF6 W235 MCAE Byte Offset 20 HV Inhibit Mode 0 1 2 1 Byte Offset 22 HV Preset value 0 3000 Byte Offset 24 Power Switches Byte Offset 28 Stab Preset auto Channel Byte Offset 30 Stab on off Byte Offset 32 Repeat Mode 0 1 2 3 4 100 100 means software repeat mode Bit 15 O inactive 1 active Byte Offset 34 El Repeats Softwar
3. Strip Strip subtracts a specified fraction of the spectrum The Strip factor can be positive or negative Spectrum Spectrum F Spectrum where Spectrum Count content of channel i in the resulting spectrum Spectrum Count content of channel i in the original spectrum F Strip factor Spectrum Count content of channel i in the spectrum to be subtracted E calibration The Energy calibration allows to convert the x axis channel numbers into energy values in KeV The following formula is used E S Channel O where S Slope O Offset The coefficients can be set as numeric values or by linear fit of two energy channel peak centroid pairs 34 ELEKTRONIK APPENDIX 3 Description of the communication DLLs A3 1 MS Windows DLL for communication with one MCA166 USB The Dynamic Link Library exists as a 16 bit variant mca comm dll and as a 32 bit variant mca32com dll The DLL must reside in the system directory of Windows or in the same directory as the calling application In order to include the DLL in your program you have to use in Visual Basic the file MCA32COM BAS valid only for Win32 applications or in C C the files MCA COMM H and MCA COMM LIB or MCA32COM LIB All functions and structures are declared in these files A3 1 1 Initializing and closing the serial communication port Before you can use any function the serial communication port must be initialized Pass to the function CO
4. The command is a combination of MMCA CLEAR ROI MMCA CLEAR MEMORY and MMCA CLEAR TIME Parameter Results Return Code see MMCA RESET command 39 MCA166 USB MCA Measurement Setup Commands Name MMCA SET PRESET NONE Description None preset Parameter Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET PRESET LIVE TIME Description The command sets the time for measurement dead time corrected 1 Parameter Live time 1 65535 sec integer value Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET PRESET REAL TIME Description The command sets the time for measurement 1 Parameter Real time integer value 1 65535 Results Return Code Name see MMCA_RESET command MMCA SET PRESET INTEGRAL Description The command sets the value for the ROI integral 1 Parameter Integral long value 1 4294967295 Results Return Code Name see MMCA_RESET command MMCA SET PRESET AREA Description The command sets the value for the ROI area 1 Parameter 1 4294967295 Area long value Results Return Code 40 see MMCA RESET command Name MMCA SET ADC RES DISCR ELEKTRONIK Description The command sets the ADC resolution and the software discriminator range 1 Parameter Channels integer value 128
5. MCA state STATE READY 63 MCA166 USB Command name CMD SET MCS INPUT Description The command sets the input for the Multi Channel Scaler ip 0 external TTL signals ip 1 internal count rate signal ip 2 counts only pulses with amplitude between LLD and ULD threshold Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command ip 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 55 00 ip 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value mca input mcs MCA state Command name STATE READY CMD SET THRESHOLD Description This command set the analogue threshold value thr 2 60 Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command thr 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 47 00 thr 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value Threshold MCA state Command name STATE READY CMD SET SHAPING TIME Description The command sets the amplifier shaping time dtc dtc 1 shaping time low 1 usec dtc 3 shaping time high 2 or 3 usec Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command dtc 0 end flag
6. Parameter Result array Battery current mA long value Byte Offset 4 HV primary current mA long value Byte Offset 8 12 primary current mA long value Byte Offset 12 12 primary current mA long value Byte Offset 16 24 primary current mA long value Byte Offset 20 24 primary current mA long value Byte Offset 24 Battery voltage mV long value Byte Offset 28 HV V long value Byte Offset 32 HV state long value Byte Offset 36 Byte Offset 40 Current high voltage V Byte Offset 44 Byte Offset 48 Power Switches long value 0X80 24V 0X40 24V 0X20 12V 0X10 12V 0x02 HV Byte Offset 52 Charger current mA long value Byte Offset 64 Battery current mA at stop long value Byte Offset 68 HV primary current mA at stop long value Byte Offset 72 12 primary current mA at stop long value Byte Offset 76 12 primary current mA at stop long value Byte Offset 80 24 primary current mA at stop long value Byte Offset 84 24 primary current mA at stop long value Byte Offset 88 Battery voltage mV at stop long value Byte Offset 92 HV V at stop long value Byte Offset 116 Charger current mA at stop long value Byte Offset 128 mca state integer value Return Code see MMCA
7. e Archiving of data files e Writing a log file 3 3 MCS MS DOS WinMCS Windows These programs support semiautomated measurements of time distributions with any radiation detector HPGe Nal CdTe CdZnTe and neutron counters There are two variants of WinMCS WinMCS I for Inspectors was designed for standard use WinMCS A for Automation was designed for unattended measurements It contains the same special features like WinSPEC A see above 3 4 U235 MS DOS WinU235 Windows These programs support stabilized U 235 enrichment verification measurements with a Nal or CdZnTe detector PMCN PMCC The algorithm bases on absolute intensity measurement of the 186 keV photon energy It also needs a two point intensity calibration with two standards Reevaluation recalibration using previously recorded spectra is possible Verification results are documented in a report file which is automatically saved with the extension rep 3 5 UF6 MS DOS WinUF6 Similar to U235 or WinU235 but optimized for HPGe detectors Only one intensity calibration measurement is necessary 3 6 LENG This program supports semiautomated active length measurement HM 4 using a miniature Nal or CdZnTe detector 11 MCA166 USB 3 7 RATE This program supports measurements of count rates with any radiation detector HPGe Nal CdTe CdZnTe and neutron counters In the most convenient mode of operation only the menu button measurement needs to
8. for cg 1000 fg 5000 10000 Command name Description Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command cg fg end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 4C 00 CQ fg B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value coarse gain fine gain MCA state Command name STATE READY CMD SET INPUT POLARITY Description The command sets the input polarity for the internal amplifier ip 0 positive input signals ip 1 negative input signals Command syntax Format integer integer integer integer Parameter preamble command ip end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 56 100 ip 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value mca input pol MCA state STATE READY Command name CMD SET MCA INPUT The command sets the ADC input to amplifier or to direct ip 0 input amplifier ip 3 input direct 0 3V PUR OFF ip 4 input direct 0 3V PUR OFF Description Command syntax Format integer integer integer integer Parameter preamble command ip end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 54 00 ip 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value mca input adc
9. RESET command 27 multiply value with 1 2 V 28 multiply value with 1 2 V 29 see MMCA QUERY SYSTEM DATA 51 MCA166 USB Name MMCA QUERY STATE Description The command reads the MMCA state Parameter Results array MCA acquire mode MCA MODE MODE MCA MODE MCS Byte Offset 2 MCA preset MCA PRESETS PRESET NONE PRESET REAL PRESET LIVE PRESET INT PRESET AREA Byte Offset 4 Preset value long Byte Offset 8 Elapsed preset long Byte Offset 12 Repeat value integer value Byte Offset 14 Elapsed sweeps integer value Byte Offset 16 MCS time per channel 0 01 sec integer value Byte Offset 18 Elapsed time per channel 0 01 sec integer value Byte Offset 20 Real time sec long Byte Offset 24 Counts per seconds long Byte Offset 28 Dead time msec long Byte Offset 32 Busy time msec long Byte Offset 36 MCA channels integer value 128 4096 Byte Offset 38 Threshold integer value 2 60 Byte Offset 40 LLD integer value 0 Byte Offset 42 ULD integer value Byte Offset 44 ROI begin preset integral area integer value Byte Offset 46 ROI end preset integral area integer value Byte Offset 48 Amplifier coarse gain integer value 2 1000 Byte Offset 50 Amplifier fine gain integer value 5000 15000 Byte Offset 52 Slow discriminator value integer value 0 2499 mV Byte Offset 54 Fast discriminator
10. be pressed to start a measurement and showing the count rates in form of a LCD display and a bar graph 3 8 WinSCAN WinSCAN is used for candu bundle verifications WinSCAN is in its features somewhere between MCA and MCS It can measure up to 500 Spectra and save them in one file Evaluation is similar to MCS just that there is not only an integral spectrum but one spectrum for every point so it is possible to evaluate courses off arbitrary net or integral ROI areas 3 9 Identify Identify is an intelligent interactive software tool to evaluate spectra measured with the MCA166 USB or other MCAs It does peak search and nuclide identification HPGe CdZnTe and Nal detector gamma spectra are supported For correct peak search a starting point for the detector resolution and efficiency is assumed based on detector type and size Features e includes full master library of gamma lines derived from table of radioactive isotopes e editor for creating application specific evaluation libraries e detector function is calculated from detector data sheet no efficiency calibration needed e automatic determination of FWHM of the peaks found in a spectrum as function of energy e supports 1 to 3 point energy calibration e linear logarithmic square root and double log representation possible e error estimations confidence assessment for identified isotopes and visualization by overlay of calculated spectrum for a certain isotope e sw
11. be different for some MMCA configurations 44 Name MMCA SET FAST ELEKTRONIK Description The command sets the fast discriminator threshold 1 Parameter Threshold integer value 0 2499 default 400 Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET SLOW Description The command sets the slow discriminator threshold 1 Parameter Threshold integer value 0 2499 default 400 Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET PZC MANUAL Description The command sets the PZC value and returns the PZC offset 1 Parameter PZC value integer value Result array Byte offset 128 Number of measured pulses integer value Result array Byte offset 130 averaged negative offset of measured input pulses integer value Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET PZC VALUE Description The command sets the PZC value 1 Parameter PZC value integer value Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET PZC TIME OFFSET Description The command sets the time offset for the PZC measurement 1 Parameter Offset for low DTC integer value 0 31 default 15 2 Parameter Offset for high DTC integer value 0 31 default 15 Results Return Code see MMCA RESET command 18 Ple
12. channels i RO pegin the ROI s start channel ROT a the ROI s stop channel 32 ELEKTRONIK Centroid The peak centroid is the sum of the channel contents times the channel number divided by the sum of the channel contents in the range of the channels above the half maximum h 2 1 Spectrum Centroid 2 y Spectrum i l where i channel number Spectrum net contents of channel i FWHM The Full Width at Half Maximum FWHM is the background corrected peak s width at one half of its maximum amplitude The algorithm first proceeds down one side of the peak until it finds a channel e g 1203 whose counts fall below the half maximum channel It is now made sure that the following channel e g 1204 also falls below the half maximum channel The same algorithm is applied for the other side of the peak The left and the right FWHM points are the interpolated channels between the counts of the channel below and above the half maximum value Smooth Smooth averages the current spectrum the original data will be overwritten using a binomial formula 3 point smoothing Spectrum 2 Spectrum Spectrum 4 Spectrum 5 point smoothing Spectrum 4 Spectrum 6 Spectrum 4 Spectrum 16 Spectrum Spectrum where Spectrum the original contents of channel i Spectrum the smoothed contents of channel i 7 background corrected 33 MCA166 USB
13. detectors manual e Check by the detector manual that the pin assignment of the preamplifier power supply connector is compatible with the MCA166 USB and that the power consumption does not exceed the maximum ratings see Table 6 Chapter 6 2 e Connect the cable for the preamplifier power supply of the detector to the concerning female D9 connector on the MCA166 USB and attach it by the clamps e Plug the BNC Signal connector of the detector to the female BNC input connector of MCA166 USB e Plug the High Voltage connector of detector into the female SHV connector of MCA166 USB If problems occur it is possible to check the detector signal and the main amplifier signal Amplifier Test out see figure 1 with a scope A typical signal which should be seen is shown in figure 2 0 esie fen 0 01 Figure 2 0 02 Typical signals which can be seen at the detector preamplifier out FN and the amplifier test il IN out This example N CdZnTe Detector L N 4 SDP310 Z 60 N measuring a Cs137 Z NU 4 sample amplifier setting 0 preder ME 7 200 0 91 negative 0 5 10 15 pulses Tus shaping Time us time pulse height equals to about channel 662 of 1024 channels 0 03 t H ee lili Detector Signal V 0 04 Amplifier V MCA166 USB Typical errors which may be observed with the detector preamp signal are e Rise time is too slow 20 5 us This may cause that th
14. document are not exceeded The return value indicates the result of the data transfer It can be one of the following values ERROR OK 0 successful data transfer ERROR_INTERFACE 1 communication port is not initialized ERROR_INVALID_COMMAND 2 unknown command ERROR_COMMUNICATION 3 faulty data transfer ERROR_INVALID_PARAM 4 invalid parameter A3 1 3 Functions to work with the MCA For the work with the MCA a lot of functions are available You can subdivide all functions in five groups Function for resetting the MCA MMCA RESET Functions for starting and stopping the data acquisition MMCA AQUIRE Functions for clearing MMCA CLEAR Functions for setting MMCA SET Functions for query MMCA QUERY The query functions are handed over a reference to a specific data structure You can derive the name of the structure from the name of the function by leaving out MMCA from the function name e g function MMCA QUERY STATE requires the data structur QUERY STATE The functions and data structures are listed and described in chapter A3 2 You can also find important information in the files mca32com bas Visual Basic and mca comm h C C The return value indicates the result of the data transfer It can be one of the following values ERROR OK ERROR_INTERFACE ERROR_COMMUNICATION ERROR_INVALID_PARAM successful data transfer communication port is not initialized faulty data transfer
15. files e Acquire control Start Stop Clear Presets e Automated repeated measurement functions e Display functions Automated linear and logarithmic manual linear Y scale X axis expansion and scrolling Cursor function ROI setting and processing e Peak stabilization e Analysis functions ROI peak area and integral FWHM calculation e Analysis report function e Energy calibration function calibration curve using up to 3 peaks e Incorporated help texts MCA166 USB 2 Hardware 2 1 Users safety information Read all these instructions first Save these instructions for later use Do Not Remove Connectors To avoid personal injury or damage of equipment do not remove the connectors for the High Voltage supply preamplifier supply and the input connector until the High Voltage is shut down and the device is switched off at least for 1 minute Do Not Remove Covers Do not open the device before the power is switched off 2 1 1 Power Source This device is intended to operate from an internal accumulator set high performance Li lon battery or together with an external wall adapter Furthermore the device can be powered directly from a high power USB port up to the maximum nominal input power of 2 5W Do not apply more than the specified voltage to the wall adapter Usually it is 230VAC nominal The adapter must be in a good condition Never use a damaged wall adapter 2 1 2 High Voltage Supply Make
16. internal amplifier and pulse shaping network Together with a small detector it forms a pocket size gamma spectroscopy system and timer counter which is well suited to the demands of field measurements for international safeguards environmental monitoring nuclear waste treatment facilities radioactive transport control and similar applications Furthermore the MCA166 USB supports a vast number of different detectors and its 4k resolution is adequate to support high resolution gamma spectrometry with HPGe detectors The MiniMCA software allows to operate the device as a general purpose multi channel analyzer SPEC WinSPEC and multi scaler analyzer MCS WinMCS Additional user programs which support safeguards specific applications as U 235 enrichment verification spectral radiation survey meter mode supporting active length determination are available See chapter 3 for more information The device can also be operated with the ORTEC software MAESTRO GammavVision ScintiVision etc contact ORTEC for details The firmware of the MCA166 USB software of MCAs internal processor is described in Appendix 3 and 4 Instructions how to change the firmware can be found in Appendix 5 Basic software functions e File menu write read functions with drive path and file pick list functions e Setup menu ADC Amplifier Presets Memory splitting MCA mode MCS mode Multi spectral recording mode automated instrument configuration using setup
17. invalid parameter gt WE oo 37 MCA166 USB A3 2 Command set MCA Reset Command Name MMCA RESET Description All MCA Parameters will be reset to their initial state and the spectra are cleared The measurement is aborted but the states of the preamplifier power and the value of the high voltages are unchanged Parameter Results Return Code ERROR OK 0 command accepted successfully ERROR INTERFACE 1 communication port not initialised ERROR_INVALID COMMAND 2 ERROR_COMMUNICATION line ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER command not yet implemented 3 serial communication error off 4 parameter out of range MCA Acquire Commands Name MMCA START ACQUIRE Description The acquisition is started or continued with the actual parameter mode resolution a 1 Parameter Clear flag integer value 0 leaves spectrum and times unchanged the start time is ignored spectrum and time are cleared Repeat Mode 17 MCA MCS Repeat Mode 2 MCA Repeat Mode 3 MCA Repeat Mode 4 MCS Bit 14 Trigger 1 on O off Bit 13 Trigger signal edge 1 pos O neg Repeat mode flag Trigger flags 2 Parameter Start time long value ifthe 1 Parameter 0 then the value is stored in status field start_time Results Return Code Name see MMCA_RESET command MMCA_STOP_ACQUIRE Description The acquisition is stopped Pa
18. sure that the High Voltage connector and the High Voltage supply cable of N the detector are in a good condition before connecting them to the MCA166 USB or before switching the High Voltage on Do not allow anything to rest on the HV cable Never insert objects of any kind into the High Voltage connector as they may touch the dangerous voltage point This might cause an electric shock or a damage of the device 2 2 General Description The MCA166 USB is an autonomous module The device has its own battery and provides power supply to radiation detectors Together with a computer the MCA166 USB forms a multi channel analyzer The spectra are collected in the memory of the MCA166 USB and are periodically transferred via a serial interface to the computer The computer is used to setup the MCA166 USB to display and process the measurement results and to store the data The design concept of the MCA166 USB also supports a Multi Channel Scaler mode For operation the MCA166 USB itself has only a power switch and a green LED indicator x a 5 ELEKTRONIK 2 2 1 Power management The MCA166 USB works with a built in rechargeable Li lon battery which has no memory effect and is deep discharge and short circuit protected If the device is working the remaining battery life time is permanently checked When the battery voltage has dropped down to 6 8 Volts while a data collection is in progress the MCA166 USB gives out a warning to the
19. user the lamp will flash irregularly and the software will show an error message The running measurement is automatically stopped and the detector high voltage together with the preamplifier power supply will be switched off Now the user can transfer the measured spectrum to the computer but should switch the device off afterwards or connect the charger If the user does not respond and the battery life time is nearly used up battery voltage 6 5 Volts the device switches off automatically It is made sure that the set up and the spectrum gathered previously is saved in the memory of the MCA166 USB for at least several month The remaining battery life time is sufficient to transfer the measured spectrum to a computer It is recommended before reading out the MCA166 USB to connect it to the charger In the case that the battery voltage drops below its lowest value the battery itself switches off This can be for example the result of a lasting short circuit at the preamplifier power supply As a consequence the internal setup and the measured values are lost The MCA166 USB has to be connected to the charger to recharge the battery 2 2 2 Switching on The MCA166 USB is set into operation by turning the power switch on see Figure 1 After that the green power ON LED flashes with a frequency of 2 5 Hz if no MMCA software runs on the connected computer If the power switch is already in position ON for example after an automatic s
20. value integer value 0 2499 mV Byte Offset 56 High voltage integer value 0 3000V Byte Offset 58 High voltage polarity integer value 0 positive 1 negative Byte Offset 60 Power switches integer value 0X80 24V ON 0X40 24V ON 0X20 12V ON 0X10 12V ON 0X02 HV ON Byte Offset 62 PZC value integer value 0 2499 mV Byte Offset 64 Time offset for PZC and DTC low integer value 0 15 Byte Offset 66 Time offset for PZC and DTC high integer value 0 15 Byte Offset 68 Stabilisation state or integer value 30 value multiplied with 0 4usec 52 Name MMCA QUERY STATE ELEKTRONIK channel Byte Offset 70 Stabilisation result MCA STAB RESULT STAB STARTED STAB ACTIVE STAB IDLE STAB ERROR Byte Offset 72 Stab ROI begin integer value Byte Offset 74 Stab ROI end integer value Byte Offset 76 ADC input MCA INPUT ADC ADC AMPLIFIER ADC DIRECT POS ADC DIRECT NEG Byte Offset 78 ADC input polarity MCA INPUT POL INPUT POLARITY POSITIVE INPUT POLARITY NEGATIVE Byte Offset 80 DTC integer value Byte Offset 82 PUR state MCA PUR OFF ON Byte Offset 84 MCS input MCA INPUT MCS MCS INPUT TTL MCS INPUT RATE MCS INPUT DISCR Byte Offset 86 MMCA number integer value Byte Offset 88 MMCA hardware version integer value Byte Offset 90 MMCA firmware version
21. with 38 400 Baud This method guarantees that communication always works on the highest possible baud rate without user interaction and maintains compatibility to older MCAs supporting only 38 400 Baud Because the firmware of the MCA166 USB is able to detect the baud rate it is also possible to control this MCA with older application programs which support only 38 400 Baud Running the MCA166 USB on a Palmtop computer or Pocket PC is principal possible but needs a special communication cable Please contact GBS Elektronik for availability For proper wiring see Table 5 Wiring Diagram of the PC Interface Connector female Lemo 08 306 on Page 21 ELEKTRONIK 2 2 5 Connection of detectors To connect a detector switch the device off Before connecting the high voltage connector of the detector make sure that the built in High Voltage supply has the correct polarity and that the power consumption of the detector does not exceed the maximum value 0 5mA or 0 25 Watt On the right side of the MCA166 USB case front view the high voltage indicator is located Figure 1 If it shines red a positive HV module is inserted if it shines blue a negative HV module is present If the indicator is black dark gray no HV module is present Furthermore it is possible to check the HV polarity by software go to the menu setup high voltage and look at indicated polarity The correct values for HV polarity and power consumption should be found in the
22. 256 512 1024 2048 or 4096 2 Parameter LLD integer value 0 lt LLD lt ULD 3 Parameter ULD integer value LLD lt ULD lt Channels Channels gt gt 5 Results Return Code Name see MMCA_RESET command MMCA SET ROI Description The command sets the begin and end of the ROI for the preset integral and area 1 Parameter ROI begin channel Integer value LLD begin end 2 Parameter ROI end channel Integer value LLD end ULD Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET REPEAT Description The command sets the number of sweeps for repetitive measurement 1 Parameter Sweeps Integer value 0 65535 Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET MCS CHANNEL Description The command sets the number of channels for the MCS and Rate mode 1 Parameter MCS channels Integer value 0 only for Rate mode 128 4096 Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET TIME PER CHANNEL Description The command sets the dwell time per channel for the MCS mode 1 Parameter Time Integer value 1 65535 Results Return Code see MMCA_RESET command 14 It is the real time per channel multiplied with 10 msec 41 MCA166 USB Name MMCA SET MCS INPUT ICR Descri
23. Battery current mA long Byte Offset 12 Battery voltage mV long Byte Offset 16 HV reference voltage V long Byte Offset 20 HV control voltage V long Byte Offset 24 12V primary current mA long Byte Offset 28 24V primary current mA long Byte Offset 32 24V primary current mA long Byte Offset 36 12V primary current mA long Return Code see MMCA RESET command A3 3 MS Windows DLL for the communication with several MCA166 USB This Dynamic Link Library allows the communication with several MCA166 USB It can manage the serial communication ports COM1 to COM20 Die Dynamic Link Library exists as a 16 bit variant mca comx dll and as a 32 bit variant mca32cmx dll The DLL must reside in the system directory of Windows or in the same directory as the calling application In order to include the DLL in your program you have to use the in Visual Basic the file MCA32CMX BAS valid only for Win32 applications or in C C the files MCA COMX H and MCA COMX LIB or MCA32CXM LIB All functions and structures are declared in these files The use of the function is analogous to the functions of the DLLs for the comunication with one MCA166 USB see chapter A3 1 However following differences exist The return value of the function COMM INIT is an index of the communication port You have to pass this index to each function as first parameter so that you can distinguish t
24. Byte String HEX A5 5A 52 00 dtc 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value Dtc MCA state STATE READY 41 The values may be different for some MCA166 USB configurations 64 Command name GBS ELEKTRONIK CMD_SET_PUR Description The command sets the pile up rejection Command syntax pur 0 turns PUR off pur 0 turns PUR on Format integer integer integer integer Parameter preamble command pur end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 53 00 pur 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value mca_pur MCA state Command name STATE_READY CMD_SET_FAST Description This command set the fast discriminator threshold 0 2499 default 400 Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter Preamble command fast 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 50 00 fast 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value Fast threshold MCA state Command name STATE READY CMD SET SLOW Description This command set the slow discriminator threshold 0 2499 default 400 Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parame
25. EXPLANATION Mini MCA module identification Serial number Hardware version Firmware version SPEC REM Notes about the spectrum Mini MCA MCA166 USB Remarks from the operator prompted before file save Spectrum measured in facility C DATA format spe Original storage location of the file DATE_MEA Start date and time of the measurement 12 31 1996 16 00 00 mm dd yyyy hh mm ss MEAS TIM Spectrum measurement time in seconds 120 203 lifetime real time DATA Spectral data First channel i e 0 last channel i e 4095 0 Channel content En ROI Information FILE CONTENT ROI EXPLANATION ROI Region of Interest 1 Number of ROI s 266 332 Energy Calibration Data FILE CONTENT ENER FIT ROI start i e 266 ROI begin i e 332 EXPLANATION Energy calibration coefficients 0 000000 0 393559 Offset and slope KeV channel ENER DATA E calibration data 2 n point calibration in this case n 2 0 000000 0 000000 Channel energy pair lower 2981 000000 1173 199951 Channel energy pair higher 25 MCA166 USB Setup Information ADC ADC resolution 4096 Channels 0 LLD lower level discriminator channel 3967 ULD upper level discriminator channel PRESETS MCA Presets Integral Live Time Real Time Integral sum of a
26. GBS Elektronik GmbH Bautzner Landstra e 22 01454 Grofterkmannsdorf Germany MCA166 USB Miniature Multi Channel Analyzer User s Manual Version 3 0 mies 1627 48 C 245208 10e5 243029 160 10e4 2430 CPS 1 10e3 791C 1444C 10e2 10e1 10e0 1408 Cursor 1607 ROI 1 1607 1647 Integral 3819356 Counts 779 Elapsed LT sec 100 38940 CPS Help Pres Save VFS Exp Unex F1 F2 F3 ri 1H J E S ore A0 SDT Dt 59 0 F12 Tel 0049 0 351 21 7007 0 Fax 0049 0 351 21 70 07 21 E Mail kontakt gbs elektronik de Website www gbs elektronik de Z GBS ELEKTRONIK MCA166 USB Exclusion of liability The GBS Elektronik GmbH is not liable for errors and does not guarantee the specific utility of the MCA166 USB software or firmware In particular the GBS Elektronik GmbH is not liable for indirect or subsequent damages due to errors of the MCA166 USB software or firmware The information in this manual has been carefully reviewed and is believed to be accurate and reliable However the GBS Elektronik GmbH assumes no liabilities for inaccuracies in this manual This manual is subject to change without notice Last update 20 12 2007 GBS Elektronik GmbH Bautzner Landstra e 22 01454 Gro erkmannsdorf Germany Tel 0049 0 351 21 7007 0 Fax 0049 0 351 21 70 07 21 For software updates or problems exceeding the frame of this manual refer to Internet http www gbs elektro
27. IX 5 Changing the MCA166 USB Firmware Attention The order of changing the switches must be followed exactly otherwise the uP will be destroyed The programming voltage 12V shall only be applied when the working voltage 5 V is switched on Each MMCA must be programmed with it s corresponding HEX file e g MMCA 6 with Mca6 hex Programming the firmware can be done very easy by using the Firmware Wizard program It is available from the Internet or from the supplied software CD 73
28. Integral ROI 3 long value Byte Offset 20 Begin ROI 1 long value long value Byte Offset 40 End ROI 3 long value Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA QUERY UF6 ROIS Description The command reads the begin and end of the 3 ROIs Parameter Result array Begin ROI 1 long value Byte Offset 4 End ROI 1 long value Byte Offset 8 Begin ROI 2 long value Byte Offset 12 End ROI 2 long value Byte Offset 16 Begin ROI 3 long value Byte Offset 20 End ROI 3 long value Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA QUERY CENTROID Description The command reads peak centroid of the specified ROI 1 Parameter Peak ROI begin integer value LLD lt begin end 2 Parameter Peak ROI end integer value begin end lt ULD end begin 250 Result Peak centroid float value Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA QUERY ON LINE Description The command checks the communication between the MCA and the PC Parameter Results Return Code see MMCA RESET command 57 MCA166 USB Name MMCA QUERY VOLTAGE CURRENT Description The command reads the voltages and currents from the MMCA Parameter Results array Charger current mA long Byte Offset 4 HV primary current mA long Byte Offset 8
29. KTRONIK MCA Stabilisation Commands CMD_SET_STABILISATION The command sets the peak stabilisation fl 0 turns stabilisation off 1 turns stabilisation on rb 3 lt fl lt re 3 stabilisation to channel fl rb Peak ROI begin LLD lt begin lt end re Peak ROI end begin lt end lt ULD end begin lt 250 Command name Description Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command fl rb end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 4D 00 fl rb B9 9B Used setup value channels Ild uld Affected setup value MCA state stab_state stab_roi_begin stab_roi_end STATE_READY Command name CMD_SET_STAB_PARAM The command sets the stabilisation parameters st time interval default 10 sa area default 25000 Description Command syntax Format integer integer integer integer Parameter Preamble command st end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 67 00 st st B9 9B Used setup value Affected setup value MCA state stab_time stab_area STATE_READY 67 MCA166 USB MCA Detector Power Commands Command name CMD SET PREAMPLIFIER POWER Description The command sets the preamplifier power pp 0X80 24V on 0X40 24V on 0X20 12V on 0X10 12V on OXFO all on 0X00 all off Command syntax Format integer int
30. MM INIT a string with the name of the serial communication port e g COM1 If the return value is unequal zero the initialization was successful The serial communication port is unable to initialize if another device or program is already using this one Before you exit your program you have to close the serial communication port so that it can be used from other programs now You can use only one communication port at the same time If you want to change the communication port you have to close the used communication port before you can initialize another one A3 1 2 Sending commands to the MCA With the function MCA COMM you can send single firmware commands to the MCA This function is only intended for testing For the real work with the MCA you should use the other functions MMCA described in chapter A3 1 3 The function MCA COMM is declared as follows in C C ERROR FLAG FAR PASCAL MCA COMM LPSTR command LPSTR rec data unsigned long paraml 0 unsigned long param2 0 unsigned long param3 0 unsigned long param4 0 in Visual Basic Declare Function MCA COMM Lib Mca32com ByVal Commands Received As RECDATA ByVal Paraml amp ByVal Param2 amp ByVal Param3S ByVal Param4 amp As Integer 8 MCA COMM DLL 16 Bit and MCA32COM DLL 32 Bit Version 1 04 0006 for MCA166 Firmware 9901 MCA COMX DLL 16 Bit and MCA32CMX DLL 32 Bit Version 1 00 0006 for MCA166 Firmware 9901 9 The firmware
31. QUERY STATE Description The command reads the state Command syntax Format integer integer integer integer Parameter preamble command 0 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 5A 00 00 00 00 00 B9 9B Results Command name see MMCA QUERY STATE function in DLL description CMD QUERY SPECTRA Description The command reads the spectrum data n No of 1 channel and buffer control Bit 15 12 c Compress factor 1 32 Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command n C end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 5B 00 n C Ch 00 B9 9B Used setup value channels Ild uld Results Command name see MMCA QUERY SPECTRA function in DLL description CMD_QUERY_IMAGE Description The command read the MMCA spectrum image 120x256 n No of 1 Channel c Compress factor 1 32 v Vertical full scale see MCA VFS in mca comm h Command syntax Format integer integer integer integer integer integer Parameter preamble command n C V end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 5C 00 n C Cu Vi B9 9B Used setup value channels Ild uld Results 70 see MMCA QUERY IMAGE function in DLL d
32. SET TDF CMD SET TDF QUERY SYSTEM DATA CMD QUERY SYSTEM DATA MCS CHANNEL CMD SET MCS CHANNEL UF6 ROIS CMD SET UF6 ROIS QUERY UF6 ROIS CMD QUERY UF6 ROIS QUERY UF6 INFO CMD QUERY UF6 INFO STAB PARAM CMD SET STAB PARAM QUERY VOLTAGE CURRENT CMD QUERY VOLTAGE CURRENT ON CO WHO N N BIW NI O CON IN HF elel HH KAI KAI N rR WIN KAI HN N Ie Wr IH ON KA The second argument of MCA_COMM refers to the received data of the command in Visual Basic always a RECDATA data type in C C a RECDATA or a command specific structure Information about the data structures you can find in chapter A3 2 and in the files mca32com bas Visual Basic or mca comm h C C The received data are significant if the command is a QUERY command 36 ELEKTRONIK The other arguments are the parameters of the firmware command These arguments are optional since not all commands use the same number of parameters Unnecessary arguments you can leave out Information about the parameters you can find in appendix 4 You can ignore the parameters preamble command und end flag listed in this document These parameters are assigned the right value automatically The parameters that you pass to the function MCA COMM are always long integer Within the function these parameters are partially passed on to variables with another data type therefore it is imperative that the maximum values specified in the
33. ample ID 4 462 Declared enrichment 0 003 Declared enrichment uncertainty wt96 Scale unit wt weight percent or At atom percent Wall thickness Wall thickness uncertainty Attenuation Attenuation uncertainty Material correction factor Material correction factor uncertainty Instrument code MMCA ID Computer ID Detector type Detector ID Collimator Collimator Filter Filter 5 From here the items are only written and read by WinUF6 6 From here the items are only written and read by WinU235 MCA166 USB APPENDIX 2 MCA166 USB algorithm formulas This appendix lists the algorithms used by the MiniMCA for the following functions Area Area uncertainty Centroid FWHM Smooth Strip Energy Calibration The Area and the Area Uncertainty Function The area algorithm calculates the number of counts above the background in a ROI The background area is determined by averaging 4 points on both sides of the peak the ROI limit points and 3 outer points and linear fit Area Integral Background ROL T ROI egin t 1 ROI pegin ROI ong 3 Background 7 S Des y y os Spectrum ms Spectrum ROI na Integral Y Spectrum i ROT egin Area Uncertainty 2 ROD pon ROT at 3 ROI ROT sein 1 Integral y Spectrum L Spectrum i ROI 3 ROL ong 8 where Spectrum the absolute number of counts in
34. and rep 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 4A 00 rep rep 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value Repeat MCA state Command name STATE READY CMD SET MCS CHANNEL Description The command set the number of channels ch 128 4096 for MCS mode Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command ch 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 63 00 ch ch 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value mcs channels MCA state STATE READY Command name CMD SET TIME PER CHANNEL Description The command sets the dwell time tpc 1 65535 per channel for the MCS mode Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command tpc 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 4B 00 tpc tpc 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value time_per_channel MCA state STATE_READY 40 It is the real time per channel multiplied with 10 62 BS ELEKTRONIK MCA Hardware Setup Commands CMD SET GAIN The command sets the amplifier coarse cg and fine gain fg cg 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 or 1000 fg 5000 15000
35. ase note that this function may cause a firmware hang up if the following requirements are not meets statistical distributed input pulses with a count rate between 500 and 30000 Cps the significant peak is located above the first quarter of the spectrum 19 The function requires a reference to a pzc result array but the function has no effect on this array at the moment 45 MCA166 USB MCA Stabilisation Commands MMCA SET STABILISATION Name Description The command sets the peak stabilisation 1 Parameter Stabilisation flag Integer value 0 turns stabilisation off 1 turns stabilisation on keep peak at current position 21 stabilisation channel move peak to the stabilisation channel and hold peak at the stabilisation channel 2 Parameter Peak ROI begin Integer value LLD lt begin end 3 Parameter Peak ROI end Integer value begin end lt ULD end begin 250 Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET STAB PARAM Description The command sets the peak stabilisation parameters 1 Parameter Stabilisation time Integer value default 10 sec interval 2 Parameter Stabilisation area long value default 25000 Results Return Code see MMCA RESET command MCA Detector Power Commands MMCA SET PREAMPLIFIER POWER Name Description The command sets the preamplifier power
36. at time 1 48 Bit integer Byte Offset 32 Busy Time ms at time 1 long Byte Offset 36 MMCA on Time s long Byte Offset 40 Real Time s of previous sweep long Byte Offset 44 Dead Time ms of previous sweep long Byte Offset 48 Start time of previous sweep long Byte Offset 52 0 long Byte Offset 56 Elapsed sweeps long Byte Offset 60 Busy time ms of previous sweep long Byte Offset 64 0 integer Byte Offset 66 Peak detect counter of previous 48 sweep Byte Offset 72 0 integer Byte Offset 74 Fast detect counter of previous 48 sweep Byte Offset 80 Counter of stabilisation steps long Byte Offset 84 Current stabilisation offset integer Byte Offset 88 Maximal negative stabilisation integer offset Byte Offset 92 Maximal positive stabilisation offset integer Byte Offset 96 Counter of received commands long Byte Offset 100 Counter receive errors long Byte Offset 104 0 integer Byte Offset 106 Last command flag integer value Byte Offset 108 Last command parameter 1 integer value Byte Offset 110 Last command parameter 2 integer value Byte Offset 112 Last command parameter 3 integer value Byte Offset 114 Buffer state Integer value 33 see MMCA QUERY SPECTRA 54 ELEKTRONIK Byte Offset 116 Stabilisation area preset long Byte Offset 120 Stabilisation time preset integer value Byte Offs
37. ce 1 Software tells MCA not connected e Switch on the MCA e Check cable between MCA and Computer Serial cable may be loose or not connected Connect cable correctly e Check MCA battery Charge MCA battery e The MCA is not recognized MCA not connected running MCA DOS Software in a DOS Box on Notebooks e Disable Power Save Mode for COM Port 2 MCA lamp does not flash regardless if the switch is on or off e MCA battery empty Charge MCA battery e The MCA firmware programming switches are in a wrong position The firmware programming switches must be all in off position Do not play around with them 3 MCA lamp flashes irregularly Computer tells MCA power failure or beeps MCA battery very low Charge MCA battery e MCA internal or communication error Switch off and on MCA restart software 4 Power Supply Error Goto Diagnostics Measurement is not possible MCA battery very low Charge MCA battery and switch on HV and preamplifier supplies again e Goto diagnostics blinking power supply currents indicate overload e Short circuit in detector Check if detector is defective Disconnect detector try again Do not pull or plug connectors when MCA is on Change detector e Too power hungry preamplifier A fully charged MCA battery may help sometimes Otherwise you have to exchange the preamplifier e I f the diagnostics menu shows irregular high currents or even overload although there is no detector c
38. commands are described in Appendix 4 35 MCA166 USB The first argument is a string with the name of the command In the following table all available commands use of capital and small letters is possible the corresponding firmware specific names and the number of the required parameters are listed Name of the command Firmware specific name CMD INIT Number of the parameters CMD START CMD STOP CMD CLEAR CMD SET MODE ADC RES DISCR CMD SET ADC RES DISCR THRESHOLD CMD SET THRESHOLD PRESETS CMD SET PRESETS ROI CMD SET ROI REPEAT CMD SET REPEAT TIME PER CHANNEL CMD SET TIME PER CHANNEL GAIN CMD SET GAIN STABILISATION CMD SET STABILISATION PREAMPLIFIER POWER CMD SET PREAMPLIFIER POWER BIAS CMD SET BIAS FAST CMD SET FAST SLOW CMD SET SLOW SHAPING TIME CMD SET SHAPING TIME PUR CMD SET PUR MCA INPUT CMD SET MCA INPUT MCS INPUT CMD SET MCS INPUT INPUT POLARITY CMD SET INPUT POLARITY USER DATA CMD SET USER DATA SET MEASURE PZC CMD SET MEASURE PZC QUERY POWER CMD QUERY POWER QUERY STATE CMD QUERY STATE QUERY SPECTRA CMD QUERY SPECTRA QUERY IMAGE CMD QUERY IMAGE QUERY ENRICHMENT CMD QUERY ENRICHMENT QUERY USER DATA CMD QUERY USER DATA QUERY CENTROID CMD QUERY CENTROID PZC TIME OFFSET CMD SET PZC TIME OFF
39. d name STATE READY CMD SET PRESETS Description The command sets the choice pre PRESET NONE lt 0 PRESET REAL 1 PRESET LIVE PRESET INT PRESET AREA 4 and value val of the preset The parameter val must be lower then 65536 for PRESET REAL and PRESET LIVE If a measurement is running only val can be changed Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command pre val end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 148 00 pre val T B9 OB pre Used setup value None Affected setup value presets preset value MCA state Command name STATE READY CMD SET ROI Description The command sets the begin and end of the ROI for the preset integral and area LLD begin end and LLD end ULD Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command beg end end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 49 00 beg beg end B9 9B Used setup value LLD ULD Affected setup value roi begin roi end MCA state STATE READY 61 MCA166 USB Command name CMD SET REPEAT The command sets the number rep 0 65535 of sweeps for repetitive measurement Description Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble comm
40. de allowing to count the following pulses e TTL input pulses minimum width of flat top O 2us not routed through the ADC maximum rate 1 MHz e LLD ULD counting mode counting pulses within a preset digital window e Count rate derived from internal amplifier ICR signal maximum count rate determined by count rate limitation of amplifier e Dwell time 0 01s to 500s Spectrometric performance e Resolution FWHM for typical 500mm planar HPGe detector for count rates lt 10000cps and a Co 57 source at 122keV e 610 20eV at 1ys shaping time e 580 20eV at 2us shaping time e Peak shift gt lt 0 5 for 1us shaping time and count rates from 1000 to 70000cps gt 0 2 for 2us shaping time and count rates from 1000 to 40000cps e deterioration of FWHM lt 5 for both conditions e Throughput in memory gt atleast 25000cps in memory at 50000cps input rate and 1us shaping time gt atleast 13000cps in memory at 30000cps input rate and 2us shaping time 17 MCA166 USB 6 1 3 18 Power supply Power supply adequate for commonly used Nal HPGe CdTe and proportional counters Current limited mode with indication of overload condition through software short circuit protected and automated recovery after overload or shortening Preamplifier Voltages 12V maximum current 60mA for each of the voltages 24V maximum current 60mA for each of the voltages Maximum total power at least 2W High Voltage Single positive or negati
41. e mode Byte Offset 36 HV Inhibit Mode 0 1 2 1 Byte Offset 38 HV Preset value 0 3000 Byte Offset 48 Energy Calibration Channel 1 or Null Byte Offset 52 Energy Calibration Channel 2 or Null Byte Offset 56 Energy Calibration Energy 1 or actual Slope Byte Offset 60 Energy Calibration Energy 2 or actual Offset 21 Each program should set and test at least the MCA application mode Byte offset 16 Developer of new applications for the MCA166 USB should publish the shorthand expression of their application 22 The bytes 0 15 are used differently by the single applications 23 Actual values are used for automatic restart in applications for unattended measurements 24 Values can be used as preset values after the MCA powered on 49 MCA166 USB Byte Offset 64 1 ROI pair ROI End Byte Offset 66 1 ROI pair ROI Begin Byte Offset 68 2 Byte Offset 15 120 Byte Offset 16 ROI pair 124 Byte Offset U235 UF6 Inspection description 128 WinMCS 16 ROI pairs of the MCA spectrum similar the other ROls 25 In applications with MCS spectrum the ROIs of the MCS spectrum are saved here In WinMCS the ROIs of the MCA spectrum are saved behind it 26 The bytes 128 255 are used differently by the single applications 50 Name MMCA QUERY POWER ELEKTRONIK Description The command reads the MMCA power state
42. e pile up rejector does not work correctly There may be even a large amount of regular pulses rejected and especially the high energetic part of the spectrum seriously affected When using such detectors switch pile up rejection off e The fall time is too fast time constant resp 1 e fall time lt 40us This causes that the pole zero setting cannot be correctly adjusted Consequences may be peak shift and peak broadening with higher count rates and increased low energy spectrum cutoff Try to use another preamplifier 2 2 6 Additional external battery pack and Power Pack Because of the changed charging mechanism of the MCA166 USB the older battery packs and power packs cannot be used The MCA166 USB offers a higher battery capacity improved efficiency and is able to supply more power on 24V than the older MCA166 So two main features offered by the battery pack power pack are now partially integrated in the MCA itself and makes this devices obsolete If more battery capacity is needed please contact GBS Elektronik GmbH 3 Software 3 1 Overview There are several programs to operate the MCA166 USB All of them serve a special purpose There are programs for MS DOS and Windows 32 Bit The MS DOS software was originally developed for the HP 200L X whose footprint coincident with the footprint of the MCA166 The Windows programs were developed to operate the MCA166 more comfortably Besides they are together with at least Windows 98
43. eger integer integer Parameter preamble command pp end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 4E 00 pp 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value preamplifier power MCA state STATE READY Command name CMD SET BIAS Description The command sets the detector high voltage and controls the HV inhibit input hv 0 3000 i 0 Inhibit off i 1 Canberra or DFG mode HV shut down if inhibit input lt 0 5V i 1 Ortec mode HV shut down if inhibit input 5V Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command hv end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 4F 00 hv hw j i B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value detector bias stab state MCA state STATE READY 42 The high voltages will ramp up or down by the MCA166 USB 68 GBS ELEKTRONIK MCA Data Setup Commands Command name CMD SET TDF Description The command sets the TDF parameter tdf TDF 100 3000 default 800 Command syntax Format integer integer integer integer Parameter preamble command tdf end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 61 00 B9 9B tdf tdf Used setup value None Affected setup value tdf MCA state Command name STATE READY CMD SET UF6 ROI Description The command sets
44. escription Command name CMD QUERY USER DATA BS ELEKTRONIK Description The command reads a 32 bit value from the MCA parameter memory parameter number e 0 63 Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command e end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 5E 00 e 00 oo 00 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Result Command name see MMCA QUERY USER DATA function in DLL description CMD SYSTEM DATA Description The command reads the special MCA data Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command 00 End end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 62 00 00 00 00 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value Result Command name see MMCA QUERY SYSTEM DATA function in DLL description CMD QUERY CENTROID Description The command reads the centroid of a ROI beg end LLD lt beg end lt ULD end beg lt 250 Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command beg end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 5F 00 beg beg end end 00 B9 9B Used setup value channels Ild uld Result see MMCA_QUERY_CENTROID function in DLL desc
45. et 122 Low shaping time byte value Byte Offset 123 High shaping time byte value Byte Offset 124 0 integer value Byte Offset 128 MMCA state STATE POWER ON STATE READY STATE RUN STATE SUSPEND STATE FINISH STATE ERROR STATE FAIL Return Code see MMCA RESET command Name MMCA QUERY IMAGE Description The command read the MMCA spectrum image 120x256 1 Parameter No of 1 Channel 0 2 Parameter Compress factor 1 32 3 Parameter Vertical full scale Result array Channel image N byte value Byte Offset 1 Channel image N 1 byte value Byte Offset 127 Channel image N 127 byte value Return Code see MMCA RESET command 34 The value must be multiplied with 0 1 usec 35 The value must be multiplied with 0 1 usec 36 This command should only be used to display the spectrum in a 120 x 256 pixel window 55 MCA166 USB Name MMCA QUERY SPECTRA Description The command read the MMCA spectrum data 1 Parameter No of 1 Channel and read out control integer value 2 Parameter Compress factor 1 32 long value Result array Channel contents N long value Byte Offset 4 Channel contents N 1 long value Byte Offset 124 Channel contents N 31 long value Byte Offset 128 Buffer state integer value Return Code Name see MMCA_RESET command MMCA QUERY ENRICHMENT Description The com
46. etector type Detector ID Collimator ID Motor drive ID Motor controller ID System ID External amplifier ID Gain coarse fine Time constant Output Good measurement UF6 WinUF6 inspection information FILE CONTENT UF6 INSP INFO Remarks EXPLANATION UF6 WinUF6 inspection information 123 Inspection number 19991006 Inspection date Inspector ID Inspector ID Facility code Facility code LOT ID MBA 4 6 10mmAl Sample ID 4 462 Declared enrichment 0 003 Declared enrichment uncertainty wt Scale unit wt weight percent or At atom percent 1 200 Wall thickness 0 012 Wall thickness uncertainty 0 340 Attenuation 0 000 Attenuation uncertainty 1 014 Material correction factor 0 000 30 Material correction factor uncertainty ELEKTRONIK UF6 WinUF6 inspection information continued EXPLANATION Instrument code FILE CONTENT MMCA ID Computer ID Detector type Detector ID Collimator Collimator Filter U235 WinU235 inspection information FILE CONTENT INSP INFO Filter EXPLANATION U235 WinU235 inspection information 123 Inspection number 19991006 Inspection date Inspector ID Inspector ID Facility code Facility code MBA LOT ID 4 6 10mmAl S
47. h mode power supply battery chargers may disturb Remove all connections from the MCA to ground or to mains voltages Try a different computer laptop palmtop e Winding the cable to the detector computer several times around a ferrite ring also may help 13 While opening a spectrum the MCA program tells Wrong data format or data format error e Spectrum was created by another program or another program version Check results just ignore 14 too high count rate e Keep a bigger distance to radiation source Try a less sensitive detector Watch for your personal safety e Check detector 24 ELEKTRONIK APPENDIX 1 MCA166 USB spectral data format The MiniMCA spectral data format is in compliance with the IAEA SPE Spectral Data Format see SPEDAC PRO User s Manual Rel 1 0 IAEA Feb 1994 All information is stored in a block structured ASCII BSA file so that its content can be viewed with any text editor and the file content can be printed directly Each block of the file is identified by a string that starts with the dollar sign and ends with a colon The block name is case sensitive The structure of the data and the order in which blocks appear in the files is uniquely defined There are four general types of blocks used by the MiniMCA software Release 1998 1 Data Block 2 ROI information 3 Energy or Enrichment Calibration Data 4 Setup information Data Block FILE CONTENT MCA 166 ID
48. harging via USB is still working but the battery runs out slowly If the MCA166 USB is connected to a working high power USB hub charging will start after 6 seconds automatically It is possible to disable USB charging by some newer application programs such as WinSpec This is very useful if the MCA is operated at a laptop computer which runs on battery Connecting the wall adapter to the MCA166 USB and supply it with power will always disable USB charging The old battery chargers supplied with the MCA166 3 pin LEMO connector are not compatible with the MCA166 USB Don t try to connect them to the MCA166 USB The connectors are mechanically different 2 2 4 Connecting the MCA166 USB to a Computer Communication between MCA166 USB and host computer is possible via a standard serial connection RS232 or via USB interface For RS232 communication the RS232 cable with SUB D9 connector must be connected between the MCAs PC socket and the computer for USB communication the special USB cable with LEMO connector must be used respectively Two baud rates can be used for communication on both interfaces 38 400 Baud and 307 200 Baud Both baud rates are usable on both interfaces but most computers doesn t support 307 200 Baud on the RS232 interface The firmware of the MCA166 USB is able to detect the baud rate and changes it accordingly Newer application programs tries to connect the MCA with the higher baud rate first if it doesn t work they try it
49. he communication ports The return value indicates the result of the data transfer It can be one of the following values ERROR OK successful data transfer 58 ERROR INTERFACE ERROR_COMMUNICATION ERROR_INVALID_PARAM ERROR_FORBIDD communication port is not initialized faulty data transfer invalid parameter forbidden index vo who EN_INDEX BS ELEKTRONIK APPENDIX 4 Description of the MCA166 USB firmware functions MCA Reset Command Command name CMD INIT Description All MCA Parameters will be reset to their initial state and the spectra are cleared The measurement is aborted but the states of the preamplifier power and the value of the high voltage are unchanged Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command 0 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 41 00 00 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value All MCA state STATE READY MCA Acquire Commands Command name CMD START Description Depending on the value of the first parameter cf the command clears the spectrum and the time or not and then the measurement will be started If the first parameter is not equal zero the spectrum and the time where cleared and the second parameter st is stored as start time Command syntax Format integer integer integer lo
50. inner spc Target dat dat two column energy Channel content de1 Canberra S100 dat Silena Gamma 2000 spk R ntgenanalytik spa Sarad usf URSA 13 MCA166 USB 3 13 Miscellaneous For communication and evaluation some libraries for MS Windows and Linux are available This may help the make own application programs or to integrate the MCA166 USB in an existing system 4 MCA166 USB parameters for use with different detectors This table shall just give an overview of possible settings useful with the MCA166 USB It is far from being complete For actual settings with your detector see the detectors manual Table 2 Parameters for different detectors Manufact Input signal polarity Channels Gain for 2 MeV full range Shaping time ps SDP Z 60 SDP Z 20 CZT500 300 500 600 Ritec Ritec Ritec Scintiblock Crismatec 500 25825 Scionix 550 40 40 Amcrys h 800 Sc1010 Eurorad GMX 20190 S Ortec 3000 GEM 15 190 Ortec 3000 GR 2018 Canberra 3000 GL 0310 Canberra 2000 7865S Ortec 1000 N N N N N a kl 2 kl kl kl a EGC 30 190R Eurisys 3000 EGPC 25 185 Eurisys 2000 BS ELEKTRONIK 5 Some of the most important photon energies Table 3 Photon energies for different isotopes Iso
51. integer value Byte Offset 92 MCS Channels integer value Byte Offset 94 Last power state integer value Byte Offset 96 Battery capacity 96 integer value Byte Offset 98 0 integer value Byte Offset 100 Start time long Byte Offset 104 TDF integer value Byte Offset 106 Last command flag integer value Byte Offset 108 Last command parameter 1 integer value Byte Offset 110 Last command parameter 2 integer value Byte Offset 112 Last command parameter 3 integer value Byte Offset 114 Buffer state Integer value Byte Offset 116 Internal DAC value long Byte Offset 120 Differential dead time 0 00 integer value Byte Offset 122 HV inhibit mode integer value Byte Offset 124 HV inhibit state integer value Byte Offset 128 MMCA state Return Code see MMCA RESET command 31 see MMCA QUERY SPECTRA 32 see MMCA QUERY SYSTEM DATA 53 MCA166 USB Name MMCA QUERY SYSTEM DATA Description The command reads the MMCA system data Parameter Results array 0 integer Byte Offset 2 Peak detect counter 48 Bit integer Byte Offset 8 0 integer Byte Offset 10 Fast detect counter 48 Bit integer Byte Offset 16 0 integer Byte Offset 18 Peak detect counter at time 1 48 Bit integer Byte Offset 24 0 integer Byte Offset 26 Fast detect counter
52. is attached FILE CONTENT WINSPEC INFO EXPLANATION WinSPEC inspection information ANALYSIS MGAU Extern analysis application attached with WinSPEC 1999 001 Inspection number 1999 10 31 Inspection date Inspector1 Inspector2 Inspector names DIV1 DIV2 Division or section of the inspectors Facility name Facility name Facility code MBA Stratum Item ID 10 000 x 1 000 wt Declared enrichment Item description Item description 767 Instrument code 0156 MMCA ID Computer ID Detector type Detector ID Collimator Collimator Filter 28 Filter WinSPEC inspection information if CsRation is FILE CONTENT WINSPEC INFO ELEKTRONIK attached EXPLANATION WinSPEC inspection information ANALYSIS CSRATIO Extern analysis application attached with WinSPEC 1999 001 Inspection number 1969 12 31 Inspection date Inspector1 Inspector2 Inspector names DIV1 DIV2 Division or section of the inspectors FACC Facility code ItemID Item ID 1997 01 01 Date of discharge 0 000 Mwd tU Burnup 0 000 Neutron rate 0 00E00 Calculated Cs ratio at discharge 0 000 Initial enrichment ICOD Instrument code MMCA ID Computer ID Detector type Detector ID Collimator Collimator Filter WinSPEC ins
53. itching between English and German languages e interactive nuclide pattern identification e nuclide assignment suggestions also for each single peak e instant graphical comparison to simulated spectra by clicking on a nuclide e Win 3 1 version also available e IDENTIFY is not included in the MCA price e IDENTIFY routines are also available as library for MS Windows and Linux 12 ELEKTRONIK 3 10 MCAPlot and MCAPrint MCAPlot and MCAPrint are programs to view and print spectra recorded with the MCA166 USB Up to 32 spectra can be viewed at the same time and be printed on one page Also some evaluation functions are available MCAPlot is not included in the MCA price MCAPrint is a free downgraded version of MCAPIot 3 11 MMCAEVAL MMCAEVAL is a program for evaluating groups of spectra and extracting information to a MS Access style data base 3 12 MCAWAND MCAWAand is a program for converting different file formats Please note that there may be always a loss of information as not all kind of information about the spectrum is supported by every file format The following information is converted e Channel Data e Energy Calibration e Energy Calibration points e Live time Real time e Date and Time of measurement e Spectrum Remark The following file formats are supported Table 1 Supported file formats by MCAWAND spe MCA166 native spe MCA166 native chn Ortec chn Ortec spe Interwinner spe Interw
54. lear Command Command name STATE READY CMD CLEAR Description A running measurement is stopped immediately Depending on the value of the first parameter clear CLEAR MEMORY CLEAR TIME CLEAR ROI CLEAR ALL the command clears the spectrum the time information the ROI limits exclusively or all together Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command clear 0 end flag Byte String HEX 44 00 00 00 B9 9B A5 5A clear Used setup value None Affected setup value real time dead time ROI begin ROI end MCA state 60 STATE_READY BS ELEKTRONIK MCA Measurement Setup Commands Command name CMD SET ADC RES DISCR Description The command set the ADC resolution res 128 256 4096 the LLD Low level discriminator and the ULD Upper level discriminator to the values of its three parameter The command will be ignored and responded with a error messages if one ore more parameter are invalid or a measurement is still running Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command res LLD ULD end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 146 00 res res LLD LLD B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value channels Ild uld stab state MCA state Comman
55. ll counts within a ROI Area sum of all net counts within a ROI 10000 Value 1 ROI number 266 332 ROI begin and end optional line depend on the application PZC VALUE PZC Settings 1232 DAC adjustment value for PZC 0 2499 mV 15 Pre defined time parameter for PZC adjustment 15 Pre defined time parameter for PZC adjustment FAST DISCR Fast discriminator level 400 Factory setting for auto threshold SLOW DISCR Slow discriminator level 400 Factory setting for auto threshold THR Threshold value 96 2 of ADC channels 2 60 possible GAIN VALUE Amplifier gain 200 Coarse gain 2 1000 1 0261 Fine gain 0 5000 1 5000 DTC Shaping Time 1 1 2 us 4 0 Actual shaping time INPUT ADC input source and polarity Amplifier Amplifier internal main amplifier Direct 3V 3V direct input with full range amplitude of 3V Neg pos or neg amplifier input polarity PUR State of the Pile Up Rejector PUR On on or off STAB Stabilization On on or off 230 ROI limits of the stabilization peak 370 300 Stabilization target channel STAB PARAM Stabilization parameter Stabilization time 25000 Stabilization error POWER Preamplifier power supply 12 on on or off 12 on on or off 24 off on or off 24 off on or off HV High voltage polarity and value 500V Value Unu
56. mand reads the begin and end of the 2 ROIs 1 Parameter Peak begin integer value LLD lt begin end 2 Parameter Peak end integer value begin end lt ULD end begin 250 3 Parameter Background begin integer value LLD lt begin end 4 Parameter Background end integer value begin end lt ULD end begin 250 Result array Begin peak ROI long value Byte Offset 4 End peak ROI long value Byte Offset 8 Begin background ROI long value Byte Offset 12 End background ROI long value Return Code 37 Read out control Bit 15 12 Channel number Bit 11 0 see MMCA RESET command Bit 15 12 0x00 Read spectrum Bit 15 12 2 0x01 Read MCS amplitude spectrum Bit 15 12 0x02 Read spectrum buffer and unlock buffer Bit 15 12 2 0x03 Read spectrum buffer and lock buffer Bit 15 12 2 0x07 Read MCS amplitude spectrum buffer and lock buffer 38 Read out buffer state Bit 15 2 1 Bit 14 1 56 Buffer filled Buffer overrun Name MMCA QUERY UF6 INFO ELEKTRONIK Description The command reads current dead time real time the integral begin and end of the UF6 ROIs Parameter Result array Real time long value Byte Offset 4 Dead time msec long value Byte Offset 8 Integral ROI 1 long value Byte Offset 12 Integral ROI 2 long value Byte Offset 16
57. ng integer Parameter preamble command cf st end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 42 00 cf 00 st 2 T B9 9B Used setup value All Affected setup value start time MCA state Command name STATE RUN CMD STOP Description The measurement is stopped immediately There is no synchronisation with the internal clock or dwell time Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command 0 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 143 00 00 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value None MCA state STATE STOP 39 See Appendix 3 59 MCA166 USB MCA Mode Command Command name CMD SET MODE Description Depending on the value of the first parameter mod MODE MCA 0 MODE MCS the command set MMCA to the required mode by activating the previous specified setup parameter The command will be ignored and responded with a error messages if a measurement is still running Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command mod 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 145 00 mod 00 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value coarse gain fine gain mca input pol mca input adc Affected setup value mca mode stab state MCA state MCA C
58. nik de or send email to kontakt gbs elektronik de Table of Contents ELEKTRONIK 1 IElroducion E 5 2 rie RU oom 6 2 1 Users safety information e cocer rider rt rro a 6 NM MEL GO dolio tcm 6 2 1 2 High Voltage Supply isset dtes beo qubd lee de eid 6 MEC BI elec M 6 221 Power management ag cetera ed ne 7 UMACMEE irpo ede ES 7 2 2 3 Charging the VMCA16p6 U5D senere 8 2 2 4 Connecting the MCA166 USB to a Computer sse eee e eee 8 2 2 5 Connection of deleclors n eeeeene aan 9 2 2 6 Additional external battery pack and Power Pack 4 gt 10 3 Softwaren us ccs ee ee 10 3S1 OVENI 222er Bee eee 10 3 2 SPEC MS DOS WinSPEC Windows eese 11 3 3 MCS MS DOS WinMCS WindOWS cssecceceeeeeeeeseeseneeeeeeeeeeeseeaeaaaaaaaaaes 11 34 1235 MS DOS WinU235 Windows a 11 3 5 UF6 MS DOS WITnUPBDO ace i rr erro reete eae ee each ee aes 11 oT MERI CC 11 IL CX eec P Ve 12 38 Wins CAN M PHP 12 39 Identify ee er ee 12 3 10 MCAPIot and MCAPrint ae dioicUiob nazketia das ud cu abu C cci oca XE d 13 3 11 MMCAEVAL c 13 3 12 MCAWAND 13 3 13 Miscellaneous an rl H P 14 4 MCA166 USB parame
59. omod L peag dtt 91607 19 uno2 1G WEIS Au02 oavt 3 suang Buon iddns Hm 2915 SSW sti ZIL 924 2 A su 002 Hz ud sanno IH e 109 10 andul ma et 00011 ules stl p lt 92d I Era si 2 1 gt 4 lod Vol AOL v7 AWOL NI Figure 3 Block Diagram of the MCA166 USB 20 ELEKTRONIK Table 4 Wiring Diagram of the Charger Input Connector female Lemo 00 302 Eom Sarat charge voltage 1 2 charge voltage Table 5 Wiring Diagram of the PC Interface Connector female Lemo 0S 306 5V USB D USB D USB GND RxD RS232 Input TxD RS232 Output Table 6 Preamplifier Power Supply Connector D9 female Voltage max Current GND GND 12 V HV Inhibit Signal ext Trigger 24 V 24 V 12 V Table 7 HV Inhibit Signal off Canberra DFG Ortec 1 see Table 4 2 see Windows DLL description 21 MCA166 USB 7 Troubleshooting General Remark Before changing anything concerning the hardware plugging or pulling cables etc shut down the high voltage and switch off the MCA Soldering or manipulating with the SMD boards is strongly not recommended for users We have specialists for that If you have a problem which cannot be solved by the table below contact us If it is really a hardware fault we can repair this for a fair pri
60. onnected to the MCA and the battery voltage is ok there may be a fault in the internal power supply Contact GBS for repair 22 ELEKTRONIK 5 The threshold of the spectrum seems to be much higher than expected The input polarity may be wrong Does the threshold depend on radioactive source and count rate Try some other input polarity P Z may not be set correctly Please check if P Z is correctly adjusted If the lower cutoff rises by itself this is most probable caused by the auto threshold circuit which is responsible for detecting the noise level and adjusting the threshold to it This auto threshold circuit uses the negative part of the amplifier output pulses to estimate noise If now pole zero is severely maladjusted with strong undershoot the undershoot is misinterpreted as noise and the threshold is increased especially at medium and high count rates Please check the detector preamplifier waveform The decay half time of the signal should be optimum 40 us but never shorter than 25 us If it is shorter as experienced with some Nal s then it is not possible to adjust P Z correctly the time constant of the preamp has to be adjusted instead 6 The high energy part of the spectrum is reduced or even missing Check if the behavior changes if the pile up rejector is switched off Check the signal from the preamplifier If the preamplifier signal rise time is slower than 500ns then there is the danger that regular pulses e
61. or Windows 2000 essential to connect the MCA166 USB via USB cable for the rest only RS232 communication is possible Furthermore there are programs and software components to view and evaluate the measured data The following sections give brief descriptions of the programs You can find more detailed information on the CD delivered together with the device You should also use the online help of each program The diagnostics menu of each program shows the primary currents of the preamplifier power supply 12V and 24V This are not the currents that draws the detector However this currents can be easily calculated using the following formula U pan Ta 70 8 I gan U out 10 ELEKTRONIK 3 2 SPEC MS DOS WinSPEC Windows These programs are the default programs for measuring spectra It supports semi automated measurements of gamma ray spectra with the MCA166 USB The spectra are stored on mass storage media on a PC There are two variants of WinSPEC WinSPEC I for Inspectors was designed for standard use WinSPEC A for Automation was designed for unattended measurements Special features of WinSPEC A are e Automatic restart of the program after lost of mains power program or operating system crash e Sending commands to a special hardware module on LPT1 for monitoring the State of health already integrated and other states not integrated yet e Writing zip files e Data file retrieval to a flashcard
62. pection information if MGA is atta FILE CONTENT WINSPEC INFO Filter ched EXPLANATION WinSPEC inspection information ANALYSIS MGA Extern analysis application attached with WinSPEC 1999 001 Inspection number 1999 01 01 Inspection date Inspector1 Inspector2 Inspector names DIV1 DIV2 Division or section of the inspectors Facility name Facility name Facility code MBA Item ID Batch ID Date of declaration 10 000 wt 1 000 Decl isotopic abundance and relative uncertainty for 238 Pu 20 000 wt 2 000 96 for 239 Pu 20 000 wt 2 000 96 for 240 Pu 25 000 wt 2 500 for 241 Pu 10 000 wt 1 000 for 242 Pu 5 000 wt 0 500 for 241 Am 1 000 0 100 U Pu ratio Instrument code MMCA ID Computer ID Detector type Detector ID Collimator Collimator Filter Filter 29 MCA166 USB WinSCAN inspection information FILE CONTENT WINSCAN INFO EXPLANATION WinSCAN inspection information 1999 001 Inspection number 1999 11 01 Inspection date Inspector1 Inspector2 Inspector names DIV1 DIV2 Division or section of the inspectors Facility name Facility name Facility code MBA Item ID Stratum Item description Instrument code MMCA ID Computer ID D
63. ption The command selects the count rate signal as MCS input Parameter Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET MCS INPUT TTL Description The command selects the external TTL signals as MCS input Parameter Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET MCS INPUT DISCR Description The command selects the software discrimination of ADC input pulses as MCS input 1 Parameter Channels integer value 128 256 512 1024 2048 or 4096 2 Parameter LLD integer value 0 lt LLD lt ULD 3 Parameter ULD integer value LLD lt ULD lt Channels Channels gt gt 5 Results Return Code 42 see MMCA RESET command ELEKTRONIK MCA Hardware Setup Commands Name MMCA SET GAIN Description The command sets the amplifier coarse and fine gain 1 Parameter Coarse gain integer value 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 or 1000 2 Parameter 5000 15000 10000 if Coarse Gain 1000 Fine gain integer value Results Return Code Name see MMCA_RESET command MMCA SET MCA INPUT AMPLIFIER POS Description The command sets the amplifier input polarity to positive Parameter Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET MCA INPUT AMPLIFIER NEG Description The command sets the amplifier input polarity to negative Paramete
64. r Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET MCA INPUT DIRECT POS Description The command sets the ADC input to direct 0 to 3V input range and PUR to off Parameter Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET MCA INPUT DIRECT NEG Description The command sets the ADC input to direct 0 to 3V input range and PUR to off Parameter Results Return Code see MMCA RESET command 15 It is the real fine gain value multiplied with 10000 43 MCA166 USB Name MMCA SET THRESHOLD Description The command sets the analog threshold 1 Parameter Threshold integer value Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET SHAPING TIME LOW Description The command sets the amplifier shaping time 1ys Parameter Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET SHAPING TIME HIGH Description The command sets the amplifier shaping time 2us Parameter Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET PILE UP REJECTION Description The command sets the pile up rejection 1 Parameter 0 turns PUR off and 0 turns PUR on Pile up switch integer value Results Return Code see MMCA RESET command 16 The values may be different for some MMCA configurations 17 The values may
65. rameter Results The mca state is set to STATE STOP Return Code see MMCA RESET command 10 Measurement will be stopped if buffer overrun In MCS mode a differential amplitude spectrum per sweep is collected 11 Measurement will be resumed after the buffer is read out 12 Buffers will be overwritten even if not read out 13 MCS Repeat Mode with one integral amplitude spectrum for all MCS sweeps 38 ELEKTRONIK MCA Mode Commands Name MMCA SET MODE MCA Description The command sets the acquire mode to Multi Channel Analyser Parameter Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA SET MODE MCS Description The command sets the acquire mode to Multi Channel Scaler Parameter Results Return Code MCA Clear Comma Name see MMCA RESET command nds MMCA CLEAR MEMORY Description The acquisition is stopped and the spectrum is cleared Parameter Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA CLEAR TIME Description The acquisition is stopped and the dead time together with the real time are set to 0 Parameter Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA CLEAR ROI Description The acquisition is stopped and the ROI limits are set to LLD and ULD Parameter Results Return Code Name see MMCA RESET command MMCA CLEAR ALL Description
66. ription 71 MCA166 USB Command name CMD QUERY ENRICHMENT Description The command read the integral of two ROIs and the real and dead time pb Peak begin bb Peak begin pl Peak length 8 250 channels bl Peak length 8 250 channels Command syntax Format integer integer integer integer Parameter Preamble command end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 5D 00 pi bl pb bb B9 9B pb Used setup value Result Name see MMCA QUERY ENRICHMENT function in DLL description MMCA QUERY UF6 INFO Description The command reads current dead time real time the integral begin and end of the UF6 ROIs Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command 0 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 166 00 00 00 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value Result Name See MMCA QUERY UF6 INFO function in DLL description CMD QUERY UF6 ROIS Description The command reads begin and end of the UF6 ROIs Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter Preamble command 0 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 165 00 00 00 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value Result 72 see MMCA QUERY UF6 ROIS function in DLL description GBS ELEKTRONIK APPEND
67. sed HV Inhibit Mode 3 1 and 2 us are the shaping time of a standard MMCA By use a modified MMCA 1 low shaping time 2 high shaping time 4 The actual shaping time only written by newer applications 26 Setup information continued BS ELEKTRONIK MCS CHANNELS Multi Channel Scaler MCS Setup 4096 Channels MCS INPUT MCS input Extern TTL Extern TTL external TTL signal Input Rate count rate from the internal amplifier fast discriminator MCS TIME MCS time per channel 10 Time in msec 0 01 655 35 sec MCS SWEEPS Number of sweeps 0 0 65535 0 MCS Repeat Mode Type MODE Operation Mode MCA MCA or MCS MCA REPEAT Number of sweeps 1 0 65535 0 MCA Repeat Mode Type TDF Dead Time Correction Factor 800 100 3000 default 800 nsec POWER STATE Power state at the end of the measurement I 12 8mA Input current of the DC DC converters for 12V preamplifier power supply from the battery l 122 3mA Input current of the DC DC converters for 12V preamplifier power supply from the battery I 24 OmA Input current of the DC DC converters for 24V preamplifier power supply from the battery I 24 1mA Input current of the DC DC converters for 24V preamplifier power supply from the battery IBAT 135mA Total current drawn from battery IHV 14mA Inp
68. specially the large ones are misinterpreted as pile up Try to use another preamplifier or just switch the pile up rejector off Similar effects can be seen if detector cables longer than 50m are used 7 Dead time shown is very high although the count rate is low There may be some detectors with excessive electronic noise Try higher fast and slow threshold You have to edit a setup file with a text editor for this 8 Too high background rate with BICRON detectors Set Fast Threshold to 600 You have to edit a setup file with a text editor for this for gain 50 Edit setup file 9 Everything should be okay but the MCA gets no signals or just measures strange spectra wrong input polarity Check input polarity just toggle it for a test The amplification is severely wrong set wrong input mode Check also ADC input mode 10 Strange error messages MCA opened recently flat cables loose Connect flat cable again 11 Very bad resolution in a HPGe spectrum Detector worn out or defective Change and regenerate detector Problems with the high voltage module Try another high voltage module Check cables Keep them away from switch mode power supplies and other possible sources of electromagnetic noise 23 MCA166 USB 12 Bad resolution in a HPGe spectrum or from a test generator specially at high amplification factors e Check electrical noise and EMC compatibility of surroundings Some laptops and also some switc
69. ter Preamble command slow 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 51 00 slow 00 00 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value Slow threshold MCA state STATE READY 65 MCA166 USB Command name CMD SET PZC Description The command performs the Pole Zero Cancellation pv 0 2499 PZC control voltage pm 0 set PCZ only pm 0 set PZC and measure PZC offset Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command pm Pv end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 158 00 pm pm pv B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value pzc value Results If pm gt 0 the function returns with the number of counts and the PZC offset MCA state Command name STATE READY CMD SET PZC TIME OFFSET Description The command sets the time offset for Pole Zero Cancellation t1 0 31 Time offset for low shaping time t2 0 31 Time offset for high shaping time Command syntax Format integer integer integer long integer Parameter preamble command t1 t2 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 160 00 tl 00 t2 B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value pzc dtc 1 offset pzc dtc 3 offset MCA state 66 STATE READY GBS ELE
70. ters for use with different detectors ssssssss 14 5 Some of the most important photon energies see 15 6 Technical Data 25 222 een 16 6 1 MCA166 USB Hardware Specifications 444444444444444400000RRRR RR RR RR RR 16 6411 Ampiier eite pe eerte den een nee 16 6 1 2 iP o 17 5 1 4 POWER SUDDIV een rege ee 18 6 1 4 Preamplifier Voltages zen es een la 18 6 1 5 High Vollage ses nee 18 MCA166 USB GALGE Bllery usucs piene peu ale hos Biased Gi ba eg 18 Bek Computer InlerdeBus sooo a pe qo ea ttu abandona a dS EUR 19 6 1 8 Mechanical specncation cesses 19 6 1 9 Environmental ratings rr enl eue ea 19 6 2 Diagrams and pin connections east 20 Fg nete E 22 APPENDIX 1 MCA166 USB spectral data Tomat sss 25 APPENDIX 2 MCA166 USB algorithm formulas sse 32 APPENDIX 3 Description of the communication DLLS cccccceceeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 35 APPENDIX 4 Description of the MCA166 USB firmware functions 58 APPENDIX 5 Changing the MCA166 USB EIrmWware ee 72 ELEKTRONIK 1 Introduction The MiniMCA MCA166 USB is a battery powered high performance 4K Multi Channel Analyzer Multi Channel Scaler module comparable in its performance with laboratory grade MCA High voltage supply for detector and preamplifier power supply are integrated as well as an
71. the begin and the end of a ROI used by the other UF6 commands r ROI number b LLD lt b lt e e b lt e lt ULD e b lt 500 Command syntax Format integer integer integer integer integer integer Parameter Preamble command jr b e end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A B9 9B 64 00 r 00 b b e B Used setup value LLD ULD Affected setup value roi begin n roi end n MCA state Command name STATE READY CMD SET USER DATA Description The command stores a 32 bit value f in the MCA parameter memory 64 entries e 0 63 p 0 parameter number long or float parameter Command syntax Format integer integer integer long or float integer Parameter preamble command e P end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 57 00 e 00 p B9 9B Used setup value None Affected setup value None MCA state STATE READY 69 MCA166 USB MCA Query Commands Command name CMD QUERY POWER Description The command reads the power state Command syntax Format integer integer integer integer Parameter preamble command 0 0 end flag Byte String HEX A5 5A 59 00 00 00 00 00 00 B9 9B Results Command name see MMCA QUERY POWER function in DLL description CMD
72. tope Half life 432 2y Energy keV 26 34 59 54 Branching ratio 462 6d 88 03 19 9min daughter of Ra226 609 31 137 64d 165 86 79 87 5 271y 1173 23 1332 49 99 85 99 98 271 8d 14 4 122 06 136 47 9 16 85 6 10 68 30 07y 661 66 85 1 13 3 y 121 77 344 28 778 91 964 11 1112 07 1408 00 28 38 26 59 12 98 14 46 13 57 20 85 46 61d 279 19 81 84 312 2d 834 82 99 98 26 8min daughter of Ra226 241 91 295 09 351 86 7 46 19 17 37 06 1600y 186 11 3 28 115 09d 391 7 64 89 64 84d 514 0 98 4 7 04E8y 143 78 163 37 185 73 205 33 10 53 4 7 53 15 4 7 106 65 898 04 94 Pb fluorescence x rays 74 96 72 79 84 99 87 34 15 MCA166 USB 6 Technical Data 6 1 MCA166 USB Hardware Specifications 6 1 1 Amplifier 16 1 Type e Gaussian programmable shaping amplifier with pile up rejector and gated base line restorer 2 Gain e From 1 1000 e Minimum gain step 0 5 channel for 2K scale e Gain tuning under visual control of spectrum e Gain adjustment by peak stabilizer e Integral linearity of amplifier 0 196 for full output range 3 Input e accepts positive and negative preamplifier signals e input resistance 1kQ e DC coupled accepting 200mV DC levels e maximum input signal corresponding to full ADC scale at minimum gain 3V 10V with e
73. ut current of the HV DC DC converter drawn from the battery ICHR 0mA External charger current UBAT 7900mV Battery Voltage UHVs 418mV Control voltage of the HV module COUNTS Integral counts 8370252 Sum of all input counts from the internal amplifier fast discriminator of the whole measurement PD COUNTS Integral peak detector counts 5113594 Sum of all input counts from the peak detector RT Real time s 203 DT Dead time ms 883027 BT Busy time ms of the ADC 64042 STAB_OFFSET Current offset 315 STAB OFFSET MIN Minimal offset 310 STAB_ OFFSET MAX Maximal offset 408 STAB_COUNTER Stabilization cycles 19 27 MCA166 USB Setup information s continued FILE CONTENT EXPLANATION REC COUNTER Counter of received commands 2823 REC ERROR COUNTER Counter of received commands with errors 2 SPEC INTEGRAL Counts in the spectrum 4098917 ROI INFO ROI information 1 266 332 299 74 24 19 1233477 2066 ROI Begin End Centroid FWHM Integral Area Area Error According to the specifications other blocks can be added depending on the type of the application Almost each application add inspection information to the spectrum file Following tables show the inspection information of applications written by the Research Center Rossendorf or the GBS Elektronik GmbH WinSPEC Inspection information if no extern analysis application or MGAU
74. ve modular HV supply reaching from 50V to 3000V Indication of high voltage sign and value by software Calibration within 1 at maximum of bias voltage Maximum current 0 5mA or 0 25W e g 1000V and 0 25mA Battery Rechargeable Li ion battery with no memory effect Deep discharge protected Battery capacity 32Wh at 20 C Charger input 9V 14V 0 8A Measured values of the battery life time e If no detector connected 30 hours e Expected battery life time with detection systems connected Standard IAEA Nal detector ORTEC SCIONIX 27 hours Bias 500V 100uA Preamplifier 100mW Miniature CdTe detection probe SDP310 RITEC Latvia 25 hours Bias 400V 100nA Preamplifier 12V 20mA 12V 9 5mA 8 4V Standard planar HPGe detector e g Canberra Ortec 14 hours Bias 2000V 1nA Preamplifier 12V 35 25mA 24V 55 27mA 8 4V ELEKTRONIK Computer Interface RS 232C serial port USB 1 1 virtual COM port is used 38 400Baud and 307 200Baud both baud rates available on both interfaces proprietary software protocol Mechanical specification Size 155mm x 95mm x 45mm footprint of palmtop HP200LX Weight app 700g incl battery Environmental ratings Range of storage temperature 20 C 60 C Range of operational temperatures 0 C 50 C Range of humidity up to 90 noncondensing 19 MCA166 USB 6 2 Diagrams and pin connections 18jswejej sayonm Bojeuy 3 330 NO Kan ws J
75. witch off due to a complete loss of battery power switch OFF and to ON again When the power ON LED does not flash connect the MCA166 USB with the charger and repeat once more The MCA166 USB is on line with the computer if the LED flashes with 1 2 Hz Irregular flashing of the lamp indicates an error Computer Interface Power On LED Power Switch Charger IN Figure 1 Front diclo High Voltage Indicator Panel of MCA166 Detector Signal IN Preamplifier Power High Voltage out USB MCA166 USB 2 2 3 Charging the MCA166 USB Charging the MCAs battery is usually done by connecting the wall adapter to the Charger In connector and power it from the mains supply The wall adapter is able to deliver enough power to operate the MCA166 USB stationary under a maximum load condition HV on detector draws up to 2W preamplifier power If the MCA166 USB is operated on a high power USB hub and the wall adapter isn t connected the MCA166 USB can be charged from the USB port But there is a limitation of 2 5W nominal input power which is the maximum power that can be drawn from a high power USB port real usable input power depends on hub voltage voltage loss on USB cable and connectors and efficiency of internal charger it is usually about 2W This is enough power to operate the MCA166 USB without detector or with a low power detector e g CdZnTe or Nal If a detector draws to much power from the MCA166 USB e g some HPGe c
76. xternal attenuator and input set to direct input With input set to amplifier the maximum voltage step from preamplifier corresponding to ADC full scale at gain 1 is 9 5V corresponding to a peak voltage at the test point of 2 2V 4 Pulse shaping e active integrator and single pole zero compensated differentiator with two shaping time constants 1us and 2us 5 Base line restorer BLR e Active gated Base Line Restorer 6 Pole Zero Cancellation PZC e settings automated by MCA software and manual setting option e designed for decay time of the preamplifier pulses gt 40us screen indicator allows PZC without scope 7 Pile UP Rejector PUR e settings OFF and ON 6 1 2 ELEKTRONIK ADC Successive approximation ADC with sliding scale linearisation e Channel splitting 128 256 512 1K 2K or 4K e Full input voltage range 3V positive and negative 10V with external attenuator ADC Dead time including time needed to write into memory e lt 8 usec Nonlinearities e Differential nonlinearity over 95 channel range lt 2 e Integral nonlinearity over 95 channel range lt 0 1 Peak capturing e Works with pulse of gaussian shaping amplifier range of shaping time constant between 0 5us and Sys Temperature Stability e TK 100 ADC TK 500 Amplifier Discriminators and threshold e Digital LLD and ULD allows channelwise cutting e Analogue threshold 2 60 of ADC range e Multi Channel Scaling MCS mo

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