X-Ray Source Controller

A power supply for an x-ray tube, the power supply comprising an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit consisting of a single circuit board with associated electronic components mounted thereon or multiple circuit boards rigidly-mounted together with associated electronic components mounted thereon, the electronic components comprising:

• a) a digital controller capable of emitting a first digital signal to indicate a desired x-ray tube voltage and a second digital signal to indicate a desired x-ray tube electrical current;
• b) a first digital-to-analog converter, defining a first DAC, electrically-coupled to the digital controller, capable of receiving the first digital signal, and capable of emitting a first analog signal corresponding to the first digital signal;
• c) a second digital-to-analog converter, defining a second DAC, electrically-coupled to the digital controller, capable of receiving the second digital signal, and capable of emitting a second analog signal corresponding to the second digital signal;
• d) an x-ray tube control circuit:
• i) electrically-coupled to the first DAC and capable of receiving the first analog signal and providing a voltage differential, of at least 1 kilovolt, to the x-ray tube, based on the first analog signal;
• and
• ii) electrically-coupled to the second DAC and capable of receiving the second analog signal and providing an electrical current to the x-ray tube based on the second analog signal.

A power supply for an x-ray tube, the power supply comprising:

• a) a housing;
• b) a digital controller, rigidly-mounted within the housing, and capable of emitting a first digital signal to indicate a desired x-ray tube voltage and a second digital signal to indicate a desired x-ray tube electrical current for an electron emitter;
• c) a first digital-to-analog converter, defining a first DAC, rigidly-mounted within the housing, electrically-coupled to the digital controller, capable of receiving the first digital signal, and capable of emitting a first analog signal corresponding to the first digital signal;
• d) a second digital-to-analog converter, defining a second DAC, rigidly-mounted within the housing, electrically-coupled to the digital controller, capable of receiving the second digital signal, and capable of emitting a second analog signal corresponding to the second digital signal;
• and
• e) an x-ray tube control circuit:
• i) rigidly-mounted within the housing;
• ii) electrically-coupled to the first DAC and capable of receiving the first analog signal and providing a voltage differential, of at least 1 kilovolt, to the x-ray tube, based on the first analog signal;
• and
• iii) electrically-coupled to the second DAC and capable of receiving the second analog signal and providing an electrical current to the electron emitter based on the second analog signal.