I128 - 128 Channel Charge Integrator Digital Electrometer

The I128 is Pyramid's controller and readout for position-sensitive ionization chambers, combining 128 independent strip-readout channels with a dedicated dose plane input in a single 1U chassis. Each strip channel uses a no-lost-charge switched integrator digitized at 20 bits, so the I128 tracks beam position and shape across a full multi-strip chamber while the dose plane channel measures absolute dose and drives beam control in real time.

The dose plane input runs in either I-V converter mode (0 to ±20μA, four ranges) or gated integrator mode (0 to ±10nC, two ranges), selectable in software, with external accuracy better than 0.1% of full scale in I-V mode and 0.2% in gated integrator mode. The 128 strip channels handle 0 to 600nA with input noise below 10fC and offset under ±0.5pA, giving clean readouts even at low beam currents. An integrated high voltage supply, available in four order-time voltage ranges up to 2000V, includes loop-back verification, and the built-in safety relay, front-panel key-switch override, and beam enable/interlock circuitry let the I128 sit directly in a dosimetry safety chain rather than needing separate interlock hardware.

For a general-purpose electrometer with even higher channel count, see the IX256, which offers 256 independent low-current input channels.

Features

  • 128 independent strip channels, 20-bit digitization, input noise below 10fC
  • Dedicated dose plane channel switchable between I-V converter and gated integrator modes
  • Integrated high voltage supply with loop-back verification, ranges from 20V to 2000V
  • Dual fiber-optic loop ports for daisy-chaining additional Pyramid slave devices
  • Ethernet 10/100/1000 with UDP and TCP/IP, plus RS-232/RS-485 for diagnostics and configuration
  • Dose monitor pulse output, TTL or NIM-standard, transformer isolated
  • Integrated actuator control output with limit switch sensing
  • Front panel key-switch override, safety-rated interlock relay, and beam enable/status circuitry
  • Compact 1U 19" chassis, 3.5kg, fan-cooled

Applications

  • Paired with an IC128-25
  • Particle therapy beam position measurement and dosimetry
  • Multi-strip ionization chamber measurement
  • Particle range verification measurement
  • General high-density, low-current multichannel measurement