CSX family of digital signal processors

The CSX family of digital signal processors:

Our line of digital signal processors (DSP) provide Quality Assurance and are the only processors which record all events. The CSX DSPs are digitally based, high throughput, multi-channel analyzers ideally suited for use with pulsed feedback preamplifiers and energy dispersive detectors. It provides the only link necessary between the preamplifier output and the host computer where the spectra can be viewed, analyzed and saved using the provided software interface.

Available with SMD and through hole soldering technologies. Please inquire for refurbished units at a reduced price.

CSX2

CSX2 applies two criteria to sort the signal into good events and undesirable events categories. Intended for high throughput rates in the range of 100,000 counts per second. It can use either a) 'rise time' and 'noise' or b) 'rise time' and 'pile up' as the two software discrimination criteria.
Price: Please Contact us for pricing information and licensing terms.

CSX3

CSX3 has three discrimination criteria: 'rise time', 'noise' and 'shape'.
Price: Please Contact us for pricing information and licensing terms.

CSX4

Recommended for reset type preamplifiers, with shaping time ranges between 0.5 and 120 microseconds, or any detectors where the resolution and line shape have to be the best possible. It has four discrimination criteria: 'rise time', 'noise', 'shape' and 'pile up'.
Price: Please Contact us for pricing information and licensing terms.

Performance

The response function of a SDD (Silicon drift) detector irradiated with an ⁵⁵Fe radioactive source, measured with a CSX signal processor.

The response function of a Si(Li) detector for a quasi monochromatic Cu K 1 radiation, measured with the CSX2 signal processor. The CSX signal processors also process the events rejected by any discriminator and store these events in the rejected spectra (red line). As we see the low energy tailing was recognized and rejected. The rejected spectrum is necessary if someone wants to derive the true input rate (see "A robust digital signal processor: Determining the true input rate" and "The necessity of recognizing all events in X-ray detection").

The response function of a Si(Li) detector for a quasi monochromatic CuK 1 radiation from a copper anode x-ray tube and x-ray monochromator. The tailing has the predicted slope.

High signal throughput without significant spectral degradation allowing shorter sampling times with the same statistical accuracy
Multilevel pile up recognition. Improved pile-up suppression with no visible pile-up peak distortion (particularly critical at high throughput rates and for analysis of elemental x- ray lines in the pile-up region).
Excellent handling of other spectral interference events such as electronic noise, microphonics, and nuclear background
Sustained line shape quality even at high input rates
Reduction of tailing to the proper level
Absence of spurious peaks and electronic artifacts

Hardware

The CSX units have a signal input connector (BNC), a communications port connector (either nine-pin serial or USB) and a five-pin power connector. Front Panel:

BNC connector for connecting to the preamplifier signal output. Caution: signal voltages exceeding +/- 10V can damage the unit and this is not covered under warranty.

Rear Panel:

An appropriate cable is used to connect the nine pin serial communications (or USB) port to a serial COM ( or USB) port on the host computer. The port on the host computer should be one that will not be used by other applications at the same time the CSX software is running.
Standard five pin power connector for connecting a power supply to the CSX unit. The power supply must be able to provide +5V, 0.6W, and +-12V, 0.1W.

The units accept the following preamplifier input: 50 Ω BNC connector, voltage range -5.0 V to +5.0 V standard. Accepts input from most common reset feedback preamplifiers of either polarity. A preamplifier trace is captured below as an example, but rising staircase is also acceptable: