Boeing’s GOES-O satellite launched with e2v image sensors

e2v has supplied image sensors for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-O, which launched on 26 June 2009. GOES-0 is the latest in a series of satellites that monitor Earth and space weather systems, in order to improve predictions regarding hurricanes, flash floods and severe storm warnings, and to help track global climate change.

e2v supplied 20 flight model and 20 engineering model CCDs (charge coupled devices) for GOES-N, O and P. Destined for the spacecraft’s new Solar x-ray Imager (SXI), designed and built at the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Advanced Technology Center in Palo Alto, California, the imaging devices were supplied in a custom designed package. e2v worked closely with University College London’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) and Lockheed on the design, characterisation and supply of the e2v CCDs for this programme.

e2v’s CCD64 has an image area of 512(h) x 580(v) pixels; each pixel is 16.0 µm square. The devices are back-illuminated to an optimised device thickness, in order to ensure the maximum x-ray mean charge capture performance of the devices. SXI utilises a telescope assembly, which monitors the sun’s x-ray emissions. This allows solar features, such as solar flares and charged particle clouds to be analysed and fed into space weather forecasts.

e2v’s performance in support of the SXI programme was recognised by Lockheed, who presented e2v (and MSSL) with a ‘superior performance’ award. The new CCD package design concept for GOES-N-P has since become a standard that was repeated on the Focal Plane Package for Solar-B and more recently the Solar Dynamics Observatory. Further launches are planned for SXI on future GOES satellites.

Jon Kemp, General Manager of Space & Defence Imaging at e2v said “e2v is delighted to have received a ‘superior performance’ award for delivering world beating image sensors to this important mission and we look forward to continuing to work with Lockheed and MSSL on current and future projects.”

e2v has over 30 years of experience in the design and manufacture of both standard and highly customised, high performance image sensors and cameras. e2v manufactures CCD, EMCCD, and CMOS area and line scan image sensors for a variety of markets; with technical capabilities including back-illumination, high speed, low noise, high quantum efficiency and sensitivity to photon wavelengths from X-ray through near-IR. e2v routinely provides image sensors for the most demanding applications in space, astronomy and scientific imaging; as well as medical, industrial machine vision, security and professional broadcast and Digital Still Camera (DSC) markets.

PRESS OFFICE CONTACT:

Jessica Broom
jessica.broom@e2v.com
Tel: + 44 (0) 1 245 453 607

NOTES FOR EDITORS

e2v

e2v’s objective is to be a global leader in the design and supply of specialised components and sub-systems that enable the world’s leading systems companies to deliver innovative solutions for medical & science, aerospace & defence, and commercial & industrial markets.

e2v is organised into four divisions:

• High performance electron devices and subsystems for applications including defence electronic countermeasures, radiotherapy cancer treatment, radar systems, industrial heating, satellite communications amplifiers and digital television transmitters.
• Advanced CCD and CMOS imaging sensors and cameras for applications including space, science and life science imaging, industrial process control, intra-oral and panoramic dental X-ray systems, military surveillance and automotive imaging.
• Specialist Semiconductors – including logic, memory and microprocessors for high reliability microprocessor and MRAM requirements, in partnership with Freescale Semiconductor and Everspin, mission-critical avionics and defence programs requiring high reliability integrated circuits, high speed data converters and sensor data acquisition utilising mixed signal application specific devices.
• A range of professional sensing products for applications including environmental safety, x-ray spectroscopy, automotive alarm and security systems, microwave radar and safety and arming devices, fire rescue and security thermal imaging.

For the year ended 31 March 2009, e2v achieved sales of £233m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. In October 2008 e2v acquired QP semiconductor, a leading US-based designer and supplier of specialty semiconductor components used in military and aerospace applications, establishing e2v’s first US manufacturing base.

The Company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has approximately 1700 employees in six production facilities across Europe and North America. e2v also operates a global network of sales and technical support offices, supported by local distributors and resellers.

Further information is available from www.e2v.com