Large Area Charge-Coupled Device Imager and Processor System

电荷耦合器件（CCD）图像传感器是 在天文学中由于量子效率，线性， 动态范围、光谱响应、精确图像配准，以及 适用于数字图像处理。 由于它们的小 尺寸，当前CCD覆盖典型望远镜的大约1- 4 焦平面图像，因此不单独适合于 统计天文学 Lee等人建议构造一种适合于在大视场中使用的宽视场CCD相机。 通过使用CCD阵列进行统计天文学 传感器. 四个Tektronix 2048 x2048像素CCD的拼接将 用于在大约1000像素的区域上的4096 x4096像素的阵列中， 110 x110 mm。给定视野的多次曝光不重合 将被数字过滤，校正和合并，以创建一个 完整图像（约4500 x4500像素），无缺陷，或 CCD间的盲点。 一种快速专用图像处理器 将在真实的时间内执行此操作。 将特别注意 为该处理器提供全面的 图像分析，因为大量的数据产生的 CCD阵列将很快压倒普通的计算设备。 这样一个系统可以大大提高科学能力， 以适度的成本提高现有地面望远镜的生产力。 这项提议是AT T Bell与 实验室，泰克和拉森研究。

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.