Dead-time correction system and method

A method of correcting for dead-time of a pulse rate measurement device, the method comprising:

• a. selecting a pulse counter read-out rate for a pulse counter that increments in response to pulses;
• b. storing an immediately preceding read-out count from the pulse counter;
• c. providing a pulse-burst counter that also increments in response to pulses, the pulse-burst counter having a pulse-burst counter read-out rate that is faster than all but the fastest selectable pulse counter read-out rate;
• d. subtracting the preceding pulse counter read-out count from the pulse counter read-out count to output an uncorrected pulse count;
• e. selecting the pulse counter read-out rate in response to input from the pulse-burst counter;
• f. selecting from among at least two dead-time correction transforms (DTCT), the DTCT corresponding to the selected pulse counter read-out rate;
• and
• g. applying the DTCT to the uncorrected pulse count divided by the pulse counter read-out rate to output a dead-time corrected pulse rate.

An electronic dosimeter comprising:

• a. a radiation detector that generates a pulse in response to a radiation detection event, the radiation detector having a known dead-time per radiation detection event;
• b. a pulse counter that increments in response to pulses, the pulse counter having a selectable pulse counter read-out rate;
• c. a pulse counter read-out (PCRO) storage register that stores an immediately preceding PCRO count;
• d. a pulse-burst counter that also increments in response to pulses, the pulse-burst counter having a pulse-burst counter read-out rate that is faster than all but the fastest selectable pulse counter read-out rate;
• e. a subtractor module in electronic communication with the pulse counter and the PCRO storage register that subtracts the preceding PCRO storage register count from the pulse counter read-out count to output an uncorrected pulse count;
• f. a selection module in electronic communication with the pulse-burst counter that selects the pulse counter read-out rate in response to input from the pulse-burst counter;
• g. a multiplexer (MUX) in electronic communication with the subtractor module and the selection module, the MUX selecting from among at least two dead-time correction transforms (DTCT), the DTCT corresponding to the selected pulse counter read-out rate;
• and
• h. a control-and-readout module in electronic communication with the MUX that applies the DTCT selected by the MUX to the uncorrected pulse count divided by the pulse counter read-out rate to output a dead-time corrected pulse rate.

A method of correcting for dead-time of a pulse rate measurement device, the method comprising:

• a. operating at least a first and second pulse counters at different read-out rates;
• b. selecting a read-out rate of the first pulse counter in response to input from the second pulse counter;
• c. selecting from among at least two dead-time correction transforms (DTCT) based on the selected first pulse counter read-out rate;
• and
• d. applying the selected DTCT to an uncorrected pulse count rate from the first pulse counter, to output a dead-time corrected pulse rate.

A dead-time correction system for a pulse rate measurement device, the system comprising:

• a. a first pulse counter having a selectable read-out rate;
• b. a second pulse counter operable at a read-out rate differing from that of the first pulse counter;
• c. a selection module in communication with the second pulse counter that selects the first pulse counter read-out rate in response to input from the second pulse counter;
• d. a multiplexer (MUX) in communication with the selection module, the MUX selecting from among at least two dead-time correction transforms (DTCT) based on the selected first pulse counter read-out rate;
• and
• e. a control-and-readout module in communication with the MUX that applies the selected DTCT to an uncorrected pulse count rate from the first pulse counter, to output a dead-time corrected pulse rate.