High performance data acquisition methods based on waveform digitization

The traditional circuits used for ECT data acquisition are based on peak detecting, holding and digitization. When count rate gets too high, their performances deteriorate because the peaks pile up and base-line drifts seriously. This article introduces new methods based on waveform digitization to resolve these problems. By using an ultra-fast ADC, we can acquire dozens of sampled points within one pulse to record the waveform. By processing these data with mathematical methods, we can filter noises, resume the whole waveform, restore baseline, reduce dead time, and even distinguish the piled pulses. Moreover, the statistical fluctuation is reduced because of multi-values for one pulse. We use computer generated data and programs to testify our methods. With the works we have done, it's very easy for these methods to be implemented to achieve high performance with DSP processors or FPGA chips.