SOME RECENT ADVANCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOLID STATE CELESTIAL TRACKERS

John W. Barnes and Burt Walker

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	A NUMBER OF CELESTIAL tracking systems have been developed in recent years, some to the point of being operational in spaceborne equipment. Of all the components in these systems, the photo detector may be considered the single most important since the remainder of the system is designed around it. First attempts to utilize the photodiode detector were accompanied by relatively poor signal-to-noise ratios when compared with photo emissive types such as the photomultiplier. However, recent advances in the development of spaceborne tracking systems have shown that when employed in such a system, the solid state photodiode under many mission requirements, offers unique and important advantages not shared by other detectors. The characteristics of the photodiode device which provide these advantages are explored, with respect to the typical environment and performance requirements of the spaceborne mission.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 13, Number 4
Pages:	367 - 381
Cite this article:	Barnes, John W., Walker, Burt, "SOME RECENT ADVANCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOLID STATE CELESTIAL TRACKERS", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 13, No. 4, Winter 1966-1967, pp. 367-381.
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