System for onboard control and processing of information in the multiparametric analysis of charged particle fluxes

A system for fast anaysis of charged particle data gathered by a spacecraft carrying position-sensitive detectors (PSD) is described. The PSDs are mounted on microchannel plates and are useful in manufacturing parallel multiparametric spectrometers for measuring particle energy, mass and charge simultaneously. The coordinates of a single event are obtained by the ratio of the amplitudes of signals of two outputs from the associated charge-sensitive amplifiers. The analysis system consists of a microcomputer for performing control functions and data processing and a dynamic logic circuit of parallel elements. The computer establishes the parametric sets and determines the scanning conditions. Peak signals are directed to an A/D converter and compared with a library of identification signals. The data are then stored on-board for telemetering while the computer prepares the next scan cycle.