Enhanced 8K pulse height analyzer and multi-channel scaler (TUKAN) with PCI or USB interfaces

We present two types of 8K-channel devices designed for spectroscopy or intensity vs. time measurements. The first one (TUKAN-8K-PCI) can be plugged into a PC slot and is based on a PCI interface. The second type (TUKAN-8K-USB), based on a USB interface, is contained in a screened separate box and can be powered either directly from the USB port or from an external DC source (wall adaptor or battery). Each type of device may work in two independent operational modes: multi-channel analysis (MCA) and multi-channel scaling (MCS). The crucial MCA component - peak detect and hold circuitry - is featuring a novel architecture based on a diamond transistor. Its analog stage can accept analog pulses with front edges down to 100 ns and has a differential linearity below 1% (full scale sliding scale averaging). Automatic stops on count in region-of-interest (ROI) and on preset live or real time are implemented. The MCS works at medium speed counting rates (up to 8 MHz), with preset dwell time, number of channels and multi-sweep mode. Each of these parameters can also be controlled externally. Digital interfacing is based on four user configurable logical I/O lines. A single FLEX 10KE30 Altera FPGA provides all control functions and incorporates PCI interface. The USB communication is based on FTDI FIFO controller. The analyzer is equipped with advanced, user-friendly software, which is the subject of another publication.