Channel-Electron-Multiplier Micro-Instrument for Particle Counting and Photometry

The innovations proposed permit an order-of-magnitude reduction in resource requirements for Channel Electron Multiplier (CEM) instruments by (1) replacing the traditional preamplifier and discriminator with passive amplification and thresholding, (2) utilizing novel accumulators for direct data compression and pulse height distribution monitoring, and (3) optimizing the instrument control and interface for use with an integrated payload data system or companion instrument. These innovations are compatible with advanced packaging technologies, implementing a full instrument within the confines of a traditional instrument head. The objectives of this program are to establish feasibility and resources for a CEM-based instrument employing advanced electronic components and circuit engineering to minimize the most critical spacecraft resources: mass and power. Mass, power and volume are directly reduced through advanced components and circuit topologies. In addition, cost and schedule are reduced by minimizing instrument complexity while implementing electronics common to many CEM applications. The proposed effort will develop and evaluate CEM instrument electronics to minimize resources without sacrificing reliability or performance. Conceptual packaging will be designed to assess the expected mass and volume of a flight instrument.Traditional CEM-based instruments are ill-suited for small spacecraft. These innovations enable the use of CEM-based instruments on virtually all missions.