Falcon ODIN is a technology demonstration science payload being designed for delivery to the International Space Station (ISS) in late 2024. Falcon ODIN contains two event based cameras (EBC) and two traditional framing cameras along with mirrors mounted on azimuth elevation rotation stages which allow the field of regard of the EBCs to move. We discuss the mission design and objectives for Falcon ODIN along with ground-based testing of all four cameras.
Event-based vision sensor (EVS) technology has expanded the CMOS image sensor design space of low-SWaP sensors with high-dynamic range operation and ability, under certain conditions, to efficiently capture scene information at a temporal resolution beyond that achievable by a typical sensor operating near a 1 kHz frame rate. Fundamental differences between EVS and framing sensors necessitate development of new characterization techniques and sensor models to evaluate hardware performance and the camera architecture trade-space. Laboratory characterization techniques reported previously include noise level as a function of static scene light level (background activity), contrast responses referred to as S-curves, refractory period characterization using the mean minimum interspike interval, and a novel approach to pixel bandwidth measurement using a static scene. Here we present pre-launch characterization results for the two Falcon ODIN (Optical Defense and Intelligence through Neuromorphics) event-based cameras (EBCs) scheduled for launch to the International Space Station (ISS). Falcon ODIN is a follow-on experiment to Falcon Neuro previously installed and operated onboard the ISS. Our characterization of the two ODIN EBCs includes high-dynamic range background activity, contrast response S-curves, and low-light cutoff measurements. Separately, we report evaluation of the IMX636 sensor functionality get_illumination which gives an auxiliary measurement of on-chip illuminance (irradiance) and can provide high dynamic range sensing of sky brightness (background light level).
KEYWORDS: Cameras, Sensors, Optical engineering, Field programmable gate arrays, Data acquisition, Space operations, Linear filtering, Imaging systems, Physics, Staring arrays
We report on the Falcon neuro event-based sensor (EBS) instrument that is designed to acquire data from lightning and sprite phenomena and is currently operating on the International Space Station. The instrument consists of two independent, identical EBS cameras pointing in two fixed directions, toward the nominal forward direction of flight and toward the nominal Nadir direction. The payload employs stock DAVIS 240C focal plane arrays along with custom-built control and readout electronics to remotely interface with the cameras. To predict the sensor’s ability to effectively record sprites and lightning, we explore temporal response characteristics of the DAVIS 240C and use lab measurements along with reported limitations to model the expected response to a characteristic sprite illumination time-series. These simulations indicate that with appropriate camera settings the instrument will be capable of capturing these transient luminous events when they occur. Finally, we include initial results from the instrument, representing the first reported EBS recordings successfully collected aboard a space-based platform and demonstrating proof of concept that a neuromorphic camera is capable of operating in the space environment.
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