The GEO-CAPE mission described in NASA’s Earth Science and Applications Decadal Survey requires high spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution measurements to monitor and characterize the rapidly changing chemistry of the troposphere over North and South Americas. High-frame-rate focal plane arrays (FPAs) with many pixels are needed to enable such measurements.
A high-throughput digital detector readout integrated circuit (ROIC) that meets the GEO-CAPE FPA needs has been developed, fabricated, and tested. The ROIC is based on an innovative charge integrating, fast, high-precision analog-to-digital circuit that is built into each pixel. The 128×128-pixel ROIC digitizes all 16,384 pixels simultaneously at frame rates up to 16 kHz to provide a completely digital output on a single integrated circuit at an unprecedented rate of 262 million pixels per second. The approach eliminates the need for off focal plane electronics, greatly reducing volume, mass, and power compared to conventional FPA implementations. A focal plane based on this ROIC will require less than 2 W of power on a 1×1- cm integrated circuit.
The ROIC is fabricated of silicon using CMOS technology. It is designed to be indium bump bonded to a variety of detector materials including silicon PIN diodes, indium antimonide (InSb), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), and mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) detector arrays to provide coverage over a broad spectral range in the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet spectral ranges.
This work was done by David M. Rider, Bruce R. Hancock, Richard W. Key, Thomas J. Cunningham, Chris J. Wrigley, Suresh Seshadri, Stanley P. Sander, and Jean-Francois L. Blavier of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NPO-47320
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Fast, High-Precision Readout Circuit for Detector Arrays
(reference NPO-47320) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
Don't have an account?
Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package for the Fast, High-Precision Readout Circuit for Detector Arrays, referenced as NPO-47320, produced under the auspices of NASA's Commercial Technology Program. It aims to disseminate results from aerospace-related developments that have broader technological, scientific, or commercial applications. The document serves as a resource for understanding advancements in detector technology, particularly in the context of the Panchromatic Fourier Transform Spectrometer (PanFTS).
The PanFTS is designed to enhance measurement capabilities across multiple wavelengths, specifically in the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (IR) spectra. It features a breadboard spectrometer with two distinct optical channels: one for UV-Visible light (300-1000 nm) and another for infrared light (1-3 micrometers). This dual-channel capability allows for comprehensive spectral analysis, which is crucial for various scientific applications, including environmental monitoring and astronomical observations.
Key components of the PanFTS include advanced focal plane arrays (FPAs) equipped with on-chip analog-to-digital converters for each pixel, enabling high-resolution data acquisition. The document outlines the core capabilities that will be demonstrated over the coming months, including an Optical Path Difference Mechanism (OPDM) life test under flight-like conditions and laboratory and field demonstrations of simultaneous UV-Vis-IR measurement capabilities. These tests are essential for validating the performance and reliability of the instrument in real-world scenarios.
Field demonstrations are planned at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) CLARS facility located at Mt. Wilson, where various measurement techniques, such as direct beam, aerosol scattering, and surface reflection, will be evaluated. The document emphasizes the importance of these demonstrations in showcasing the PanFTS's potential for future applications in Earth science and beyond.
Overall, the Technical Support Package provides a comprehensive overview of the PanFTS's design, capabilities, and planned demonstrations, highlighting its significance in advancing detector technology and its potential impact on scientific research. For further inquiries or assistance, the document provides contact information for the Innovative Technology Assets Management office at JPL.
