Readout Development for the HEPSTER Instrument to fill a Critical SWx Measurement Gap

The High Energy Proton SSD Telescope and chErenkov Radiator (HEPSTER) is a space weather instrument capable of measuring solar energetic particles (SEPs) in the unique energy range of ~10 – 500 MeV currently under development by the GSFC Code 672 Energetic Particle Laboratory (EPL). The unique capabilities of HEPSTER have garnered significant interest from NASA HQ, NOAA (for the Sol-B mission), the Korean Space Agency, and OGA defense agencies. The largest remaining task in the development of HEPSTER is the identification and integration of a suitable spectroscopy ASIC, particularly with the loss of availability of the Caltech-developed Pulse Height Analysis System Integrated Circuit (PHASIC) that was previously used. The goal of this IRAD will be to develop a readout system for HEPSTER to address several short-term opportunities in the near future. A longer-term goal will be to identify a replacement for the PHASIC for future SSD telescopes.

Identifies and incorporates suitable ASIC replacement for PHASIC in HEPSTER energetic particle detector; Evaluates Energy-4 and IDEAS IDE3465 ASICs for long-term PHASIC replacement; Advances energetic particle detection capabilities with high dynamic range measurements

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