Summary

Description

This project addresses the need for higher data rate recording capability, increased correlation speed and flexibility needed for next generation VLBI systems. The proposed solution utilizes an innovative software defined platform with standard interfaces to commodity hardware, using advances in multi-core, multi-processing, and graphics processors, technology, combined with streaming data and storage concepts developed in the defense community. The result is an open architecture, commodity hardware based software defined, flexible correlator and data recorder at low cost that provides future scalability and maintainability. The system will have separable well defined components that can be changed over time increasing system life while decreasing maintenance cost. Performance target is to do >8gbps continuous recording, enable 16gbps recording and show even higher speed in burst mode, then provide a feasibility study for a software correlator capable of 32 stations at 16gbps per station, all with commercially off the shelf components