Low-cost and lower-power radiation spectrometer
US10031242B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01T1/362
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting radiation energy includes a first comparator coupled to a first voltage source applying a first threshold voltage to the first comparator. The apparatus includes a second comparator, a radiation detector, Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), and control circuitry. The second comparator is coupled to a second voltage source applying a second threshold voltage to the second comparator. The radiation detector is coupled to the first and second comparators. The ADC has a first input coupled to the detector, and is responsive to a second input for placing it in a low-power mode. The control circuitry is coupled to outputs of the comparators and the ADC, and the control circuitry temporarily switches the ADC from the low-power mode to a normal operating mode to perform a peak measurement of detected radiation energy, and determine the first and second threshold voltages based on the peak measurement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.