Operation and test of hybridized silicon p-i-n arrays using open-source array control hardware and software

A system for controlling and testing high-resolution non-destructive astronomical imagers was constructed using open-source components, both hardware and software. The open-source electronics design, originated by Carnegie Observatories (OCIW) for CCD cameras, was modified, assembled, and augmented with new circuitry which facilitates monitoring of voltages and currents. The electronics was run from Python user interface software based on a design from the University of Rochester. This new software utilized the Numarray and pyFITS modules developed at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). Interfacing to the "dv" FITS image analysis package from the NASA IRTF was also implemented. Python (the STScI language of choice) was used as the primary language for systems integration, scripts for data acquisition, and scripts for data analysis. The DSP clocking software was a mixture of C and Motorola 56303 assembly. An interrupt-driven kernel-mode PCI device driver for Red Hat Linux was written in C, and used the PC processor and memory for image processing and acquisition. Two 1Κ × 1Κ Raytheon SB226-based hybridized silicon p-i-n arrays were operated and tested with the new system at temperatures as low as 10K. Signal path gain, node capacitance, well depth, dark current, and MTF measurements were made and are presented here.