ICARUS-SDD: a 16 channel ASIC for silicon drift detectors read-out

A prototype Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) to read out Silicon Drift Detector signals has been realized and characterized. The device is based on the ICARUS ASIC that is currently employed into the PICsIT detector on board the INTEGRAL satellite. The charge preamplifiers collecting the signals from the detectors are externally mounted in order to support a wide range of uses. The ASIC functional behavior is described and its performances are summarized and discussed.