Mirion Technologies 814FP User manual

Model
814FP
Pulser
9232092D
User’s M
anual

Copyright 2016, Mirion Technologies (Canberra), Inc .
All rights reserved.
The material in this document, including all information, pictures,
graphics and text, is the property of Mirion Technologies (Canberra),
Inc. and is protected by U.S. copyright laws and international copyright
conventions.
Mirion Technologies (Canberra) expressly grants the purchaser of this
product the right to copy any material in this document for the
purchaser’s own use, including as part of a submission to regulatory or
legal authorities pursuant to the purchaser’s legitimate business
needs.
No material in this document may be copied by any third party, or
used for any commercial purpose or for any use other than that
granted to the purchaser without the written permission of Mirion
Technologies (Canberra), Inc.
Mirion Technologies (Canberra), Inc., 800 Research Parkway,
Meriden, CT 06450
Tel: [phone] FAX: [phone] http://www.canberra.com/.
The information in this document describes the product as accurately
as possible, but is subject to change without notice.
Printed in the United States of America.
For technical assistance, call our Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-
255-6370 or email [e-mail].

Table of Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................................... 1
2. Controls and Connectors .............................................................. 2
Front and Rear Panels.....................................................................................................................2
3. Pulser Operation ............................................................................ 3
Setting the Amplitude.....................................................................................................................3
Normalizing the Output..................................................................................................................3
The Rate Control ............................................................................................................................3
Rate Multiplier and Decay Selector................................................................................................4
Selecting the Output Mode.............................................................................................................4
Attenuating the Output ...................................................................................................................4
A. Specifications................................................................................. 5
Input................................................................................................................................................5
Outputs ...........................................................................................................................................5
Controls ..........................................................................................................................................5
Indicators........................................................................................................................................6
Performance....................................................................................................................................6
Power Requirements.......................................................................................................................6
Physical...........................................................................................................................................7
Environmental ................................................................................................................................7
B. Installation Considerations ........................................................... 9
C. FCC Notice ................................................................................... 10
Model 814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D i

Important Safety Considerations
Read Carefully
Indicates warning of mains or high voltage present at output labeled HV.
Risk of electrical shock if covers are removed.
Caution –
risk of danger. Refer to documentation for detailed explanation of caution
symbol wherever marked.
Earth tree symbol: indicates the connection point for the primary earth (ground)
supply.
Product complies with appropriate current EU directives (Low Voltage & EMC).
Product complies with appropriate current FCC /UL / CSA 61010-1 directives
(Low Voltage & EMC).
Manufacturer’s Address
Mirion Technologies (Canberra), Inc.
800 Research Parkway
Meriden, CT 06450 USA
ii Model 814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D

1. Introduction
The Canberra 814FP Pulser is a single-width NIM module designed to simulate the
output from a solid-state or scintillation detector/preamplifier combination, thereby
providing a means of testing and calibrating the electronics in a nuclear counting
system.
The 814FP offers a fast rise time (typically 10 ns) signal and variable repetition rates
of up to 2 kHz. Either square wave or tail pulse outputs are selectable. The 814FP is
unique in that the square wave output will not degrade the resolution of a gamma
spectroscopy system even if it is run simultaneously with a germanium detector.
Other tail pulsers introduce an additional pole into the preamplifier/amplifier
combination, preventing the amplifier from properly pole/zeroing the system. This
results in spectrum broadening, especially on the low energy side.
The 814FP can be calibrated to read directly in terms of energy with the ten-turn
precision PULSE HEIGHT potentiometer, NORMalize control and ATTENUATOR
switches. The PULSE HEIGHT control has a maximum nonlinearity of +0.25% and
the ATTENUATORS use 1% resistors.
Calibration of nuclear spectroscopy systems and multichannel analyzers, evaluation
of system stability, measuring the integral nonlinearity and noise of amplifiers, and
selecting delays in coincidence timing systems are typical of the wide range of
applications for the Canberra 814FP Pulser. The variable repetition rate is also useful
in determining the system’s count rate performance.
The 814FP offers either a direct output or an attenuated output. When all the
attenuator switches are in the “out” position the output is direct. Attenuation factors
of up to 1000:1 are selectable via two-position switches with gold-plated contacts.
These contacts greatly improve both the reliability and the long-term stability of the
attenuator section.
A DISABLE input is featured on the 814FP for gated operation and is selectable as
active High or active Low for interfacing with a wide variety of devices. It is also
synchronized with the internal pulse generator to prevent erroneous outputs. The
disable feature enables the 814FP to be turned on or off by remote or computer
control.
A SYNC output is provided on the front panel for convenient oscilloscope triggering
while monitoring either the system output or waveforms from the 814FP.
814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D 1

Chapter 2Controls and Connectors
2. Controls and Connectors
Front and Rear Panels
This is a brief description of the 814FP’s front panel controls and connectors. For
more detailed information, refer to Appendix A, Specifications
Figure 1Front Panel Controls and Connectors
2 814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D

Setting the Amplitude
3. Pulser Operation
The Canberra Model 2000 Bin and Power Supply, or other bin and power supply
systems conforming to the mechanical and electrical standard set by DOE/ER-0457T
will accommodate the Model 814FP.
Before installing the Model 814FP in the NIM Bin, the internal controls, accessible
through cutouts in the side cover, should be set to their desired positions.
The right side cover of the NIM module acts as a guide for insertion of the
instrument. The module is secured in place by turning the two front panel captive
screws clockwise until finger tight. It is recommended that the NIM bin power switch
be off whenever the module is installed or removed.
The Model 814FP can be operated where the ambient air temperature is between 0
°C and +50 °C (+120 °F maximum). Perforations in the top and bottom sides permit
cooling air to circulate through the module. When relay rack mounted along with
other
heat generating equipment, adequate clearance should be provided to allow for
sufficient air flow through both the perforated top and bottom covers of the NIM bin.
Setting the Amplitude
The Pulse Height potentiometer controls the amplitude of the output pulse, with a
range of 0 to ±10 volts open circuit (0 to ±5 volts, terminated into 50 ohms).
Normalizing the Output
The Norm control allows a 2.5:1 variation of the output amplitude for normalization
of the Pulse Height dial, enabling the user to calibrate the Pulse Height dial directly
in terms of equivalent energy.
CAL
Setting the Norm control fully clockwise to the CAL position provides a calibrated 0
to ±10 volt output range.
The Rate Control
The Rate control adjusts the frequency of the Output signal.
814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D 3

Chapter 3Pulser Operation
Rate Multiplier and Decay Selector
In the Tail Pulse mode, the Decay switch selects one of three decay constants: 1 ms,
50 μs or 100 μs.
This switch also selects the multiplier for the RATE control: X10, X100 or X200.
Square waves may be selected on any range.
Selecting the Output Mode
To select the output mode, set this switch to either the Tail Pulse position or the
Square Wave position.
Attenuating the Output
The Attenuator switches reduce the full scale pulse height by factors of 2, 5, or 10, or
any combination of these values.
4 814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D

Input
A. Specifications
Input
DISABLE – Accepts a dc control signal which enables or disables the pulser output
signal. Internally selectable as active Hl (>2 V to disable; <1.5 V to enable) or active
LO (<1.5 V to disable; >2 V to enable). The DISABLE signal is synchronized to the
internal pulse generator to terminate the current pulse at the correct time to prevent
erroneous outputs; rear panel BNC.
Outputs
OUT – Provides attenuated positive or negative tail pulses or square waves; pulse
height 0 to ±10 V open circuit (0 to ±5 V when terminated into 50 Ω); rise time <30
ns; fall time constants are independent of output terminations. Attenuation factors of
up to 1000 may be selected; Zout = 50 Ω; front panel BNC.
SYNC – Provides positive- and negative-going pulses for oscilloscope triggering.
Positive oscilloscope triggering syncs on the leading edge of the output waveform,
while negative oscilloscope triggering syncs on the trailing edge of the output
waveform. Sync pulses are approximately ±3.5 V, 0.1 µs wide; Zout = 50 Ω; front
panel BNC.
Controls
PULSE HEIGHT – Front panel ten-turn potentiometer controls output pulse
amplitude from 0 to ±10 V, open circuit (0 to ±5 V when terminated into 50 Ω.)
NORM/CAL – Front panel multi-turn potentiometer allows a >2:1 variation of the
output amplitude for normalization of the PULSE HEIGHT dial, enabling the user to
calibrate the PULSE HEIGHT dial directly in units of energy. Setting the NORM
control fully clockwise to the CAL position provides a calibrated 0 to ±10 V output
range.
RATE – Front panel ten-turn potentiometer and dial provides control of output
frequency with a 100:1 range.
DECAY – Front panel three-position toggle switch selects one of three decay
constants in Tail Pulse mode and multiplier for the RATE control. Maximum
frequency is 2 kHz for the 50 µs decay constant, 1 kHz for the 100 µs decay constant,
and 100 Hz for the 1 ms decay constant. The Square Wave output may be selected on
any range.
POLARITY – Front panel two-position toggle switch selects POSitive or NEGative
output pulse polarity.
814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D 5

Appendix ASpecifications
Tail Pulse/OFF/Square Wave – Front panel three-position toggle switch selects the
pulser’s operating mode: OFF disables the output (overrides the rear-panel
DISABLE input) and sets the output to 0 V; the Tail Pulse position outputs a tail
pulse; the Square Wave position outputs a square wave.
ATTENUATOR – Four front panel two-position toggle switches select attenuation
factors of 2, 5, 10 and 10. Total attenuation is the product of the selected attenuators.
DISABLE – Internal jumper selects DISABLE Hl (>2 V) or DISABLE LO (<1.5 V)
mode for rear panel DISABLE input.
Indicators
ON – Front panel LED illuminates when the Tail Pulse/OFF/Square Wave switch is
in either the Tail Pulse or Square Wave position and the pulser is not disabled
through the rear panel DISABLE input.
Performance
TEMPERATURE STABILITY – ≤±0.01%/°C.
SUPPLY VOLTAGE STABILITY – ≤+0.01% for a ±1% change in the ±24 volt
supply voltages.
NORMALIZE RANGE – >2:1.
SWITCHING TRANSIENTS – ≤0.1 V peak-to-peak, ≤20 ns duration. INTEGRAL
NONLINEARITY – ≤±0.25% of full scale.
DUTY CYCLE – 50% with square wave output selected.
RISE TIME – <30 ns.
FALL TIME – Tail Pulse output: 50 µs, 100 µs or 1 ms, (±10%) selected by front
panel switch and independent of output termination; Square Wave output: <30 ns.
PULSE REPETITION RATE – Range depends on the selected DECAY time: 50 µs:
20 Hz to 2 kHz; 100 µs: 10 Hz to 1 kHz; 1 µs: 1 Hz to 100 Hz; the Square Wave
output can be chosen at any range.
Power Requirements
+24 Vdc – 130 mA +12 V dc – 60 mA
–24 V dc – 130 mA –12 V dc – 80 mA
6 814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D

Physical
Physical
SIZE – Standard single-width NIM module 3.43 x 22.13 cm (1.35 x 8.71 in.) per
DOE/ER-0457T.
NET WEIGHT – 1.36 kg (3.0 lb).
SHIPPING WEIGHT – 2.27 kg (5.0 lb).
Environmental
OPERATING TEMPERATURE RANGE – 0 to 50 °C (32 to 122 °F). OPERATING
HUMIDITY RANGE – 0 to 80% relative, non-condensing.
Tested to the environmental conditions specified by EN 61010, Installation Category
I, Pollution Degree 2.
814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D 7

Appendix ASpecifications
Notes
8 814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D

Environmental
B. Installation Considerations
This unit complies with all applicable requirements. Compliance testing was
performed with application configurations commonly used for this device.
During design and assembly of the device, precautions were taken by the
manufacturer to minimize the effects of RFI and EMC on the system. However, care
should be taken to maintain full compliance. These considerations include:
•A rack or tabletop enclosure fully closed on all sides with rear door access.
•Single point external cable access.
•Blank panels to cover open front panel Bin area.
•Compliant grounding and safety precautions for any internal power
distribution.
•The use of NRTL/CE compliant accessories such as fans, UPS, etc.
Preventive Maintenance
This unit does not require any periodic cleaning maintenance.
Any maintenance should be performed by a qualified Mirion Technologies
(Canberra) service representative.
Operating Protection Impairment
Mirion Technologies (Canberra) is not liable for any operational malfunctions or
personal injuries due to mishandling or unauthorized repair and maintenance not
detailed in this manual.
Cleaning/Decontamination
When needed, the front panel of the unit may be cleaned. Remove power from the
unit before cleaning. Use only a soft cloth dampened with warm water and make sure
the unit is fully dry before restoring power. Do not use any liquids directly on the
preamp housing, front, or rear panels.
814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D 9

C. FCC Notice
The following paragraphs are notices required by Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) rules, Part 15, Subpart A.
“The user is cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved
by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.”
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for
a class A digital Device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his own expense.
10 814FP Pulser User’s Manual – 9232092D

Request for Circuit Information
The Schematics, Block Diagrams, and/or Circuit Description may be available for
this unit directly from CANBERRA. Request can be made by calling, faxing, or
emailing:
Training and Technical Services Department
Canberra Industries
800 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450
Telephone: [phone]FAX: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
If you would like schematics and/or a circuit description, if available, for this unit,
please provide us with the following information.
Your Name _______________________________________
Your Address _______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Unit's model number _________________________
Unit's serial number _________________________
Note: Schematics, block diagrams, and circuit descriptions are provided for
information only; if you service or repair or try to service or repair this unit
without Canberra's written permission you may void your warranty.

Notes

_____________________________________________________
Warranty
Mirion Technologies (Canberra) Inc. (we, us, our) warrants to the customer (you, your) that for a period
of ninety (90) days from the date of shipment, software provided by us in connection with equipment
manufactured by us shall operate in accordance with applicable specifications when used with
equipment manufactured by us and that the media on which the software is provided shall be free from
defects. We also warrant that (A) equipment manufactured by us shall be free from defects in materials
and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment of such equipment, and (B)
services performed by us in connection with such equipment, such as site supervision and installation
services relating to the equipment, shall be free from defects for a period of one (1) year from the date of
performance of such services.
If defects in materials or workmanship are discovered within the applicable warranty period as set forth
above, we shall, at our option and cost (A) in the case of defective software or equipment, either repair
on a return to factory basis or replace the software or equipment, or (B) in the case of defective services,
reperform such services.
LIMITATIONS
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH HEREIN, NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR REMEDIES, WHETHER
STATUTORY, WRITTEN, ORAL, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) OR
OTHERWISE, SHALL APPLY. IN NO EVENT SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL,
EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSSES OR DAMAGES OF ANY
NATURE WHATSOEVER, WHETHER AS A RESULT OF BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT LIABILITY
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE. REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF
THE SOFTWARE OR EQUIPMENT DURING THE APPLICABLE WARRANTY PERIOD AT OUR COST,
OR, IN THE CASE OF DEFECTIVE SERVICES, REPERFORMANCE AT OUR COST, IS YOUR SOLE
AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY UNDER THIS WARRANTY.
EXCLUSIONS
Our warranty does not cover damage to equipment which has been altered or modified without our
written permission or damage which has been caused by abuse, misuse, accident, neglect or unusual
physical or electrical stress, as determined by our Service Personnel.
We are under no obligation to provide warranty service if adjustment or repair is required because of
damage caused by other than ordinary use or if the equipment is serviced or repaired, or if an attempt is
made to service or repair the equipment, by other than our Service Personnel without our prior approval.
Our warranty does not cover detector damage due to neutrons or heavy charged particles. Failure of
beryllium, carbon composite, or polymer windows or of windowless detectors caused by physical or
chemical damage from the environment is not covered by warranty.
We are not responsible for damage sustained in transit. You should examine shipments upon receipt for
evidence of damage caused in transit. If damage is found, notify us and the carrier immediately. Keep
all packages, materials and documents, including the freight bill, invoice and packing list.
Revised 04 Nov 16