ADVANCED PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT

MCA8000DFeatures• Compatible with traditional analog pulse shaping• High speed ADC (100 MHz, 16 bit) with digital pulse heightmeasurement• 8k data channels• Minimum pulse peaking time 500 ns• Conversion time 10 ns• Sliding-scale linearization.
• Differential nonlinearity <±0.6%.
• Integral nonlinearity <±0.02%.
• Two peak detection modes:  first peak after the threshold(nuclear spectroscopy) or absolute peak after the threshold(particle counter calibration in clean rooms).
• Two TTL compatible gates for coincidence and anticoincidence.
• Supports USB, RS-232, and Ethernet communication interfaces.

Fits in a shirt pocket!!

The MCA8000D is a full-featured multichannel
analyzer intended to be used with a wide varietyof detector systems.

• Dimensions:  5 x 2.8 x 0.8 in / 125 x 71 x 20 mm.
• Weight:  <165 g.
• Free PC software supports ROI, energy calibration, peak information, MCA configuration, and file management.

Examples of unipolar (top) and bipolar (bottom)
input pulse shapes suitable for the MCA8000D

Amptek’s MCA8000D is a state-of-the-art, compact, high performance,digital MultiChannel Analyzer (MCA). It replaces the MCA8000A,
providing the same functionality with reduced dead time, modern communications interfaces (USB, RS-232, and Ethernet), and much higher
data transfer rates. Because it does not implement digital pulse shaping,
it is compatible with analog pulse shaping systems.
Superior performance is obtained from a high speed ADC (a 100 MHz
16 bit ADC) and sophisticated digital logic. The MCA8000D digitizes
the input signal (the output of an analog shaping amplifier) to measure
the pulse height and obtain the pulse height spectrum. The high speed
ADC, with a 10 ns conversion time, reduces dead time thus increasing
throughput. The digital circuitry yields high accuracy and stability.

Figure 1. Example of unipolar input pulse.

The MCA8000D includes three interfaces, USB (USB 2.0 fullspeed), RS-232 (up to 115 kB), and Ethernet (10base-T). It uses thesame DPPMCA software package as Amptek’s digital signal processors,including the DP5, PX5, and X-123. The MCA8000D can be poweredover USB or with an external AC/DC power supply.
Compromising nothing in performance, the MCA8000D is a lowpower, light weight instrument which is exceptionally versatile and easy
to use.

AMPTEK INC.

Tel: +1 (781) 275-2242

Figure 2. Example of bipolar input pulse.

14 DeAngelo Drive, Bedford, MA 01730-2204 U.S.A.

Fax: +1 (781) 275-3470

email: sales@amptek.com

http://www.amptek.com

SPECIFICATIONS
Performance Characteristics
Pulse-Height
Digitizer

Exterior Controls and Indicators

High speed 100 MHz, 16 bit ADC with digital pulse heightmeasurement.
Input ranges of 0 to 1V or 0 to 10V (software selectable)Number of channels commandable to 256, 512, 1k, 2k, 4k,or 8k channels

Pulse Processing Pulse peaking time ≥ 500 ns to meet specifications.
TimesPeak Detection
Modes (SeeFigure 3)

First Peak After Standard to nuclear instrumentation
Threshold (V1)MCAs.
Absolute Peak Above Typically used in airborne particle
Threshold (V2)sizing analyzers, in environmental
air monitoring systems and in aerosol
research.

Differential
Nonlinearity<±0.6% from 15 mV to full scale.

Integral
Nonlinearity<±0.02% over full scale.

Gain Stability

Gain ±10 ppm/ºC.; Zero drift ±10 ppm/ºC. (typical)

Low Level
Discriminator

Software selectable threshold, in increments of one channel.

Counts perChannel

Maximum = 16.7 x 10 counts (3 bytes).

Real and Live
TimersInterface
OperatingTemperature

StatusLight

Flashing red light: data acquisition mode.

Power
OperatingPower
PowerSources

2 W.
Power: +5V at 0.4A
Input range: +4V to +5.5V (0.5 to 0.4A typical)
Power source: USB power or AC/DC adapter (supplied)

Connections
The analog input accepts positive unipolar or bipolar semigaussian
type pulses of shaping time constants ≥200 ns or peaking time≥ 500 ns. See Figures 1 and 2.
Input

The dynamic range is 0 to +1 V or 0 to +10 V, software selectable.
Minimum pulse height is 5 mV.
Input impedance is 1 kΩ or 100 kΩ (options at purchase).
The input has overload protection up to ±20 V.
The DC level of the input signal must be zero.
The MCA8000D has two logic gates. GATE1 is generally used for pileup rejection while GATE2 is generally used to synchronize acquisition
with external hardware.

6Data acquisition real or live time preset in multiples of one
second. Maximum preset time 16777215 (224 - 1) seconds.
Shorter or non-integer accumulation times can be achieved
by gating the input signal with Gate 1 or Gate 2.
Real and Live Time: 4,294,967.29 s (0.01 s precision);
999,999.999 s (0.001 s precision).
Acquisition Time: 99,999,999.9 s (0.1 s precision)
Preset Counts: 4,294,967,295 (232-1) in channel or ROI

Gates

RS232: 115 Kbaud.
USB: Standard 2.0 full speed (12 Mbps).
Ethernet: Standard 10base-T.

Power-20ºC to +60ºC.

Steady red light: power is ON and no data acquisition in progress.

Interface(I/O)

Each gate can be commanded to ACTIVE HIGH, ACTIVE LOW, orDISABLED. When set to ACTIVE HIGH, if the input is high, then pulse
heights are not recorded and the live time clock is stopped. The active
state of each GATE input is evaluated at the time the peak of the input
analog pulse is detected.
USB: Standard USB Mini-B jack.
Ethernet: Standard Ethernet jack.
RS232: Standard 2.5 mm stereo audio jack.
Center positive 5.5 mm x 2.1 mm plug.

Mechanical
Weight<165 g.

Dimensions 5 x 2.8 x 0.8 in (125 x 71 x 20 mm).

Figure 3. Complete Pulse Height Analysis System

OPERATING NOTES

Amptek’s MCA8000D is one component in a complete pulse height analysis system. Figure 3 illustrates a typical system: theradiation detector is connected to a charge sensitive preamplifier, which is connected to a shaping amplifier. The output of the shaping
amplifier is a pulse with peak amplitude proportional to the energy deposited in the detector. The MCA measures the amplitude of
the peak and produces a histogram representing the pulse height spectrum. This histogram, an integer array of the number of eventsin each pulse height channel, is the primary output of the MCA and istransferred to a computer over USB, Ethernet, or RS232 interfaces.
Amptek’s MCA8000D does not include pulse shaping circuitry
but only the MCA circuitry. The MCA8000D must be preceded bypulse shaping circuits. Figures 1 and 2 show typical pulse shapes input to the MCA8000D. Amptek, Inc has other products (including theDP5, DP5G, PX5, and PX5-HPGe) which include both pulse shaping
and MCA circuitry. These use digital pulse processing for the very bestperformance. Please contact Amptek, Inc for information on these integrated systems. Note that some manufacturers use the term “MCA” formodules which include both the pulse shaping and the traditional MCA
functions.

Figure 4. MCA8000D Back View

Amptek’s MCA8000D is most often used to measure the energy
spectrum from a radiation detector, where the pulse height is proportional to energy but can be used in other applications. For example,
instruments used to monitor cleanrooms produce an output pulse proportional to the size of the particle, so the MCA8000D is used tomeasure the particle size spectrum. Some radiation detection systems used in timing produce a pulse height proportional to the time
between events (using a time to amplitude converter), so the MCA8000D yields a timing spectrum.

SOFTWARE
The MCA8000D can be controlled by the Amptek DPPMCA display and acquisition software. This software sets the configuration(number of channels, input range, etc), can start and stop acquisitions, can display the spectra, and supports basic analysis functions
such as defining regions of interest (ROI), performing calibrations, peak searching, and so on. Data are saved in an ASCII file format.
The DPPMCA software is also used with Amptek’s digital pulse processors, including the DP5, Gamma-Rad5, PX5, etc.
The MCA8000D comes with a complete Software Development Kit (SDK). The user can use this platform to easily develop software to control the MCA for custom applications or to interface it to a larger system. Examples are provided in VB, VC++, etc. The
standard DPPMCA software runs only on Windows operating systems but users can develop interface software running on Linux orother operating systems using documentation and sample code which are provided.

ADVANCED ANALYSESThe pulse height spectrum is the primary output from the MCA8000D. It can also be used in a “multichannel scaling” mode torecord count rate vs time (down to 10 ms/channel).

OPTION PA FOR PARTICLE COUNTINGThe Option PA package has been developed to facilitate the use of theMCA8000D for particle counting in airborne (Size Calibration) andliquid suspended1 (Number Calibration) particle applications. Theunit is calibrated and certified traceable to the National Institute ofStandards and Technology (NIST).

V1 = Nuclear Instrumentation MCA’s
V2 = Airborne Particle Sizing Analyzers

The Option PA package is capable of detecting pulses from 5 mV
to 10 V. The MCA8000D is typically connected to the output of aparticle sensor. It detects and displays a spectrum of pulse heights
allowing the user to determine if a given particle size is producing
the correct voltage.
The software included with the MCA provides information on thepeak center (centroid and mean calculation) making it easy to determine
if the peak is in the correct position. The supplied calibration curves
convert the MCA channel scale to a mV scale. The calibration curves
can be set to load automatically when the software opens.
Sommer, H.T. “IMPLEMENTING PARTICLE COUNTER CALIBRATION PER ISO
11171-1999.”; TEAM Service, Inc., P.O. Box 220, Merlin, OR 97532, (541)476-4744,
HolgerTSo@aol.com; Copyright Society of Automotive Engineers

1Threshold

V1 - First peakafter threshold

V2 - Absolute peakafter threshold

Figure 5. MCA8000D Peak Detection Modes

Figure 6. Example of DPPMCA Software for MCA8000D

Figure 7. Example of DPPMCA Software showing multiple spectra
capability

Frequently Asked Questions
How does the MCA8000D differ from the previous MCA8000A?
1) It now supports USB, Ethernet, and RS232 interfaces with much faster data transfers.  It makes operation
with modern computers very easy.
2) It uses the DPPMCA acquisition software, a new version of the older ADMCA software.
3) It can be powered by USB or an external plug.  It does not contain a battery.
4) It has 8k data channels and is specified for pulse risetimes >0.5 us.
5) It is an all digital solution, with a fast ADC and digital peak detection.
6) It is smaller and lighter.

MCA8000D Ordering Information
MCA8000D Basic Package - for Nuclear Instrumentation  •  MCA8000D  •  One AC adapter for MCA8000D  •  One BNC signal cable (1 meter length)  •  One Mini-USB cable  •  DPPMCA Display Software installation disk

MCA8000D PA Package - for Airborne Particle Sizing  •  MCA8000D Basic Package, modified for 100 kΩ input
impedance  •  NIST traceable calibration  •  Certificate of Calibration

XRF-FP Quantitative Analysis Software - Optional
Quantitative Analysis
Energy (keV)

MnCountsPbMoKAMPTEK INC.

Tel: +1 (781) 275-2242

Analysis
K 17.47%
Cr 3.76%
Mn 8.06%
Fe 4.75%
Cu 1.53%
Ge 4.98%
Pb 11.45%
Rb 3.08%
Sr 3.77%
Zr 7.37%
Nb 9.82%
Mo 15.42%
Au 6.26%
Other 2.28%

FeaturesFundamental Parameter (FP) Calculations
Analysis with or without standards
General bulk and thin-film analysis
Analyze up to 40 elements
Automode for continuous or repeated analyses
Spectrum Processing• Spectrum calibration• Background removal and blank subtraction• Escape peak and sum peak removal• Smoothing• Deconvolution: Intensity extraction

14 DeAngelo Drive, Bedford, MA 01730-2204 U.S.A.

Fax: +1 (781) 275-3470

email: sales@amptek.com

http://www.amptek.com