Proceedings Article | 21 August 1998
Proc. SPIE. 3354, Infrared Astronomical Instrumentation
KEYWORDS: Mid-IR, Optical filters, Electronics, Digital signal processing, Visualization, Cameras, Sensors, Image processing, Multiplexing, Control systems
The design concepts of a mid-IR camera/spectrograph, based on a HUGHES/SBRC 320 by 240 Si:As IBC sensor chip assembly (SCA), are presented, The system will operate in the 2 to 28 micrometers wavelength interval and will be optimized in the 10 micrometers regime. This SCA is divided into 32 regions, each with an independent output. The outputs, after being amplified and sampled, are multiplexed into 8 high speed 16 bit A/D converters. The initial configuration allows readout rates of up to 60 frame/s. A higher speed frame readout configuration is foreseen. A 32 bit deep memory and a high speed ALU, synchronized to the detector, will co- add/subtract the frames, making a real time visualization during the integration process possible. The detector, reflective optics, low resolution gratings, several cold stops, baffles, up to 12 filters and a CVF will be allocated in a 10 inch diameter working surface LN2/LHe dewar. The system will be linked to a workstation, providing a user friendly environment. The system is planned to operate at the Observatorio Astronomic Nacional in San Pedro Martir, B.C., Mexico.
