A Design Configuration of an FPGA-Based Coincident Spectrometry System

Pham Dinh Khang,Nguyen Xuan Hai,Nguyen Nhi Dien,Nguyen Duc Hoa,Dang Lanh,Pham Ngoc Tuan,Nguyen An Son

doi:10.4236/jasmi.2013.33019

Abstract

In the past, most of popular coincidence spectrometers were normally based on traditional electronics techniques such as time to amplitude conversion or logic selecting coincidence unit. They were complicated and it is not convenient for us to use them. This paper deals with a new design of a contemporary coincidence spectrometer which is based on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) devices via Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques with Hardware Description Language (VHDL). The outstanding advantage of DSP techniques and FPGA technology is capable of enhancement of the quality of the experimental measurements for nuclear radiation. The designed configuration of the traditional system was tested on the PCI 7811R board of National Instruments while the digital systems were establishing with FPGA devices. The purpose of this work is referring to the principle for construction of an FPGA-based system capable of replacing a conventional system. Therefore, a novel approach for in-house development of digital techniques is presented. The method for designing the system is utilization of slow-fast coincidence configurations with two HPGe detectors obtaining a pair of coincidence events, processing data in DSP algorithms. The significant and noticeable results are the operating frequency of 80 MHz and system timestamp window of approximately 10 ns.

Highlights

A spectrometry system is used to measure nuclear radiation including X-rays, gamma rays, alpha and beta rays, neutrons and other heavy charged particles
The designed configuration of the traditional system was tested on the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) 7811R board of National Instruments while the digital systems were establishing with Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) devices
The outstanding advantage of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques and FPGA technology is capable of enhancement of the quality of the experimental measurements for nuclear radiation, minimization of functional electronics modules as well as the economic investment [7,8]

Summary

Introduction

A spectrometry system is used to measure nuclear radiation including X-rays, gamma rays, alpha and beta rays, neutrons and other heavy charged particles. One of the new development directions for building experimental systems of nuclear physics studies and applications of nuclear technology is utilization of FPGA and DSP techniques This direction meets effectively the more increasing requirements on the accuracy of ionizing radiation measurements. An important element of the system based on DSP and FPGA is low power consumption to save energy that has a special meaning in large equipments With these advantages, the applied research via FPGA, DSP in design and fabrication of radiation measurement instruments for fundamental research in nuclear physics, especially about the study of nuclear structure and data on neutron beams at the Dalat reactor and on the charged particle beam accelerators for domestic needs is essential

The Basis and Method for the Design

Analysis and Assessment of the Design

Conclusions