Capella: CIS120 general purpose CMOS sensor for space applications

Teledyne e2v has developed the Capella CIS120 which is a general purpose CMOS image sensor with high quantum efficiency that has been specifically designed for space applications and is planned to be used for different Copernicus programs. We will describe the considerations that led to this CMOS sensor concept and then outline the specifications and design details of this back-illuminated detector. Key features include 2048 × 2048 pixels, 10µm pixel pitch, on-chip ADC giving digital outputs in LVDS, both rolling shutter and global shutter modes are available, 45 ke- or 80 ke- full well capacity, peak QE of 90% at 600 nm and latch-up immune and high SEU threshold by design. We will show how the CIS120 can be used for different modes including multi-linear operation, multi-windowing with independent left and right addressing for startracker applications and full frame operation in global or rolling shutter mode for array imaging applications including hyperspectral imaging. The CIS120 is designed to be highly flexible in format allowing; larger variants for astronomical applications and multi die focal plane arrangement, a range of backthinning process options and larger pixel sizes for x-ray applications. Currently the high pixel full capacity version of the CIS120 with 80 ke- per pixel in being characterised. We will present detailed characterisation results and validation data qualifies CIS120 to TRL6 level. We will also present the three different package types have been designed so far for CIS120; standard ceramic package, three side buttable package and sealed Peltier package. Finally, we will summarise plans for future activities including the design and production of a HiRho variant to give significantly improved NIR sensitivity by applying voltage to back surface to be able to operate in full depletion.