List mode multichannel analyzer

• US 20050094466A1
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Riot, Vincent J., Archer, Daniel E., Knapp, David A., Luke, S. John, Mauger, G. Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,253,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 365/222
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/026 Semiconductor dose-rate meters
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2029/5002 Characteristic
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 8/16 Multiple access memory array, e.g. addressing one storage element via at least two independent addressing line groups
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/773 comprising photon counting circuits, e.g. single photon detection [SPD] or single photon avalanche diodes [SPAD]

Abstract

A digital list mode multichannel analyzer (MCA) built around a programmable FPGA device for onboard data analysis and on-the-fly modification of system detection/operating parameters, and capable of collecting and processing data in very small time bins (<1 millisecond) when used in histogramming mode, or in list mode as a list mode MCA,.

Claims

1. A list mode multichannel analyzer (MCA) for collecting and analyzing radiation data, comprising:

a power module electrically connected to supply power to a PMT and a radiation detector;

an analog chain module including a preamplifier electrically connected to the PMT to receive, integrate, and shape charges collected at the PMT, and digitize the data; and

a processor/controller module comprising an integrated programmable FPGA electrically connected to the analog chain module for receiving the digitized data, and an integrated controller interface capable of enabling a user to variably program said FPGA with a data processing preference of either list mode or histogram mode.

2. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

wherein the FPGA is further programmable via the integrated controller interface to make selections of at least one of detector type, data output preference, and trigger algorithm preference.

3. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

wherein the FPGA is programmable via the integrated controller interface using a JTAG interface.

4. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

wherein the integrated controller interface is a USB interface.

5. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

wherein the FPGA is in-system programmable on-the-fly without any dead time.

6. The list mode MCA of claim 5,

wherein the processor/controller module further comprises a dual port memory capable of loading a second algorithm therein when programming out a first algorithm on-the-fly.

7. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

wherein the FPGA is capable of a collecting data in very small, variable time bins when operating in histogram mode.

8. The list mode MCA of claim 7,

wherein the very small, variable time bins are less than 1 millisecond wide.

9. The list mode MCA of claim 7,

wherein the very small, variable time bins have a uniform time bin structure.

10. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

wherein the list mode MCA has a modular construction with said modules adapted for individual removal and/or substitution.

11. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

wherein the analog chain module includes a preamplifier having a programmable gain in order to adapt to various PMT performances.

12. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

wherein the analog chain module includes a test port for providing test input to allow for instrument testing.

13. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

further comprising a standard 14 pin PMT connector electrically connected to a high voltage power supply of the power module, and electrically connected to a preamplifier of the analog chain module.

14. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

wherein the radiation detector is one of a NaI (t1) crystal and a plastic detector.

19. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

wherein the integrated controller interface is a USB interface.

20. The list mode MCA of claim 1,

wherein the FPGA is in-system programmable on-the-fly without any dead time.

21. The list mode MCA of claim 20,

wherein the processor/controller module further comprises a dual port memory capable of loading a second algorithm therein when programming out a first algorithm on-the-fly.

15. A list mode multichannel analyzer (MCA) comprising:

a power module electrically connected to supply power to a PMT and a radiation detector; and

a processor/controller module comprising an integrated FPGA electrically connected to the analog chain module for receiving the digitized data, a digital data input means for receiving digital data to be communicated directly to the FPGA, and an integrated controller interface enabling a user to variably program said FPGA with a data processing preference of either list mode or histogram mode.

16. The list mode MCA of claim 15,

wherein the digital data input means is an integrated TTL connector for receiving external inputs from TTL producing devices.

17. The list mode MCA of claim 15,

wherein the FPGA is further programmable via the integrated controller interface to make selections of at least one of detector type, data output preference, and trigger algorithm preference.

18. The list mode MCA of claim 15,

wherein the FPGA is programmable via the integrated controller interface using a JTAG interface.

22. The list mode MCA of claim 15,

wherein the FPGA is capable of a collecting data in very small, variable time bins when operating in histogram mode.

23. The list mode MCA of claim 22,

wherein the very small, variable time bins are less than 1 millisecond wide.

24. The list mode MCA of claim 22,

wherein the very small, variable time bins have a uniform time bin structure.

25. The list mode MCA of claim 15,

wherein the list mode MCA has a modular construction with said modules adapted for individual removal and/or substitution.

26. The list mode MCA of claim 15,

further comprising a standard 14 pin PMT connector electrically connected to a high voltage power supply of the power module.

27. The list mode MCA of claim 15,

wherein the radiation detector is one of a NaI (t1) crystal and a plastic detector.