beautypg.com

Pmt preamplifier – Teledyne 9110EH - Nitrogen Oxides Analyzer User Manual

Page 194

background image

Theory of Operation Model 9110EH Instruction Manual

A red LED located on the top edge of this circuit board indicates that the control circuit is

receiving power. Four test points are also located at the top of this assembly. For the
definitions and acceptable signal levels of these test points see Chapter 11.

10.3.2.5. PMT Preamplifier

The PMT preamplifier board (Figure 10-15 and Figure 11-3) converts and amplifies the PMT
current signal into a useable analog voltage (PMTDET) that can be used by the CPU to
calculate the NO concentration of the gas in the reaction cell.

The output signal of the PMT is controlled by two different adjustments. First, the voltage
across the electron multiplier array of the PMT is adjusted with a set of two hexadecimal

switches. Adjusting this voltage directly affects the HVPS voltage and, hence, the signal
from the PMT. Secondly, the gain of the amplified signal can further be adjusted through a

potentiometer. These adjustments should only be performed when encountering problems
that cannot be rectified with the software calibration. See Section 11.6.5 for this hardware

calibration.

The PMT temperature control loop maintains the PMT temperature around 7° C and can be
viewed as test function PMT TEMP on the front panel.

The electrical test (ETEST) circuit generates a constant, electronic signal that simulates the
output of the PMT. By bypassing the detector’s actual signal, it is possible to test most of

the signal handling and conditioning circuitry on the PMT preamplifier board. See Section
6.7.6 for instructions on performing this test.

The optical test (OTEST) consists of an LED inside the PMT cold block that creates a light
signal, which can be measured with the PMT. If zero air is supplied to the analyzer, the

entire measurement capability of the sensor module can be tested including the PMT and
the current to voltage conversion circuit on the PMT preamplifier board.

180 M9110EH Rev 0