Overview

This is an EPICS driver for the Ketek AXAS 3.0 digital x-ray spectroscopy system. The source code is in the ketek_module repository in the Github epics-modules project. These detectors are available in single channel (AXAS 3.0) and multichannel (ARRAY 3.0) versions. This module currently only supports the single channel version.

The Ketek can collect data in 3 different modes:

• Single MCA spectrum. It acquires a single MCA spectrum on all channels.

• Sync. It acquires multiple spectra in rapid succession, and it often used for making an x-ray map where there is an MCA spectrum for each channel at each pixel. The advance to the next pixel comes from an external trigger. In this mode the Ketek detector opens a UDP port on the IOC host and streams the sync mode data to it.

• Diagnostic trace mode. This shows the ADC data or outputs of various stages of the digital pulse processing for diagnostics.

The driver implements the mca interface from the EPICS mca module. The EPICS mca record is used to configure the preset live and real times, to report the elapsed live time, realtime, and deadtime, to display the spectra and control the basic operation including Regions-of-Interest (ROIs).

The Ketek driver is derived from the base class asynNDArrayDriver, which is part of the EPICS areaDetector package. The allows the Ketek driver to use all of the areaDetector plugins for file saving in sync mode, and for other purposes. The Ketek driver can be used on both Windows and Linux. A Windows machine is required to load new firmware using the vendor’s VICOScope sofware. Otherwise the module can be used from either Linux or Windows over Ethernet.

This document does not attempt to give an explanation of the principles of operation of the Ketek, or a detailed explanation of the many configuration parameters for the digital pulse processing. The user should consult the following documents for this information:

• KETEK DPP3 Manual

• Basic Communication

• Complete Parameter Set

• Sync Parameter Overview

• Sync Mode UDP Packet Structure

The following is the main MEDM screen ketek.adl. It provides control over all features except the diagnostic scope mode.