Comparison of Conventional and SDM-based Read-out Systems for Gamma-ray Imaging

Maria Ruiz-Gonzalez, Lars R. Furenlid

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

One relatively inexpensive way a gamma-ray imaging system can be upgraded is by updating the read-out electronics system and, as a consequence, modernizing the digitization and data-processing methods. The objective of this project is to replace the front-end electronics of modular gamma-ray cameras utilized in multiple small-animal PET and SPECT systems developed at the University of Arizona within the last 20 years. We have previously presented the new front-end board, which utilizes 1-bit sigma-delta modulation (SDM) for energy estimation and a non-uniform 2-bit SDM architecture for timing estimation and triggering. One advantage of this digitization method is that instead of ADC integrated circuits, only a few analog components per channel are utilized, which reduces the complexity and power consumption of the system. The board also includes, among other resources, a Xilinx FPGA combined with an ARM-based processor, DDR3 SDRAM and QSPI flash memory. This project presents the comparison between the original and the new SDM-based front-end electronics board, implemented in a 9-channel modular gamma-ray camera, by obtaining the spectrum of each individual photomultiplier tube (PMT) with both front-end boards. The results show an improvement of 1.5x to 2x in the PMT spectrum resolution with the new approach.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2020 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS/MIC 2020
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781728176932
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Event2020 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS/MIC 2020 - Boston, United States
Duration: Oct 31 2020Nov 7 2020

Publication series

Name2020 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS/MIC 2020

Conference

Conference2020 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS/MIC 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston
Period10/31/2011/7/20

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Signal Processing
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Comparison of Conventional and SDM-based Read-out Systems for Gamma-ray Imaging'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this