4.4.2 Future improvements

The next-generation correlator for the Plateau de Bure interferometer will allow for more flexibility, due to the following improvements:

• global bandwidth: 2.56GHz (vs. 0.96GHz in the current system),
• flexibility: 8 units with channel spacings in powers-of-2 sequence (vs. 6 units, channel spacing in powers-of-4 sequence)
• global digital performance: 9.8 Teramultiplications per second (vs. 1.3TMs^-1).

These improvements are made possible by using new, more integrated technology at both analog and digital signal processing steps.