EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) is a German satellite for the simultaneous acquisition of high-resolution, hyperspectral images in the visible and near infrared range (420 nm - 1000 nm, VNIR) and short-wave infrared (900 nm to 2450 nm, SWIR). The Institute of Optical Sensor Systems developed the VNIR camera focal plane assembly (FPA-Focal Plane Assembly) on behalf of Kayser-Threde.
The core of the VNIR-FPA is an extremely low-noise and sensitive, highly integrated sCMOS detector in a back-illuminated design, the development of which our facility commissioned from the company Fairchild Imaging. This detector contains more than 2000 integrated analog-to-digital converters (ADC) and delivers a digital 13-bit low and high gain value per pixel in parallel.
The EnMAP VNIR-FPA is composed of two mechanical units. The sensor assembly with the detector is integrated into the optical system. A second box containing the FPA power supply and detector control is located close to the sensor assembly but outside the optical unit. To optimize data quality, the detector is thermally stabilized using a Peltier element.
