A prototype ASIC (EFT1) for silicon strip detector instrumentation has been designed and tested. The ASIC design contains the electronics necessary for preamplification, shaping, hit detection, and data readout control.The specific­ ation of the ASIC makes it suitable for charged particle spectroscopy applications with the implementation of multiple channels on a single chip reducing the cost compared to expensive discrete instrumentation. The ASIC contains features which have not been implemented before, or are at least unusual, on integrated instrumentation such as the ability to select two gain ranges, the use of a flat­top shaper to increase integral linearity and a current­ driven discriminator output with adjustable voltage to reduce crosstalk effects on sensitive inputs. The testing performed on the ASIC revealed errors that can be removed in further design of the chip which will be implemented using radiation­hard silicon technology.