Challenges in the First All-sky Optical SETI
- Paper number
IAC-06-A4.1.10
- Author
Mr. Curtis Mead, Harvard University, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Andrew Howard, Harvard University, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Pratheev Sreetharan, Harvard University, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Jason Gallicchio, Harvard University, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Steve Howard, Harvard University, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Charles Coldwell, Harvard University, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Joseph Zajac, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Alan Sliski, Harvard University, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The Harvard/Planetary Society all-sky optical SETI marked a significant increase in search capability and instrument complexity. It is the first all-sky optical search, the first optical search with multiple sky pixels (there are 512 in the all-sky search, compared with one in all targeted searches), and the first use of a full-custom chip designed exclusively for optical SETI. The arrays of photomultiplier tubes, printed circuit boards, microcontrollers, programmable logic, and custom chips in the all-sky instrument are capable of a computational throughput (a data rate of 3.5 Tb/s) that is comparable to current, sophisticated radio searches. This talk will focus on technical solutions to the challenges of building an all-sky optical search instrument. Topics covered will include: instrument design choices (electrical, optical, and mechanical); experiences in full-custom chip design; software for real-time diagnostics and instrument control for remote and/or automated observations; and design for reliability of arrayed electronics.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A4.1.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.