Development of a flexible MAPMT photon-counting read-out system

The design and the attained performances of a read-out system for a 64-channel Hamamatsu Multi Anode Photo Multipliers (MAPMT) are discussed. The system has been developed in the framework of the Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO) experiment. EUSO is a space telescope devoted to the study of the ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, proposed for accommodation on board the International Space Station (ISS). This paper reports the tests on the read-out system and the optimization of its main parameters. A quick overview of some other possible applications of the system is also given.