The GRT4 VME pulse processing card for segmented germanium detectors

A four channel VME card with 14 bit, 80 MHz digitizers and powerful on-board processing has been designed, built and used in tests of digital pulse processing techniques for gamma-ray tracking. This paper explains the background (rationale for the project), describes the VME card (known as the GRT4) and presents a 64 channel GRT4 digitizing system which was used to instrument two segmented Germanium detectors during in-beam tests. Results obtained using the GRT4 card are presented as well as some applications.