DSP Portable Spectroscopy Workstation [InSpector 2000]

The InSpector™ 2000 is a high performance, portable spectroscopy workstation based on Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technol-ogy. Applications for the InSpector 2000 include all HPGe, NaI and Cd(Zn)Te detector applications common in environmental characterization; nuclear safeguards; decommissioning and decontamination; and in-facility monitoring. The instrument provides unsurpassed count rate and resolution performance coupled with environmental stability previously seen only in high-end laboratory systems. Package size and battery life set a new standard for field portability and convenience. The host Genie 2000 software environment provides the user with the ultimate flexibility in field operation. A wide range of application specific software options, designed specifically for field spectroscopy, is available under the Genie 2000 family.

The unprecedented performance of the InSpector 2000 derives from the application of DSP technology. Previously limited to laboratory applications due to the high power requirements of the internal components, DSP now gives the field spectroscopist the capability to perform high precision measurements in adverse environmental conditions with a portable instrument. Earlier analog spectroscopy systems were prone to count rate and environmental instabilities that required continual adjustment of the signal processing subsystem - and often compromised analysis results. With the InSpector 2000, these problems are dramatically reduced - while portability is significantly improved.

The heart of the InSpector 2000 is the Digital Signal Processor subsystem. Unlike conventional systems, which digitize the signals at the end of the signal processing chain, the InSpector 2000 digitizes the preamplifier sig-nals at the front end of the signal processing chain. This approach minimizes the amount of analog circuitry at the front end of the instrument, resulting in increased stability, accuracy and reproducibility.

The use of DSP technology also improves the overall signal acquisition performance. Signal filtering functions previously implemented in traditional analog electronics are limited. DSP allows filtering functions and pulse shapes that are not realizable using conventional analog processing techniques. The result is a more efficient trapezoidal filter function, which exhibits less processing time, less sensitivity to ballistic deficit, and superior resolution. With trapezoidal filtering, the pulses can be processed more rapidly and accurately, so the spectrum resolution is enhanced while throughput is increased.

 

Features

• Unsurpassed temperature stability for consistent, quality operation in adverse environmental conditions
• Accommodates a wide dynamic range of count rates, minimal loss of spectrum resolution
• Low system dead time to reduce count times and improve measurement accuracy
• Wide range of processing time settings to allow precise match to detector characteristics and application requirements
• Ultra small, ultra light weight package
• 10 hour HPGe battery life (12 hour NaI)
• Fast USB and highly optimized RS-232 host interfaces supported
• 16K Channel conversion gain/spectrum memory
• PHA and MCS modes supported
• Digital oscilloscope to assist with setup
• Built-in power up diagnostics