high performance computing on graphics processing units: hgpu.org

This paper presents the evaluation of the use of a graphics processor for realtime radio astronomy DSP (Digital Signal Processing) within VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry). A polyphase filter bank (pfb) was implemented in a prototype application to convert external ADC input into channelized frequency streams. This system was tested with a 32 channel pfb, 8 bit samples, and 8 taps/channel. With a prototype system, 512 Mega-samples/second could be easily processed and 890 Mega-samples/second is possible. Instruction throughput is the current limitation, so a modest increase in the graphics card’s processing speed will permit the desired speed of 1024 Megasamples/second. This makes GPUs an interesting candidate for a cost effective upgrade as both software and hardware systems progress.