Pixie-Net
2-8 channel 125-500 MHz Desktop Digital Processor
FEATURES
Compact standalone detector readout electronics.
2-8 channels, 12-16 bit, 125-500 MSPS pulse processor.
32K on-board MCA spectrum per channel.
Waveform capture and Pulse Shape Analysis.
Sub-nanosec Timing Resolution.
Embedded Linux platform.
Front and back panel digital I/O signals.
Gbit Ethernet, local USB storage, web interface.
Approx. 8x8x14cm, 1 kg, 18 W
Low cost
OVERVIEW
The Pixie-Net is a multi-channel digital spectrometer for radiation detectors in desktop format with integrated networking and USB resources. Designed for high-precision coincidence gamma-ray spectroscopy using HPGe detectors, scintillators, or silicon detectors, the Pixie-Net offers not only waveform digitization and capture but also pulse height measurements, on-board energy histograms, time stamping and constant fraction timing, pileup inspection, external gating and online pulse shape analysis. Besides nuclear spectroscopy, the Pixie-Net can be used for neutron/gamma discrimination, time-of-flight measurements, and coincidence/anti-coincidence measurements.
The Pixie-Net combines an embedded Linux system with XIA抯 digital pulse processing developed on the Pixie PXI spectrometer series. Incoming signals are digitized at 125-500 MSPS with 12-16 bit ADCs, depending on the option purchased. Using a ZYNQ All Programmable SoC with programmable logic (FPGA) and dual-core ARM processor on the same chip, the ADC data stream is captured and processed in the FPGA section and the ARM processor writes the results to a removable USB drive or makes them available on a web server. Multiple units can share signals though GPIO.