Motivated by the need to simplify focal plane array (FPA) system integration, Teledyne Imaging has developed the SIDECAR™ (system image, digitizing, enhancing, controlling, and retrieving) ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) to manage all aspects of FPA operation and output digitization.

Its small size permits easy integration into warm or cold FPA subsystems, and direct mounting to FPA tape cables. SIDECAR™ keeps analog signal paths as short as possible to reduce noise and FPA output capacitance loading, resulting in improved power and speed.

The end result is a dramatic reduction in FPA subsystem space, weight, and power consumption. SIDECAR™  offers advantages for ground and space based telescopes, UAVs, robotics, and numerous other applications.

Focal plane interface ICs simplify system integration by providing all FPA clocks and biases, and performing 12 bit or 16 bit A/D conversion.

For the H2RG focal plane array the SIDECAR ASIC has been designed as a compact focal plane electronics on a single chip supporting all possible modes of operation.

The SIDECAR™ ASIC also supports the 16-megapixel H4RG-10 as well as the 16-megapixel H4RG-15 focal plane arrays when operating in 32 bit output mode.

The SIDECAR™  ASIC is also being used as a control and data acquisition system for general imaging applications including those utilizing CCDs.