A digital data processing unit for future X-ray observatories

Henning Wende; Giuseppe Distratis; Chris Tenzer; Eckhard Kendziorra; Andrea Santangelo

doi:10.1117/12.925397

17 September 2012 A digital data processing unit for future X-ray observatories

Henning Wende, Giuseppe Distratis, Chris Tenzer, Eckhard Kendziorra, Andrea Santangelo

Proceedings Volume 8443, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray; 84432N (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.925397
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Future space-based X-ray observatories will not only have increased sensitivity and energy resolution but will provide astronomers with high time resolution in the order of microseconds. The detection of millions of single photons per second with their precise energy and their time of arrival will produce unprecedented data rates that cannot be downlinked to Earth in their full extend due to telemetry limitations. We present the study of a very fast, lossless, on-board data compression implemented in an FPGA-based LEON3 microprocessor. We conclude with performance estimates done with a prototype board developed for the High Time Resolution Spectrometer (HTRS) on board the International X-ray Observatory (IXO). We also discuss a possible application of the Data Processing Unit (DPU) for the future X-ray mission Large Observatory for X-ray Timing (LOFT).

Citation Download Citation

Henning Wende, Giuseppe Distratis, Chris Tenzer, Eckhard Kendziorra, and Andrea Santangelo "A digital data processing unit for future X-ray observatories", Proc. SPIE 8443, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 84432N (17 September 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.925397

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