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MCA166-USB
Miniature Multi-Channel Analyzer
User’s Manual
Version 3.0
GBS Elektronik GmbH
Bautzner Landstraße 22
01454 Großerkmannsdorf
Germany
Tel.: 0049 (0)351 21 70 07 – 0
Fax.: 0049 (0)351 21 70 07 – 21
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.gbs-elektronik.de
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 Landstraße 22
01454 Großerkmannsdorf
Germany
Tel.: 0049 (0)351 21 70 07 – 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-elektronik.de
or send email to: [email protected]
2
Table of Contents
1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................5
2 Hardware..........................................................................................................................6
2.1 Users safety information...........................................................................................6
2.1.1
Power Source..................................................................................................6
2.1.2
High Voltage Supply........................................................................................6
2.2 General Description..................................................................................................6
2.2.1
Power management.........................................................................................7
2.2.2
Switching on.....................................................................................................7
2.2.3
Charging the MCA166-USB.............................................................................8
2.2.4
Connecting the MCA166-USB to a Computer.................................................8
2.2.5
Connection of detectors...................................................................................9
2.2.6
Additional external battery pack and Power Pack.........................................10
3 Software.........................................................................................................................10
3.1 Overview.................................................................................................................10
3.2 SPEC (MS-DOS), WinSPEC (Windows)................................................................11
3.3 MCS (MS-DOS), WinMCS (Windows)...................................................................11
3.4 U235 (MS-DOS), WinU235 (Windows)..................................................................11
3.5 UF6 (MS-DOS), WinUF6........................................................................................11
3.6 LENG......................................................................................................................11
3.7 RATE......................................................................................................................12
3.8 WinSCAN...............................................................................................................12
3.9 Identify....................................................................................................................12
3.10 MCAPlot and MCAPrint..........................................................................................13
3.11 MMCAEVAL...........................................................................................................13
3.12 MCAWAND.............................................................................................................13
3.13 Miscellaneous.........................................................................................................14
4 MCA166-USB parameters for use with different detectors............................................14
5 Some of the most important photon energies................................................................15
6 Technical Data...............................................................................................................16
6.1 MCA166-USB Hardware Specifications.................................................................16
6.1.1
Amplifier.........................................................................................................16
6.1.2
ADC................................................................................................................17
6.1.3
Power supply.................................................................................................18
6.1.4
Preamplifier Voltages.....................................................................................18
6.1.5
High Voltage..................................................................................................18
3
MCA166-USB
6.1.6
Battery............................................................................................................18
6.1.7
Computer Interface........................................................................................19
6.1.8
Mechanical specification................................................................................19
6.1.9
Environmental ratings....................................................................................19
6.2 Diagrams and pin connections...............................................................................20
7 Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................22
APPENDIX 1 - MCA166-USB spectral data format..........................................................25
APPENDIX 2 - MCA166-USB algorithm, formulas...........................................................32
APPENDIX 3 - Description of the communication DLLs...................................................35
APPENDIX 4 - Description of the MCA166-USB firmware functions...............................58
APPENDIX 5 - Changing the MCA166-USB Firmware....................................................72
4
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 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, GammaVision,
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
●
File menu: write/read functions with drive/path and file pick list functions
●
Setup menu: ADC, Amplifier, Presets, Memory splitting, MCA mode, MCS mode,
Multi spectral recording mode, automated instrument configuration using setup files
●
●
●
●
●
Acquire control: Start, Stop, Clear, Presets
Automated repeated measurement functions
Display functions: Automated linear and logarithmic, manual linear Y scale, X axis, expansion and scrolling, Cursor function, ROI setting and processing
Peak stabilization
Analysis functions: ROI peak area and integral, FWHM calculation
●
●
●
Analysis report function
Energy calibration function: calibration curve using up to 3 peaks
Incorporated help texts
5
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-Ion 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 sure that the High Voltage connector and the High Voltage supply cable of 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.
6
2.2.1 Power management
The MCA166-USB works with a built in rechargeable Li-Ion 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 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 switch 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.
Figure 1:
Front
Panel of
MCA166-
USB
7
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 NaI). If a detector draws to much power from the MCA166-USB (e.g. some HPGe), charging 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 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
8
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 detectors manual.
●
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).
●
●
●
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.
Plug the BNC Signal connector of the detector to the female BNC input connector of MCA166-USB.
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
-0.01
-0.02
-0.03
-0.04
1
0
0 5
Time (µs)
10 15
Figure 2:
Typical signals which can be seen at the detector preamplifier out and the amplifier test out. This example:
CdZnTe Detector
SDP310/Z/60, measuring a Cs137 sample, amplifier setting
200*0.91, negative pulses, 1µs shaping time, pulse height equals to about channel
662 of 1024 channels.
9
MCA166-USB
Typical errors which may be observed with the detector preamp signal are:
●
Rise time is too slow (>0.5 µs). This may cause that the 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.
●
The fall time is too fast (time constant resp. 1/e fall time < 40µs). 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 200LX, 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 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:
I out
≈
0.8⋅I
Batt
⋅
U
U
Batt out
10
3.2 SPEC (MS-DOS), WinSPEC (Windows)
These programs are the default programs for measuring spectra. It supports semiautomated 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:
●
Automatic restart of the program after lost of mains power, program or operating system crash
●
Sending commands to a special hardware module on LPT1 for monitoring the
”State of health” (already integrated) and other states (not integrated yet)
●
●
●
●
Writing zip files
Data file retrieval to a flashcard
Archiving of data files
Writing a log file
3.3 MCS (MS-DOS), WinMCS (Windows)
These programs support semiautomated measurements of time distributions with any radiation detector (HPGe, NaI, 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
NaI 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 NaI or CdZnTe detector.
11
MCA166-USB
3.7 RATE
This program supports measurements of count rates with any radiation detector (HPGe,
NaI, CdTe, CdZnTe and neutron counters). In the most convenient mode of operation only the menu button "measurement" needs to 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 NaI 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:
● includes full master library of gamma lines (derived from table of radioactive isotopes)
●
●
● editor for creating application specific evaluation libraries detector function is calculated from detector data sheet, no efficiency calibration needed automatic determination of FWHM of the peaks found in a spectrum as function of energy
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
● supports 1 to 3 point energy calibration linear, logarithmic, square root, and double log representation possible error estimations/confidence assessment for identified isotopes and visualization
(by overlay of calculated spectrum for a certain isotope) switching between English and German languages interactive nuclide pattern identification nuclide assignment suggestions also for each single peak instant graphical comparison to simulated spectra by clicking on a nuclide
Win 3.1 version also available
IDENTIFY is not included in the MCA price
IDENTIFY routines are also available as library for MS Windows and Linux
12
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 MCAPlot.
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
MCAWand 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:
●
●
Channel Data
Energy Calibration
●
●
●
●
Energy Calibration points
Live time, Real time
Date and Time of measurement
Spectrum Remark
The following file formats are supported:
Table 1: Supported file formats by MCAWAND
Source Target
*.spe (MCA166 native)
*.chn (Ortec)
*.spe (Interwinner)
*.spc (Target)
*.dat
*.spe (MCA166 native)
*.chn (Ortec)
*.spe (Interwinner)
*.dat (two column: energy,
Channel content)
*.de1 (Canberra S100)
*.dat (Silena Gamma 2000)
*.spk (Röntgenanalytik)
*.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
CdZnTe SDP/Z/60
CdZnTe SDP/Z/20
CdZnTe CZT500
NaI Scintiblock
Ritec
Ritec
+300 x x neg 1024 90
+500 x x neg 1024 80
Ritec +600 x x pos 1024 128
Crismatec +500 pos 512 7.2
NaI
NaI
25825
40*40
Scionix +550 x x pos 512 90
Amcrys-h -800 x x pos 512 14
CsI Sc1010 Eurorad -
HPGe GMX-20190-S Ortec x x neg 256 160
-3000 x x x x neg 4096 18
HPGe GEM 15-190 Ortec
HPGe GR 2018
+3000 x
Canberra -3000 x x x pos neg
4096 24
4096 11
HPGe GL 0310
Si planar
7865S
Canberra -2000
Ortec -1000
HPGe EGC 30-190R Eurisys -3000 x x x neg neg pos
4096 2.3
4096 1.9
4096 52
HPGe EGPC 25-185 Eurisys +2000 neg 4096 35
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
14
5 Some of the most important photon energies
Table 3: Photon energies for different isotopes
Isotope
Am241
Cd109
Bi214
Ce139
Co60
Co57
Cs137
Eu152
Hg203
Mn54
Pb214
Ra226
Sn113
Sr85
U235
Y88
Pb fluorescence xrays
-
Half-life
432.2y
462.6d
19.9min, daughter of
Ra226
137.64d
5.271y
271.8d
30.07y
13.3.y
46.61d
312.2d
26.8min, daughter of
Ra226
1600y
115.09d
64.84d
7.04E8y
106.65
Energy (keV)
26.34/59.54
88.03
609.31
165.86
1173.23/1332.49
14.4/122.06/136.47
661.66
121.77/344.28/778.91/
964.11/1112.07/1408.
00
279.19
834.82
28.38/26.59/12.98/14.46/
13.57/20.85
81.84
99.98
241.91/295.09/351.86 7.46/19.17/37.06
186.11
391.7
514.0
143.78/163.37/185.73/
205.33
898.04
74.96/72.79/84.99/
87.34
Branching ratio (%)
2.4/36
3.63
46.09
79.87
99.85/99.98
9.16/85.6/10.68
85.1
3.28
64.89
98.4
10.53/4.7/53.15/4.7
94
15
MCA166-USB
6 Technical Data
6.1 MCA166-USB Hardware Specifications
6.1.1 Amplifier
1. Type
●
Gaussian programmable shaping amplifier with pile-up rejector and gated base line restorer
2. Gain
●
●
●
●
From 1 ... 1000
Minimum gain step 0.5 channel for 2K scale
Gain tuning under visual control of spectrum
Gain adjustment by peak stabilizer
●
Integral linearity of amplifier <0.1% for full output range
3. Input
●
●
● accepts positive and negative preamplifier signals input resistance 1k
Ω
DC coupled, accepting +/-200mV DC levels
● maximum input signal corresponding to full ADC scale at minimum gain:
+/-3V (+/-10V with external 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
● active integrator and single, pole zero compensated differentiator with two shaping time constants (1µs and 2µs)
5. Base line restorer (BLR)
●
Active, gated Base Line Restorer
6. Pole Zero Cancellation (PZC)
●
● settings: automated by MCA software and manual setting option designed for decay time of the preamplifier pulses >40µs; screen indicator allows PZC without scope
7. Pile UP Rejector (PUR)
● settings: OFF and ON
16
6.1.2 ADC
1. Successive approximation ADC with sliding scale linearisation
●
●
Channel splitting 128, 256, 512, 1K, 2K, or 4K
Full input voltage range 3V, positive and negative (10V with external attenuator)
2. ADC Dead time (including time needed to write into memory)
●
< 8 µsec
3. Nonlinearities
●
Differential nonlinearity (over 95% channel range) <2%
●
Integral nonlinearity (over 95% channel range) <0.1%
4. Peak capturing
●
Works with pulse of gaussian shaping amplifier (range of shaping time constant between 0.5µs and 5µs)
5. Temperature Stability
●
TK 100 (ADC), TK 500 (Amplifier)
6. Discriminators and threshold
●
Digital LLD and ULD (allows channelwise cutting)
●
●
●
●
Analogue threshold (2...60% of ADC range)
Multi Channel Scaling (MCS) mode allowing to count the following pulses
TTL input pulses (minimum width of flat top 0.2µs) not routed through the ADC
(maximum rate 1 MHz)
LLD/ULD counting mode, counting pulses within a preset digital window
●
●
Count rate derived from internal amplifier ICR signal (maximum count rate determined by count rate limitation of amplifier )
●
Dwell time 0.01s to 500s
7. Spectrometric performance:
Resolution (FWHM) for typical 500mm² planar HPGe detector for count rates <
10000cps and a Co-57 source at 122keV:
●
●
●
610±20eV at 1µs shaping time
580±20eV at 2µs shaping time
Peak shift:
●
●
< 0.5% for 1µs shaping time and count rates from 1000 to 70000cps
< 0.2% for 2µs shaping time and count rates from 1000 to 40000cps deterioration of FWHM < 5% for both conditions
Throughput in memory:
at least 25000cps in memory at 50000cps input rate and 1µs shaping time
at least 13000cps in memory at 30000cps input rate and 2µs shaping time
17
MCA166-USB
6.1.3 Power supply
●
●
Power supply adequate for commonly used NaI, 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
6.1.4 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
6.1.5 High Voltage
●
●
●
●
Single positive or negative 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)
6.1.6 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
●
●
If no detector connected: 30 hours
Expected battery life time with detection systems connected:
Standard IAEA NaI detector (ORTEC/SCIONIX): 27 hours
Bias: 500V, 100µA
Preamplifier: 100mW
Miniature CdTe detection probe (SDP310, RITEC, Latvia): 25 hours
Bias:
Preamplifier:
400V, 100nA
+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)
18
6.1.7 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
6.1.8 Mechanical specification
●
●
Size: 155mm x 95mm x 45mm (footprint of palmtop HP200LX)
Weight: app. 700g (incl. battery)
6.1.9 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
Figure 3: Block Diagram of the MCA166-USB
20
Table 4: Wiring Diagram of the Charger Input Connector (female Lemo 00-302)
Contact Signal
1
2
+ charge voltage
- charge voltage
Table 5: Wiring Diagram of the PC Interface Connector (female Lemo 0S-306)
4
5
2
3
6
Contact
1
Signal
5V USB
D- USB
D+ USB
GND
RxD RS232 (Input)
TxD RS232 (Output)
6
7
8
9
3
4
1
2
5
Table 6: Preamplifier Power Supply Connector (D9 female)
Contact Voltage max. Current
GND
GND
-
+12 V 60mA
ext. Trigger
-24 V 60mA
-
+24 V
-12 V
60mA
60mA
Table 7: HV-Inhibit Signal
HV-Inhibit mode
Voltage at Pin 5 off
Canberra, DFG
Ortec
-
< 0.5V
+5V
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 price.
1. Software tells "MCA not connected!"
●
Switch on the MCA
●
●
Check cable between MCA and Computer. Serial cable may be loose or not connected. Connect cable correctly
Check MCA battery. Charge MCA battery
●
●
The MCA is not recognized (”MCA not connected”) running MCA DOS Software in a DOS Box on Notebooks
Disable Power Save Mode for COM Port
2. MCA lamp does not flash regardless if the switch is on or off
●
MCA battery empty. Charge MCA battery.
●
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.
●
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.
Go to diagnostics, blinking power supply currents indicate overload.
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.
Too power-hungry preamplifier. A fully charged MCA battery may help sometimes. Otherwise you have to exchange the preamplifier.
If the diagnostics menu shows irregular high currents or even overload although there is no detector connected to the MCA and the battery voltage is ok, there may be a fault in the internal power supply. Contact GBS for repair.
22
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 NaI'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 (especially 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
●
●
Check electrical noise and EMC compatibility of surroundings. Some laptops and also some switch 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.
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"
● spectrum was created by another program or another program version. Check results, just ignore.
14. too high count rate
●
●
Keep a bigger distance to radiation source. Try a less sensitive detector. Watch for your personal safety!
Check detector
24
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:
SN# 5
HW# 9503
FW# 9619
$SPEC_REM:
Mini MCA (MCA166-USB)
Spectrum measured in facility
C:\DATA\format.spe
$DATE_MEA:
12/31/1996 16:00:00
$MEAS_TIM:
120 203
$DATA:
0 4095
0
. . . .
0
EXPLANATION
Mini MCA module identification
Serial number
Hardware version
Firmware version
Notes about the spectrum
Remarks from the operator prompted before file save.
Original storage location of the file.
Start date and time of the measurement.
mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss
Spectrum measurement time in seconds
(lifetime, real-time)
Spectral data
First channel (i.e. 0) last channel(i.e. 4095)
Channel content
ROI Information
FILE CONTENT
$ROI:
1
266 332
EXPLANATION
ROI (Region of Interest)
Number of ROI’s
ROI start (i.e. 266) ROI begin (i.e. 332)
Energy Calibration Data
FILE CONTENT
$ENER_FIT:
0.000000 0.393559
$ENER_DATA:
2
0.000000 0.000000
2981.000000 1173.199951
EXPLANATION
Energy calibration coefficients
Offset and slope (KeV/channel)
E-calibration data
n point calibration (in this case n=2)
Channel energy pair (lower)
Channel energy pair (higher)
25
MCA166-USB
Setup Information
FILE CONTENT
$ADC:
4096
0
3967
$PRESETS:
Integral
10000
1
266 332
$PZC_VALUE:
1232
15
15
$FAST_DISCR:
400
$SLOW_DISCR:
400
$THR:
2
$GAIN_VALUE:
200
1.0261
$DTC:
1
4.0
$INPUT:
Amplifier
Neg
$PUR:
On
$STAB:
On
230
370
300
$STAB_PARAM
10
25000
$POWER:
+12= on
-12= on
+24=off
-24=off
$HV:
+500V
Unused
EXPLANATION
ADC resolution
Channels
LLD (lower level discriminator channel)
ULD (upper level discriminator channel)
MCA Presets
Live Time, Real Time,
Integral (sum of all counts within a ROI)
Area (sum of all net counts within a ROI)
Value
ROI number
ROI begin and end (optional line, depend on the application)
PZC Settings
DAC adjustment value for PZC (0..2499 mV)
Pre-defined time parameter for PZC adjustment
Pre-defined time parameter for PZC adjustment
Fast discriminator level
Factory setting for auto threshold
Slow discriminator level
Factory setting for auto threshold
Threshold value (%)
% of ADC channels; 2-60 % possible
Amplifier gain
Coarse gain (2...1000)
Fine gain (0.5000...1.5000)
Shaping Time
1, 2
µ
ADC input source and polarity
Amplifier (internal main amplifier),
Direct (+3V, -3V), direct input with full range amplitude of 3V pos or neg (amplifier input polarity)
State of the Pile Up Rejector (PUR)
”on” or ”off”
Stabilization
”on” or ”off”
ROI limits of the stabilization peak
Stabilization target channel
Stabilization parameter
Stabilization time
Stabilization error
Preamplifier power supply
”on” or ”off”
”on” or ”off”
”on” or ”off”
”on” or ”off”
High voltage polarity and value
Value
HV Inhibit Mode
3 1 and 2 µs 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
$MCS_CHANNELS:
4096
$MCS_INPUT:
Extern TTL
$MCS_TIME:
10
$MCS_SWEEPS:
0
0
$MODE:
MCA
$MCA_REPEAT:
1
0
$TDF
800
$POWER_STATE:
I+12= 8mA
I-12= 3mA
I+24= 0mA
I-24= 1mA
IBAT= 135mA
IHV = 14mA
ICHR= 0mA
UBAT=7900mV
UHVs= 418mV
$COUNTS:
8370252
$PD_COUNTS:
5113594
$RT:
203
$DT:
883027
$BT:
64042
$STAB_OFFSET:
315
$STAB_OFFSET_MIN:
310
$STAB_OFFSET_MAX:
408
$STAB_COUNTER:
19
Multi Channel Scaler (MCS) Setup
Channels
MCS input
Extern TTL (external TTL signal),
Input Rate (count rate from the internal amplifier / fast discriminator)
MCS time per channel
Time in msec , 0.01 – 655.35 sec
Number of sweeps
0 .... 65535
MCS Repeat Mode Type
Operation Mode
MCA or MCS
Number of sweeps
0 .... 65535
MCA Repeat Mode Type
Dead Time Correction Factor
100 ... 3000, default 800 nsec
Power state at the end of the measurement
Input current of the DC-DC converters for +12V preamplifier power supply from the battery
Input current of the DC-DC converters for -12V preamplifier power supply from the battery
Input current of the DC-DC converters for +24V preamplifier power supply from the battery
Input current of the DC-DC converters for -24V preamplifier power supply from the battery
Total current drawn from battery
Input current of the HV DC-DC converter drawn from the battery
External charger current
Battery Voltage
Control voltage of the HV module
Integral counts
Sum of all input counts (from the internal amplifier / fast discriminator) of the whole measurement
Integral peak detector counts
Sum of all input counts from the peak detector
Real time [s]
Dead time [ms]
Busy time [ms] of the ADC
Current offset
Minimal offset
Maximal offset
Stabilization cycles
27
MCA166-USB
Setup information’s – continued
FILE CONTENT
$REC_COUNTER:
2823
$REC_ERROR_COUNTER:
2
$SPEC_INTEGRAL:
4098917
$ROI_INFO:
1 266 332 299.74 24.19 1233477 1142868
2066
EXPLANATION
Counter of received commands
Counter of received commands with errors
Counts in the spectrum
ROI information
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 is attached)
FILE CONTENT
$WINSPEC_INFO:
ANALYSIS:MGAU
1999/001
1999/10/31
Inspector1/Inspector2
DIV1/DIV2
Facility name
FACC
MBA
Stratum
ItemID
10.000 ± 1.000 wt%
Item description
767
0156
8289/025
NAJ
9475/020
Collimator
Filter
EXPLANATION
WinSPEC inspection information
Extern analysis application attached with WinSPEC
Inspection number
Inspection date
Inspector names
Division or section of the inspectors
Facility name
Facility code
MBA
Stratum
Item ID
Declared enrichment
Item description
Instrument code
MMCA ID
Computer ID
Detector type
Detector ID
Collimator
Filter
28
WinSPEC (inspection information if CsRation is attached)
FILE CONTENT
$WINSPEC_INFO:
ANALYSIS:CSRATIO
1999/001
1969/12/31
Inspector1/Inspector2
DIV1/DIV2
FACC
ItemID
1997/01/01
0.000 Mwd/tU
0.000
0.00E00
0.000 %
ICOD
0156
8289/025
NAJ
9475/020
Collimator
Filter
EXPLANATION
WinSPEC inspection information
Extern analysis application attached with WinSPEC
Inspection number
Inspection date
Inspector names
Division or section of the inspectors
Facility code
Item ID
Date of discharge
Burnup
Neutron rate
Calculated Cs ratio at discharge
Initial enrichment
Instrument code
MMCA ID
Computer ID
Detector type
Detector ID
Collimator
Filter
WinSPEC (inspection information if MGA is attached)
FILE CONTENT EXPLANATION
$WINSPEC_INFO:
ANALYSIS:MGA
1999/001
1999/01/01
Inspector1/Inspector2
DIV1/DIV2
Facility name
FACC
MBA
ItemID
Batch ID
1997/01/01
10.000 wt% ± 1.000 %
20.000 wt% ± 2.000 %
20.000 wt% ± 2.000 %
25.000 wt% ± 2.500 %
10.000 wt% ± 1.000 %
5.000 wt% ± 0.500 %
1.000 ± 0.100 %
ICOD
0156
8289/025
NAJ
9475/020
Collimator
Filter
WinSPEC inspection information
Extern analysis application attached with WinSPEC
Inspection number
Inspection date
Inspector names
Division or section of the inspectors
Facility name
Facility code
MBA
Item ID
Batch ID
Date of declaration
Decl. isotopic abundance and relative uncertainty for 238 Pu
... for 239 Pu
... for 240 Pu
... for 241 Pu
... for 242 Pu
... for 241 Am
U / Pu ratio
Instrument code
MMCA ID
Computer ID
Detector type
Detector ID
Collimator
Filter
29
MCA166-USB
WinSCAN (inspection information)
FILE CONTENT
$WINSCAN_INFO:
1999/001
1999/11/01
Inspector1/Inspector2
DIV1/DIV2
Facility name
FACC
MBA
ItemID
Stratum
Item description
ICOD
0156
8289/025
NAJ
9475/029
1234/345
2356/432
3478/384
3456/419
2578/456
1000/150
0.000
OUT
Good measurement.
UF6 / WinUF6 (inspection information)
FILE CONTENT
$UF6_INSP_INFO:
123
19991006
Inspector ID
Facility code
LOT
MBA
4.6%+10mmAl
4.462
0.003
wt%
1.200
0.012
0.340
0.000
1.014
0.000
EXPLANATION
WinSCAN inspection information
Inspection number
Inspection date
Inspector names
Division or section of the inspectors
Facility name
Facility code
MBA
Item ID
Stratum
Item description
Instrument code
MMCA ID
Computer ID
Detector type
Detector ID
Collimator ID
Motor drive ID
Motor controller ID
System ID
External amplifier ID
Gain (coarse/fine)
Time constant
Output
Remarks
EXPLANATION
UF6 / WinUF6 inspection information
Inspection number
Inspection date
Inspector ID
Facility code
LOT ID
MBA
Sample ID
Declared enrichment
Declared enrichment uncertainty
Scale unit (wt%=weight percent or At%= atom percent)
Wall thickness
Wall thickness uncertainty
Attenuation
Attenuation uncertainty
Material correction factor
Material correction factor uncertainty
30
UF6 / WinUF6 (inspection information) - continued
FILE CONTENT
ICOD
0156
8289/025
NAJ
9475/029
Collimator
Filter
EXPLANATION
MMCA ID
Computer ID
Detector type
Detector ID
Collimator
Filter
U235 / WinU235 (inspection information)
FILE CONTENT
$INSP_INFO:
123
19991006
Inspector ID
Facility code
MBA
LOT
4.6%+10mmAl
4.462
0.003
wt%
1.200
0.012
0.340
0.000
1.014
0.000
ICOD
0156
8289/025
NAJ
9475/029
Collimator
Filter
EXPLANATION
U235 / WinU235 inspection information
Inspection number
Inspection date
Inspector ID
Facility code
MBA
LOT ID
Sample ID
Declared enrichment
Declared enrichment uncertainty
Scale unit (wt%=weight percent or At%= atom percent)
Wall thickness
Wall thickness uncertainty
Attenuation
Attenuation uncertainty
Material correction factor
Material correction factor uncertainty
MMCA ID
Computer ID
Detector type
Detector ID
Collimator
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
31
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
Background =
(
ROI end
−
ROI begin
8
+
1
)
*
(
∑
i
=
ROI begin
ROI begin
−
3
Spectrum i
+
∑
i
=
ROI end
ROI
+
end
3
Spectrum i
)
Integral =
ROI end
∑
Spectrum i
=
begin
Area Uncertainty =
Integral
+
ROI begin
∑
begin
−
3
Spectrum i
+
ROI
∑
end
ROI end
+
3
Spectrum i
∗
(
ROI end
−
ROI begin
8
+
1
)
2
where,
Spectrum i
ROI begin
ROI end
= the absolute number of counts in channels i
= the ROI’s start channel
= the ROI’s stop channel
32
Centroid:
The peak centroid is the sum of the channel contents
maximum:
divided by the sum of the channel contents in the range of the channels above the half
Centroid =
∑
h
∑
h
where,
i
= channel number
Spectrum i
= net contents of channel i
*
i
Spectrum 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 i
'
=
Spectrum i
−
1
+
2 *
Spectrum i
+
Spectrum i
+
4
1
5 point smoothing:
Spectrum i
'
=
Spectrum i
−
2
+
4 *
Spectrum i
−
1
+
6 *
Spectrum i
16
+
4 *
Spectrum i
+
1
+
Spectrum i
+
2 where,
Spectrum i
Spectrum i
'
- the original contents of channel i
- the smoothed contents of channel i
7 background corrected
33
MCA166-USB
Strip:
Strip subtracts a specified fraction of the spectrum. The Strip factor can be “positive“ or
“negative“ : where
Spectrum y
'
- Count content of channel i in the resulting spectrum
Spectrum y
- Count content of channel i in the original spectrum
F - Strip factor
Spectrum x
- 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: 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
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
COMM_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
9 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 param1=0, unsigned long param2=0, unsigned long param3=0, unsigned long param4=0); in Visual Basic
Declare Function MCA_COMM Lib "Mca32com" ( ByVal Command$,
Received As RECDATA,
ByVal Param1&,
ByVal Param2&,
ByVal Param3&,
ByVal Param4&) 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 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
INIT
START
STOP
CLEAR
MODE
ADC_RES_DISCR
THRESHOLD
PRESETS
ROI
REPEAT
TIME_PER_CHANNEL
GAIN
STABILISATION
PREAMPLIFIER_POWER
BIAS
FAST
SLOW
SHAPING_TIME
PUR
MCA_INPUT
MCS_INPUT
INPUT_POLARITY
USER_DATA
SET_MEASURE_PZC
QUERY_POWER
QUERY_STATE
QUERY_SPECTRA
QUERY_IMAGE
QUERY_ENRICHMENT
QUERY_USER_DATA
QUERY_CENTROID
PZC_TIME_OFFSET
TDF
QUERY_SYSTEM_DATA
MCS_CHANNEL
UF6_ROIS
QUERY_UF6_ROIS
QUERY_UF6_INFO
STAB_PARAM
QUERY_VOLTAGE_CURRENT
Firmware specific name
CMD_INIT
CMD_START
CMD_STOP
CMD_CLEAR
CMD_SET_MODE
CMD_SET_ADC_RES_DISCR
CMD_SET_THRESHOLD
CMD_SET_PRESETS
CMD_SET_ROI
CMD_SET_REPEAT
CMD_SET_TIME_PER_CHANNEL
CMD_SET_GAIN
CMD_SET_STABILISATION
CMD_SET_PREAMPLIFIER_POWER
CMD_SET_BIAS
CMD_SET_FAST
CMD_SET_SLOW
CMD_SET_SHAPING_TIME
CMD_SET_PUR
CMD_SET_MCA_INPUT
CMD_SET_MCS_INPUT
CMD_SET_INPUT_POLARITY
CMD_SET_USER_DATA
CMD_SET_MEASURE_PZC
CMD_QUERY_POWER
CMD_QUERY_STATE
CMD_QUERY_SPECTRA
CMD_QUERY_IMAGE
CMD_QUERY_ENRICHMENT
CMD_QUERY_USER_DATA
CMD_QUERY_CENTROID
CMD_SET_PZC_TIME_OFFSET
CMD_SET_TDF
CMD_QUERY_SYSTEM_DATA
CMD_SET_MCS_CHANNEL
CMD_SET_UF6_ROIS
CMD_QUERY_UF6_ROIS
CMD_QUERY_UF6_INFO
CMD_SET_STAB_PARAM
CMD_QUERY_VOLTAGE_CURRENT
Number of the parameters
2
2
4
1
2
3
0
0
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
0
0
0
1
3
1
0
2
1
3
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
3
0
1
1
2
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
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 document are not exceeded. The return value indicates the result of the data transfer. It can be one of the following values:
ERROR_OK
ERROR_INTERFACE
ERROR_INVALID_COMMAND
ERROR_COMMUNICATION
ERROR_INVALID_PARAM
= 0
= 1 successful data transfer communication port is not initialized
= 2 unknown command
= 3 faulty data transfer
= 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
= 0 successful data transfer
= 1 communication port is not initialized
= 3 faulty data transfer
= 4 invalid parameter
37
MCA166-USB
A3.2 Command set
MCA Reset Command:
Name
MMCA_RESET
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
-
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!
-
ERROR_OK
ERROR_INTERFACE
ERROR_INVALID_COMMAND
ERROR_COMMUNICATION line)
ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER
= 0 (command accepted successfully)
= 1 (communication port not initialised)
= 2 (command not yet implemented)
= 3 (serial communication error, off
= 4 (parameter out of range)
MCA Acquire Commands:
Name
Description
1. Parameter
[2. Parameter]
Results
Return Code
MMCA_START_ACQUIRE
The acquisition is started or continued with the actual parameter (mode, resolution,
...)
Clear flag
Repeat mode flag
Trigger flags
Start time integer value long value
see MMCA_RESET command
4
5
2
3
0 leaves spectrum and times unchanged
1 the start time is ignored spectrum and time are cleared
Bit 14 Trigger: 1=on / 0=off
Bit 13 Trigger signal edge: 1=pos /
0=neg if the 1. Parameter
≠
0, then the value is stored in status field (start_time)
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_STOP_ACQUIRE
The acquisition is stopped
-
The mca_state is set to STATE_STOP 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
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
MCA Mode Commands:
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_SET_MODE_MCA
-
The command sets the acquire mode to Multi-Channel Analyser
see MMCA_RESET command
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_SET_MODE_MCS
-
The command sets the acquire mode to Multi-Channel Scaler
see MMCA_RESET command
MCA Clear Commands:
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
-
-
MMCA_CLEAR_MEMORY
The acquisition is stopped and the spectrum is cleared see MMCA_RESET command
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_CLEAR_TIME
The acquisition is stopped and the dead time together with the real time are set to
0
-
see MMCA_RESET command
-
-
MMCA_CLEAR_ROI
The acquisition is stopped and the ROI limits are set to LLD and ULD see MMCA_RESET command
-
MMCA_CLEAR_ALL
The command is a combination of MMCA_CLEAR_ROI, MMCA_CLEAR_MEMORY and
MMCA_CLEAR_TIME
see MMCA_RESET command
39
MCA166-USB
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
MCA Measurement Setup Commands:
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
-
-
MMCA_SET_PRESET_NONE
None preset see MMCA_RESET command
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_SET_PRESET_LIVE_TIME
The command sets the time for measurement (dead time corrected).
Live time integer value 1 ... 65535 sec
see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_SET_PRESET_REAL_TIME
The command sets the time for measurement
Real time integer value 1 ... 65535
see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_SET_PRESET_INTEGRAL
The command sets the value for the ROI integral
1 ... 4294967295
-
Integral long value see MMCA_RESET command
-
MMCA_SET_PRESET_AREA
The command sets the value for the ROI area
Area long value 1 ... 4294967295 see MMCA_RESET command
40
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
3. Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_SET_ADC_RES_DISCR
The command sets the ADC resolution and the software discriminator range.
Channels integer value 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048 or 4096
LLD
ULD integer value integer value
see MMCA_RESET command
0 <= LLD < ULD
LLD < ULD <(Channels-(Channels>>5))
MMCA_SET_ROI
The command sets the begin and end of the ROI for the preset integral and area.
ROI begin channel Integer value LLD <= begin < end
ROI end channel Integer value LLD < end <= ULD
see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_SET_REPEAT
The command sets the number of sweeps for repetitive measurement.
Sweeps Integer value 0 ... 65535
see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_SET_MCS_CHANNEL
The command sets the number of channels for the MCS and Rate mode.
MCS channels Integer value 0 (only for Rate mode), 128, ... 4096
see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_SET_TIME_PER_CHANNEL
The command sets the dwell time per channel for the MCS mode.
Integer value 1 ... 65535
see MMCA_RESET command
14 It is the real time per channel multiplied with 10 msec.
41
MCA166-USB
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
3. Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_SET_MCS_INPUT_ICR
-
The command selects the count rate signal as MCS input.
see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_SET_MCS_INPUT_TTL
-
The command selects the external TTL signals as MCS input.
see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_SET_MCS_INPUT_DISCR
The command selects the software discrimination of ADC-input pulses as MCS input.
Channels
LLD
ULD integer value integer value integer value
see MMCA_RESET command
128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048 or 4096
0 <= LLD < ULD
LLD < ULD< (Channels-(Channels>>5))
42
MCA Hardware Setup Commands:
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_SET_GAIN
The command sets the amplifier coarse and fine gain.
Coarse gain
integer value integer value
see MMCA_RESET command
2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 or 1000
5000 ... 15000 (10000 if Coarse
Gain=1000)
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
-
-
-
-
MMCA_SET_MCA_INPUT_AMPLIFIER_POS
The command sets the amplifier input polarity to positive.
see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_SET_MCA_INPUT_AMPLIFIER_NEG
The command sets the amplifier input polarity to negative.
see MMCA_RESET command
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_SET_MCA_INPUT_DIRECT_POS
-
The command sets the ADC input to direct (0 to +3V input range) and PUR to off.
see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_SET_MCA_INPUT_DIRECT_NEG
-
The command sets the ADC input to direct (0 to -3V input range) and PUR to off.
see MMCA_RESET command
15 It is the real fine gain value multiplied with 10000.
43
MCA166-USB
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_SET_THRESHOLD
The command sets the analog threshold
Threshold integer value
see MMCA_RESET command
2 ... 60
MMCA_SET_SHAPING_TIME_LOW
-
The command sets the amplifier shaping time (1µs).
see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_SET_SHAPING_TIME_HIGH
The command sets the amplifier shaping time (2µs).
-
see MMCA_RESET command
-
MMCA_SET_PILE_UP_REJECTION
The command sets the pile up rejection.
Pile up switch integer value see MMCA_RESET command
0 turns PUR off and
≠
0 turns PUR on
16 The values may be different for some MMCA configurations.
17 The values may be different for some MMCA configurations.
44
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_SET_FAST
The command sets the fast discriminator threshold.
Threshold integer value
see MMCA_RESET command
0 ... 2499, default 400
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Result array
Byte offset 128
Result array
Byte offset 130
Return Code
MMCA_SET_SLOW
The command sets the slow discriminator threshold.
Threshold integer value
see MMCA_RESET command
0 ... 2499, default 400
The command sets the PZC value and returns the PZC offset.
PZC value
Number of measured pulses integer value integer value
0 ... 2499 averaged negative offset of measured input pulses see MMCA_RESET command integer value
The command sets the PZC value.
PZC value
see MMCA_RESET command integer value
-
MMCA_SET_PZC_TIME_OFFSET
The command sets the time offset for the PZC measurement.
Offset for low DTC integer value 0 ... 31, default 15
Offset for high DTC integer value 0 ... 31, default 15 see MMCA_RESET command
0 ... 2499
18 Please 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:
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
3. Parameter
Results
Return Code
-
MMCA_SET_STABILISATION
The command sets the peak stabilisation.
Stabilisation flag Integer value
0 turns stabilisation off
1 turns stabilisation on (keep peak at current position)
>1 stabilisation channel (move peak to the stabilisation channel and hold peak at the stabilisation channel)
Peak ROI begin LLD<= begin < end
Peak ROI end
Integer value
Integer value begin < end <= ULD, (end-begin) < 250 see MMCA_RESET command
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_SET_STAB_PARAM
The command sets the peak stabilisation parameters.
Stabilisation time Integer value default 10 sec interval
-
Stabilisation area long value default 25000 see MMCA_RESET command
MCA Detector Power Commands:
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
-
MMCA_SET_PREAMPLIFIER_POWER
The command sets the preamplifier power.
Preamplifier switch integer value 0X80 -24V
0X40 +24V
0X20 -12V
0X10 +12V see MMCA_RESET command
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
-
MMCA_SET_HIGH_VOLTAGES
The command sets the detector high voltage and controls the HV-inhibit-signal.
High voltage integer value
High voltage inhibit long value
0 ... 3000 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
Return Code see MMCA_RESET command
47
MCA166-USB
MCA Data Setup Commands:
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Results
Return Code
-
MMCA_SET_TDF
The command sets the dead time correction parameter.
Tdf integer value see MMCA_RESET command
100 ... 3000, default 800
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
Results
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
3. Parameter
Results
Return Code
-
MMCA_SET_USER_DATA
The command stores a 32 bit value in the MCA parameter memory.
Number
Value integer value 0 ... 63 long or float value 0 ...
see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_SET_UF6_ROIS
The command sets the begin and the end of a ROI used by the other UF6 commands.
ROI number 1 ... 3
ROI begin integer value integer value
LLD<= begin < end
ROI end integer value
see MMCA_RESET command begin < end <= ULD, (end-begin) < 250
48
MCA Query Commands:
Name
Description
1. Parameter
Result array
Return Code
MMCA_QUERY_USER_DATA
The command reads 32 user data (32 bit values) from the MCA parameter memory.
Number n
User_data[n], ...
integer value long or float value 0 ...
see MMCA_RESET command
0 ... 63
Contents of the MMCA User Date memory:
U235:
WinSPEC:
WinSCAN:
Enrichment Constant 1
Index for the analysis program
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 23
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:
0=inactive, 1=active)
Byte Offset 34 El. Repeats (Software mode)
Byte Offset 36
HV Inhibit Mode: 0, 1, 2, -1 24
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
Byte Offset 66 1. ROI pair (ROI Begin)
Byte Offset 68 2.
...
Byte Offset
120
Byte Offset
124
Byte Offset
...
15.
16. ROI pair
U235/UF6:
WinMCS:
Inspection description
16 ROI pairs of the MCA spectrum ( similar the other ROIs )
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
Description
Parameter
Result array
Byte Offset 4
Byte Offset 8
Byte Offset 12
Byte Offset 16
Byte Offset 20
Byte Offset 24
Byte Offset 28
Byte Offset 32
Byte Offset 36
Byte Offset 40
Byte Offset 44
Byte Offset 48
MMCA_QUERY_POWER
-
The command reads the MMCA power state.
Battery current [mA]
HV primary current [mA]
+12 primary current [mA]
-12 primary current [mA]
+24 primary current [mA] long value long value long value long value long value
-24 primary current [mA]
Battery voltage [mV]
HV state long value long value long value long value
Current high voltage [V]
Power Switches long value
Byte Offset 52
...
Byte Offset 64
Byte Offset 68
Byte Offset 72
Byte Offset 76
Byte Offset 80
Byte Offset 84
Byte Offset 88
Byte Offset 92
Byte Offset 116
...
Byte Offset 128
Return Code
Charger current [mA]
see MMCA_RESET command long value
Battery current [mA] at stop
HV primary current [mA] at stop long value long value
+12 primary current [mA] at stop long value
-12 primary current [mA] at stop long value
+24 primary current [mA] at stop long value
-24 primary current [mA] at stop
Battery voltage [mV] at stop long value long value
Charger current [mA] at stop long value long value integer value
0X80 -24V ON
0X40 +24V ON
0X20 -12V ON
0X10 +12V ON
0X02 HV ON
27 multiply value with 1.2 V
28 multiply value with 1.2 V
29 see MMCA_QUERY_SYSTEM_DATA
51
MCA166-USB
Byte Offset 4
Byte Offset 8
Byte Offset 12
Byte Offset 14
Byte Offset 16
Byte Offset 18
Byte Offset 20
Byte Offset 24
Byte Offset 28
Byte Offset 32
Byte Offset 36
Byte Offset 38
Byte Offset 40
Byte Offset 42
Byte Offset 44
Byte Offset 46
Byte Offset 48
Byte Offset 50
Byte Offset 52
Byte Offset 54
Byte Offset 56
Byte Offset 58
Byte Offset 60
Name
Description
Parameter
Results array
Byte Offset 2
Byte Offset 62
Byte Offset 64
Byte Offset 66
Byte Offset 68
MMCA_QUERY_STATE
-
The command reads the MMCA state.
MCA acquire mode
MCA preset
MCA_MODE
MCA_PRESETS
MODE_MCA, MODE_MCS
PRESET_NONE
PRESET_REAL
PRESET_LIVE
PRESET_INT
PRESET_AREA
Preset value
Elapsed preset
Repeat value
Elapsed sweeps long long integer value integer value
MCS time per channel [
∗
0.01 sec] integer value
Elapsed time per channel [ sec]
∗
0.01 integer value
Real time [sec]
Counts per seconds
Dead time [msec]
Busy time [msec] long long long long
MCA channels
Threshold
LLD
ULD
ROI begin (preset integral/area)
ROI end (preset integral/area)
Amplifier coarse gain integer value integer value integer value integer value integer value integer value integer value
Amplifier fine gain
Slow discriminator value
Fast discriminator value
High voltage
High voltage polarity
Power switches integer value integer value integer value integer value integer value integer value
PZC value
30 value multiplied with 0.4µsec integer value
Time offset for PZC and DTC low 30
integer value
Time offset for PZC and DTC high integer value
Stabilisation state or integer value
128, ... , 4096
2 .. 60
0 ...
2, ... , 1000
5000 ... 15000
0 ... 2499 mV
0 ... 2499 mV
0 ... 3000 V
0 positive 1 negative
0X80 -24V ON
0X40 +24V ON
0X20 -12V ON
0X10 +12V ON
0X02 HV ON
0 ... 2499 mV
0 ... 15
0 ... 15
52
Name
Byte Offset 70
Byte Offset 72
Byte Offset 74
Byte Offset 76
Byte Offset 78
Byte Offset 80
Byte Offset 82
Byte Offset 84
Byte Offset 86
Byte Offset 88
Byte Offset 90
Byte Offset 92
Byte Offset 94
Byte Offset 96
Byte Offset 98
Byte Offset 100
Byte Offset 104
Byte Offset 106
Byte Offset 108
Byte Offset 110
Byte Offset 112
Byte Offset 114
Byte Offset 116
Byte Offset 120
Byte Offset 122
Byte Offset 124
Byte Offset 128
Return Code
MMCA_QUERY_STATE
channel
Stabilisation result
Stab. ROI begin
Stab. ROI end
ADC input
ADC input polarity
DTC
PUR state
MCS input
MMCA number
MMCA hardware version
MMCA firmware version
MCS Channels
Last power state
Battery capacity [%]
0
Start time
TDF
Last command flag integer value long integer value integer value
Last command parameter 1 integer value
Last command parameter 2 integer value
Last command parameter 3 integer value
Internal DAC value
Integer value long integer value Differential dead time
[
0/00
]
HV inhibit mode
HV inhibit state integer value integer value
see MMCA_RESET command
MCA_STAB_RESULT STAB_STARTED, STAB_ACTIVE,
STAB_IDLE, STAB_ERROR integer value integer value
MCA_INPUT_ADC
MCA_INPUT_POL
ADC_AMPLIFIER,
ADC_ DIRECT_POS,
ADC_DIRECT_NEG
INPUT_POLARITY_POSITIVE,
INPUT_POLARITY_NEGATIVE integer value
MCA_PUR
MCA_INPUT_MCS
OFF, ON
MCS_INPUT_TTL,
MCS_INPUT_RATE,
MCS_INPUT_DISCR integer value integer value integer value integer value integer value integer value
31 see MMCA_QUERY_SPECTRA
32 see MMCA_QUERY_SYSTEM_DATA
53
MCA166-USB
Name
Description
Parameter
Results array
Byte Offset 2
Byte Offset 8
Byte Offset 10
Byte Offset 16
Byte Offset 18
Byte Offset 24
Byte Offset 26
Byte Offset 32
Byte Offset 36
Byte Offset 40
Byte Offset 44
Byte Offset 48
Byte Offset 52
Byte Offset 56
Byte Offset 60
Byte Offset 64
Byte Offset 66
Byte Offset 72
Byte Offset 74
Byte Offset 80
Byte Offset 84
Byte Offset 88
Byte Offset 92
Byte Offset 96
Byte Offset 100
Byte Offset 104
Byte Offset 106
Byte Offset 108
Byte Offset 110
Byte Offset 112
Byte Offset 114
MMCA_QUERY_SYSTEM_DATA
-
The command reads the MMCA system data.
0
Peak detect counter
0
Fast detect counter
0 integer
48 Bit integer integer
48 Bit integer integer
Peak detect counter at time-1
0
Fast detect counter at time-1
Busy Time [ms] at time-1
48 Bit integer integer
48 Bit integer long
MMCA on Time [s]
Real Time [s] of previous sweep long long
Dead Time [ms] of previous sweep long
Start time of previous sweep long
0
Elapsed sweeps long long
Busy time [ms] of previous sweep long
0
Peak detect counter of previous sweep
0 integer
48 integer
48 Fast detect counter of previous sweep
Counter of stabilisation steps
Current stabilisation offset
Maximal negative stabilisation offset long integer integer
Maximal positive stabilisation offset integer
Counter of received commands long
Counter receive errors
0
Last command flag long integer integer value
Last command parameter 1
Last command parameter 2
Last command parameter 3
integer value integer value integer value
Integer value
33 see MMCA_QUERY_SPECTRA
54
Byte Offset 116
Byte Offset 120
Byte Offset 122
Byte Offset 123
Byte Offset 124
Byte Offset 128
Stabilisation area preset
Stabilisation time preset
0
MMCA state long integer value byte value byte value integer value
Return Code see MMCA_RESET command
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
3. Parameter
Result array
Byte Offset 1
...
Byte Offset 127
Return Code
The command read the MMCA spectrum image (120x256).
No. of 1. Channel
Compress factor
Vertical full scale
Channel image N
Channel image N+1
0 ...
1 ... 32 byte value byte value
Channel image N+127 see MMCA_RESET command byte value
STATE_POWER_ON,
STATE_READY,
STATE_RUN,
STATE_SUSPEND,
STATE_FINISH,
STATE_ERROR,
STATE_FAIL
34 The value must be multiplied with 0.1 µsec
35 The value must be multiplied with 0.1 µsec
36 This command should only be used to display the spectrum in a 120 x 256 pixel window.
55
MCA166-USB
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
Result array
Byte Offset 4
...
Byte Offset 124
Byte Offset 128
Return Code
MMCA_QUERY_SPECTRA
The command read the MMCA spectrum data.
No. of 1. Channel and read out
integer value
Compress factor (1 ... 32) long value
Channel contents N
Channel contents N+1 long value long value
Channel contents N+31
see MMCA_RESET command long value integer value
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
3. Parameter
4. Parameter
Result array
Byte Offset 4
Byte Offset 8
Byte Offset 12
Return Code
MMCA_QUERY_ENRICHMENT
The command reads the begin and end of the 2 ROIs
Peak begin
Peak end integer value LLD<= begin < end integer value begin < end <= ULD, (end-begin) < 250
Background begin integer value LLD<= begin < end
Background end integer value begin < end <= ULD, (end-begin) < 250
Begin peak ROI
End peak ROI long value long value
Begin background
ROI
End background
ROI long value long value see MMCA_RESET command
37 Read out control Bit[15:12], Channel number: Bit[11:0]
Bit[15:12] = 0x00 Read spectrum
Bit[15:12] = 0x01 Read MCS amplitude spectrum
Bit[15:12] = 0x02 Read spectrum buffer and unlock buffer
Bit[15:12] = 0x03 Read spectrum buffer and lock buffer
Bit[15:12] = 0x07 Read MCS amplitude spectrum buffer and lock buffer
38 Read out buffer state
Bit[15] = 1
Bit[14] = 1
Buffer filled
Buffer overrun
56
Name
Description
Parameter
Result array
Byte Offset 4
Byte Offset 8
Byte Offset 12
Byte Offset 16
Byte Offset 20
Return Code
Name
Description
1. Parameter
2. Parameter
Result
Return Code
Name
Description
Parameter
Result array
Byte Offset 4
Byte Offset 8
Byte Offset 12
Byte Offset 16
Byte Offset 20
...
Byte Offset 40
Return Code
Name
Description
Parameter
Results
Return Code
MMCA_QUERY_UF6_INFO
The command reads current dead time, real time the integral, begin and end of the
UF6 ROIs
-
Real time
Dead time [msec]
Integral ROI 1 long value long value long value
Integral ROI 2
Integral ROI 3
Begin ROI 1
...
End ROI 3 see MMCA_RESET command long value long value long value long value long value
MMCA_QUERY_UF6_ROIS
The command reads the begin and end of the 3 ROIs
-
Begin ROI 1 long value
End ROI 1
Begin ROI 2
End ROI 2
Begin ROI 3
End ROI 3 see MMCA_RESET command long value long value long value long value long value
MMCA_QUERY_CENTROID
The command reads peak centroid of the specified ROI
Peak ROI begin
Peak ROI end integer value LLD<= begin < end integer value begin < end <= ULD, (end-begin) < 250
Peak centroid float value see MMCA_RESET command
MMCA_QUERY_ON_LINE
-
The command checks the communication between the MCA and the PC.
see MMCA_RESET command
57
MCA166-USB
Name
Description
Parameter
Results array
Byte Offset 4
Byte Offset 8
Byte Offset 12
Byte Offset 16
Byte Offset 20
Byte Offset 24
Byte Offset 28
Byte Offset 32
Byte Offset 36
Return Code
MMCA_QUERY_VOLTAGE_CURRENT
-
The command reads the voltages and currents from the MMCA.
Charger current [mA]
HV primary current [mA]
Battery current [mA]
Battery voltage [mV]
HV reference voltage [V] long long long long long
HV control voltage [V]
+12V primary current [mA]
+24V primary current [mA]
-24V primary current [mA]
-12V primary current [mA] see MMCA_RESET command long long long long long
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 the communication ports.
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
ERROR_FORBIDDEN_INDEX
= 0 successful data transfer
= 1 communication port is not initialized
= 3 faulty data transfer
= 4 invalid parameter
= 5 forbidden index
58
APPENDIX 4 - Description of the MCA166-USB firmware functions
MCA Reset Command:
Command name
Description
CMD_INIT
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
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value integer integer integer preamble command 0
A5
None
5A
Affected setup value All
MCA state STATE_READY
41 00 00 00 long
0
00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
MCA Acquire Commands:
Command name
Description
CMD_START
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
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer preamble command cf
A5 5A 42 00 integer cf 00 long st st l
..
..
st h integer end flag
B9 9B
Used setup value All
Affected setup value start time
MCA state STATE_RUN
Command name
Description
CMD_STOP
The measurement is stopped immediately. There is no synchronisation with the internal clock or dwell time.
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value integer integer integer preamble command 0
A5
None
5A
Affected setup value None
MCA state STATE_STOP
43 00 00 00 long
0
00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
39 See Appendix 3
59
MCA166-USB
MCA Mode Command:
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_MODE
Depending on the value of the first parameter (mod):
MODE_MCA = 0
MODE_MCS = 1 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
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer long preamble command mod
A5 5A 45 00 mod 00
0
00 00 00
Used setup value coarse_gain, fine_gain, mca_input_pol, mca_input_adc
Affected setup value mca_mode, stab_state
MCA state STATE_READY integer end flag
00 B9 9B
MCA Clear Command:
Command name
Description
CMD_CLEAR
A running measurement is stopped immediately. Depending on the value of the first parameter (clear):
CLEAR_MEMORY
CLEAR_TIME = 1
= 0
CLEAR_ROI
CLEAR_ALL
= 2
= 3 the command clears the spectrum, the time information, the ROI limits exclusively or all together.
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value integer integer integer preamble command clear
A5
None
5A 44 long
0
00 clear 00 00
Affected setup value real time, dead time, ROI begin, ROI end
MCA state STATE_READY
00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
60
MCA Measurement Setup Commands:
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_ADC_RES_DISCR
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
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer preamble command res
A5 5A 46 00 res l res h
None Used setup value
Affected setup value channels, lld, uld, stab_state
MCA state STATE_READY long
LLD, ULD
LLD l
LLD h
ULD l
ULD h integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_PRESETS
The command sets the choice(pre)
PRESET_NONE = 0
PRESET_REAL = 1
PRESET_LIVE = 2
PRESET_INT = 3
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
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer preamble command pre
A5 5A 48 00 pre l pre h
None Used setup value
Affected setup value presets, preset_value
MCA state STATE_READY long val val l
...
...
val h integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_ROI
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
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) preamble command beg
A5 5A 49 00 beg l
Used setup value LLD, ULD
Affected setup value roi_begin, roi_end
MCA state STATE_READY beg h long end end l end h
00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
61
MCA166-USB
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_REPEAT
The command sets the number(rep: 0 ... 65535) of sweeps for repetitive measurement.
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer preamble integer command integer rep
Used setup value
A5 5A 4A 00 rep l
None
Affected setup value Repeat
MCA state STATE_READY rep h long
0
00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
Command syntax
CMD_SET_MCS_CHANNEL
The command set the number of channels(ch: 128 ... 4096) for MCS mode
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer preamble command ch
A5 5A 63 00 ch l ch h
Used setup value None
Affected setup value mcs_channels
MCA state STATE_READY long
0
00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_TIME_PER_CHANNEL
The command sets the dwell time(tpc: 1 ... 65535) per channel for the MCS
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer preamble command tpc
A5
None
5A 4B 00 tpc l tpc h
Used setup value
Affected setup value time_per_channel
MCA state STATE_READY long
0
00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
40 It is the real time per channel multiplied with 10
62
MCA Hardware Setup Commands:
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_GAIN
The command sets the amplifier coarse(cg) and fine gain(fg).
cg: fg:
2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 or 1000
5000 ... 15000 (for cg = 1000 fg: 5000 ... 10000)
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer preamble command cg
A5 5A 4C 00 cg l cg h
Used setup value None
Affected setup value coarse_gain, fine_gain
MCA state STATE_READY long fg fg l fg h
00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_INPUT_POLARITY
The command sets the input polarity for the internal amplifier.
ip = 0 positive input signals ip = 1 negative input signals
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer preamble command ip
A5 5A 56 00 ip 00
Used setup value None
Affected setup value mca_input_pol
MCA state STATE_READY long
0
00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
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)
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer preamble command ip
A5 5A 54 00 ip 00
Used setup value None
Affected setup value mca_input_adc
MCA state STATE_READY long
0
00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
63
MCA166-USB
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_MCS_INPUT
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
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value integer integer integer preamble command ip
A5
None
5A 55
Affected setup value mca_input_mcs
MCA state STATE_READY
00 ip long
0
00 00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
Command syntax
Format
CMD_SET_THRESHOLD
This command set the analogue threshold value (thr: 2 …60).
integer
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value None
Affected setup value Threshold
MCA state STATE_READY integer integer long preamble command thr
A5 5A 47 00 thr 00
0
00 00 00 integer end flag
00 B9 9B
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_SHAPING_TIME
The command sets the amplifier shaping time(dtc).
dtc = 1 shaping time low (1 µsec)
dtc = 3 shaping time high (2 or 3 µsec) 41
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value integer integer integer long preamble command dtc
A5 5A 52 00 dtc 00
0
00
None
Affected setup value Dtc
MCA state STATE_READY
00 00 integer end flag
00 B9 9B
41 The values may be different for some MCA166-USB configurations.
64
Command name
Description
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value
CMD_SET_PUR
The command sets the pile up rejection.
pur = 0 turns PUR off pur
≠
0 turns PUR on integer integer integer long preamble
A5
None
5A
Affected setup value mca_pur
MCA state STATE_READY command
53 00 pur pur 00
0
00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
CMD_SET_FAST
This command set the fast discriminator threshold (0 ... 2499, default 400).
integer integer integer
Preamble command fast
A5 5A 50 00 fast 00
Used setup value None
Affected setup value Fast threshold
MCA state STATE_READY long
0
00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
CMD_SET_SLOW
This command set the slow discriminator threshold (0 ... 2499, default 400).
integer integer integer
Preamble command slow long
0 slow 00 00 00 Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value
A5 5A 51 00
None
Affected setup value Slow threshold
MCA state STATE_READY
00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
65
MCA166-USB
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_PZC
The command performs the Pole Zero Cancellation.
pv: 0 ... 2499 PZC control voltage pm = 0 pm > 0 set PCZ only set PZC and measure PZC offset
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer preamble command pm
A5 5A 58 00 pm l pm h
None long
Pv pv l pv h
00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
Used setup value
Affected setup value pzc_value
Results If pm > 0 the function returns with the number of counts and the - PZC offset.
MCA state STATE_READY
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_PZC_TIME_OFFSET
The command sets the time offset for Pole Zero Cancellation.
t1: 0 ... 31 t2: 0 ... 31
Time offset for low shaping time
Time offset for high shaping time
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value integer
None integer
A5 5A 60 00 integer preamble command t1 t1
Affected setup value pzc_dtc_1_offset, pzc_dtc_3_offset
MCA state STATE_READY long t2
00 t2 00 00 integer end flag
00 B9 9B
66
MCA Stabilisation Commands:
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_STABILISATION
The command sets the peak stabilisation.
fl: 0
1 turns stabilisation off turns stabilisation on rb: re: rb+3<fl<re-3 stabilisation to channel fl
Peak ROI begin (LLD<= begin < end)
Peak ROI end (begin < end <= ULD, (end-begin) < 250)
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer preamble command fl
A5 5A 4D 00 fl l fl h
Used setup value channels, lld, uld
Affected setup value stab_state, stab_roi_begin, stab_roi_end
MCA state STATE_READY long rb rb l rb h re re l re h integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_STAB_PARAM
The command sets the stabilisation parameters.
st: sa: time interval (default 10) area (default 25000)
Command syntax
Format integer integer integer
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Preamble command st
A5 5A 67 00 st l
Used setup value -
Affected setup value stab_time, stab_area
MCA state STATE_READY st h long sa sa l sa l sa l sa h integer end flag
B9 9B
67
MCA166-USB
MCA Detector Power Commands:
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_PREAMPLIFIER_POWER
The command sets the preamplifier power(pp).
0X80 -24V on
0X40 +24V on
0X20 -12V on
0X10 +12V on
0XF0 all on
0X00 all off
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value integer integer integer preamble command pp
A5
None
5A 4E
Affected setup value preamplifier_power
MCA state STATE_READY
00 pp long
0
00 00 00 00 integer end flag
00 B9 9B
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_BIAS
The command sets the detector high voltage 42 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 < 0.5V
i =-1 ”Ortec-mode”, HV shut down if inhibit input = +5V
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer preamble command hv
A5 5A 4F 00 hv l hv h
None Used setup value
Affected setup value detector_bias, stab_state
MCA state STATE_READY
I i long l i h
00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
42 The high voltages will ramp up or down by the MCA166-USB.
68
MCA Data Setup Commands:
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_TDF
The command sets the TDF parameter.
tdf: TDF(100 ... 3000, default 800)
Command syntax
Format integer integer integer
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) preamble command tdf
A5 5A 61 00 tdf l
Used setup value None
Affected setup value tdf
MCA state STATE_READY tdf h long
0
0 0 0 0 integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_UF6_ROI
The command sets the begin and the end of a ROI used by the other UF6 commands.
r: b: e:
ROI number
LLD<= b < e b < e <= ULD, (e-b) < 500
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer
Preamble command r
A5 5A 64 00 r 00
Used setup value LLD, ULD
Affected setup value roi_begin[n], roi_end[n]
MCA state STATE_READY integer b b l b h integer e e l e h integer end flag
B9 9B
Command name
Description
CMD_SET_USER_DATA
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
Parameter
Byte String (HEX) integer integer integer preamble command e
A5 5A 57 00 e 00
Used setup value None
Affected setup value None
MCA state STATE_READY long or float
P p l p l p h p h integer end flag
B9 9B
69
MCA166-USB
MCA Query Commands:
Command name
Description
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Results
CMD_QUERY_POWER
The command reads the power state.
integer integer integer long preamble command 0
A5 5A 59 00 00 00
0
00 00 00 see MMCA_QUERY_POWER function in DLL description.
integer end flag
00 B9 9B
Command name
Description
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Results
CMD_QUERY_STATE
The command reads the state.
integer integer integer preamble command 0 long
0
A5 5A 5A 00 00 00 00 00 00 see MMCA_QUERY_STATE function in DLL description.
integer end flag
00 B9 9B
Command name
Description
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value
Results
Command name
Description
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value
Results
CMD_QUERY_SPECTRA
The command reads the spectrum data.
n: No. of 1. channel and buffer control (Bit 15 ... 12) c: Compress factor (1 ... 32) integer integer integer preamble command n
A5 5A 5B channels, lld, uld
00 n l n h long
C c l c h
00 see MMCA_QUERY_SPECTRA function in DLL description.
integer end flag
00 B9 9B
CMD_QUERY_IMAGE
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) integer integer integer preamble command n
A5 5A 5C channels, lld, uld
00 n l n h integer
C c l c h see MMCA_QUERY_IMAGE function in DLL description.
integer v v h v h integer end flag
B9 9B
70
Command name
Description
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value
Result
Command name
Description
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value
Result
Command name
Description
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value
Result
CMD_QUERY_USER_DATA
The command reads a 32 bit value from the MCA parameter memory.
e: 0 ... 63 parameter number integer integer integer preamble command e
A5
None
5A 5E 00 e 00 long
0
00 00 00 see MMCA_QUERY_USER_DATA function in DLL description.
00 integer end flag
B9 9B
CMD_SYSTEM_DATA
The command reads the special MCA data.
integer integer integer preamble command 00
A5 5A 62 00 00 00 long
End
00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B see MMCA_QUERY_SYSTEM_DATA function in DLL description.
CMD_QUERY_CENTROID
The command reads the centroid of a ROI (beg<end, LLD<=beg, end<=ULD, end-beg<250).
integer integer integer preamble command beg long
End
A5 5A 5F 00 beg l beg h end l end h
00 channels, lld, uld see MMCA_QUERY_CENTROID function in DLL description.
00 integer end flag
B9 9B
71
MCA166-USB
Command name
CMD_QUERY_ENRICHMENT
Description
The command read the integral of two ROIs and the real and dead time.
pb: bb:
Peak
Peak
1
begin
2 begin pl: bl:
Peak
Peak
1
length (8 ... 250 channels)
2 length (8 ... 250 channels)
Command syntax
Format integer integer integer long integer
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Preamble
A5 5A command
5D 00 pl bl pb l pb d bb l
Used setup value -
Result see MMCA_QUERY_ENRICHMENT function in DLL description.
bb h end flag
B9 9B
Name
Description
MMCA_QUERY_UF6_INFO
The command reads current dead time, real time the integral, begin and end of the
UF6 ROIs
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
Byte String (HEX)
Used setup value integer preamble
A5 integer integer command 0
5A 66 00 00 long
0
00 00 00 00 00 integer end flag
B9 9B
Result See MMCA_QUERY_UF6_INFO function in DLL description.
Name
Description
Command syntax
Format
Parameter
CMD_QUERY_UF6_ROIS
The command reads begin and end of the UF6 ROIs integer
Preamble integer integer command 0 long
0
Byte String (HEX) A5
Used setup value -
Result
5A 65 00 00 00 00 00 see MMCA_QUERY_UF6_ROIS function in DLL description.
00 integer end flag
00 B9 9B
72
APPENDIX 5 - Changing the MCA166-USB Firmware
Attention:
The order of changing the switches must be followed exactly, otherwise the
µ
P 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
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