FAST ComTec MCA4A, User Manual

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Installation procedure
2.5.2 Basic Scope measurement
This might be the best thing to start with. In case you don't know the details of your input signals you have
the option to watch and analyze them like with any oscilloscope. You will be able to find problems with the
setup like ringing or reflections. Even defective cables can be identified. It is also easy to adjust your
amplifiers' offset and pole zero settings without the need of an additional oscilloscope.
We use a standard waveform generator (e.g. 10kHz square wave) connected to the “ADC 1” input (ref. Fig.
3.1).
In the MPANT window click on Options – Hardware Settings... or (ref. Fig. 2.6) to find the MCA4A
Settings window pop up (Fig. 2.7. Here select PHA Mode and then click on ADC Settings... to get the ADC
Settings and Presets dialog window.
Referring Fig. 2.9 do Enable ADC input channel 1 ( Chn: a_1 ). Choose PHA – Flattop to allow pulse height
analysis of the square wave signal. Set Scope-Mode - Scope-Mode, Rising edge, Trigger: CH1 and the
length of the scope window (here the maximum range of 32768). The trigger Threshold is set to 53.8mV.
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ComTec GmbH
NOTE:
A calibration of the internal offsets (zero values) for all input ranges (pos. unipolar, bipolar and neg. unipolar
Pulse polarity) should be performed at the first startup
Please let the MCA4A warm up for some 30 minutes before calibration is performed
Fig. 2.9: ADC settings for the first measurement