Method and apparatus for resolving individual signals in detector output data

Abstract

A method and apparatus for resolving individual signals in a radiation detector output data. The method comprising: obtaining a signal form characterizing the detector; obtaining digitized detector output data in a form of a digital time series; making parameter estimates of one or more parameters of at least one signal present in the detector output data, wherein the one or more parameters comprise at least a signal temporal position of the at least one signal; forming a mathematical model based on the digital time series and as a function of at least the signal form, the temporal position of the at least one signal, and an amplitude of the at least one signal; and determining the amplitude of the at least one signal based on the mathematical model, the amplitude being indicative of a radiation event.

1 . A method of resolving individual signals in a radiation detector output data, the method comprising:
 obtaining a signal form characterizing the detector;   obtaining digitized detector output data in a form of a digital time series;   making parameter estimates of one or more parameters of at least one signal present in the detector output data, wherein the one or more parameters comprise at least a signal temporal position of the at least one signal;   forming a mathematical model based on the digital time series and as a function of at least the signal form, the temporal position of the at least one signal, and an amplitude of the at least one signal; and   determining the amplitude of the at least one signal based on said mathematical model, the amplitude being indicative of a radiation event.   
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the signal form comprises receiving data about the signal form from a memory. 
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the signal form comprises deriving the signal form based on at least one signal present in the detector output data. 
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising determining energy of the at least one signal based on at least the signal form and the parameter estimates. 
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising determining accuracy of the parameter estimates based on a comparison between the detector output data and the mathematical model. 
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the signal form comprises determining the signal form by measuring a response of the detector to one or more detections. 
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising interpolating the detector output data with a function to generate an expected signal form, wherein the function comprises a polynomial, exponential or spline function. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for resolving individual signals in a radiation detector output data, the apparatus comprising a processor configured to:
 obtain a signal form characterizing the detector;   obtain digitized detector output data in a form of a digital time series;   make parameter estimates of one or more parameters of at least one signal present in the detector output data, wherein the one or more parameters comprise at least a signal temporal position of the at least one signal;   form a mathematical model based on the digital time series and as a function of at least the signal form, the temporal position of the at least one signal, and an amplitude of the at least one signal; and   determine the amplitude of the at least one signal based on the mathematical model, the amplitude being indicative of a radiation event.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to obtain the signal form from a memory. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to obtain the signal form by deriving the signal form based on at least one signal present in the detector output data. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine energy of the at least one signal based on at least the signal form and the parameter estimates. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine accuracy of the parameter estimates based on a comparison between the detector output data and the mathematical model. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine the signal form by measuring a response of the detector to one or more detections. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to interpolate the detector output data with a function to generate an expected signal form, wherein the function comprises a polynomial, exponential or spline function. 
   
   
       15 . A data storage medium storing instructions, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform a method of resolving individual signals in a radiation detector output data, the method comprising:
 obtaining a signal form characterizing the detector;   obtaining digitized detector output data in a form of a digital time series;   making parameter estimates of one or more parameters of at least one signal present in the detector output data, wherein the one or more parameters comprise at least a signal temporal position of the at least one signal;   forming a mathematical model based on the digital time series and as a function of at least the signal form, the temporal position of the at least one signal, and an amplitude of the at least one signal; and   determining the amplitude of the at least one signal based on said mathematical model, the amplitude being indicative of a radiation event.   
   
   
       16 . The data storage medium as recited in  claim 15 , wherein obtaining the signal form comprises receiving data about the signal form from a memory. 
   
   
       17 . The data storage medium as recited in  claim 15 , wherein obtaining the signal form comprises deriving the signal form based on at least one signal present in the detector output data. 
   
   
       18 . The data storage medium as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to determine energy of the at least one signal based on at least the signal form and the parameter estimates. 
   
   
       19 . The data storage medium as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to determine accuracy of the parameter estimates based on a comparison between the detector output data and the mathematical model. 
   
   
       20 . The data storage medium as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to determine the signal form by measuring a response of the detector to one or more detections.