An efficient detection prototype based on a mixed architecture for GAIA

We present a high throughput prototype detection framework designed to meet the stringent scientific requirements of the Gaia mission and satisfy real-time and processing resource constraints on board the satellite. A mixed architecture, whose feasibility has been confirmed as part of phase A, is proposed which manages pixel level operations synchronously with their acquisition through programmable logic (FPGA) and answers the need for more flexibility and higher level object-wise processing by the use of software.