An Embedded Microprocessor Design for the Pulse Shape Discrimination of a Plastic Scintillating Neutron Detector

Kaua‘i Community College (Kaua‘i CC) is presently participating in an effort to develop a space industry in Hawai‘i. This effort includes future launches of University of Hawai‘i supported micro-class satellites from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kaua‘i. Kaua‘i CC’s participation is represented by operation and maintenance of a ground station, located on campus, to support command and control and data acquisition for UH micro-satellites. Kaua‘i CC has also proposed a plastic scintillating neutron detector as a potential micro-class satellite payload for the detection of solar accelerated neutrons. The dual focus of this Fellowship was to support the operation and maintenance of the Kaua‘i CC ground station and to develop a digital signal processing (DSP) framework for neutron detection which is compatible with a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Ground station support includes the installation of an S-Band dish and the installation of new components to existing ultra-high frequency (UHF) and very-high frequency (VHF) antennas. The FPGA design focus is on developing a system design capable of discriminating neutrons from other sources of accelerated particles and meeting timing specifications necessary for characterizing neutron flux as a count rate. This paper presents the results and accomplishments of these two distinct goals in separate sections. I. KAUA‘I CC GROUND STATION UH micro-satellite Hiaka-Sat is scheduled to launch from PMRF in the near future. In order to support data acquisition for Hiaka-Sat an S-Band dish is required at the Kaua‘i CC ground station. The UHF and VHF antenna systems require additional components to improve signal to noise ratio and a new azimuth motor to replace a mechanically failing unit. A M2 A2000 S-band dish was successful installed onto the roof of the Kaua‘i CC Daniel K. Inouye building (Fig. 1). The dish is mounted onto a base of two galvanized steel I-beams which are mounted onto the North-Eastern perimeter wall and an adjacent parapet wall. The Ibeams were installed by a contractor. The dish was installed by Marcus Yamaguchi, with assistance from Kaua‘i CC’s facility manager, and with the fortuitous presence of a roofing contractor with a crane working on a nearby building. Control lines for the azimuth and elevation rotors and a LMR 400 cable were run in the ceiling space of the building to the HSFL ground station control room, again by Marcus Yamaguchi. After installation the function of the rotors was verified by properly terminating the cable with terminal lugs and connecting to the motor controller, then commanding the dish azimuth and elevation position which confirmed a successful mechanical assembly and installation of the dish.