A document discusses selected aspects of a continuing effort to develop five micro-imagers for both still and video monitoring of cell cultures to be grown aboard the International Space Station. The approach taken in this effort is to modify and augment pre-existing electronic micro- cameras. Each such camera includes an image-detector integrated-circuit chip, signal-conditioning and image compression circuitry, and connections for receiving power from, and exchanging data with, external electronic equipment. Four white and four multicolor light-emitting diodes are to be added to each camera for illuminating the specimens to be monitored. The lens used in the original version of each camera is to be replaced with a shorter-focal-length, more-compact singlet lens to make it possible to fit the camera into the limited space allocated to it. Initially, the lenses in the five cameras are to have different focal lengths: the focal lengths are to be 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 cm. Once one of the focal lengths is determined to be the most nearly optimum, the remaining four cameras are to be fitted with lenses of that focal length.
This work was done by Alberto Behar, Jaret Matthews, Beverly St. Ange, and Helen Tanabe of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free online at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Electronics/Computers category. NPO-42379
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Micro-Imagers for Spaceborne Cell-Growth Experiments
(reference NPO-42379-) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package for Micro-Imagers designed for spaceborne cell-growth experiments, developed under NASA's Commercial Technology Program. It outlines the project led by Principal Investigator Alberto Behar from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at the California Institute of Technology. The primary goal of the project is to create a miniature imaging system that can effectively support scientific research in space, particularly in understanding cell growth in microgravity environments.
The document details the system's design, objectives, and requirements. It emphasizes the need for an optimal design that minimizes resource use, including volume, power, and bandwidth. Key specifications include an image size of 640 x 480 pixels with 8 bits depth and a compression ratio of 5:1, while the system is designed to operate within a temperature range of 0°C to 40°C and requires a power supply of 5 volts at 1-2 watts.
The project is structured into several subsystems, including imaging, software, power, and computing. The imaging subsystem features a miniature imager and a light system, while the software consists of two packages: one for controlling and gathering images and another for debugging. The power subsystem focuses on efficient power conversion using small voltage regulators.
The document also outlines the management and tracking of implementation activities, including bi-weekly team meetings and weekly checks on resources, schedule, and milestones. It highlights the importance of testing the system in relevant environments early in the development process to ensure reliability and effectiveness.
Additionally, the document discusses the long-term implications of the technology, potential challenges, and the overall mission success criteria. It emphasizes the need for a design philosophy that minimizes the use of custom parts to reduce costs and complexity while ensuring that the system meets mission constraints.
Overall, this Technical Support Package serves as a comprehensive overview of the Micro-Imagers project, detailing its objectives, design considerations, and operational requirements, while also providing insights into the management and testing strategies employed to achieve successful outcomes in spaceborne cell-growth research.
