Multiple Channel Detector Array Controller

Figure 1: The Unmanned Ariel Vehicle in which the MCDA Controller will fly.

This research is based on UV fluorescence laser remote sensing techniques that are used to identify harmful agents present in the atmosphere. The entire conceptual design will involve subsystems for pointing and tracking, laser transmission, and a telescope receiver. The platform for the airborne instrument is shown above in Figure 1, a predator class vehicle, the Altus UAV is modified to fly at altitudes of up to 60,000 feet and built by General Atomics. Shown in Figure 2 is the UV lidar configuration in the Altus UAV.

Figure 2: UV Lidar configuration in the Altus UAV.

For the airborne program, the most demanding subsystem development is the UV source. For the UAV, this subsystem will have to operate in totally hands off mode. Here at EDL, specialized electronics have been developed to read out and control the operation of the intensified CCD detector array developed for Sandia by Andor Technology (the commercial version of the ICCD is shown below in figure 3). This ICCD detector will typically operate between a range of 250 to 400 nm.

Figure 3: CCD Detector Array.

A dispersed fluorescence channel is required to provide detailed spectral information necessary for both target detection and discrimination. In the baseline design, the gated ICCD is mounted in the image plane of a grating spectrometer. Shown below in figures 4 and 5 are the analog and digital readout and control subsystems developed at EDL.

Figure 4: The ICCD control electronics.

Figure 5: The ICCD analog readout electronics.