Sun sensor

RasaAndishan is one of Iran's main centres for the design and manufacture of sun sensor electronics. RasaAndishan solar sensors have a few key features: very low power, a high update rate, the use of Radiation Hardened components in the design, and more.

What is a sun sensor and why does it matter?

A sun sensor is a device that detects the position of the sun relative to a system. Spacecraft and satellites usually use this sensor to determine their orientation. The accuracy of this information affects the performance of the whole system.

Many sun sensors have a linear array sensor at their core. Sunlight falls on some of the pixels. The electronics read the pixel signals and convert them into digital data. The system calculates the sun's angle from where the light falls.

In space applications, power consumption matters a lot. That is why very low power is one of the main features of the RasaAndishan sun sensor. A high update rate helps the system see changes in orientation faster. Radiation Hardened components also make the circuit more resistant to radiation in space.

Radiation Hardened components are parts designed to withstand ionizing radiation. Ordinary parts may fail or produce errors under such conditions. RasaAndishan is one of the first makers of linear detector cards in Iran. These cards convert the analog pixels of a linear sensor into digital data. Exposure time, analog signal gain and digital filters can also be adjusted on them.

Sun sensors are a well-known application of line scan cameras. RasaAndishan is also one of the first makers of line scan cameras in Iran. You can see the different models of these cameras on the Line scan cameras page. To learn more about this device, read the Sun sensor article on Wikipedia.