Large Area Charge-Coupled Device Imager and Processor System

由于量子效率、线性度、动态范围、光谱响应、精确的图像配准以及适合数字图像处理等原因，CCD图像传感器是天文学中首选的探测器。由于它们的小尺寸，目前的ccd覆盖了大约1-4%的典型望远镜焦平面图像，因此不适合单独用于统计天文学。Lee等人建议通过使用CCD传感器阵列来构建一个适用于统计天文学的宽视场CCD相机。四块Tektronix 2048 × 2048像素ccd的马赛克将用于4096 × 4096像素的阵列，面积约为110x110 mm。给定视场的多个失配曝光将被数字滤波、校正和合并，以创建一个完整的图像（大约4500x4500像素），没有缺陷或ccd之间的盲点。一个快速的专用图像处理器将实时执行此操作。将特别注意使这个处理器具有全面图象分析的能力，因为CCD阵列产生的大量数据将很快压倒普通的计算设备。这样一个系统可以以适度的成本大大提高现有地面望远镜的科学能力和生产力。这项提案是at&t & T贝尔实验室、泰克和拉森研究公司之间的成本分摊合作。

Charged-Couple Device (CCD) image sensors are the detectors of choice in astronomy for reasons of quantum efficiency, linearity, dynamic range, spectral response, precise image registration, and suitability for digital image processing. Due to their small size, current CCDs cover approximately 1-4% of typical telescope focal-plane images, and are thus not individually suitable for statistical astronomy. Lee et al propose to construct a wide-field CCD camera suitable for statistical astronomy through the use of an array of CCD sensors. A mosaic of four Tektronix 2048x2048 pixel CCDs will be used in an array of 4096x4096 pixels over an area of approximately 110x110 mm. Multiple dis-registered exposures of a given field will be digitally filtered, corrected, and merged to create a complete image (approximately 4500x4500 pixels) without defects or inter-CCD blind spots. A fast special-purpose image processor will perform this operation in real time. Special attention will be given to providing this processor with the capability for full image analysis, since the large volumes of data generated by the CCD array would quickly overwhelm ordinary computing facilities. Such a system can greatly improve the scientific capabilities and productivity of existing ground-based telescopes at a modest cost. This proposal is a cost-sharing collaboration between AT&T Bell Laboratories, Tektronix, and Lassen Research.