Active Pixel Sensor Aps Based Star Tracker

• doi: 10.1109/AERO.1998.686811
• title: Active pixel sensor (APS) based star tracker
• publisher: IEEE
• isbn: 0-7803-4311-5
• issn: 1095-323X
• partnum: 98TH8339
• rank: 1377
• access_type: LOCKED
• content_type: Conferences
• abstract: Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) based star trackers provide reliable attitude estimation onboard most 3 axis stabilized spacecraft. The spacecraft attitude is calculated based on observed positions of stars, which are located and identified in a CCD image of the sky. A new photon sensitive imaging array, active pixel sensor (APS), has emerged as a potential replacement to CCDs. The APS chips utilize existing Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) production facilities, and the technology has several advantages over CCD technology. These include: lower power consumption, higher dynamic range, higher blooming threshold, individual pixel readout, single 3.3 or 5 Volt operation, the capability to integrate on-chip timing, control, windowing, analog to digital (A/D) conversion and centroiding operations. However, because the photosensitivity of an APS pixel is non-homogeneous, its suitability as a star tracker imager has been unknown. This paper reports test results of a 256/spl times/256-pixel APS chip for star tracker applications. Using photon transfer curves, a system read-out noise of 7 electrons, under laboratory conditions, has been determined (photogate type). The full well of an APS pixel is determined to be around 450,000 electrons. Utilizing astronomical observations, the sensitivity of APS was measured to 13600 e/sup -/(second.mm/sup 2/) for a 0/sup th/ magnitude star. Centroiding accuracy of the APS was in the order of 1/10 pixel. The dynamic range of the APS was better than 9 magnitudes. These measurements allow us to conclude that the APS is a potential replacement for CCD star trackers.
• article_number: 686811
• pdf_url: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=686811
• html_url: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/686811/
• abstract_url: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/686811/
• publication_title: 1998 IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.98TH8339)
• conference_location: Snowmass, CO, USA
• conference_dates: 28-28 March 1998
• publication_number: 5608
• is_number: 15049
• publication_year: 1998
• publication_date: 28-28 March 1998
• start_page: 119
• end_page: 127 vol.1
• citing_paper_count: 34
• citing_patent_count: 3
• download_count: 979
• insert_date: 20020806
• index_terms:
  • ieee_terms:
    • Charge coupled devices
    • Sensor arrays
    • Space vehicles
    • Pixel
    • CMOS technology
    • Dynamic range
    • Electrons
    • Extraterrestrial measurements
    • Optoelectronic and photonic sensors
    • Image sensors
  • dynamic_index_terms:
    • Sensor Pixel
    • Star Tracker
    • CCD Camera
    • Charge-coupled Device
    • Spacecraft Attitude
    • Spacecraft Position
    • Field Of View
    • Centroid
    • Dynamic Range
    • Power Consumption
    • Slope Of Line
    • Telescope
    • Space Administration
    • Light Sensitivity
    • Photophobic
    • Dark Current
    • Efficient Charge Transfer
    • Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    • Absolute Sensitivity
    • Sub-pixel Accuracy
    • Readout Noise
• isbn_formats:
  • format: Print ISBN, value: 0-7803-4311-5, isbnType: Historical
• authors:
  • Author Name: C.C. Liebe
    Affiliation: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
    Author URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/author/37275947300
    ID: 37275947300
    Order: 1
    Author Affiliations:
    • Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
  • Author Name: E.W. Dennison
    Affiliation: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
    Author URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/author/37087817623
    ID: 37087817623
    Order: 2
    Author Affiliations:
    • Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
  • Author Name: B. Hancock
    Affiliation: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
    Author URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/author/37325713600
    ID: 37325713600
    Order: 3
    Author Affiliations:
    • Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
  • Author Name: R.C. Stirbl
    Affiliation: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
    Author URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/author/37087817394
    ID: 37087817394
    Order: 4
    Author Affiliations:
    • Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
  • Author Name: B. Pain
    Affiliation: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
    Author URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/author/37326642900
    ID: 37326642900
    Order: 5
    Author Affiliations:
    • Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA

Image Sensor

• sensor_type: CMOS
• resolution: 256x256 pixels
• dynamic_range: Not specified
• pixel_size: 20.4 µm
• dark_current: 94 electrons read-noise (as low as 7 electrons for photogate type)

Optical Data

• focal_length: 50 mm
• aperture: f/1.8
• field_of_view: ~5.5°
• distortion: Not specified

Performance Metrics

• sensitivity: 13600 e-/(seconds*mm²) for magnitude 0 star
• power_consumption: Insignificant power usage (effectively in the 0 mW range for APS)
• noise: 94 electrons read-noise (could be optimized to lower)

Applications & Benefits

• cell_imaging: Potential for high-quality imaging applications including star tracking and astronomical observations.
• benefits: Lower power consumption, simplified operation, larger dynamic range, and potentially better radiation robustness compared to CCD sensors.

Supporting Organizations

• supported_by: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, NASA

Manuscript Details

• publication_date: 28-28 March 1998

Relevancy Score

• score: 10

Processed JSON Filename

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