Multi-Channel Charge Amplifier-Discriminator-Counter IC for the Space Sciences

We have developed a multi-channel, mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC) as part of a resource-conserving approach to the design of instruments for missions flown under the Geospace Missions Network (GMN) of NASA's Living With a Star (LWS) program. Specifically, the IC was designed to read out microchannel plates (MCPs) which allow detection of single hot plasma particle by emitting a pulse of charge when struck by the plasma particle. The IC, named AIDA (AlowbarmplIlowbarfier Dlowbariscriminator AlowbarSIC) includes several Charge-Amplifier Discrminators in one package without sacrificing performance, thus simplifying the MCP electronics and saving on space, power and cost. Reduction of power and mass requirements by several tens of percent relative to existing MCP instrument electronics was the primary goal. A secondary goal was to integrate the pulse counting function into the IC, thereby eliminating the need for additional counters and conserving resources further. We present the features and capabilities of the AIDA IC and evaluation system, and initial characterization data for the chip.