New read-out electronics concept for visual and infrared detector arrays in astronomical instrumentation

With the building of scientific camera systems for astronomical purposes in mind, the Max-Planck-Institut fuer Astronomie (MPIA) has recently started developing new visual and infrared detector Read-out systems. Due to the modular design, the electronics components can be configured for a wide range of currently available IR-detectors and CCDs. The new Read-out Electronics are able to handle single or multiple detector systems with up to 144 input channels, feature high-speed data transfer and low power dissipation and additionally the system size is small and lightweight. The design is divided in four functional groups: controller board with variable Pattern Generator and fast fiber link, clock/bias board, analog to digital converter board and the PCI data receiver board which writes the incoming data into the computer memory. This design is highly versatile and allows for a wide variety of applications. The high data transfer rate, small size and low heat dissipation makes these Read-out Electronics ideal for relatively large focal plane arrays. The first instrument running with the new Read-out Electronics will be PANIC (Panoramic Near Infrared Camera) at the 2.20 m telescope on Calar Alto.