ON Semiconductor bags CIS contract from ESA

USA/ NETHERLANDS: The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a joint development contract for the next generation star tracker CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) to ON Semiconductor. The CIS is referred to as High Accuracy Star Tracker 3 (HAS3).

The High Accuracy Star Tracker 3 (HAS3) image sensor will expand the STAR family of radiation-tolerant CIS, once it is qualified and developed. HAS2 CIS, that is also developed by On Semiconductor was designed for Attitude and Orbit Control (AOCS) space applications.

The HAS2 was also developed and qualified under the General Support Technology Programme of the ESA. HAS2 image sensor is preferred among a new generation of Star Trackers and after its successful qualification in 2007, it has become a defacto industry standard.

The HAS3 will be a 1280 x 1280 pixel, radiation tolerant CMOS image sensor that features low read noise, 11 x 11 µm2 pixels having 14 bit performance and it will be jointly developed by ON Semiconductor and ESA.

The HAS3 sensor will be available in a fully hermetic sealed package and it will support multiple windowing. It also has an option for backside illumination. Star trackers, sun sensors will be some of the applications for HAS3 device. Besides these applications, there will be other scientific applications.