microx-evb eli lksan llhu lnailhean · pulse signals can be sent to counting equipment or an mca...

USER MANUAL

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MicroX-EVB SiPM Power Supply & Preamplifier

Specifications

* Please note that the MicroX-EVB is NOT compatible with the TO39 package containing Peltier cooler or the fast outputs from some compatible sensor types

Power Supply and Preamplifier Module for SensL SiPMs

The MicroM-EVB and MicroB-EVB boards provide a simple ‘plug and play’ readout solution for use with SensL’s L-Series, M-Series and B-Series products (standard output only), eliminating the need for bench-top supplies and other electronics. It is comprised of three boards: a preamp board that interfaces with the sensor and provides signal amplification, a power board that provides the sensor bias and power for the preamp via a mains adapter, and a shield board between the two to prevent interference. Together these three boards allow the user to work with the SiPM with minimal additional support equipment.

The board is available in four variants: The MicroM-EVB-1mm and MicroB-EVB-1mm (which support all compatible 10000 series sensors) and the MicroM-EVB-3mm and MicroB-EVB-3mm (which support all compatible 30000 and 60000 series sensors). Please note that this product uses the ‘standard output’ and not the ‘fast output’ available from some M-Series and B-Series sensors.

General

Dimensions: Boards only (WxLxH) 35 x 35 x 23 mm3

Including SMA conn. 35 x 41 x 23 mm3

Weight 25g

Operating temperature range -20°C to +40°C

Compatible sensor packages X18, X05, X13

Preamplifier Board

Gain (by sensor size)1mm 3mm, 6mm

2200 470

Low frequency cut-off DC

Output voltage maximum 1.4V

Output impedance 50Ω

+ Supply min/max 4.75V / 5.5V

- Supply min/max -5.5V / -4.75V

Power consumption+5V <25mA; -5V <25mA

Bandwidth 20MHz

Output connector SMA

Power Supply Board

Bias set pointMicroM-EVB MicroB-EVB

29.5V ± 0.3V 27V ± 0.3V

Ripple (@29.5V) 10mV

Input jack Lumburg, 0.65mm LV socket

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USER MANUAL

MicroX-EVB SIPM Power Supply & Preamplifier

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Product Description

The MicroX-EVB module consists of a stack of interconnected boards that are powered from a single 5V supply (usually via the mains adapter) and provide the power required by the preamp and SiPM sensor for normal operation. Figure 1 shows the main features of the MicroX-EVB module. Before use, please ensure that the following components are present:

• Stack of 3 boards (preamp, shield and power supply boards)

• 5VDC mains power adapter

Figure 1, The MicroX-EVB module, with the important features labelled

Preamplifier Board

The preamplifier board uses a high-speed IC (OPA656), configured as in Figure 2, to convert the ‘standard output’ signal current to a voltage. The feedback components result in a gain of 2200x (470x for the 3mm version). This ensures that the preamp is matched to provide a 1.4V output swing across the dynamic range of the sensor. After amplification, the output signal is then routed to the SMA connector via an output matching resistor.

Figure 2, A simplified schematic of the MicroX-EVB preamp

SMA Connector

Sherlock Connector

Preamplifier Board

Shield Board

Power Board

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The MicroX-EVB preamp is suitable for many applications and signal types, both high frequency and pulsed, as well as DC and low frequency signals. Depending on the signal type, the MicroX-EVB output can be processed in a number of ways. Pulse signals can be sent to counting equipment or an MCA for pulse height analysis (additional pulse shaping may be required). All signals, including continuous ones, can be integrated over time or directly digitized via ADC.

The preamp board can also be powered directly from bench-top power supplies, (exclusive of the other MicroX-EVB module boards) if desired. This option is explained in Appendix A.

Power Supply Board

A DC mains adapter is provided with the MicroX-EVB which provides 5V to the power supply board when connected via the input jack. The power supply board then generates and distributes the voltages that the sensor and the amplifier require for operation (+5V, -5V and a bias of 29.5V or 27V). This then eliminates the need to provide the separate voltages required for operation.

The bias setting is not field adjustable via the power board. To use different bias voltages, an external power supply must be used and connected via the Sherlock connector, as described in Appendix A.

It should be noted that due to board-to-board and sensor-to-sensor variations, there will be some variation in the resulting sensor gain produced. The sensor gain is affected by the variation in breakdown voltage and the tolerance on the bias supply output. Typically, there is a range of approximately ±0.1V in the breakdown voltage. Given that gain dependence on voltage is 1.2x106 per Volt over the breakdown voltage for a 35um microcell then the worst case spread in gain is approximately ±0.5x106 taking into account sensor and bias variations.

CompatibilityThe MicroX-EVB is compatible with any of the following package types:

- X13

- X18

- X05

from either the L-Series, M-Series or B-Series of sensors. Note that the MicroX-EVB works with ‘standard output’ signals and NOT the ‘fast output’ signals available on some of the compatible sensor types, e.g. MicroFM and MicroFB sensors in a X18.

Setting Up the MicroX-EVB for Use

The MicroX-EVB is designed to be very simple to set up and use. There are two steps necessary: connecting the SiPM into the preamp board sockets and then attaching the mains adapter to the power supply board.

Connecting the SiPM

This section shows how the correct sensor orientation is determined so that the proper bias value is applied when connected to the preamp board. It is vitally important that the instructions for the correct sensor are followed.

All MicroSL and MicroSM sensors require the same polarity biasing, while the MicroSB require the reverse polarity. Instructions for both sensor groups are given below.

Make sure that this step is complete before connecting to the power.

The preamp board layout is shown in Figure 3. Two blocks of sockets are highlighted, labelled anode and cathode. Each block has three sockets, to accommodate the different packages available in the Micro families. The inner-most sockets are for X18 products, the middle sockets for X13 and the outer-most ones for the X05 sensors.

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Figure 3, A top-down schematic of the MicroX-EVB preamp board, showing the sockets where the various SiPM sensor

packages interface with the board.

Connecting the MicroSL or MicroSM Sensors to the MicroX-EVB

Figure 4 below shows the X18, X05 and X13 sensor packages of the MicroSL or MicroSM products with their anode and cathode pins labelled. Each type of sensor package has a fiducial that allows the orientation of the sensor to be determined. The ‘fast output’ pin that is present on the MicroFM devices can be cut or bent out of the way.

Once the sensor orientation has been determined, fully insert the pins into the correct pair of sockets on the board, carefully matching the anode and cathode pins and sockets. The fiducial position should match the appropriate sensor outline on the PCB silkscreen. The mains power adapter may then be connected.

Figure 4, The various packages used in the MicroSL, MicroSM and MicroFM SiPM families, each with their anode and cathode pins

clearly marked.

Cathode

Anode

Cathode

Anode

MicroFM(SL)-xxxxx-X18

MicroSM(L)-xxxxx-X13

MicroSM-xxxxx-X05

Cathode

Anode

Anode Cathode

SMA

MicroSM-60035-X13

Cathode

Anode

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Connecting the MicroSB and MicroFB Sensors to the MicroX-EVB

Figure 5 below shows the X18 and X13 sensor packages of the MicroSB and MicroFB series with their anode and cathode pins labelled. Each type of sensor package has a fiducial that allows the orientation of the sensor to be determined. The ‘fast output’ pin that is present on the MicroFB devices can be cut or bent out of the way.

Once the sensor orientation has been determined, fully insert the pins into the correct pair of sockets on the board, carefully matching the anode and cathode pins and sockets. The mains power adapter may then be connected.

Please note, the fiducial positions shown on the PCB silkscreen DO NOT correspond to the correct orientation of the B-series devices. Please ignore these markings.

Figure 5, The various packages used in the MicroSB and MicroFB SiPM families, each with their anode and cathode pins clearly

marked.

Maintenance and Safety

· Use only the power supply cable/s supplied with the MicroX-EVB module.

· The power supply cable should be disconnected from the mains or bench-top power supply unit when not in use.

· The module is not intended for outdoor use.

· Liquids should not be spilled on or into the module.

· Normal ESD-aware handling protocols should be observed.

Anode

Cathode

MicroSB-xxxxx-X13 MicroFB-xxxxx-X18

Cathode

Anode

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USER MANUAL

Rev. 1.7, April 2014

[email protected]

+353 21 240 7110 (International)+1 650 641 3278 (North America)

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All specifications are subject to change without notice


Appendix A

Supplying External Power to the Preamp Board Directly

It is possible to power the preamp board directly, omitting the power and shield boards from the stack completely. In this case, power is supplied from a bench-top power supply via the 4-pin, white Sherlock connector. If the connector was not supplied by SensL, please contact [email protected].

This connector will need to be connected to the following regulated supplies to provide preamp power, SiPM bias and ground connection, as outlined in the table below. Ensure that the power supply is able to supply the appropriate currents. Figure 6 shows the 4-pin connector, with each pin labeled with its corresponding supply.

It is important that the sensor orientation instructions on pages 4 & 5 are followed. Due to the configuration of the Preamp boards, a positive bias is used for all sensor types. The B-Series sensors will however have the inverse signal polarity with respect to the L- and M-Series sensors.

Supply NameColor Code

Voltage (V) Current (mA)

Typical Max. Typical Max.

+VCC red +5 5.1 10 25

-VCC yellow -5 -5.1 10 25

SiPM BiasM-Series L-Series blue

+29.5 +32.50.001 - 0.1 0.5

B-Series +27V +29.5

Ground black 0 - - -

Figure 6, The 4-pin Sherlock connector on the Preamp board that can be used to provide the power supplies directly. The pin designations are marked.

mailto:support%40sensl.com?subject=Support%20for%20Micro-EVB

microx-evb eli lksan llhu lnailhean · pulse signals can be sent to counting equipment or an mca...

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