Simple transputer-based CCD camera controller

Nicholas R. Waltham; Ian G. van Breda; Graham M. Newton

doi:10.1117/12.19097

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1 July 1990 Simple transputer-based CCD camera controller

Nicholas R. Waltham, Ian G. van Breda, Graham M. Newton

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Proceedings Volume 1235, Instrumentation in Astronomy VII; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19097
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation for the 21st Century, 1990, Tucson, AZ, United States

Abstract

A CCD camera controller based on a transputer chip is described which is used for sequencing programmable waveform patterns, including windowed and pixel binning formats. A key feature is the significant reduction in component count over previous systems made possible by the versatility and unique features of the transputer. The outcome of this is that a complete controller for a single-chip CCD camera may be accommodated in a small enclosure on the cryostat used to cool the chip. Alternatively, extra drive cards may be added to the waveform sequencer to drive a multichip camera. The use of the transputer allows the controller to be incorporated naturally into a parallel processing system whereby several cameras can be operated within the telescope environment using simple serial control and data transfer links.

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Nicholas R. Waltham, Ian G. van Breda, and Graham M. Newton "Simple transputer-based CCD camera controller", Proc. SPIE 1235, Instrumentation in Astronomy VII, (1 July 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19097

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