MSCF-16-LN(Data sheet V5.0_01)

16 fold Spectroscopy
Amplifier with active BLR, CFDs,and Multiplicity Trigger

mesytec MSCF-16-LN is an ultra low noise spectroscopy amplifier with active baseline
restorer. It provides timing filter amplifiers with constant fraction discriminators and a mul tiplicity trigger. It is completely revised to meet the requirement of high quality germanium
detector readout.
Features:•••••••••••••••••

16 channel NIM module, low power design
Shaping amplifiers with active baseline restorer
Timing filter amplifiers
CF discriminators (opt.: leading edge)
ECL timing output with digital delay of 800 ns
Trigger output
Multiplicity trigger
Remote control of discriminator thresholds,
shaping time, gains and PZ
4 shaping times
Gain adjustable from 1 to 600 (optional 2000)
Lemo-00 inputs.
Low noise: 4 uVrms (gain = 100 and shaping time = 8 us)
Low integral non linearity
Fully controllable via front panel
Remote control via USB and mesytec control bus
4 selected timing filter integration times
ECL timing delay can be switched off

Schematics:

mesytec GmbH & Co. KG
Wernher-von-Braun-Str. 1, D-85640 Putzbrunn, Germany
phone: +49 – 89 / 456007-30 fax: +49 – 89 / 456007-39
info@mesytec.com - www.mesytec.com

MSCF-16-LN

16 fold shaper with CFD

Technical Data
Input stage• Polarity setting
Polarity of input signal can be set by jumper
position. In the picture below, the lower
jumper is set to the two positions.

negative input signals

positive input signals

header connector, positive signal means:positive at + input and negative on – input.

• Gain adjust: gain can be set from 1 to 20 in
16 steps with factor 1.22 per step. So with again jumper G20, a total gain of 20 to 400 isstandard.
• Input connectors: 16x Lemo 00 series or 17x2
header connectors (differential input)• Input termination: 330 Ω, 93 Ω or 50 Ω, codedon the gain-polarity jumper are possible.
Gain factor from 1 to 60 are possible. See tablefor details.
• Input noise at gain = 50 and 8 us
shaping time = 4.5 uVrms.

Input noise in uVrms with gain jumpers G30, 50 
input resistance. 4.5 uVrms shaper noise corresponds
to 0.1 keV FWHM detector noise(at the typically 100 mV per MeV preamp sensitivity).
Shaper• PZ adjustable with front panel trimmer.
Range 15 us to .
• 5th order filter CR-RC5• Four shaping times: ( -values)
1 / 2 / 4 / 8 us
selectable for groups of 4 channels• Output amplitude: 0 to 10 V
• DC-Offset: VDC 8 mV,
common offset adjust.
• Output connector: 34 pin male connector• Integral non linearity < TBD %• gain drift < TBD % /C• Offset drift < 50 uV /C
Active baseline restorer

The active baseline restorers reduce the baseline
shift by a factor of 1000. When pole zero isproperly adjusted, the residual baseline shift will
only give a very small contribution to theresolution.
Timing filter amplifier

Time constants: see Table
2 monitor outputs

For timing filter and amplitude signals, selectableby rotary switch. There might be some additional
noise at the monitor output.
mesytec GmbH & Co. KG
Wernher-von-Braun-Str. 1, D-85640 Putzbrunn, Germany
phone: +49 – 89 / 456007-30 fax: +49 – 89 / 456007-39
info@mesytec.com - www.mesytec.com

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MSCF-16-LN

16 fold shaper with CFD

Discriminator

Multiplicity trigger• CFD or Leading edge (jumper selectable)• For CFD-200: delays selectable for groups of
4 channels: 30, 60, 130, 200 ns• 2 fractions: selectable for groups of
4 channels: 20 % / 40 %• CFD -Walk:for 30 ns (10 % to 90 %) input rise time,max 1 ns (dynamic range 100:1)• Threshold: adjustable, 0 % to 30 %of maximum range, in 256 steps• Each channel above threshold contributes tomultiplicity level, a multiplicity trigger isgenerated for: lower multiplicity threshold multiplicity level  upper multiplicitythreshold• Coincidence interval adjustable via RC from
20 ns up to 200 ns (default 75 ns).
• The multiplicity trigger is delayed by thecoincidence time to the trigger signal.
• Multiplicities selectable via remote control• Lower multiplicity threshold: 1 … 8,
upper multiplicity threshold: 1 … 8 and • Multiplicity chaining: multiplicity outputs
from several modules can be connected,
resulting in a total multiplicity level of all connected modules. Multiplicity trigger
windows of the connected modules act
independently on the total multiplicity.

Fraction and delay selection of the4 channel CFD plug on modules
Fraction (sw1)
On: 20 %Off: 40 %Example: CFD-200

Delay (sw1, sw2)
off off: 30 ns
on off: 60 ns
off on: 130 ns
on on: 200 ns

Power consumption: (max 9 W)

For other CFD delays see section“Types and ordering”
See also label inside the movable module side plate.

•••+ 6V– 6V+12 V

350 mA–700 mA
200 mA

Gate generator, Timing delay, ECL output• Pulse width for trigger output: 800 ns• Timing stop- ECL-Signals:
delay 800 ns from trigger, width 200 ns• Output connector: 34 pin male connector

mesytec GmbH & Co. KG
Wernher-von-Braun-Str. 1, D-85640 Putzbrunn, Germany
phone: +49 – 89 / 456007-30 fax: +49 – 89 / 456007-39
info@mesytec.com - www.mesytec.com

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MSCF-16-LN

MSCF-16 Front panel Operation
Most MSCF-16 parameters can be set
and controlled via front panel elements.
Two parameters can be adjusted for each channel
individually:• Threshold• PZ compensation
Two parameters can be adjusted in groups of fourchannels (channel 1-4, 5-8, 9-12 and 13-16):• Gain• Shaping time
All parameters can as well be set up for all
channels in common. Thus there are two different
modes of front panel operation:
Common mode:
Threshold, PZ, Gain and Shaping time
have a common setting for all channels
Single mode:
Threshold and PZ settings for eachindividual channel
Gain and Shaping time for each groups offour channels
Common parameters can be copied to individual
parameters to easily get a basis forindividual settings.
Mode selectClicking the “single chan” knob switches between
single and common operating mode. The orange
LED associated with the “single chan” knob
signals single channel mode when lighted.
Monitor / Active Channel

One out of 16 available channels is available atthe energy and timing monitor outputs. This isalso the channel to be modified in Single mode.
Shaping time

Shaping times are changed around by clicking the“Sht” knob, the shaping time value of thecurrently selected channel (group) is displayed by
two LEDs. They indicate an index from 0(“1” and “2” LEDs both off) up to 3
(both LEDs on). Please refer to individual device
labeling for corresponding shaping times.

16 fold shaper with CFD

Gain

Gain values are set by the gain dial, gain values
are indicated on the front panel. Gain ranges from
1.0 to 20.0. It can be set commonly for all
channels or individual for groups of four channels.
ThresholdThreshold is adjusted with a front panel trimmer,
the corresponding voltage can be drawn from thetest output. It can be set commonly for all
channels or individually for each channel.
PZ

PZ compensation is also adjusted with a front
panel trimmer, the corresponding voltage level isoutput on the test connector. It can be set
commonly for all channels or individually foreach channel.

General setup
Common mode

In common mode, the trimmer settings forthreshold and PZ are followed immediately.
Shaping time can be selected for all channels
clicking the Sht knob. Gain is set for all channels
by selecting the desired gain switch position.
Individual mode

In single channel mode, trimmer changes are only
read and activated when the “enter” knob ispressed during changes. Threshold and PZ
settings are remembered individually for eachchannel. Shaping times and gains are valid for agroup of four channels.
Copying from Common to Individual

For an easy basic setup, common settings can becopied to the individual section. Fine tuning canthen be done based on this basic setup.
Copy is done by clicking the “Single chan” knob
while “enter” is pressed.
Auto PZ setup

The PZ compensation values can be set up
automatically – provided there’s a signal at therespective channels.
Holding the “Single chan” knob for about two
seconds starts the automatic pz setup. The values
found are saved in the individual parameter set.
Clicking “Single chan” again during autopz stops
the process.

mesytec GmbH & Co. KG
Wernher-von-Braun-Str. 1, D-85640 Putzbrunn, Germany
phone: +49 – 89 / 456007-30 fax: +49 – 89 / 456007-39
info@mesytec.com - www.mesytec.com

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MSCF-16-LN

16 fold shaper with CFD

Remote Controlled Operation
MSCF-16 can be remotely controlled in twoways: USB control and event bus control.
MSCF-16 has two complete parameter sets, onefor front panel operation, one for remote control.
Switching RC on and off switches between thesetwo parameter sets.
In RC mode there are several more parameters,
which will also be used (but can not be controlled)
in front panel mode:

Thresholds, pz compensation:
Channels 1 … 16, 17 = common
Gain, shaping time:Groups 1 … 4, 5 = common
Command list

(each cmd terminated by <CR>)DSSB n••••••BLR on/off
Coincidence time window
Shaper offset
Threshold offset
BLR threshold
Multiplicity trigger thresholdsSG group val

USB Control
For USB control a USB 1.1 or 2.0 connection isrequired. The MSCF-16 can be operated as a generic serial device on a virtual com port.
Virtual Com Port (VCP) drivers for various operating systems for this rc mode can be derived
from the manufacturer of the USB interface chip:www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
The MSCF-16 can then be controlled e.g. using
a terminal program or a proprietarycontrol software.
Interface settings

By default, communication is set to:
9.6 kBd, Data format 8N1
Higher baud rates can be set using the “SB” cmd.
On power-up 9.6 kBd will be restored.
Device Parameters

Like in front panel mode thresholds and pz values
can be adjusted in common or individually foreach channel, while shaping times and gains canbe set up for groups of four channels or in common. For common settings, there’s one virtualchannel/group added to parameter indices:

SBL valSC val
SBT valST chan val
SP chan val
SS group val
SM hi lo
MC chan
SI 0/1ONOFFAPAP chan
PZR range
CPY F
CPY RV

Display Setup (lists all gains,thresholds, pz values, shaping times,…)Set Baud rate to:n = 1: 9.600 Bd. (Power-Up default)
2: 19.200 Bd.
3: 28.400 Bd.
4: 57.600 Bd.
5: 115.200 Bd.
Set Gain for groups of 4 channels
group = 1…5 (5 = common mode)val = 0…15
Switch BLR on/off (1/0)
Set coinc time window (0..255)
Set BLR threshold (0..255)
Set threshold valuechan = 1…17 (17 = common mode)val = 0…255
Set pz valuechan = 1…17 (17 = common mode)val = 0…255
Set shaping time for a group
group = 1…5 (5 = common mode)val = 0…3
Set multiplicity borders
hi, lo = 1 … 8
Set monitor output to chanchan = 1…16
Single channel mode0 = off, 1 = on
Switch RC mode on
Switch RC mode off
Switch automatic pz setting on/off
automatic pz setting for chan 1..16
Set display range for PZ display
range = 1...255
Copy front panel settings toRC memory
Copy RC settings tofront panel memory
Display firmware version

Settings via USB remote control will be saved inpermanent memory and will be restored after next
power up.

mesytec GmbH & Co. KG
Wernher-von-Braun-Str. 1, D-85640 Putzbrunn, Germany
phone: +49 – 89 / 456007-30 fax: +49 – 89 / 456007-39
info@mesytec.com - www.mesytec.com

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MSCF-16-LN

RC bus control
MSCF-16 can also be controlled using theMRC-1 / MRCC master controller modules.
Bus setup

Up to 32 devices (not only MSCF-16) – 16 oneach of the two control buses – can be remotelycontrolled at a time.
Devices have to be connected with lemo cables
and t-pieces, the last module on a bus has to beterminated with 50 Ω. The RC master isself terminated. Be sure to assign individual
device addresses using the address coders!
RC commands

Remote control via RC bus is basically performedby reading and writing the control register page ofthe MSCF-16. Basic commands are:Read: RE b a m
Write (Set): SE b a m v
With:
b = bus number (0/1)
a = device address (0 … 15)m = memory addressv = value

16 fold shaper with CFD

18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48

Threshold channel 14
Threshold channel 15
Threshold channel 16
Threshold common
PZ value channel 1
PZ value channel 2
PZ value channel 3
PZ value channel 4
PZ value channel 5
PZ value channel 6
PZ value channel 7
PZ value channel 8
PZ value channel 9
PZ value channel 10
PZ value channel 11
PZ value channel 12
PZ value channel 13
PZ value channel 14
PZ value channel 15
PZ value channel 16
PZ value common
Shaping time group 1
Shaping time group 2
Shaping time group 3
Shaping time group 4
Shaping time common
Multiplicity hi
Multiplicity lo
Monitor channelSingle channel mode
RC49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
99

Version information
BLR threshold
BLR on/offCoinc. Time
Threshold offset
Shaper offset
Sumdis Threshold
PZ display range
Copy Function (writeonly)

100Start/Stop auto PZ

Memory List MSCF-16

The following table shows theMSCF-16 memory layout:ADR012
3
45678
910111213
1415
16
17parameter
Gain group 1
Gain group 2Gain group 3
Gain group 4Gain common
Threshold channel 1
Threshold channel 2Threshold channel 3
Threshold channel 4Threshold channel 5Threshold channel 6
Threshold channel 7
Threshold channel 8
Threshold channel 9
Threshold channel 10
Threshold channel 11
Threshold channel 12
Threshold channel 13

comment
Gain setting forchannel 1 … 3 andcommon mode
Values from 0 … 15
Threshold values forchannel 1 … 16,
17 = common
Values from 0 … 255

mesytec GmbH & Co. KG
Wernher-von-Braun-Str. 1, D-85640 Putzbrunn, Germany
phone: +49 – 89 / 456007-30 fax: +49 – 89 / 456007-39
info@mesytec.com - www.mesytec.com

PZ values forchannel 1 … 16,
17 = common
Values from 0 … 255

Shaping time settingsfor group 1 … 3 andcommon mode
Values from 0 … 3
Multiplicity values
1…81 … 16
1 = on, 0 = off
1 = on, 0 = off(set automatically byON / OFF cmd via
MRC-1 / MRCC)
16 * maj + min.
0 … 255
1 = on, 0 = off
0 … 255
100 (=no offs) ±100
100 (=no offs) ±100
(only special models)1 … 255
1: copy panel → RC
2: copy RC → panel
3: copy RC common→ single
Write:
0: stop
1...16: single channel
auto PZ
17: all channels autoPZ
Read:
currently processedchannel

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MSCF-16-LN

Parameters can be read / written while RC on oroff, but will take effect only when RC is on.
While RC ON, the front panel control will beblocked until “Enter” is pressed.

16 fold shaper with CFD

When shut down during RC on, the RC values
will be restored after next power up and rc will be
active again.
Identification code for MSCF-16 (detected whenrunning the scan bus command "SC") is IDC = 21.

MSCF-16 PCB overview

1:
Position for the active gain-polarity jumpers.
2:
Position to store up to 4 spare jumpers
3:
BLR on/off, ECL Trigger delay on/off
4:
Timing filter integration time5:
50 Ω jumper. Is needed if modules are not connected for common multiplicity.
6 to 9 : Connector usually occupied by CFD modules. To use only leading edge discriminators,
remove CFD module and insert 16 jumpers at the upper positions, 4 for each connector.
The lower pair on each connector is ground and can be left free.

mesytec GmbH & Co. KG
Wernher-von-Braun-Str. 1, D-85640 Putzbrunn, Germany
phone: +49 – 89 / 456007-30 fax: +49 – 89 / 456007-39info@mesytec.com - www.mesytec.com

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MSCF-16-LN

16 fold shaper with CFD

Types and ordering
Example MSCF-16 for Ge detector readout
Module nameShaping times(sigma)MSCF-16_LN

Input type

Input
connector

Discriminator

CFDDelay200_SH8_V_L_CFD

1 us, 2 us, 4 us, 8 us

Voltage for current
preamp signals

Lemo

Constant fraction
discriminator

TF-dif:
330 ns, 550 ns,
750 ns
1.0 us

LEOr leading edge
only-Connected parameters

The timing filter differentiation time corresponds to the selected shaping time. So shortest shaping time
results in shortest TF differentiation time.
CFD plug in modules (4 modules per MSCF-16 needed)

CFD-Name
CFD-60
CFD-120
CFD-200Fraction(via dipswitch)
20 % / 40 %20 % / 40 %20 % / 40 %Delays(via dipswitch)
10, 20, 40, 60 ns
20, 40, 80, 120 ns
30, 60, 130, 200 ns

Existing types

Alias
Ge-Type

Module name
MSCF-16_LN_SH8_V_L_CFD200 / LEcomment
Gain jumpers: G5-50 R, G30-50 R
For high performance spectroscopy with Ge-detector
ECL output delay switchable 0us / 0.8 us
TF differentiation time of 330 ns, 550 ns, 750 ns, 1.0 us
TF integration time: 40 ns, 80 ns, 150 ns, 200 ns
BLR threshold step: 1 mV (max 255 mV)

Variations of output configuration and CFD / LE configuration are available without extra costs.

mesytec GmbH & Co. KG
Wernher-von-Braun-Str. 1, D-85640 Putzbrunn, Germany
phone: +49 – 89 / 456007-30 fax: +49 – 89 / 456007-39
info@mesytec.com - www.mesytec.com

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