Capabilities

Basic characteristics of the design of the EVN MkIV data processor include: correlation of up to 16 stations with 16 channels per station, 1 Gb/s recording (via 2 head-stacks $\times$ 32 tracks/head-stack $\times$ 16Mb/s/track), and use of either MkIV and VLBA format recordings. Figure 1 shows the data playback units, the station units, the data distributor unit, and control computers. The correlator itself is housed in a separate room out of this view.

Figure 1: A view of the data playback units, the station units, the data distributor unit, and control computers of the JIVE MkIV Data Processor.

The principal science drivers behind the development of the data processor and associated software include the ability to handle continuum dual-polarization observations, spectral line experiments (i.e., providing lots of frequency points and narrow bandwidths to provide high spectral resolution), and phase-reference mapping.