FPGA embedded multichannel analyzer.

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Instrumentation
• Embedded Systems Engineering
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Multichannel analyzers (MCAs) are crucial for analyzing radiation detector output.
• Existing MCAs can be bulky and expensive, limiting accessibility.
• Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) offer a platform for compact, customizable hardware.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a novel, embedded multichannel analyzer (MCA).
• To create a virtual instrument for handling and visualizing pulse height spectra.
• To assess the performance of the FPGA-based MCA against commercial systems.

Main Methods:

• An MCA was designed and embedded within a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).
• A virtual instrument was developed for data acquisition and spectrum visualization.
• Pulse height spectra from ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co, and ¹⁵²Eu sources were acquired using the FPGA-MCA and two commercial MCAs (NaI(Tl) and HPGe detectors).
• Spectra from the FPGA-MCA were compared against those from commercial MCAs.

Main Results:

• The embedded MCA successfully generated pulse height spectra.
• Spectra obtained with the FPGA-based MCA were comparable to those from commercial multichannel analyzers.
• The designed system is smaller and more cost-effective than commercial alternatives.
• The design allows for future feature expansion.

Conclusions:

• The FPGA-based embedded multichannel analyzer provides a viable, cost-effective alternative to commercial systems.
• The developed system demonstrates comparable performance in acquiring pulse height spectra.
• This compact and adaptable design has potential for broader applications in nuclear instrumentation and spectroscopy.