Institute of Optical Sensor Systems

Head of the Institute (temporarily): Prof. Dr. Tilman Spohn

Image: DLR RMC-IOS

The main expertise of this Institute is the development of intelligent sensors and data processing software solutions for commercial, industrial and scientific purposes.

Some of the Institute key products and applications are shown in the figure above, these application are used today for the latest airborne and satellite technology. The knowledge and spin-offs gained from such products have been passed on to commercial and industrial users, and are now used for technology transfer projects for commercial and industrial purposes.

The institute is also dedicated to scientific and research activities, for this education and technology transfer plays a major role, the institute is currently involved with partnerships with global universities and fellow institutes in conducting international summer schools for students, and encouraging and promoting student transfer and scholarships for PhD students.

Berlin-Adlershof

Image: DLR RMC-IOS

The Institute also defines and develops geometrically and/or spectral high-resolution sensor systems in the visible and infrared area of the electromagnetic radiation as well as the thematic real time processing of picture data for information relevant for users for strategically purposes. The operational application for such sensors requires an extensive autonomy which allows the independent operating of the system which is used in the development and building of small satellites.

The Institute is also responsible for the performance of the key elements and proper functioning of the satellite equipment & components. These activities takes into account all the optical, mechanical, electronic and technical interfaces, and system aspects during the development of a sensor system.

For such complex systems their are high reliability and technical requirements with regard to efficiency and dependability what can only be guaranteed by using the latest technology, and having a first class management system in place. For these activities the department complies and meets all the necessary Esa and Nasa standards (e.g., ECSS, SPICE). During the whole development and manufacturing process strict qualification and verification tests are imposed to ensure correct and proper functioning of the system.

The end to end requirements for the department key products and application comprises of the following steps and milestones:

• Problem analyse
• Definition of the research and technical requirements
• Modelling and simulation
• System design and optimization
• Design and development
• Test and verification
• Data evaluation and extraction of information

Management

• Prof. Dr. Tilman Spohn
• Dr. Anko Börner
• Dr. Andreas Eckardt
• Dipl. -Geologe Frank Lehmann
• Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ralf Reulke

IT-Manager

• Gisbert Peter

Adresse

Institute of Optical Sensor Systems
Rutherfordstraße 2
12489 Berlin

Telephone: +49 30 67055-539
Fax: +49 30 67055-532
Internet: http://www.dlr.de/os