Cluster computers and grid processing in the first radio-telescope of a new generation

The LOFAR (LOw-Frequency ARray) telescope is being developed as a giant data processing machine. A total of 13,000 antennas produce a data stream of 2 Gbit/s each. This data is processed by a massive cluster computer and converted to astronomical images and other data products using distributed applications. The LOFAR data processor is being designed as a heterogeneous system containing digital signal processors, programmable logic and general-purpose microcomputers with a total processing power of 40 TFLOPS. To allow for iterative calibration, over 600 TBytes of online storage is envisaged. LOFAR is being developed in a collaboration between the Netherlands (ASTRON) and the USA (NRL and MIT Haystack Observatory). Initial funding has beets secured for a feasibility phase. Initial operations are planned for 2004 and full-capacity science operations for 2007.