Multispectral Linear Array Focal Plane Signal Processing

This paper discusses the conceptual design of an electronic subsystem that processes information from a six-band linear array focal plane with 92,160 detectors contained with 20 IFOV in the along-track direction. Charges generated in the focal plane detector chips are converted from a voltage to current in electrometers integral to the detector chip. These low-level analog signals are amplified in analog signal processors. The data processor converts the detector analog information into digital form for processing and formatting prior to transmission over the spacecraft communications links. The processor is required to compress the data so that it does not exceed downlink capacity, to implement on-board offset and gain correction, and to format the data with error correction code, housekeeping data, and synchronization bits.