Single-Board Computer based Architecture and Firmware for Radiometers with Radio Astronomy applications

We present the electronic architecture of the main control stage and a description of the peripherals' management firmware of a dual-channel water vapor radiometer. The system is based on the Raspberry Pi computer with low-cost peripherals to perform data acquisition at 23 and 31 GHz, with capabilities of wireless communication and control mode for remote operation. The system is mounted in the WVR III+ radiometer of the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory of South Africa and its intended use is for sky characterization of existing and future radio astronomical sites.