FAST ComTec MCA4A, User Manual

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Table of Figures
Fig. 2.1: Device Manager................................................................................................................................ 11
Fig. 2.2: Driver Installation.............................................................................................................................. 11
Fig. 2.3: Choosing the right folder................................................................................................................... 12
Fig. 2.4: Device Manager after successful driver installation..........................................................................12
Fig. 2.5: MCA4A rear panel............................................................................................................................. 13
Fig. 2.6: Software startup screen.................................................................................................................... 14
Fig. 2.7: MCA4A Settings window................................................................................................................... 14
Fig. 2.8: ADC Settings dialog (2x)................................................................................................................... 15
Fig. 2.9: ADC settings for the first measurement............................................................................................16
Fig. 2.10: Scale parameters for the scope display..........................................................................................17
Fig. 2.11: Scale parameters for the spectrum display.....................................................................................17
Fig. 2.12: 1st scope measurement.................................................................................................................. 18
Fig. 2.13: Single display options dialog........................................................................................................... 18
Fig. 2.14: Setup a FFT analysis...................................................................................................................... 19
Fig. 2.15: FFT analysis display....................................................................................................................... 19
Fig. 2.16: Setup a Gaussian Fit PHA measurement.......................................................................................20
Fig. 2.17: Scope picture of a 1MHz sine wave................................................................................................20
Fig. 2.18: Switch to firmware based PHA........................................................................................................21
Fig. 2.19: Setup the internal Test Pulser.........................................................................................................22
Fig. 2.20: Setup the internal Test Pulser.........................................................................................................23
Fig. 2.21: Scope Picture of the original Test Pulser Signals............................................................................23
Fig. 2.22: Scope Picture of the internal Test Pulser........................................................................................24
Fig. 2.23: Scope Picture of the inverted and positive going Test Pulser Signals............................................24
Fig. 2.24: Enable the Trapezoidal Filter .........................................................................................................25
Fig. 2.25: Effects of different Pole Zero Settings.............................................................................................25
Fig. 2.26: Scope Picture of the trapezoidal shaped Test Pulser Signals.........................................................25
Fig. 2.27: Modified shaper parameters........................................................................................................... 26
Fig. 2.28: MCA4 Settings: select MCS Mode..................................................................................................26
Fig. 2.29: MCS Settings for a simple measurement........................................................................................27
Fig. 2.30: Simple MCS spectrum.................................................................................................................... 27
Fig. 2.31: Basic RTC Experiment.................................................................................................................... 28
Fig. 2.32: Triggering the RTC with the TRG signal..........................................................................................28
Fig. 2.33: Basic Time Spectra......................................................................................................................... 29
Fig. 2.34: RTC Spectrum Definition................................................................................................................ 29
Fig. 2.35: Editing MCA4.INI............................................................................................................................ 30
Fig. 3.1: MCA4 front panel.............................................................................................................................. 31
Fig. 3.2: Left: jumper setting for different input ranges, right: jumper positions ..............................................32
Fig. 3.3: Simplified analog input and ADC circuitry.........................................................................................32
Fig. 3.4: Circuit diagram of each GATE / MCS input.......................................................................................33
Fig. 3.5: Circuit diagram of the FEATURE I/O port..........................................................................................34
Fig. 3.6: Digital I/O port details........................................................................................................................ 35
Fig. 3.7: GO-LINE details................................................................................................................................ 35
Fig. 3.8: Pulsewidth check - discard "false" pulses.........................................................................................36
Fig. 3.9: Gaussian shaped pulse fitting...........................................................................................................37
Fig. 3.10: Flattop pulse fitting modes.............................................................................................................. 37
Fig. 3.11: Pile-up detection............................................................................................................................. 38
Fig. 3.12: Octal 125 MHz Counter Connector.................................................................................................40
Fig. 4.1: MCA4 Server Window....................................................................................................................... 41
Fig. 4.2: MCA4.ini File..................................................................................................................................... 42
Fig. 4.3: Data Operations dialog for MPA data (left) and selected spectra (right)...........................................43
Fig. 4.4: Replay Settings dialog...................................................................................................................... 43
Fig. 4.5: About MCA4 dialog box and Installed items......................................................................................44
Fig. 4.6: Settings overview, left: PHA mode, right: MCS mode, more than one MCA4 module.......................44
Fig. 4.7: MCS Settings for one (left) or two stop inputs (right)........................................................................45
Fig. 4.8: Thresholds Dialog............................................................................................................................. 46
Fig. 4.9: ADC Presets Dialog.......................................................................................................................... 46
Fig. 4.10: ADC Settings dialog, right: Scope mode.........................................................................................47
Fig. 4.11: Left: Setting Tag bits, right: advanced Settings...............................................................................49
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