Design and Implementation of a FPGA-Based Portable Virtual Nuclear Pulse Signal Generator

In this paper, we present a portable FPGA-based pulse signal generator that mimics nuclear signals, designed to provide safe and reliable test signals for both single-channel and multi-channel pulse-amplitude analyzers, as well as other nuclear electronic instruments. These instruments are integral to the research and development (R&D) testing of nuclear electronics. Our signal generator leverages FPGA technology to display the corresponding nuclide energy spectrum on a capacitive touchscreen, allowing users to select desired nuclear pulse signal parameters through touch input. It generates waveform data based on a mathematical model of the nuclide energy spectrum and outputs the nuclear-imitating pulse signal via a high-speed DAC circuit. Systematic verification has confirmed that the output distribution aligns precisely with the energy spectrum characteristics of radionuclides. This nuclear simulation pulse signal generator is not only user-friendly but also features a portable design that significantly enhances the convenience of R&D testing for nuclear electronic equipment.