Design concepts for a fast-readout low-noise CCD controller

摘要

This paper describes two important concepts employed by ESO's high-speed low-noise FIERA CCD controller: (1) a distributed sequencer that allows for an unlimited number of high-speed control signals, and (2) a video preprocessing chain which is based on the clamp and sample method. The reasoning for both concepts is described in detail, and the clamp-sample approach is quantitatively compared to the more common dual-slope video processing technique. Furthermore, we describe aspects of the clamp and sample approach we implemented to avoid image artifacts. First results with FIERA are presented.