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INTRODUCTION:The next generation of geostationary meteorological satellites is being developed in the frame of Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) ESA program [1] where Thales Alenia Space is prime. The novel Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) instrument exhibit in particular a detection block including 17 channels from the visible to the far infrared working in snapshot mode at high frame rate (~2.65kHz) with a ground resolution between 0.5 - 2km. The full description of FCI optical design and performance features can be found in paper referenced [2]. A functional diagram is presented in Fig 1. The optical signal is spectrally separated in two at the telescope output to be driven to a warm assembly maintained at ambient temperature for the five visible channels, and to another assembly cooled down at 60K for the three NIR and nine infrared ones. The infrared block composed of 4 detectors assemblies based on HgCdTe material hybridized on CMOS ROIC circuit while the visible block contained a CMOS image sensor working at high pixel frequency (~4MHz). Each detector assemblies exhibits one unique analogue output. The video signals are sent to Video Control Units (VCU) to be buffered and digitalized. The present paper is focused on MTG FCI visible detection chain. After describing the detection chain itself and the main specification driving the design, the test setup will be overviewed, followed by electrical and preliminary radiometric on-ground test results performed on a visible detection chain breadboard model (BBM) will be presented to validate the design choices and interfaces aspects. I.DETECTOR CHAIN DESCRIPTION AND MAIN SPECIFICATIONS:It is composed of a Visible Detecteur Assembly (VisDA) manufactured by e2v and a 12 bits resolution specific visible VCU operating in full-differential mode. The visible detector chain contains 5 channels in the wavelength range 414nm to 924nm. A very large rhombus pixel shape with dimensions of up to 100μm has been chosen to optimize both the MTF and SNR performances. The pixel shape allows to independently reach North/South and East/West MTF performance and minimise aliasing effect. The radiometric performance maximization is achieved thanks to the rhombus geometrical extension and the noise minimization using CDS (correlated Double Sampling) at pixel level. For operability reason, the sensitive areas include 4 pixel columns (one nominal and 3redundant) with one active pixel per line, which can be selected by Serial Programming Interface on request. The whole visible detection chain has been designed for high linearity (target ±1.5%) and stability (target ±0.05%) during the entire mission. A particular attention has been paid to optimize the spectral template and reduce the etalon effect. A black coating film has been deposited to lower reflectivity on the die surface and improve the straylight performance. Finally, a low lag performance has been demonstrated despite the large size of the pixel [3] to be compatible with a specification of 0.1% temporal remanence at instrument level. The VCU contains a FEE (Front End Electronic) integrating the functions of video amplification, clock drivers and low noise biases (see Fig. 2). It is interfaced with the redounded VAE (Video acquisition Electronic describe in Fig. 2), which includes the ADC conversion, the generation of the clocks, SPI signal, supply voltages, and the management of the redounded thermal sensor. The VCU ensure the interface with the ICU (Instrument Control Unit). II.TEST BENCHES DESCRIPTIONThe Test Bench is a set of optical, mechanical and electrical elements that allow to carrying out radiometric characterization of VisDA detector. This configuration aims also to test the functionalities of the detection chain composed of the VisDA and the VCUs. Light is generated by a halogen lamp with well-defined spectral characteristics. A set of filters and diaphragm can tune the spectrum and light intensity to be injected in the integrating sphere. The spatially uniform output optical signal feeds a light sensor to monitor the optical source radiance. The VisDA is enclosed in a box exhibiting a narrow aperture to avoid stray-light. The control of the equipment and boards, such as the control of the optical source and power meter, is carried out by a customized LABVIEW software, using different communication ports (USB, GPIB, RS232). The following scheme describes the test bench functionalities: optical source subsystem with this control/command electronic (green), visible detection chain (red), detector thermal system (Blue), and Test bench control Command system (Black): The visible detection chain BBM is shown in Fig. 5. The BBM performance and interfaces are electrically representative, however not optically as no filter assembly has been manufactured in the VisDA. The radiometric measurements performed by this test bench are summarized in the following table:
III.PRELIMINARY RESULTSThe aim of the DA FCI BBM activities is to test and validate detection interface and to measure radiometric performance (mainly noise and linearity) in order to:
The test plan is described in the following figure: The current measurements have verified successfully the visible detection functional requirements. The radiometric measurements are in progress. The preliminary radiometric results are about:
CONCLUSIONThe visible detection chain breadboard results are very encouraging and have fulfilled most of the objective. Functional and electrical interface requirements have been consolidated and validated between the VisDA and the VCU. The preliminary characterized detection chain radiometric performance (e.g. noise, DSNU, PRNU, linearity, 1/f and RTS noise) are globally within the expectations. Measurements are in progress to determine the conversion voltage factor (CVF) and the signal to noise ratio (SNR). This first measurement campaign has then demonstrated the first working visible detection chain based on CMOS image sensor technology for MTG program. The inputs of these results will be used to secure the final visible detection chain design, considering that a filter assembly will be integrated inside the VisDA. TAS would like to thank e2v and TAS Spain for their technical support and for having manufactured the VisDA and VCU respectively. REFERENCESDonny M. Aminou, Hendrik Stark, Wolfgang Schumann, Gary Fowler, Stefano Gigli, Antonio Rodríguez,
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