A next-generation high-speed data acquisition system for multichannel infrared and optical photometry

We report the design, operation, and performance of a next-generation high-speed data acquisition system for multichannel infrared and optical photometry based on the modern technologies of field programmable gate arrays, the Peripheral Component Interconnect bus, and the Global Positioning System. This system allows either direct recording of photon arrival times or binned photon counting with time resolution up to 1 mus precision in Universal Time, as well as real-time data monitoring and analysis. The system also allows simultaneous recording of multichannel observations with very flexible, reconfigurable observational modes. We present successful 20 mus resolution simultaneous observations of the Crab Nebula pulsar in the infrared (H band) and optical (V band) wave bands obtained with this system and 100 mus resolution V-band observations of the dwarf nova IY UMa with the 5 m Hale telescope at the Palomar Observatory.