Petr Mašek 1,2 *, Vladimír Linhart 1, Tomáš Slavíček 1, Fadahad Mamedov 1 1 Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, Czech Technical University in Prague Horská 3a/22, CZ Prague 2 – Albertov, Czech Republic 2 Faculty on Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague Technická 2, CZ Prague 6, Czech Republic * R/O Device based on USB1.0 for Spectroscopy DAQ Alpha source( 241 Am) used; A semi-continuous spectrum (Fig. 11) is obtained using varying energy loss of α-particles in air corresponding to varying distance between detector and source (Fig. 12); No periodic errors found (Fig. 10); Results of the developed DAQ system correspond to those by the commercial instrument used; Mixed alpha source used (241Am + 244Cm + 239Pu) (Fig. 8); Results of the developed DAQ system correspond to those by a commercial instrument used (multichannel analyzer Cicero by Silena); Line structure is well visible on both results (Fig. 9); Results Aims The main goal of this project is to develop a simple R/O (read-out) device for spectroscopy. This device should communicate with analog-to-digital converter (type of Canberra, model 8715 – Fig. 1,2) to gain cheap, easy, and versatile instrument for data acquisition.HardwareSoftware Control application is based on freeware D2XX direct drivers [5]; DLL library included in project allows to use known functions and eliminates the requirement for USB driver development; Main assignment of the application is graphical representation of read-out data only during measurement and storing acquired data on hard drive for further processing (Fig. 7); During first tests the following capabilities were added ▪ adjustable time of measurement; ▪ batch measuring; ▪ statistics, etc. C++ is chosen as programming language because of its powerful object-oriented features; GUI (graphical user interface) is created by Borland VCLs (visual component libraries) [6]; Widely spread interface – standard USB is available on all contemporary computers; Commonly accesible components – no special development needed; No auxiliary hardware – e.g., no external supply; Open source software – possibility of individual changes; Known programming language compatible; Plug-in software structure – simple extensions; Requirements: Future development To increase efficiency is supposed to: A use of a microcontroller multiplexed data bus to utilize only one USB slot maintaining full 13-bit range; Revise the sofware and supplement it with more functions for enhanced measuring; Development of a multichannel analyzer for spectroscopy coincidence measurement; AcknowledgementsReferences Test with a semi-continuous spectrum Test with a line spectrum FTDI (Future Technology Devices International Ltd.) products [1] are employed; Modules UMP2 [2] (Fig. 6) pruduced by ASIX s.r.o. [3] based on IC FT245BL are preferred for better manipulation; FT245BL [4] transforms LVDS communication on the side of USB to parallel FIFO 8-bit bi-directional data transfer; Two integrated circuits FT245BL are used to take advantage of full 13-bit conversion range (Fig. 3, 5); Fig. 1: A/D converter in crate Fig. 2: Front panel of converter ≡FTDI FT245BL ≡FTDI FT245BL A/D converter data bus handshake signals USB cable Fig. 6: UMP2 module Fig. 5: Internal structure Fig. 4: Block diagram Fig. 7: Application preview Source Vacuum α-beam Washer Detector Cover Fig. 8: First experimental set-up Fig. 9: Spectra of mixed alpha source by (a) the developed system, and (b) the commercial product. Fig. 3: Read-out device with two USB connectors 13-bit range Frequency rate up-to 50kHz USB 2.0 compatible USB-powered [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] This work has been supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic under the Research Projects MSM and 1P04LA212 as well as by Developing Project in the frame of talented student endowment. Fig. 13: Result of statistical test Statistical test: n i – number of counts in channel i; - estimation of mean value of counts in channel i; Deterministic test: Test of data-readout functionality; Excelent functionality as illustrated in Fig. 11; Fig. 11: Semi-continuous spectrum Difference of distances Detector Source Signal flags are provided by a convertor (data converted, start new conversion) which are used for hardware control – handshake (Fig. 4). Due to this property, reading is executed as fast as possible Fig. 10: Example of periodic error R esult of statistical test (Fig. 13) Summary Fig. 12: Second experimental set-up Read-out device assembled and tested. a b