Next-generation Digital Receiver Platforms for Cosmology/Radio Astronomy experiments

Abstract

Over the last decade, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology has made significant strides, notably with Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) pioneering Multi-processor Systems-on-Chip (MPSoC). The addition of RF-class analog technology has further advanced MPSoCs, resulting in Radio Frequency System-on-a-Chip (RFSoC). RFSoCs combine data converters with programmable logic, dedicated processors, and high-speed transceivers, making them ideal for large-N applications in radio astronomy/cosmology experiments. The Raman Research Institute has embarked upon building next-generation digital correlation spectrometers using RFSoC evaluation boards like AMD's ZCU111 and ZCU216, advancing towards a compact, custom-designed third generation RFSoC-based platform named "Cosmology and radio astronomy experiments with RFSoC Integrated Signal Processing" (CRISP). These technological advancements are pivotal for high precision cosmology experiments, detecting subtle signals from recombination and reionization epochs. The paper describes the digital correlation receivers based on evaluation platforms, signal processing firmware, and the architecture of CRISP leveraging Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) attributes.