The Digital Gamma Finder (DGF)
family of digital pulse processors feature unique capabilities for
measuring both the amplitude and shape of pulses in nuclear spectroscopy
applications. The DGF architecture was originally developed for
use with arrays of multi-segmented HPGe gamma-ray detectors, but
has since been applied to an ever broadening range of applications.
With a general and highly programmable design for digital signal
capture and processing, coupled with a flexible triggering system
that can span multiple modules, the DGF is a powerful instrument
that works directly with a wide variety of x-ray, gamma-ray, and
particle detectors.
- Simultaneous amplitude measurement and pulse shape analysis
for each channel.
- Pulse heights measured with up to 16 bits accuracy with the
DGF-OEM (i.e. 64K spectrum length).
- ADC sampling rates up to 500MHz with the Pixie-500
- Module-to-host transfer rates up to 109MB/s with the Pixie-4,
Pixie-16, and Pixie-500
- Dead times as low as 1 microsecond per event are achievable
(limited by DSP algorithm complexity). Events at even shorter
time intervals can be extracted via off-line ADC wave form analysis.
- Digital constant fraction algorithm measures event arrival
times down to a few ns accuracy .
- Programmable gain, input offset, and peaking times between
0.25 and 40 microseconds.
- Programmable pileup inspection criteria include trigger filter
parameters, threshold, and rejection criteria.
- Supports multiparametric data acquisition of events distributed
over many detectors as well as independent spectrum acquisition.
- Waveform capture up to 100 microseconds in length for each
channel.
- On-board MCA memory for data taking or for monitoring when
in multiparametric mode.
- External logic signal inputs and outputs facilitate complex
data acquisition system construction.
- Simultaneous data run start and stop across many DGF modules
- Common dead times across all modules
- Clocks can be synchronized for all DGF modules in a system.
In multiparametric mode, events are time stamped for off-line
identification and relative time measurements.
The DGF comes in five standard implementations, and can be customized
for OEM customers.
Pixie-4 Modules are PXI (Compact
PCI) 3U standard modules comprising 4 integrated DGF channels.
These are the new building blocks for scalable multi-element detector
instrumentation systems.
Pixie-16 Modules are PXI (Compact
PCI) 6U standard modules comprising 16 integrated DGF channels.
Pixie-500 Modules are PXI (Compact
PCI) 3U standard modules comprising 4 high speed DGF channels.
Pixie-500 Express Modules are PXIe (Compact
PCI Express) 3U standard modules comprising 4 high speed DGF channels.
Further online information:
- To learn more about the Digital Gamma
Finder topology, its applications and history, please visit
the DGF Introduction page.
- The DGF software
page contains description of the host applications and drivers
available from XIA.
- The user
resources page contains links to software and firmware downloads,
datasheets, manuals and other documentation.
- The support
page describes common problems and solutions
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