SUMMARY

The approach and OGIP standard format for storing PHA data for spectral analysis is outlined and discussed. We describe the formats for both a file containing a single PHA dataset and the more general case of a file containing multiple datasets from the same instrument. The requirements imposed on the resultant PHA file such that response matrices etc. can be easily constructed are also outlined.

Intended audience: primarily OGIP programmers, hardware teams & authors of spectral analysis s/w.