ON Semiconductor develops Next Generation Star Tracker CMOS Imagesensor HAS3!

MSC Info Letter 19/2012

ON Semiconductor announced that the European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded it a joint development contract for the next generation star tracker CMOS Image Sensor (CIS), referred to as HAS3. Once developed and qualified, the High Accuracy Star Tracker 3 (HAS3) image sensor will expand the STAR family of radiation-tolerant CIS.

The existing HAS2 CIS offered today by ON Semiconductor is designed for Attitude and Orbit Control (AOCS) space applications. The HAS2 was developed and qualified under the General Support Technology Programme of the ESA. The device features an array of 1024 x 1024 active pixels (18 μm) and supports on-chip non-destructive readout and multiple windowing. Following its successful qualification in 2007, ON Semiconductor’s HAS2 image sensor has become the heart of a new generation of Star Trackers which have become the de facto industry standard.

The HAS3 next generation CIS to be jointly developed by ON Semiconductor and the ESA is expected to provide advanced sensor technology. The HAS3 will be a 1280 x 1280 pixel, radiation tolerant CMOS image sensor that features low read noise, 11 x 11 μm2 pixels having 14 bit performance. The HAS3 sensor will support multiple windowing, will be made available in a fully hermetic sealed package and has the option for backside illumination. Applications for the HAS3 device will include star trackers, sun sensors and other scientific applications.

The current HAS2 image sensor has got a “Last Time Buy Status” in July 2011, due to the fact, that the silicon supplier producing the HAS2 wafers for ON Semiconductor announced that they would be discontinuing manufacture of this product. Where applicable, special arrangements have been made with existing customers to minimize the impact of this status change. In addition, ON Semiconductor has secured ample product inventory to supply this product to customers to service their predicted full lifetime needs.

MSC as leading Design-In distributor offers the broad CMOS image sensor portfolio from Cypress, which delivers high-performance sensors for custom and high-end digital photography; ultra high-speed imaging solutions for automotive safety, machine vision and motion analysis; and consumer-oriented solutions including large-format printers.

MSC is successfully distributing the HAS2 and also the STAR 1000 family of devices since several years.

For more information mail to: sensors-onsemi@msc-ge.com