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FAST ComTec MPA4 User Manual

8(4) channel multiparameter data acquisition system
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MPA4
8(4) Channel Multiparameter Data Acquisition System
User Manual
 Copyright FAST ComTec GmbH
Grünwalder Weg 28a, D-82041 Oberhaching
Germany
Version 1.30 June 26, 2017

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Summary of Contents for FAST ComTec MPA4

  • Page 1 MPA4 8(4) Channel Multiparameter Data Acquisition System User Manual  Copyright FAST ComTec GmbH Grünwalder Weg 28a, D-82041 Oberhaching Germany Version 1.30 June 26, 2017...
  • Page 2 You have purchased the license to use this software, not the software itself. Since title to this software remains with FAST ComTec, you may not sell or transfer this software. You must get FAST ComTec's written permission for any exception to this license.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    5.1.11. Dual-parameter spectra with a scaler parameter......... 5-19 5.1.12. File formats....................5-20 5.2. Control Language...................... 5-23 5.3. Controlling the MPA4 Windows Server via DDE ............5-30 5.3.1. Open Conversation ..................5-30 5.3.2. DDE Execute....................5-30 5.3.3. DDE Request ....................5-31 5.3.4. Close Conversation ..................5-32 5.3.5.
  • Page 4 Table of Contents 6. MPANT Software ........................6-1 6.1. File Menu ........................6-2 6.2. Window Menu ......................6-4 6.3. Region Menu....................... 6-5 6.4. Options Menu......................6-9 6.5. Action Menu ......................6-22 7. Programming and Software Options..................7-1 8. Appendix ..........................8-1 8.1.
  • Page 5 Fig. 5.10: Auxiliary Connectors dialog box..................5-8 Fig. 5.11: Scaler Settings dialog box .................... 5-9 Fig. 5.12: Left: MPA4-Scaler Status utility, right: as ratemeter ........... 5-10 Fig. 5.13: System Definition dialog box..................5-11 Fig. 5.14: System Definition dialog box, three MPA4(T) modules ..........5-11 Fig.
  • Page 6 Fig. 5.25: Test acquisition with calculated spectra ..............5-18 Fig. 5.26: Creating a dualparameter Scaler spectrum ..............5-19 Fig. 5.26: Opening the DDE conversation with the MPA4 in LabVIEW ........5-30 Fig. 5.27: Executing a MPA4 command from a LabVIEW application........5-31 Fig.
  • Page 7 It can reach surface temperatures of well over 50°C. The metal case of the MPA4 works as a passive cooler. Please provide ample airflow around the device. Do not cover the case. Do not place it inside a closed cabinet etc.

  • Page 8: Introduction

    The MPA4 system allows to simultaneously acquire single and coincidence ADC data (e.q. energy spectra) from upto 8 input channels. A range of versatile additional features enables easily adapting the MPA4 system to a large variety of experimental requirements, complicated or almost impossible to fulfill with other systems.
  • Page 9 With the MPA4 multiparameter system, FAST introduces a most flexible and versatile method to setup coincidence mode data acquisition. Coincident events may be defined as almost any combination of the 8(4) ADC ports and also the auxiliary connectors might be involved.

  • Page 10: Installation Procedure

    Hard- and Software Requirements For operating the MPA4 you need a standard PC with USB 2.0 port and Microsoft Windows XP or higher. USB 1.0 ports do not work. The MPA4 works well using only one USB 2.0 port. The maximum throughput then is 30 Mbyte/sec.

  • Page 11: Driver Installation

    Installation Procedure 2.2. Driver Installation To install the driver, please start the device manager. You can do it by right-clicking the computer shortcut on the desktop and selecting “Manage” from the drop-down-menu, then “Device Manager”. Another way is to select in the Start Menu Settings..Control Panel, then System..Device Manager.

  • Page 12: Fig. 2.3: Choosing The Right Folder

    Please don’t go deeper into the folder structure, the processor type (x86 , x64, etc.) is found automatically. After pressing “OK” the driver installation will proceed. The device manager will then show a “FAST ComTec MCS6 USB Driver” in a class “FAST ComTec USB Device” as shown in Fig. 2.4 Fig.

  • Page 13: Software Installation

    A directory called C:\MPA4 for the 32-bit software or C:\MPA4(x64) for the native 64-bit software is created on the hard disk and all MPA4 and MPANT files are transferred to this directory. Drive C: is taken as default drive and \MPA4 as default directory. It is not mandatory that the MPA4 operating software is located in this directory.

  • Page 14: Getting Started

    1k channels corresponding to a 1k ADC conversion gain setting. First step is to start the MPA4 software by double clicking the corresponding icon. This will automatically start the MPANT program. On startup the MPA4 Server is iconized and one does...

  • Page 15: Fig. 2.7: Mpa4 Settings And 'Coincidence Definition' Dialogs

    Installation Procedure Fig. 2.7: MPA4 Settings and 'Coincidence Definition' dialogs Click the ADC Coincidences button to open the ADC Coincidence Definition window. It should look like Fig. 2.7. Click the <<All button below the „Singles no coinc.“ box to remove all ADCs out of the list, then click the >>...

  • Page 16: Fig. 2.9: Start A Single Measurement With One Adc

    Installation Procedure the histograms is erased and then a new acquisition is started. Click OK in the message window that appears after clicking the START button. Fig. 2.9: START a SINGLE measurement with one ADC See that the Status changes to ON. The Real time will begin to run also indicating that data acquisition is ON.

  • Page 17: Getting Started With A Basic Coincidence Measurement

    ADC and a two-dimensional spectrum of ADC1 x ADC2 with a resolution of 256 x 256 channels. First open the Coincidence Definition window by a click on ADC Coincidences in the MPA4 Settings dialog. Use the << All buttons to move all ADCs to the Not active box and then move ADC1 and ADC2 to the Coinc.

  • Page 18: Fig. 2.11: Setup Two Adcs For A Coincidence Measurement

    Installation Procedure Fig. 2.11: Setup two ADCs for a COINCIDENCE measurement Set the ADC ranges to 4096 using the ADC Settings... button ADC Settings and Preset window. Set the Coinc time to 10.00µs using the scrollbar. Then click into the data field of DRDY Timeout and type in 50.00 to set the DRDY timeout to 50.00µs.

  • Page 19: Fig. 2.12: Setup Adc Range And Coincidence Resolving Time

    Installation Procedure Fig. 2.12: Setup ADC range and coincidence resolving time Now we will still have to define a two-dimensional spectrum of ADC1 x ADC2. Open the spectra definition window Dualparameter and Calculated spectra by a click on the Spectra button In the Map and Calculated spectra window click on Add Multi…...

  • Page 20: Fig. 2.14: New Spectrum Defined

    Installation Procedure Set the x-axis of the new spectrum to ADC1 with a range of 256 and the y-axis to ADC2 with also range 256. Type in a name for the spectrum, e.g. 'ADC 1 x ADC 2' like in Fig. 2.9 Click OK. In the Dualparameter and Calculated spectra window the new map appears (ref.

  • Page 21: Fig. 2.15: Two Single And One Multiparameter Spectra Display

    Installation Procedure Fig. 2.15: Two single and one multiparameter spectra display Connect input signals to the ADCs. In case of a pulser being the signal source split the pulser output to both ADCs since only pulses that reach ADC1 and ADC2 within a 10µs time window (the coincidence time) are counted.

  • Page 22: Basic Usage Of The Realtimeclock Option

    Installation Procedure 2.5.3. Basic Usage of the RealTimeClock Option To familiarize with the usage of the 48 bit RealTimeClock / Timer / Counter option a simple experiment is setup. The intention is to measure the arrival time of single ADC events relatively to a start (trigger) signal like it might be done in Time-of-Flight or similar experiments.

  • Page 23: Fig. 2.17: Adc Coincidence Definition For Rtc Experiment

    Installation Procedure Fig. 2.17: ADC Coincidence Definition for RTC Experiment Fig. 2.18: Auxiliary Connectors for RTC Experiment ComTec GmbH 2-14...

  • Page 24: Fig. 2.19: Rtc Spectrum Definition

    Installation Procedure Fig. 2.19: RTC Spectrum Definition Fig. 2.20: Basic Time Spectra of a Single ADC ComTec GmbH 2-15...

  • Page 25: Installing More Than One Mpa4(T) Modules

    Installing more than one MPA4(T) modules The software is able to operate up to three MPA4(T) modules with a single computer (if you need more, contact us and we will expand the software). Each may be connected either by one or two USB cables.

  • Page 26: Models And Upgrade Options

    Models and Upgrade Options The MPA4 has eight ADC interfaces, but not all may be useable. The size of the FIFO can be 1 GB or 2 GB. The number of useable ADC interfaces can be four or eight. The counters, up/down counters and Replay function may be active or not.

  • Page 27: Hardware Description

    Hardware Description 3.1. Overview This section describes the MPA4 hardware. The MPA4 is similar to the MPA4T but has no TOF inputs. The MPA4 is a USB 2.0 device with two high-speed USB 2.0 ports. The MPA4 allows to acquire data from upto 8 external devices like ADC's, multiscalers, position analyzers etc.

  • Page 28: General Functionality

    This allows for easy synchronization of electronic devices previously often not possible. When watching of the ‘GO’ line is enabled for the MPA4, a low line voltage will halt the measurement. When output to the ‘GO’ line is enabled, starting a measurement (i.e. the MPA4 is armed) will release the ‘GO’...

  • Page 29: Feature (Multi-) I/O Connector

    Hardware Description 3.2.2. FEATURE (Multi-) I/O Connector A very versatile 8 bit digital I/O port is implemented on the 15-pin high-density female D-SUB connector. The pull-up and series resistors (ref. Fig. 3.3) of the digital I/O ports are socket mounted and thus, can be easily adapted to specific needs. This I/O port is fully software controllable and each single (1-bit) port is individually configurable.

  • Page 30: Fig. 3.4: Connector Assignment For The 100Mhz Counters

    Hardware Description Carry Ouputs Counters 1 and 2 provide a carry or terminal count output e.g. for cascading. The carry output signals are high as long as the counter value is 0xFFFFFFFF. When using the carry outputs as count input to another counter you can cascade counters to build 64bit or 96bit deep counters.
  • Page 31 Hardware Description PRESET_VALUE is loaded into the counter allowing to count PRESET_VALUE counts until 0xFFFFFFFF is reached. COMMON and individual GATE A COMMON GATE input is provided as well as individual GATEs. Usage of the GATEs is individually settable for each counter in the software. LOAD input An external LOAD input allows to reset the counters to their individual start (load) value by an external signal.

  • Page 32: Time Base / Reference Clock

    3.2.4. Time Base / Reference Clock To derive the outstanding temperature and long-term stability the MPA4(T) is equipped with an on-board ovenized crystal oscillator (OCXO). This OCXO stabilizes the 10 GHz PLL (phase locked loop) synthesizer that clocks the TOF sampling circuitry.

  • Page 33: Multiparameter Section

    Hardware Description 3.3. Multiparameter Section The multiparameter section provides the ability to connect upto 8 external ADC's, Multiscalers, Position Analyzers, Time-of-Flight units etc. with a DataReady / DataAccepted handshake. 3.3.1. ADC Port Connectors All 8(4) ADC ports normally support upto 16 bit wide (64k channel) ADC's, TOF's etc. But they provide the ability to be software configured for 32, 48 or 64 bit interfaces by using neighbouring ports.

  • Page 34: Auxiliary / Reject I/O Connectors

    The handshake in fact is quite easy. When DRDY is asserted by the external device the MPA4 registers the valid data and then asserts DACC unitl DRDY is removed. Then DACC is also removed.

  • Page 35: Adc Gate Inputs

    Hardware Description +3.3V AUX_OE AUX_OUT AUX_IO AUX_IN IOBUF Fig. 3.8: AUX / REJECT I/O logic The AUX/REJECT inputs can be used for additional coincidence conditions (also refer the corresponding software chapters). The AUX I/O's also provide some software selectable output signals (ref. chapter 5.1.7). 3.3.3.

  • Page 36: Functional Description

    The versatility of the coincidence definitions in the MPA4 system allows to select various combinations of ADC events that either have to occur within the coincidence time window or where just some have to occur to accumulate them.

  • Page 37: Fifo Concept

    4.3. FIFO Concept In the MPA4 the START and STOP input channels are not present but the rest is identical as in the MPA4T which has the additional capability to measure 100ps time events in 5(6) channels. A multi-stage FIFO concept is used to optimize for the two main difficulties of those data acquisition systems.

  • Page 38: Fig. 4.2: Fifo Concept

    Functional Description Fig. 4.2: FIFO concept Since the maximum ADC data rate is comparably slow a smaller ADC event FIFO of 320 events is sufficient. On the other hand a high average count rate must be stored without loss of events. The decoding and binary time coding of the raw data as buffered in the first FIFO stage is accomplished at a rate of over 33 MHz.

  • Page 39: Software Description

    Software Description Software Description The window of the MPA4 server program is shown here. It enables the full control of the MPA4 to perform measurements and save data. This program has no own spectra display, but it provides - via a DLL (“dynamic link library“) - access to all functions, parameters and data. The server can be completely controlled from the MPANT software that provides all necessary graphic displays.

  • Page 40: Fig. 5.2: Mpa4.Ini File

    Fig. 5.2: MPA4.ini File Parameters that can be set by editing the MPA4.INI file are the update rate in msec for the refresh of the status, and it can be specified whether 2GB or 1GB RAM is built in. Set DDR_2GB=0 for 1GB.

  • Page 41: Action Menu

    The menu item File – Replay... opens the Replay dialog. The Replay software is an option, the licence is either programmed into the MPA4 module or you need an USB dongle. ComTec GmbH...

  • Page 42: Fig. 5.4: Replay Settings Dialog

    To start Replay press then Start in the Action menu or the corresponding MPANT toolbar icon. The menu item File – About... opens the About MPA4 window where some information of the System can be found. Particularly the serial number is important for support purposes. This serial number is unique for each MPA4(T) system.

  • Page 43: Setting Dialogs

    5.1.4. Setting dialogs The Hardware... item in the Settings menu opens the MPA4 Settings dialog box. It contains several buttons that open special setting dialogs. Via the Sync2 out - combo box you can specify the signal you want to observe. The Sync Out can deliver 10 MHz, 78.125 MHz, 100 MHz.

  • Page 44: Adc Settings Dialog

    Here parameters like presets, range parameters, coincidence time, etc. can be set. Fig. 5.8: ADC Settings and Presets dialog box, right: with expanded ports enabled If expanded ADC ports are enabled in the MPA4.INI file, additional controls for Port width and Binwidth appear as shown right in Fig. 5.8.

  • Page 45: Coincidence Definition Dialog

    Coincidence Definition dialog Fig. 5.9: Coincidence Definition dialog box Clicking in the MPA4 Settings dialog on ADC Coincidences... opens the Coincidence Definition dialog box. Here the several ADCs can be combined to be used either in single mode, i.e. without regarding any coincidence, to be not activated, or to use it in coincidence mode.

  • Page 46: Auxiliary Connectors Dialog

    Software Description 5.1.7. Auxiliary Connectors dialog Fig. 5.10: Auxiliary Connectors dialog box The Aux conn... button opens the Auxiliary Connectors dialog to define the use of the auxiliary connectors. The AUX1 and AUX2 and also the REJ connector can be used either as an input or an output.

  • Page 47: Scaler Settings Dialog

    Software Description event in the corresponding coincidence group, either Instantly or At End of Coincidence window. One of the three auxiliary connectors can be used as a trigger to reset the RTC, this is selected in the RTC Reset box. Note: AUX1 can be used independently of the other auxiliary connectors in coincidence mode.

  • Page 48: System Definition Dialog

    Software Description Fig. 5.12: Left: MPA4-Scaler Status utility, right: as ratemeter 5.1.9. System definition dialog The „System...“ item in the settings menu opens the System Definition dialog box. The use of the Digital Input / Output and the GO-Line can be defined: It can be used either to show the status of the MCA if the checkbox Status Dig 0 (0..3 for more modules) is marked.

  • Page 49: Fig. 5.13: System Definition Dialog Box

    Software Description Fig. 5.13: System Definition dialog box If more than one MPA4(T) modules are used, the system definition dialog box comes up as shown in Fig. 5.14. Here the several units can be combined into a single system or different systems that can be started, stopped and erased by one command.

  • Page 50: 5.1.10. Dual-Parameter And Calculated Spectra Dialog

    The Remote... button opens the Remote control dialog box. Here all settings can be made for the control of the MPA4 server program via a serial port. If the Checkbox Use Remote Control is marked and the MPA4COM.DLL is available (i.e. you have bought the optional MPANT external Control software), the specified COM port will be used for accepting commands (see Control language).

  • Page 51: Fig. 5.16: Dualparameter And Calculated Spectra Dialog Box

    Software Description Fig. 5.16: Dualparameter and Calculated spectra dialog box Press Add Multi to define a new multi parameter spectra in the Multi Display Settings dialog. ADC’s must be used in coincidence mode. Fig. 5.17: Multi Display Setting For the x Axis and y Axis a Parameter and Range must be chosen from the respective drop down list.

  • Page 52: Fig. 5.18: Multi Time Display Setting

    Software Description map, and the Compr. by 2^n means the power of two by which the spectra are compressed. A value of zero means full resolution. Press Add Time to define a new Time spectra in the Multi Time Display Settings dialog. Fig.

  • Page 53: Fig. 5.19: Calculated Spectrum Setting

    Software Description Fig. 5.19: Calculated Spectrum Setting You have a choice between several formulas to combine two parameters: Sum = left + right makes a sum spectrum, and Diff = Range + left - right can be used to subtract two spectra. The Range and Name can be defined in the edit fields or default values will be taken.

  • Page 54: Fig. 5.20: Sum Of Counts Dialog

    Software Description Fig. 5.20: Sum of Counts Dialog In the "Sum of counts" dialog you can select which ADCs will contribute to the superdetector. It is recommended to enable "Use Calibration" and to perform a careful calibration of all selected ADC's: Make a short acquisition using a pulser or a calibration source so you get a peak in each used ADC.

  • Page 55: Fig. 5.22: Conditions

    Software Description The automatic generated spectra name is for example "OR_3_C". The 3 is here an hexadecimal bit pattern indicating that ADC1 (bit 0) and ADC2 (bit 1) contribute to the OR sum. The C at the end of the name means that "Use Calibration" is enabled. Press Conditions...

  • Page 56: Fig. 5.24: Combine Conditions Dialog

    Software Description Fig. 5.24: Combine Conditions dialog Here it is possible to define a Condition as a combination using the Boolean operators NOT, OR or AND of already defined conditions. The OR will be symbolized in the automatically generated name by a plus sign "+", the AND by an asterisk "*". Fig.

  • Page 57: 5.1.11. Dual-Parameter Spectra With A Scaler Parameter

    Software Description 5.1.11. Dual-parameter spectra with a scaler parameter If the scaler option is installed, it is possible to have scaler data of scalers 1, 3 and 4 in the event stamp, see chapter 5.1.6. If such scaler data and ADCs in coincidence mode are are enabled, it is also possible to create dualparameter spectra of an ADC versus a scaler parameter.

  • Page 58: 5.1.12. File Formats

    Software Description 5.1.12. File formats The .mpa format is used to save all spectra in a single file. It starts with an ASCII header containing the settings and then the spectra follow one after the other, each proceeded with a header line like [TDAT0,4096] (This means the first single spectra with a length of 4096 channels.)
  • Page 59 Software Description The following table shows the possible data formats for TDC list data characterized by the time_patch parameter, together with the maximum possible sweep length. Bit 0..3 contain for all data formats the channel number 1..6, where 6 means the start channel. Bit 3 is the edge information, 1 means falling edge.
  • Page 60 Software Description Coincidence ADC data start with a 16 bit word defining the structure and length of the data belonging to a coincidence event. It has again the bit pattern 111 in bits 0..2. In bit 3 and bit 4 is marked if AUX1 and AUX2 had a signal, bit 5 is zero, bit 6 is 1 (this is the unique difference to a single ADC event), bit 7 is 0.

  • Page 61: Control Language

    • Open a DDE connection and send the commands via DDE as described in section 5.3. The application name for opening the DDE connection with the standard MPA4T server program MPA4.EXE is MPA4, the topic is MPA4-. Implemented are the DDE Execute to perform any command, and the DDE Request with items RANGE and DATA.
  • Page 62 Software Description pr_ena=0 ; Presets enabled (hex) ; bit 0: realtime preset enabled ; bit 2: sweep preset enabled ; bit 3: ROI1 preset enabled ; bit 4: Starts preset enabled ; bit 5: ROI2 preset enabled ; bit 6: ROI3 preset enabled ;...
  • Page 63 Software Description ctm2=200 ; Coincidence time in units of 20 nsec. ; A value of 200 means 4 mikrosec dtm2=400 ; Data Ready timeout in units of 20 nsec. aux1=0 ; Aux1 Control ; Bit 0: AUX1 polarity, 1=active high ;...
  • Page 64 Software Description sephead=0 ; 1=Seperated Header file (extension MP) and ; Data file (extension dat, asc or spe) for separated spectra fmt=dat ; data format used in separated spectra (extension MP) ; (dat=binary, asc=ASCII, csv=CSV, spe=GANAAS, emsa=EMSA) mpacaluse=0 ; 1 if calibration should be used for shifted summing data from a file smoothpts=5 ;...
  • Page 65 Software Description ; bit5==1; y zoomed MAP ; ==4 POS, (y<<xsh) /(x + y) ; ==5 SUM, (x + y) ; ==6 DIV, (x<<xsh) / y ; ==7 ANY, (for compare) ; ==8 COPY, x ; ==9 DLL, fDLL(x,y,z) ; ==0xA HISTORY, x ;...
  • Page 66 Software Description MC_B ... MC_F ; Sets actual multichannel analyzer to MC_B (STOP2) ; ... MC_F (ch6) for the rest of the control file. savedat ; Saves data of actual channel as separated ; spectrum (extension .MP) An existing file ;...
  • Page 67 Software Description numruns=5 ; Defines the file count for the last run in a measure cycle. The ; last count is the present one plus the numruns number. After a ; file with this count was saved with autoinc on, instead of the ;...

  • Page 68: Controlling The Mpa4 Windows Server Via Dde

    5.3.2. DDE Execute The DDE Execute command can be used to perform any action of the MPA4 program. Any of the Control command lines described in section 5.2 can be used. For example a sequence of control commands saved in a file TEST.CTL can be executed by specifying the command RUN TEST.CTL...

  • Page 69: Dde Request

    Software Description Fig. 5.28: Executing a MPA4 command from a LabVIEW application 5.3.3. DDE Request The DDE Request is a message exchange to obtain the value of a specified item. Only two items are defined for DDE request up to now: RANGE and DATA. The value is obtained as an ASCII string, i.e.

  • Page 70: Close Conversation

    Software Description Fig. 5.30: Getting the data with LabVIEW 5.3.4. Close Conversation After finishing the DDE communication with the server program, it must be closed. Fig. 5.31: Closing the DDE communication in LabVIEW The following figure shows the „Panel“ of the described VI for LabVIEW. ComTec GmbH 5-32...

  • Page 71: Dde Conversation With Grams/386

    Software Description Fig. 5.32: Control Panel of the demo VI for LabVIEW 5.3.5. DDE Conversation with GRAMS/386 The following file GRAMS889.CIF can be used to get the MPA4 data into GRAMS/386 via DDE using the „Collect“ menu: MPA4 DDE Test Query...

  • Page 72: Controlling The Mpa4 Windows Server Via Dll

    5.4. Controlling the MPA4 Windows Server via DLL The MPA4 server program provides access to all functions, parameters and data via a DLL („dynamic link library“). So the server can be completely controlled by the MPANT software that provides all necessary graphic displays.
  • Page 73 Software Description long cftfak; // LOWORD: cft factor (256 * t_after_peak / t_to_peak) // HIWORD: Max. Width long roimin; // lower ROI limit long roimax; // upper limit: roimin <= channel < roimax long nregions; // number of regions long caluse; // bit0: 1 if calibration used, // higher bits: formula long calpoints;...
  • Page 74 Software Description // bit 2: sweep preset enabled // bit 3: ROI preset enabled // bit 4: Starts preset enabled // bit 5: ROI2 preset enabled // bit 6: ROI3 preset enabled // bit 7: ROI4 preset enabled // bit 8: ROI5 preset enabled // bit 9: ROI6 preset enabled long cycles;...
  • Page 75 Software Description typedef struct { int nDevices; // Number of channels = number of modules * 6 int nDisplays; // Number of histograms = nDevices + Positions + Maps int nSystems; // Number of independent systems = 1 int bRemote; // 1 if server controlled by MPANT unsigned int sys;...
  • Page 76 Software Description VOID APIENTRY SubData(int nDisplay, int all); // Subtracts data VOID APIENTRY Smooth(int nDisplay); // Smooth data VOID APIENTRY NewData(void); // Indicate new ROI or string Data VOID APIENTRY HardwareDlg(int item); // Calls the Settings dialog box VOID APIENTRY UnregisterClient(void); // Clears remote mode from MPANT VOID APIENTRY DestroyClient(void);...
  • Page 77 Software Description UnregisterClient DestroyClient ClientExec LVGetDat RunCmd AddData LVGetRoi LVGetCnt LVGetOneCnt LVGetStr SubData Smooth StoreExtSettingData GetExtSettingData StoreMCSSetting GetMCSSetting StoreDatSetting GetDatSetting StoreReplaySetting GetReplaySetting GetDatPtr ReleaseDatPtr LVGetOneRoi GetSVal ComTec GmbH 5-39...

  • Page 78: Mpant Software

    MPANT Software MPANT Software The window of the MPANT program is shown here. It enables the full control of the MPA4(T) via the server program to perform measurements and save data, and shows the data on-line in several windows. The server program MPA4.EXE automatically starts MPANT. If you try to start MPANT before the server is started, a message box warns that you should start the server first.

  • Page 79: File Menu

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.2: MPANT Map and Isometric display A toolbar provides fast access to many used functions in the menu. A status bar at the bottom gives help about the meaning of the toolbar icons. A cursor appears when clicking the left mouse button inside the graphics area.

  • Page 80: Fig. 6.3: File New Display Dialog Box

    MPANT Software New Display... With the Open New menu item or the corresponding icon a new Display window can be created and shown as the active window. In the „Open New Display“ dialog box the spectra for the new display can be selected. Fig.

  • Page 81: Window Menu

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.4: Print dialog box Setup Printer... The Setup Printer menu item allows to configure the printer. Exit The Exit menu item exits the MPANT. 6.2. Window Menu The Window menu allows to arrange the Display windows. Tile With the Tile menu item or clicking the corresponding icon, all opened and displayed MPANT Display windows are arranged over the full MPANT client area trying to allocate the same size for each window.

  • Page 82: Region Menu

    MPANT Software Window list At the end of the Window menu, all created Display windows are listed with their names, the current active window is checked. By selecting any of the names, this window becomes the active window and is displayed in front of all the others. 6.3.
  • Page 83 MPANT Software Rectangle Sets the region shape to a rectangle with arbitrary dimensions. To enter the rectangular region, press the right mouse button, drag a rectangle, and release the button to define the region. X-Slice Sets the Region shape to the rectangle with maximal height. Y-Slice Sets the Region shape to the rectangle with maximal width.

  • Page 84: Fig. 6.5: Slice And Rectangular Roi Editing Dialog Box

    MPANT Software can be entered here. A ROI can be edited and added to the list. It can also be made to the „Active ROI“, that is the special ROI that is used by the server program to calculate the events within this ROI and look for an event preset.

  • Page 85: Fig. 6.7: Single Gaussian Peak Fit

    MPANT Software X-Projection, Y-Projection Projections of ROI's in dual parameter spectra to the x- and y-axes are now implemented. There are new menu items "X-Projection" and "Y-Projection" in the Region menu. They create new single spectra displays showing the respective projection of the selected ROI in a dual parameter spectrum in the active window.

  • Page 86: Options Menu

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.8: Log file Options for the Single Gaussian Peak Fit The several quantities are written in standard text format with Tabs as separators and a Newline character at the end of each line, so the file can be read with standard calculation programs like EXCEL.

  • Page 87: Fig. 6.9: Colors Dialog Box

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.9: Colors dialog box It changes the palette or Display element color depending on which mode is chosen. The current color and palette setup may be saved or a new one can be loaded. Fig. 6.10: Color Palette dialog box To change on of the colors, select "Palette colors"...

  • Page 88: Fig. 6.11: Single View Dialog Box

    MPANT Software Display... The Display menu item or the corresponding icon opens for single spectra the Single view dialog box. Here the graphic display mode of single spectra can be chosen. The 'Type' combo box gives a choice between dot, histogram, spline and line. The 'Symbol' combo box gives a choice between None, Circle, Triangle down, Triangle up, Cross, Snow-flake and Diamond.

  • Page 89: Fig. 6.12: Custom-Transformed Spectra Dialog

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.12: Custom-transformed spectra dialog It is possible to change to a two dimensional view of the spectrum by specifying the x Dimension and clicking the button ">> MAP" from the Single View dialog. For MAP displays the Display Options dialog is changed and allows a choice between four Graphic types: bitmap dot, vector dot, bitmap contour and vector contour.

  • Page 90: Fig. 6.14: Isometric View Dialog Box

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.14: Isometric View dialog box In isometric mode several single spectra are drawn behind each other. The Precession angle around the vertical axis can be chosen in multiples of 90 degrees. The Tilt angle is between the x and y-axis and can be chosen between 15 and 89 degrees.

  • Page 91: Fig. 6.15: Axis Parameter Dialog Box

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.15: Axis Parameter dialog box It provides many choices for the axis of a display. The frame can be rectangular or L-shape, the frame thickness can be adjusted (xWidth, yWidth). The font size can be chosen between Small and Large.

  • Page 92: Fig. 6.16: Scale Parameters Dialog Box

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.16: Scale Parameters dialog box It allows to change the ranges and attributes of a Spectrum axis. By setting the Auto scaling mode, the MPANT will automatically recalculate the y-axe's maximum value for the visible Spectrum region only. To keep the same height of the visible region for a longer time, deselect the Auto scaling mode.

  • Page 93: Fig. 6.17: Calibration Dialog Box

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.17: Calibration dialog box Choose between several calibration formulas. Enter some cursor positions and the corresponding values. The actual cursor position can be entered by pressing 'Cursor' or the last fitted peak position by pressing 'Fit'. Click on Add to insert the calibration position into the list, then on Calibrate.

  • Page 94: Fig. 6.18: Comments Dialog Box

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.18: Comments dialog box Hardware... The Hardware settings dialog box allows to make all the respective settings (ref. chapter 5.1.4). Fig. 6.19: Settings dialog box ComTec GmbH 6-17...

  • Page 95: Fig. 6.20: Data Operations Dialog Box

    MPANT Software Data... The Data dialog box allows to edit all the respective MPA4 settings (ref. chapter 5.1.3). Fig. 6.20: Data Operations dialog box System... The System Definition dialog box allows to make all the respective settings (See chapter 5.1.9).

  • Page 96: Fig. 6.22: Spectra Dialog Box

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.22: Spectra dialog box Slice... The Slice option allows to create new single spectra displays, showing a slice in a dual parameter spectrum. Click on a dual parameter spectra display to make it the active window, then select the Slice menu item or toolbar icon.

  • Page 97: Fig. 6.24: Replay Dialog Box

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.24: Replay dialog box Tool Bar... Selecting the Tool Bar Menu item opens the Tool Bar Dialog Box. It allows arranging the icons in the Tool Bar. Fig. 6.25: Tool Bar dialog box If it is enabled, an array of icons in the MPANT Menu is shown. Clicking the left mouse button with the cursor positioned on an icon, the user can perform a corresponding MPANT Menu command very quick.

  • Page 98: Fig. 6.26: Function Keys Dialog Box

    MPANT Software Fig. 6.26: Function keys dialog box The functions can be executed by clicking the corresponding icon in the toolbar or by the corresponding function key on the keyboard simultaneously with the CTRL key. The MPANT window must be the active on the desktop and have the focus. Status bar With this menu item the Status bar at the bottom of the MPANT main window can be switched on or off.

  • Page 99: Action Menu

    MPANT Software 6.5. Action Menu The Action Menu or corresponding toolbar icons contain the commands to start, stop, continue and erase a measurement. If more than one systems are formed, also more actions menus are available, otherwise they are grayed. Start The Start toolbar button erases the data and starts a new measurement.

  • Page 100: Programming And Software Options

    Programming and Software Options Programming and Software Options The MPA4 can be controlled by user-written programs using the DLL software interface with example programs for Visual Basic, LabVIEW and C that is available as an option. Furthermore, LINUX software is available as an option containing a driver, library and console test program. A...

  • Page 101: Appendix

    Appendix - Specifications Appendix 8.1. Performance Characteristics 8.1.1. MPA General ADC port data width: ..................16 bit / 64k ..............optional 32, 48 or 64 bit Data throughput: ......30 MB/s (1 USB port) or 35 MB/s (2 USB ports) Coincidence time window: ...................

  • Page 102: Recommended Operating Conditions

    Appendix - Specifications any multi I/O port (DIG I/O 0…7): ......-0.5 to + 5.5 V GO-Line: ..............-0.5 to + 5.5 V DC input current: any ADC port input: .............± 10 mA any ADC GATE input: ............± 10 mA any Counter input: ...............± 10 mA any multi I/O port ..............±...
  • Page 103 Appendix - Specifications Input amplitude: (clipped sine or sine wave)..........typ. 3.3 V The clock I/O circuitry is widely adjustable to individual needs. Contact factory for details. ADC ports Connectors: ................. 25 pin female D-SUB Input Impedance: ..................10 kΩ pull-up Output impedance: (series resistor)............
  • Page 104 Appendix - Diagrams Input HIGH voltage: ................... min. 2.0 V Input LOW voltage: ..................max. 0.8 V Output LOW voltage: = 8mA ..............max. 0.4 V Out LOW Auxiliary I/O 1..3 Connector: ....................BNC Pull-up resistor : (ref. Fig. 3.8) ................10 kΩ Serial termination resistor: (ref.

  • Page 105: Diagrams

    Appendix - Diagrams 8.3. Diagrams 8.3.1. SYNC_2 Output Fig. 8.1: SYNC_2 output signals: rise time, fall time Fig. 8.2: SYNC_2 10 MHz clock output signal Fig. 8.3: SYNC_2 100 MHz clock output signal 14 These pictures are taken with a 2 GS/s, 500 MHz digital scope ComTec GmbH Appendix 8-5...

  • Page 106: Adc Port Drdy / Dacc Handshake

    8.3.2. ADC port DRDY / DACC handshake In the following scope pictures a FAST ComTec ADC model "7072" was used. Fig. 8.4: ADC port handshake The minimum DRDY to DACC delay is approximately 211 ns. Since ADC and MPA4T work asynchronously to each other the response time varies by about 53 ns.

  • Page 107: Adc Gate Setup And Hold Time

    Appendix - Diagrams Fig. 8.6 : Handshake with 2 ADC's at a rate of 1MHz each In Fig. 8.6 again 2 ADC's are connected and simultanously firing only that the event rate now is 1 MHZ each. In the accumulated graphs one can see that data acquisition still works without loss or disruption.

  • Page 108: Fig. 8.8: Adc Gate Hold Time

    Appendix - Power Requirements For the above setup the GATE signal was delayed (i.e. shifted right) as long as no losses of events occurred (observed in the MPANT software). Fig. 8.8: ADC GATE hold time The ADC GATE signal must be held valid until DRDY is removed. Here the GATE delay was reduced (i.e.

  • Page 109: Power Requirements

    Appendix - Accessories 8.4. Power Requirements Connector: ..................4 pin female Supply voltage: ................nominal +12 V voltage range: ............+11 … +14 V Supply power: .................... typ. 8.5. Metal Case Case material: ....................aluminum Size: .............. 260 mm x 48 mm x 265 mm Weight: ....................

  • Page 110: Fig. 8.9: Counter Cable

    Appendix - Trouble Shooting Fig. 8.9: Counter cable The Tagbit / Counter cable is an adapter from the 37 Pin D-SUB connector to 18 seperated cables with BNC or Lemo connectors, see Fig. 3.4. It can also be used on a MCS6A or MPA4T for tag bits.

  • Page 111: Trouble Shooting

    Please remove the power until the ‘POWER ON’ LED is dark and reapply power • The MPA4 is not found by the host computer: 1) Check that USB 1 is properly connected 2) Remove the MPA4 power supply, wait for about 10 seconds and reapply power ComTec GmbH Appendix 8-11...

  • Page 112: Personal Notes

    Appendix - Personal Notes 8.8. Personal Notes ComTec GmbH Appendix 8-12...

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