Electron-bombarded active pixel sensor star camera
US9733087B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/20
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A star camera system that includes an optical system configured to focus radiation from a star to be imaged onto a collector. Specifically, the collector is in the form of an electron bombarded active pixel sensor (EBAPS) configured to provide high gain. The EBAPS comprising a photocathode disposed in a vacuum is configured to release electron into a vacuum when exposed to radiation focused thereon by the optical system. In addition, the EBAPS includes an active pixel sensor anode disposed distant from the photocathode in the vacuum. An electric field is generated by a voltage source to direct electrons from the photocathode to the active pixel sensor anode to thereby generate an image of the star.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.