Hardware
2.2.3 Power Management
The MCA527 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 6.8V while a data collection is in progress, the MCA527 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 an external power source (wall adapter). If the user does
not respond, and the battery life time is nearly used up (battery voltage 6.5V) , the device
switches off automatically. It is made sure, that the setup and the spectrum gathered
previously is saved in the memory of the MCA527 permanently.
11
Figure 2: LED Indicator blinking scheme
0
0,5
1
1,5
2
t[s]
Idle
State
Normal
State
Failure
State
Firmware
Update
Charging
positive
HV on
negative
HV on
positive
HV changes
negative
HV changes
HV Failure
Charging,
Battery full
