Pulse Circumvention Circuit For The Infrared Astronomical Satellite Telescope

J G Emming; R F Arentz; C H Downey; E C Long; L G Smeins

doi:10.1117/12.966155

9 January 1984 Pulse Circumvention Circuit For The Infrared Astronomical Satellite Telescope

J G Emming, R F Arentz, C H Downey, E C Long, L G Smeins

Proceedings Volume 0445, Instrumentation in Astronomy V; (1984) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.966155
Event: 1983 Astronomy Conferences, 1983, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) operates in a circular sun-synchronous orbit at 900 km. This orbit carries it through the radiation zones of the South Atlantic Anomaly and the polar regions. Penetrating radiation, mainly protons and electrons, produce spurious detector pulses which can be large compared to the outputs generated by infrared sources. To preserve the infrared (IR) sensitivity of the main IRAS instrument, pulse circumvention circuitry discriminates between signals from IR sources and those due to penetrating charged particles. This paper describes the pulse circumvention concept used and its implementation in the IRAS survey instrument. An analysis is given of the operation of the circuit and of the optimization of its parameters for maximum IR sensitivity. Early flight data validates the operation of the system. In the South Atlantic Anomaly a typical reduction in pulse generated system noise of two orders of magnitude is being obtained with this circuit.

Citation Download Citation

J G Emming, R F Arentz, C H Downey, E C Long, and L G Smeins "Pulse Circumvention Circuit For The Infrared Astronomical Satellite Telescope", Proc. SPIE 0445, Instrumentation in Astronomy V, (9 January 1984); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.966155

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