Time-to-Voltage Conversion with Lock-Out Logic for Precise Event Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation detectors for security screening and medical imaging require low-power, low-noise, high-resolution data acquisition systems that can provide complete energy and time discrimination capabilities, but existing solutions often have high power consumption and incomplete information, especially in portable systems.
Innovation Solution
A data acquisition system incorporating a current source, integrator, switches, and a controller to ensure minimum integration time, along with a time-to-voltage converter, which couples the current source to the integrator upon event detection and de-couples it after a set time, generating a lock-out signal to maintain integration accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing data acquisition systems are used in radiation detectors, then energy and time discrimination capabilities are provided, but power consumption is high and information completeness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The data acquisition system is divided into multiple independent channels, each capable of processing energy and time information separately. This segmentation allows the system to process multiple radiation events simultaneously with low power consumption while maintaining complete information for each channel
Solution Approach 2:
The data acquisition system is designed to perform multiple functions including energy discrimination, time discrimination, and complete information recording within a single integrated platform, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall power consumption
2Measurement precision
If integration time is extended to improve measurement accuracy, then noise is reduced, but system response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges capacitors and prepares integration circuits before radiation events occur. When an event is detected, the pre-prepared circuits can immediately begin integration without waiting for initialization, achieving both high accuracy and fast response
Solution Approach 2:
The integration process uses periodic sampling and reset cycles that optimize the balance between integration duration and response time. By periodically resetting and recharging integration capacitors, the system maintains accuracy while preparing for rapid successive measurements
3Loss of information
If multiple parameters are measured simultaneously, then complete information is obtained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Energy and time measurement functions are merged into a single integrated data acquisition channel. Both parameters are measured and recorded simultaneously using shared circuitry and processing resources, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining complete information
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses universal processing circuits that can handle multiple measurement types (energy, time, position) through a single integrated platform, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each parameter and reducing complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves low-power operation with minimal noise, providing digital outputs for precise energy and time discrimination, enhancing imaging quality and reducing power consumption while maintaining high channel count and sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
an integrator (258) having an input and an output, and configured to output a voltage proportional to the length of time the current source is coupled to the input
Data Source
AI summary
An event time stamping system comprising a current source, an integrator comprising an input and an output, and configured to output a voltage proportional to the length of time the current source is coupled to the input, and one or more switches configured to couple the current source to the input of the integrator upon receipt of an event signal and configured to de-couple the current source from the input of the integrator upon receipt of a control trigger. The system further comprises a lock-out signal generator configured to generate a lock-out signal, and a controller coupled to the one or more switches, wherein the controller is configured to generate the control trigger based on the lock-out signal to ensure a minimum integration time.