<title>Wide-dynamic-range APS star tracker</title>

Abstract

Design considerations and description of a CMOS Active Pixel image sensor (APS) star tracker are reported. APS technology has been thought of being most appropriate for guidance and navigation. However, making APS useful for future star tracker missions means a few challenges have to be overcome. A wider dynamic range is required, while fill factor ought to be high and simple geometry of the pixel active area is desired. These requirements are analyzed and tradeoff considerations are explained for a practical future celestial tracker. A 64 X 64 element CMOS APS array with individual pixel reset is described.