Satellite Camera CCD Read-out System Design, Based on Noise Optimization with Respect to Satellite Limitations

Satellite camera Charged Coupled Device (CCD) read out system needs a high Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). This is because of the special and inevitable space imaging payload noises. These noises include CCD noises, satellite noises such as lack of complete stability, and environmental noises such as atmospheric interferences, charged particles, relative earth and satellite movement and electromagnetic interferences. CCD noises because of their low output voltage compose the main part of the final read out system noise. Therefore if the CCD read out system is not designed properly, SNR declines significantly. These noises depend on CCD characteristics and design parameters such as temperature and frequency. On the other hand, in a satellite temperature and frequency range is partially controllable. The algorithm presented in this paper, with respect to the applied limitations and dependencies, designs the system parameters so that the optimized SNR is achieved.