MSCF-16 F(Data sheet V51_01)

16 fold Spectroscopy
Amplifier with CFDs
and Multiplicity Trigger

mesytec MSCF-16 F is a shaping / timing filter amplifier with constant fraction discriminator and multiplicity trigger and provides active baseline restorers. It is well suited for multi
strip silicon detectors and for high quality spectroscopy applications. The differential input
version is ideal with the pre amplifier family MPR-16 / -32 / -64.
For Ge-detectors see data sheet for MSCF-16 LN. For direct PMT interfacing see data sheet
MSCF-16-F-C.
Features:•••••••••••••••••

16 channel NIM module, low power design
Shaping amplifier with active baseline restorer
Timing filter amplifier
CF discriminators (opt.: leading edge)
ECL timing output with digital delay of 450 ns
Trigger output (NIM)
Multiplicity trigger (NIM)
Remote control of discriminator thresholds,
shaping time, gains, PZ, threshold
4 shaping times
Gain adjustable from 1 to 600 (optional 2000)
Differential or unipolar (Lemo) input versions.
Low noise: <7 uV(gain = 100 and shaping time = 2 us)
Low integral non-linearity
Fully controllable via front panel
Remote control via USB and mesytec control bus
4 selectable 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 F

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.

When using unipolar jumpers for MSCF-16 with
34 pin input header connectors, the "-" lines aregrounded. MHL-32 or MAD-34 adaptors can beused to interface to Lemo.
Noise• Input noise at gain = 100 and 2 us
shaping time = 7 uVrms.
Shapernegative input signals

positive input signals

For 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. The gain ismultiplied with the gain jumper factor. So witha gain jumper G2, and G30 a total gain of 2 to600 is standard.

•••
•
•
••
•
•
•

PZ adjustable with front panel trimmer
5th order filter CR-RC5
Four shaping times selectable for groups of4 channels
Output amplitude: 0 to 10 V at 1 kΩActive baseline restorer
DC-Offset: VDC ← 5 mV,
common offset adjust
Output connector: 34 pin male connector
Integral non linearity <0.05 %gain drift <0.0075 % /°C
Offset drift <50 uV /°C

Timing filter amplifier• Four selectable integration times.
• Differentiation times are selected with shaping
time (See Table).
Discriminator:

unipolar version• Input connectors: 16 x Lemo 00 series• Input termination: 50 Ω, coded on thegain-polarity jumper are possible.
Gain jumpers from gain = 1 to 95 are possible.
See table for details
differential version• Input connector: 34 pin male connector• Input resistance: terminated with 100 Ω,
adapted to twisted pair cables.
• Gain-Polarity jumper with multiplication
factor of G2 and G30 are standard.
(Total Gain range from 2 to 600)
• Common mode suppression: >50 dB• CFD or Leading edge (jumper selectable)• CFD delays, and fraction selectable for groupof 4 channels• CFD – Walk:for 30 ns (10 % to 90 %) input rise time,±1 ns (dynamic range 100:1)• Threshold: adjustable, 0 % to 30 % of
maximum range, in 256 steps• CFD fractions: selectable for groups of 4:
20 % or 40 %• CFD – Walk:for 30 ns (10 % to 90 %) input rise time,
max 1 ns (dynamic range 100:1)

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 F
Fraction and delay selection of the 4 channel
CFD plug on modules
Fraction (sw 1) Example: CFD-120
On: 20 %Off: 40 %Delay (sw 1, 2)
off off: 20 ns
on off: 40 ns
off on: 80 ns
on on: 120 ns
For other CFD delays see section “Tables”
See also label inside the movable moduleside plate.

Timing delay, ECL output• Pulse width for NIM trigger output: 450 ns• Timing stop ECL-Signals:
delay see table, can be switched off.
Pulse width 200 ns• Output connector: 34 pin male connector

16 fold shaper with CFD

Multiplicity trigger• Each channel above threshold contributes tomultiplicity level, a multiplicity trigger is generated for:lower multiplicity threshold <= multiplicity
level <= upper multiplicity threshold• Coincidence interval adjustable via RC from
20 ns up to 200 ns(default 120 ns = Value 128).
• The multiplicity trigger is delayed by
the coincidence time to the trigger signal.
• Multiplicities selectable via remote control• Lower multiplicity threshold: 1 … 8 and inf• Multiplicity chaining: multiplicity outputs
from several modules can be connected,
resulting in a total multiplicity level of allconnected modules. Multiplicity trigger
windows of the connected modules act
independently on the total multiplicity.
Power consumption: (max 9 W)

+ 6 V 360 mA– 6 V –780 mA+12 V 270 mA

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 F

16 fold shaper with CFD

MSCF-16 Front panel Operation
Most MSCF-16 parameters can be set andcontrolled 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 timeThree parameters can be set only for all channels
by switches on the motherboard:• Baseline restorer (BLK) on / off• Timing (ECL) delay on / off• TF integration: four times (see table)

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 bytwo LEDs. They indicate an index from 0(“1” and “2” LEDs both off) up to 3 (both LEDson). Please refer to individual device labelling forcorresponding shaping times.
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.

All parameters can as well be set up for all
channels in common. Thus there are two different
modes of front panel operation:

ThresholdCommon 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

PZ

Threshold 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 compensation is also adjusted with a front
panel trimmer, the corresponding voltage level is
output on the test point. It can be set commonly
for all channels or individually for each channel.

Common parameters can be copied to individual
parameters to easily get a basis for individual
settings. this is done by clicking the “Single chan”
knob while “enter” is pressed
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.

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 F

16 fold shaper with CFD

General setup

Remote Controlled Operation

Common mode

MSCF-16 can be remotely controlled in twoways: USB control and mesytec control bus.

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 individual channel mode, trimmer changes are
only read and activated when the “enter” knob ispressed during changes. Threshold and PZ settings
are remembered individually for each channel.
Shaping times and gains are valid for a group offour 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.

MSCF-16 has two complete parameter sets, one
for 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:• Coincidence time window• BLR threshold• Multiplicity trigger thresholds
Only for factory setting or experts:• Shaper offset• discriminator threshold offset

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
breaks 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 FUSB Control

SC valFor 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 themanufacturer of the USB interface chip:www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
The MSCF-16 can then be controlled e.g. using aterminal program or a proprietarycontrol software.

SSO val
STO val
SBT valST chan val

SP chan val

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.

SM hi lo

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 orin common.
For common settings, there’s one virtualchannel/group added to parameter indices:

Command list: (each cmd terminated by <CR>)

SG group val

SBL valSI 0/1
SE 0/1ONOFFAP

Gain, shaping time:Groups 1 … 4, 5 = common.

SB nMC chan

SF valThresholds, pz compensation:
Channels 1 … 16, 17 = common

DS

SS group val

Display Set up (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)

AP chanCPY F
CPY RV

16 fold shaper with CFD

Set coincidence time window(0...255)
Set shaper offset (0...200)
def. 100
Set threshold offset (0...200)
def. 100Set 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…15
Set multiplicity borders
hi, lo = 1 … 8
hi can also be set to 9 = infinite
Set monitor output to chanchan = 1…16
Single channel mode0 = off, 1 = on
ECL delay
0 = off, 1 = on
Timing filter integration timeval = 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Switch RC mode on
Switch RC mode off
Switch automatic pz setting
on/offautomatic pz setting for chan
1...16
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 F
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 on each of the two control buses –can be remotely controlled 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 is self
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 bus addr memaddr
Write (Set): SE bus addr memaddr val
With:bus = bus number (0/1)
addr = device address (0 … 15)
memaddr = memory address
val = value

16 fold shaper with CFD

1920
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 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 channel
Single channel mode
RC49
50
51
52
53

Version information
BLR threshold
BLR on/offCoinc. TimeThreshold offset

54

Shaper offset

55
56
57
58n.a.
n.a.
ECL trigger delay
TF int time

Memory List MSCF-16

The following table shows the MSCF-16 memory
layout:ADR012345678910111213
1415161718

parameter
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
Threshold channel 14

comment
Gain setting forchannel 1...3and common mode
values from 0...15Threshold values forchannel 1...16,
17 = common
values from 0...255

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

Shaping time settingsfor group 1...3and common mode
values from 0...3
Multiplicity
values 1...81...16
1 = on, 0 = off
1 = on, 0 = off(set automatically by
ON / OFF cmd via
MRC-1 / MRCC)
16* maj + min.
0...255
1 = on, 0 = off
0...255
100 (=no offs)+/-100100 (=no offs)+/-1000 = off, 1 = on
0...3 (one of four)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.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 = 20.
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 F

16 fold shaper with CFD

MSCF-16 PCB overview

1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6 to 9:Position for the active gain-polarity jumpers.
Position to store up to 4 spare jumpers
BLR on/off, ECL Trigger delay on/off
Timing filter integration time
50 Ohm jumper. Is needed if modules are not connected for common multiplicity.
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 eachconnector 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 / 456007-39
info@mesytec.com - www.mesytec.com

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MSCF-16 F

16 fold shaper with CFD

Tables: data, types and ordering
Example MSCF-16 F for particle detector readout
Applic.

Module name

Shaping times(σ)

All
MSCF-16_F
particle
detectors

Input type

Input
connector

Discriminator

CFDDelay

_CFD

120

_SH2

_V

_L

switchable:
0.25 us,
0.5 us,1 us,
2 usVoltage input for
charge Preamp.
tail pulses

Lemo

Constant Fracti- available:
on discriminator
3060_D
120_LE
Differential
200 nsLeading Edge
Discriminator

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 MSCF16 needed)
CFD-Name
CFD-30
CFD-60
CFD-120
CFD-200

Fraction(via dipswitch)
20 % / 40 %20 % / 40 %20 % / 40 %20 % / 40 %Delays(via dipswitch)
5, 10, 20, 30 ns
10, 20, 40, 60 ns
20, 40, 80, 120 ns
30, 60, 130, 200 ns

Preferred typeApplic.

Module namecomment

Silicon Detectors
IO Chambers
MWPC…

MSCF16_F_SH2_V_X_CFD120

Shaping times: 0.25 us, 0.5 us, 1 us, 2 us (sigma)
Gain jumpers: G2, G30
ECL output delay 0.4 us
TF differentiation time of 70, 150, 300, 600 ns
TF integration time 20, 40,80,120 ns
BLR threshold step: 4 mV (max 1.0 V)

with
X=”D”: FRC Header input
X=”L”: Lemo inputs

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 F

16 fold shaper with CFD

Special types
Applic.

Module namecomment

Silicon Detectors
IO Chambers
MWPC…

MSCF16_F_SH4_V_X_LE

Shaping times: 0.5 us, 1 us, 2 us, 4 us (sigma)
Gain jumpers: G2, G30
ECL output delay 0.8 us
TF differentiation time of 140 ns, 300 ns, 600 ns,
1.2 usTF integration time 40, 80, 150, 220 ns
BLR threshold step: 4 mV (max 1.0 V)

Scintillators
Silicon Detectors
MWPC…

MSCF16_F_SH1_V_X_LE

with
X=”D”: FRC Header input
X=”L”: Lemo inputs

with
X=”D”: FRC Header input
X=”L”: Lemo inputs

Shaping times: 0.12 s, 0.25 us, 0.5 us, 1 us (sigma)
Gain jumpers: G2, G30
ECL output delay 0.4 us
TF differentiation time of 35 ns, 75 ns, 150 ns,300 ns
TF integration time 10, 20, 35, 50 ns
BLR threshold step: 4 mV (max 1.0 V)

For Ge- Detectors see MSCF16_LN series.
For direct PMT interfacing see datasheet MSCF-16-F-C.

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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