550A Single Channel Analyzer

Specifications

PERFORMANCE

DYNAMIC RANGE 500:1.

PULSE-PAIR RESOLVING TIME 100 ns plus output pulse width.

THRESHOLD TEMPERATURE SENSITIVITY <0.01% of full scale per °C, from 0 to 50°C, using a NIM Class A power supply (referenced to –12 V).

WINDOW WIDTH CONSTANCY Variation <±0.1% of full-scale window width over the +20 mV to +10 V linear input range.

DISCRIMINATOR NONLINEARITY <±0.25% of full scale for both discriminators.

INDICATORS

SCA OUT LED Front-panel LED flashes whenever an SCA output pulse is generated.

INPUTS

INPUT Front-panel BNC connector accepts unipolar or bipolar linear signals for pulse amplitude selection in the range of +20 mV to +10 V (dc-coupled). The minimum input pulse width is 100 ns. The maximum amplitude of signal plus dc offset is ±12 V. Input impedance is approximately 1000 W. Front-panel test point wired to the INPUT connector through a 470-W resistor.

IN Rear-panel BNC connector identical to INPUT connector.

LL REF Rear-panel BNC connector accepts a dc voltage from an external source for controlling the lower-level threshold when the INT/EXT LL REF switch is in the EXT position. The input range of –20 mV to –10 V corresponds to a lower-level threshold range of +20 mV to +10 V. The input is overload protected to ±15 V

OUTPUTS

SCA OUT Front- and rear-panel BNC connectors provide a NIM-standard, positive logic pulse output: nominally +5 V amplitude and 500-ns width. Output impedance <15 W. Front- and rear-panel outputs have separate output drivers. The output pulse occurs when the trailing edge of the linear input pulse crosses the lower-level threshold. See description under CONTROLS for output logic modes. Front-panel test point wired to the SCA OUT connector through a 470-W resistor.

LL OUT Rear-panel BNC connector provides a NIM-standard, positive logic pulse output: nominally +5 V amplitude and 500-ns width. Output impedance <15 W. The output pulse occurs when the leading edge of the linear input pulse crosses the lower-level threshold (INT or NORMAL modes), or the lower limit of the window (WINDOW modes).

UL OUT Rear-panel BNC connector provides a NIM-standard, positive logic pulse output: nominally +5 V amplitude and 500-ns width. Output impedance <15 W. The output pulse occurs when the leading-edge of the linear input pulse crosses the upper-level threshold (INT or NORMAL modes), or the upper limit of the window (WINDOW modes).

CONTROLS

WINDOW OR UPPER LEVEL Front-panel, 10-turn, locking dial determines the window width (0 to 1 V) in the WINDOW modes, or the upper-level threshold (0 to +10 V) in the NORMAL and INTEGRAL modes.

LOWER LEVEL Front-panel, 10-turn, locking dial determines the threshold setting (+20 mV to +10 V) for the lower-level discriminator when the rear-panel LL REF switch is in the INT position. The LOWER-LEVEL control is disabled when the EXT position is selected on the rear-panel LL REF switch.

INT, ASYM WINDOW, SYM WINDOW, NORM Front-panel, four-position rotary switch selects one of four operating modes:
INT In the INTEGRAL mode, the lower level and upper level are independently adjustable from +20 mV to +10 V. The SCA OUT is generated for all pulse amplitudes exceeding the lower-level threshold.
NORM In the NORMAL mode, the lower level and upper level are independently adjustable from +20 mV to +10 V. The SCA OUT is generated for pulse amplitudes that exceed the lower-level threshold, but do not exceed the upper-level threshold.
ASYM WINDOW In the ASYMMETRIC WINDOW mode, the lower limit of the window is adjustable from +20 mV to +10 V using the LOWER LEVEL dial. The WINDOW dial adjusts the width of the window from 0 to 1 V. The SCA OUT is generated for pulse amplitudes between the upper and lower limits of the window.
SYM WINDOW In the SYMMETRIC WINDOW mode, the center of the window is adjustable from +20 mV to +10 V using the LOWER LEVEL dial. The WINDOW dial adjusts the width of the window from 0 to 1 V. The SCA OUT is generated for pulse amplitudes between the upper and lower limits of the window.

INT/EXT LL REF A rear-panel locking toggle switch selects either the front-panel LOWER LEVEL dial (INT position), or the rear-panel LL REF input (EXT position) for controlling the lower-level threshold.

ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL

POWER REQUIRED +12 V at 75 mA, –12 V at 35 mA.

WEIGHT
Net 0.9 kg (2.0 lb)
Shipping 2.3 kg (5.0 lb)

DIMENSIONS NIM-standard single-width module 3.43 X 22.13 cm (1.35 X 8.714 in.) front panel per DOE/ER-0457T.

ORDERING INFORMATION