Widepix
Advacam’s WidePIX 2(1)x15 – MPX3 camera consists of either 2×15 or 1×15 Medipix3 devices. Each pixel has two 12-bit digital counters integrated together and two energy discrimination thresholds. To enhance dynamic range, both counters can be joined to a single 24-bit counter. The camera can be constructed with Si or CdTe edge-less sensor tiles. The edge-less sensor technology allows placing all tiles together from all sides, leaving no rifts. Thus the whole imaging area of the camera is fully sensitive to the radiation and does not have any gaps between the tiles in the image. The camera is made robust to address industrial users.
The Advacam’s WidePIX 2×15 – MPX3 with resolution of 512 (256) x 3840 pixels i.e. 1.97 (0.98) Mpixels is composed of Medipix3 hybrid detector electronics tiles. It has a built-in Time-Delayed-Integration (TDI) which proves to be very useful for scanning in industrial applications. It is very advantageous for continuous scanning. WidePIX 2(1)X15 – MPX3 is available with Si or CdTe sensors for analysis of the soft and hard X-ray spectrums, respectively.
The minimum detectable energy is typically 3 keV for Si and 5 keV in case of CdTe sensor. The intrinsic spatial resolution of the camera is defined by pixel size which is 55 µm for WidePIX 2×15 – MPX3. The pixels situated on the border of tiles are 2 times bigger in one direction, while the corner pixels of tiles are 2 times larger in both directions.
The particle counting principle eliminates any additional noise generated by the sensor or electronic readout. It allows acquiring X-ray images with very high contrast and wide dynamic range. Therefore, even low contrast structures such as plastic or soft tissue are easily detectable in X-ray images.Both devices are suitable for CT scanners, which can take advantage of large sensitive area without any gaps. The camera supports a hardware-based Time-Delayed-Integration mode for online (continuous) scanning applications.
The energy discrimination thresholds of Medipix3 technology allow spectral X-ray imaging. Different materials in an inspected sample could be then identified based on their spectral X-ray attenuation properties. Energy spectra could be measured typically from 5 keV upwards. The Charge Summing Mode implemented in the pixel electronics provides hardware- based correction of signal cross talk between pixels. This further considerably improves the detector spectral response and therefore also quality of spectra measured in individual pixels.
The camera is connected to a computer via USB 2.0 cable. The readout time is 50(25) ms per frame resulting in maximum frame rate of 20 (50) frames per second.
Device parameters
Symbol | Parameter | Min | Typ | Max | Units | Comment |
TA | Temperature Range | 0 | 30 | 40 | °C | |
Φ | Humidity | 55 | 60 | % | Not condensing | |
IP Code | IP50 |
TA = 25°C, VCC = 24V
Symbol | Parameter | WidePIX L 1×15 – MPX3 | WidePIX L 2×15 – MPX3 | Units | Comment |
VCC | Supply Voltage | 20/24/26 | V | Min/Typ/Max | |
ICC | Supply Current (VCC = 24V) | 1000/2000 | 2400/4800 | mA | Typ/Max |
P | Power dissipation | 27/54 | 48/96 | W | Typ/Max |
A | Sensor Area | 214.5 x 14.1 | 214.5 x 28.2 | mm | |
Detector Resolution | 3840 x 256 | 3840 x 512 | Pixels | ||
f | Frame Rate1 | 50 | 20 | fps | |
TREAD | Readout Time2 | 20 | 50 | ms | |
m | Weight | 3300 | 3500 | g |
Type | Mode | Bit depth | Description |
Frame (reading all pixels) | SPM-1CH | 12/24 bit/frame | Single Pixel Mode using one counter: Every pixel works independently of its neighbours. One energy threshold (energy channel) is available. 1 output image: Number of events per pixel |
SPM-2CH | 12 bit/frame | Single Pixel Mode using both counters: Every pixel works independently of its neighbours. Two energy thresholds (energy channels) are available. 2 output images: Number of events per pixel | |
CSM | 12/24 bit/frame | Charge Summing Mode: The charge from 4 adjacent pixels is summed and is assigned to the pixel with the largest charge deposition. The event is counted only if the sum of singals exceeds the energy threshold. 1 output image: Number of events per pixel |
All modes can be operated at three ranges: Broad / Narrow / Super Narrow3
Typical values for 300 µm Silicon sensor, TA = 20°C.
Range | Mode |
Min Energy [keV] |
Max Energy [keV] |
Resolution*@Cu- Kα (8.05 keV) |
Resolution* @Zr- Kα (15.77 keV) |
Resolution* @Pb- Kα (74.97 keV) |
Super Narrow | SPM | 2.5 – 4.0 | 100 – 110 | 0.7 – 1.5 | 3.5 – 7.0 | |
Narrow | SPM | 2.5 – 4.0 | 160 – 180 | 0.8 – 1.3 | – | 3.0 – 3.8 |
CSM | 6.0 | – | 1.5 | 1.5 | 12.0 | |
Broad | SPM | 5.0 – 6.5 | 260 – 290 | 1.6 – 2.0 | – | 3.3 – 4.0 |
CSM | 8.0 | – | – | 2.3 | 5.8 |
*Typical values for 1000 µm CdTe sensor, TA = 20°C
Range |
Mode |
Min Energy [keV] | Max Energy [keV] | Resolution*@Zr- Kα (15.77 keV) | Resolution* @Cd- Kα (23.17 keV) |
Resolution* @241Am (59.54 keV) |
|
Super Narrow | SPM | 5 – 10 | 150 – 170 | 1.2 – 1.5 | 1.5 – 2.0 | 3-6 – 5.0 | |
CSM | 5 – 10 | 150 – 160 | 1.4 – 1.6 | 1.5 – 1.6 | 2.0 – 2.7 | ||
Narrow | SPM | 5 – 10– | 170 – 190 | 1.3 – 1.6 | 1.5 – 2.0 | 2.2 – 3.1 | |
CSM | 5 – 10 | 260 – 270 | 1.7 – 2.0 | 1.9 – 2.0 | 2.9 – 3.6 | ||
Broad | SPM | 5 – 10– | 220 – 240 | 1.6 – 1.9 | 1.8 – 2.2 | 2.2 – 2.9 | |
CSM | 5 – 10 | 460 – 470 | 2.0 – 2.4 | 2.2 – 2.4 | 2.4 – 2.7 |
*resolution in Sigma of gaussian
Symbol | Parameter | Si | CdTe | Units | Comment | |
Thickness | 300 | 500 | 1000 | µm | ||
Vbias | Bias Voltage | 200 | 300 | -450 | V | Max |
Typical detectable energy range for X-rays* | up to 60 | up to 600 | keV | See chart below | ||
Pixel size | 55 x 55** | µm2 |
*to get true detector response, detectable energy and quantum efficiency of sensor chip has to be combined with energy range of readout chip (see chapter “Energy range and resolution”)
** Pixels on tile borders are 2.5 times larger in one direction. The corner tile pixels are 2.5 times larger in both directions.
3 x USB type A, Standard USB 2.0 Full-Speed, in IP68 protection.
Main power supply (via standard M8 connector with 3 female contacts) Connect after plugging USB connector.
It is mandatory to cool down detector when in operation. WIDEPIX L2(1)x15 – MPX3 uses water connectors that allow for quick disconnection/reconnection. Mating connector is included as standard accessories and has to be attached to 4×6 mm plastic hose.
Two 4-pin M8 connectors (female for outputs and male for input) serve as synchronization interface, allowing to synchronize WIDEPIX L2(1)x15 – MPX3 detector with external processes. Four signals are available:
All signals are TTL compatible and 5V tolerant. For detailed description see Synchronization Guide.
Sync. Outputs (M8-4Female) | Sync. Inputs (M8-4Male) | ||
Pin | Signal | Pin | Signal |
1 | Gnd | 1 | Gnd |
2 | Trigger Out | 2 | Trigger In |
3 | Ready Out | 3 | Ready In |
4 | Reserved | 4 | Reserved |
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All dimensions are in mm. |
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1 Operating parameters: Shutter time=1ms, Mode = CSM or SPM-1Ch 12bit resolution.
2 During Readout time (or Dead time), no charge is collected from the sensor.
3 Except CSM mode Silicon sensor.
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