A focal plane system to generate images in 18 spectral channels ranging from visible to long-wave IR has been designed for the AGSI. The system is a line scan imager, comprised for four focal planes populated with linear detector arrays optimized for operating in the various AGSI spectral regions. Light from the AGSI telescope is diverted to the focal planes by spectrally tuned dichroic beam splitters. At the focal planes narrowband interference filters placed in close proximity to the detector arrays further filter the light. Multispectral silicon CCDs are used for visible and near IR channels. Key to system performance is the ability to use time delay and integration (TDI) in some of the narrower or less photon rich spectral channels. Detector arrays are supported by highly modular and therefore flexible and low risk signal processing and control circuits. Performance predictions have been generated for all of the spectral channels and show that the focal planes will meet or exceed NASA's requirements for an advanced imaging observatory to observe weather and climate processes and NOAA's requirements for an advanced GOES imager.

Date Published: 24 September 1999
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 3750, Earth Observing Systems IV, (24 September 1999); doi: 10.1117/12.363559

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 3750:
Earth Observing Systems IV
William L. Barnes, Editor(s)