Next generation CMOS image sensors and instrumentation for Earth
observation from space
Supervision team: Konstantin Stefanov, Andrew Holland
Lead contact: Konstantin.Stefanov@open.ac.uk
Description: Earth observation (EO) is a rapidly expanding area of space science and technology, fuelled by
the demands for timely, comprehensive and informative data for increasing number of applications, with large
impact on everyday life on our planet. EO has been traditionally very important for weather forecasting and
studies of impact of climate change, and is beginning to find new use in areas as diverse as land use, crop
status and city planning and government.
With the increased affordability of micro and nanosatellites EO is becoming accessible to larger pool of
developers and users. The Centre for Electronic Imaging (CEI) has developed considerable expertise in imaging
technology for space applications, in collaboration with our industrial partner e2v Technologies, a worldleading manufacturer of image sensors for the aerospace, scientific and industrial markets. In the last few
years we have seen the successful development of CEI’s (and OU’s) first CMOS image sensor EMTC1, and
advanced CCD/CMOS device combining high sensitivity and quantum efficiency with charge multiplication and
time delayed integration (TDI), ideal for EO from fast moving platforms in space. Presently we have a project to
characterise another TDI CMOS image sensor made by e2v, funded by a STFC CASE PhD studentship, and have
successfully finished the characterisation of a hyperspectral imager prototype, funded by NERC.
Since 2012 the CEI has contributed CMOS-based optical payloads for two nanosatellites, the UK’s first cubesat
UKube-1 (now in orbit) and AlSat Nano, presently in assembly stage. Increasingly, “swarms” of inexpensive
small satellites are proposed to ensure global Earth coverage with short latency, using conventional, TDI and
hyperspectral imaging for maximum information gathering. The CEI has ambitions to continue the
development of image sensors and cameras for future satellites, using our extensive expertise in image sensor
technology.
This project aims to help develop prototype TDI and hyperspectral imaging devices and cameras for small
satellites. The PhD studentship is intended to conduct detailed research into the performance of existing and
new CMOS image sensors, and contribute to the design and the building of satellite cameras.
We seek a highly motivated candidate with an interest in detector physics, electronics and space science
applications, with a willingness to participate in research and development of leading edge sensor technology
for space instrumentation. The successful applicant will work in a dynamic research team consisting of several
PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and senior staff.
Qualifications required: A first class or upper second class MSc degree in physics, electronics engineering
or a related discipline.