CARMA First-Light Correlator Spectral-line Configurations
Kevin P. Rauch
Astronomy Dept, University of Maryland, College Park

The spectral-line capabilities of an interim CARMA correlator based on an 
expansion of the current COBRA digital hardware is discussed. It is found that
the COBRA correlator FPGAs can support the previously proposed channel 
resolutions for the widest bandwidths (16 channels @ 500 MHz and 32 channels
@ 250 MHz), whereas for narrower bandwidths the maximum resolution is a factor 
of two below the original estimates (64 channels @ 8 and 2 MHz). It may be 
possible to increase resolution by using higher density FPGAs in new 
correlator cards; however, the concomitant increase in power dissipation is a 
serious concern, and careful study would be needed to determine its 
feasibility. Alternatively, additional bands could be added (proportionately 
increasing hardware costs).