Data processing for large fast microcalorimeter arrays

Abstract

Future missions such as Constellation-X plan to use arrays of 1000or more microcalorimeters with peak count rates of 1000 per secondon a single pixel and 10,000 per second across the array. These requirementsput severe constraints on the data processing system. Raw data fromthe array will exceed 3 Gbits/second. In addition, the limited poweravailable on space-flight missions requires a highly efficient processingsystem. We discuss a possible data processing architecture that willfit within the constraints of Constellation-X.