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microDXP Technical Reference Manual
Version 3.15
October 7, 2019
42
3.4.2 FiPPI Variants
The FiPPI pipeline topology for RC-type preamplifiers is different than for reset-type
preamplifiers, thus two standard code variants are offered. Note that the preamplifier type
switch S1 must be set according to the code variant, as described in Appendix A.
Additionally, any use of the auxiliary digital I/O will require per-instance FiPPI
configuration variant. Please contact XIA to discuss the use of the auxiliary digital I/O.
FiPPI
Variant
FIPPIVAR,
CODEVAR
Switch S1
Position
Reset
Even,
e.g.
“0”
“RESET”
RC
Odd, e.g. “1”
“RC”
Table 3-5: FiPPI/DSP code variants
3.4.3 Digital Gain
The overall gain transfer function defines the relationship between the input x-ray pulse
height and the resulting MCA bin, or measured energy. A separate document, the
microDXP Gain Specification, describes the overall gain transfer function of the
microDXP, and includes examples.
In a significant departure from the previous design, the microDXP now employs a
switched-gain amplifier architecture to offer up to 16 discrete analog gain settings, i.e. gain
that is applied to the analog signal before digitization. See §3.2.2 for further details. Digital
gain is then applied to produce an MCA spectrum with user-defined energy range and bin
width.
The Spartan-6 FPGA can perform multiplications in real time, allowing for a Digital Gain
setting that is applied to the output of the slow energy filter to adjust the measured energy,
i.e. the MCA bin, versus the digitized x-ray pulse amplitude.
MCA Bin = Digital Gain *
ADC
Equation 3-6
The Digital Gain is defined by DSP parameters DGAIN (UQ1.15 format unsigned
mantissa) and DGAINEXP (exponent).
Digital Gain
=
DGAIN
32768
*
2
DGAINEXP
Equation 3-7
It is controlled by software via a combination of three settings: The Digital Base Gain, the
Fine Gain Trim and the MCA Bin Width.
Digital Gain =
Digital Base Gain * Fine Gain Trim
2
(MCA Bin Width - 1)
Equation 3-8
3.4.3.1
Digital Base Gain
The Digital Base Gain compensates for the granularity of the analog Switched Gain, and
as such should range slightly beyond the Switched Gain increment, e.g. 1.7dB, or roughly