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Title: Method and apparatus for combinatorial logic signal processor in a digitally based high speed x-ray spectrometer

Patent ·
OSTI ID:321286

A high speed, digitally based, signal processing system is disclosed which accepts a digitized input signal and detects the presence of step-like pulses in the this data stream, extracts filtered estimates of their amplitudes, inspects for pulse pileup, and records input pulse rates and system lifetime. The system has two parallel processing channels: a slow channel, which filters the data stream with a long time constant trapezoidal filter for good energy resolution; and a fast channel which filters the data stream with a short time constant trapezoidal filter, detects pulses, inspects for pileups, and captures peak values from the slow channel for good events. The presence of a simple digital interface allows the system to be easily integrated with a digital processor to produce accurate spectra at high count rates and allow all spectrometer functions to be fully automated. Because the method is digitally based, it allows pulses to be binned based on time related values, as well as on their amplitudes, if desired. 31 figs.

Research Organization:
X-Ray Instrumentation Associates
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG03-92ER81311
Assignee:
William K. Warburton, Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5,873,054/A/
Application Number:
PAN: 8-730,916; TRN: 99:003321
OSTI ID:
321286
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 16 Feb 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (7)

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