Amptek MCA-8000D Digital Multichannel Analyzer

Amptek’s MCA-8000D is a state-of-the-art, compact, high performance, digital MultiChannel Analyzer (MCA). It replaces the MCA-8000A, providing the same functionality with reduced dead time, modern communications interfaces (USB, RS-232, and Ethernet), and much higher data transfer rates. Because it does not implement digital pulse shaping, it is compatible with analog pulse shaping systems.

Superior performance is obtained from a high speed ADC (a 100 MHz 16 bit ADC) and sophisticated digital logic. The MCA-8000D digitizes the input signal (the output of an analog shaping amplifier) to measure the pulse height and obtain the pulse height spectrum. The high speed ADC, with a 10 ns conversion time, reduces dead time thus increasing throughput. The digital circuitry yields high accuracy and stability.

The MCA-8000D includes three interfaces, USB (USB 2.0 full speed), RS-232 (up to 115 kB), and Ethernet (10base-T). It uses the same DPPMCA software package as Amptek’s digital signal processors, including the DP5, PX5, and X-123. The MCA-8000D can be powered over USB or with an external AC/DC power supply.