2023-09-12

CCCPs – controller

Built for unmatched electron transfer in space-based conditions

The first space-qualified E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣ controller for counting photons

The versatile readout electronics for unmatched low light C⁣C⁣D⁣ & E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣ imaging
The CCCPs is Nüvü Camēras’ signature high-end C⁣C⁣D⁣ & E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣ controller for subelectron readout noise and very low Clock Induced Charges (C⁣I⁣C⁣) levels, which are mandatory for space extreme faint flux imaging applications. This version of the C⁣C⁣D⁣ Controller for Counting Photons can operate in a hostile environment subject to vacuum and solar radiation, making it compatible for space and stratospheric balloon missions.

The CCCPs’ design is optimized for the driving of E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣s⁣ as fast as 10MHz of pixel rate or for slow readouts to optimize low readout noise. Using this CCCPs controller, the dominant p⁣h⁣o⁣t⁣o⁣n⁣ ⁣c⁣o⁣u⁣n⁣t⁣i⁣n⁣g⁣ source of noise with E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣ cameras, the Clock Induced Charges (C⁣I⁣C⁣), were reduced down to < 0.001 electron/pixel/frame (depending on the detector). Therefore, with the lowest background noise, Nüvü is the sole E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣ camera manufacturer that offers cameras supporting E⁣M⁣ ⁣g⁣a⁣i⁣n⁣ up to 5000 for optimal p⁣h⁣o⁣t⁣o⁣n⁣ ⁣c⁣o⁣u⁣n⁣t⁣i⁣n⁣g⁣ performances.

Furthermore, with the vertical C⁣I⁣C⁣ down to negligible levels, the C⁣C⁣C⁣P⁣ enables using the camera entirely in the Inverted Mode of Operation (I⁣M⁣O⁣) for the reduced d⁣a⁣r⁣k⁣ ⁣c⁣u⁣r⁣r⁣e⁣n⁣t⁣ resulting in lower total background signal, even when using long exposure times. The C⁣C⁣C⁣P⁣ enables the readout of up to four outputs, but is also compatible with controller multiplexing, where up to four controllers can be synchronized for reading a maximum of 16 outputs.

CCCPs – controller
The Nancy Grace Roman space telescope marks the first use of EMCCDs in space, thanks to Nüvü’s CCCPs technology. Credit: NASA

The CCCPs marks the entry of the E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣ technology as a reliable space-based imaging solution. Following initial development with the Canadian Space Agency, the technology was pushed further to serve a Hubble-like mission. The CCCPs is now used as the centrepiece of the coronagraph instrument on the Nasa’s flagship Nancy Grace Roman space telescope (formerly known as WFIRST). CCCPs offers unmatched performances with E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣s⁣ and C⁣C⁣D⁣s⁣ for improved detection, characterization and imaging of exoplanets, the research and monitoring of small asteroids and space debris, better ultraviolet imaging, and satellite tracking, only to name a few.

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Outstanding performances

  • Vacuum & Radiation compatible
  • Lower C⁣I⁣C⁣ with with higher E⁣M⁣ ⁣G⁣a⁣i⁣n⁣
  • Full control over readout sequences
  • Up to 2 outputs (more with C⁣C⁣C⁣P⁣ 4K)
  • Fully programmable FPGA (VHDL)

For experienced users

The C⁣C⁣C⁣P⁣ line of C⁣C⁣D⁣ and E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣ controllers is available for experienced ultra low-light camera builders,. To benefit from the CCCPs controller’s performance, one must consider all potential noise sources across the entire setup while building a customized space-based camera.

The CCCPs allows complete control over the C⁣C⁣D⁣ clocks used for detector readout, enabling optimization to a specific detector. This control over multi-level clocks is key to achieving minimal noise. For enhanced flexibility, saving and loading features are integrated, making it possible to work with several personalized readout sequences. Moreover, programming the clock signals is done through a user-friendly interface, making it simple to operate.

CCCPs – controller

Features for more versatility

Synchronize two or more CCCPs for detectors with more outputs. For Teledyne-e2v CCD282 16 Megapixel E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣ sensor, please refer to C⁣C⁣C⁣P⁣ 4k. This detector provides a higher sensitivity alternative to the commonly used Teledyne-e2v CCD231-84 large-format C⁣C⁣D⁣. Nüvü has already started to further advance the TRL of the electronics to support the Teledyne e2v’s CCD282, to integrate the CCCPs 4k to future space missions planning to use large format E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣s⁣.

Although most characterization work for the CCCPs has been done on the Teledyne-e2v CCD201 sensor, the CCCPs is compatible with a multitude of other C⁣C⁣D⁣ and E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣ detectors.

CCCPs – controller

Related publications

Read more on scientific publications characterizing and demonstrating the advantages of the CCCPs.

 
Go to CCCPs related publications
  • Support

    In addition to an intuitive user manual for the easy installation and use of our products, Nüvü Camēras offers international on-site training as well as complete consulting services. Our team’s passion is the development of the ultra low-light imaging field; as such, we provide a variety of services to efficiently minimize the delay between purchase and discoveries.

  • Warranty

    Nüvü Camēras is a Canadian company specialized in designing and manufacturing novel  cameras for fields where the drive for cutting edge instrumentation propels innovation. We improve imaging performance for a number of fields including biomedical research, astronomy, photonics and more. As such, our cameras benefit from extended warranty policies. Basic warranty is 2 years on all parts and labour (subject to the terms and conditions expressed in the respective products’ user manuals).

    Extended warranty options also available.

Darker EMCCD — Less noise

The darkest E⁣M⁣C⁣C⁣D⁣ cameras are manufactured by Nüvü Camēras. The secret? The C⁣C⁣D⁣ Controller for Counting Photons (C⁣C⁣C⁣P⁣), an innovative technology that virtually suppresses clock-induced charges (C⁣I⁣C⁣), and a cooling Peltier unit integrated into an ingenious packaging. The thermoelectrically cooled HNü camera operates between -60 and -90°C with outstanding precision to optimize C⁣I⁣C⁣ and d⁣a⁣r⁣k⁣ ⁣c⁣u⁣r⁣r⁣e⁣n⁣t⁣ to their ground level. The images below illustrate the accumulation of d⁣a⁣r⁣k⁣ ⁣c⁣u⁣r⁣r⁣e⁣n⁣t⁣ when the shutter is closed. The darker the image, the less noise is present.

Other EMCCD technology
With Nüvü Camēras' EMCCD technology
Acquisition conditions: -85 °C cooling, 10MHz readout speed, EM gain of 5000 for Nüvü Camēras, and 1000 for other EMCCD manufacturers.

No pixel leaking, superior image quality

At high readout speeds, the electron transfer from one potential well to the next may be incomplete, leaving a few charges behind. Consequently, the leftover electrons artificially increase the brightness of certain pixels, thereby diminishing the overall image quality with the addition of arbitrary blurry spots. However, Nüvü Camēras’ C⁣C⁣C⁣P⁣ preserves charge transfer efficiency (C⁣T⁣E⁣), even at low operating temperature and increased E⁣M⁣ ⁣g⁣a⁣i⁣n⁣, while decreasing C⁣I⁣C⁣, yielding highly superior image quality.

Other EMCCD technologies
Nüvü Camēras EMCCD technology
Acquisition conditions: -85 °C cooling, 10MHz readout speed, EM gain of 5000 for Nüvü Camēras, and 1000 for other EMCCDs.