The ESO Infrared Detector High-Speed Array Control and Processing Electronics IRACE

The ESO Infrared Detector High Speed Array Control and Processing Electronics, IRACE, is designed as a modular system which supports readout and data processing of arrays with four, and eventually more, output channels. In addition, the system can handle several separate arrays by routing the data to multiple processing chains. Detector front-end(s) are galvanically isolated from the data processing and system administration by fiberoptic links. The multiprocessor system(s) for on-line data handling are based on the IMS T9000 transputer, the most advanced European-produced processor. A key component of the whole system is a 1 Gigabit/s fiberoptic link. The link not only transmits data, but the architecture of the system allows distribution of data to the multiprocessor system(s) in a flexible and simple way. We present here the principles of the system operation, the achieved readout and on-line processing speeds and present first measurement results with a 1024 × 1024 pixel IR array.