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ON Semiconductor developing next gen cmos image sensor for space

ON Semiconductor has entered into a partnership agreement with the European Space Agency to develop a next generation star tracker cmos image sensor.

Once developed and qualified, the HAS3 will be a 1280 x 1280 pixel radiation tolerant cmos image sensor featuring low read noise, 11 x 11µm2 pixels and 14bit performance. The device will support multiple windowing, be made available in a fully hermetic sealed package and have the option for backside illumination. Applications include star trackers and sun sensors. According to a statement, the HAS3 will expand on the currently available HAS2, which was developed and qualified in 2007 under the ESA's General Support Technology Programme. The HAS2 features an array of 1024 x 1024 active pixels and supports on chip non destructive readout and multiple windowing. Its primary use has been in next generation start trackers, which ON claims have now become the defector industry standard.