Design of a control and power system supporting a DMD-based spectrograph optimized for operation in space

Le résumé fourni par la source

We present the design of a control and power system for the Spectroscopic Ultraviolet Multi-Object Observatory (SUMO) Prototype, a dual-channel imaging and spectrograph instrument serving as a development testbed for the SUMO mission concept. It will be the first spectrograph based on a digital micromirror device (DMD) to operate in space. The SUMO Prototype is powered by a Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) battery provided by the NASA Sounding Rocket team. Further power conversion is achieved using a CUI Devices isolated DC-DC converter module, which supplies power to the following components: the Raspberry Pi 4B, the DMD and its controller, the imaging camera, and the UV detector. A custom DMD controller was designed to minimize power consumption and provide flexible commanding of the micromirror array at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP). This controller drives the Texas Instruments (TI) DLP7000 device using a combination of commercially available TI components and radiation-tolerant replacements for the standard TI DLP chipset. The DLP7000 has been re-windowed to allow passage of ultraviolet light. The SUMO Prototype is designed for fully autonomous operation during flight as a secondary payload. The Raspberry Pi serves as the onboard computer (OBC), analyzing incoming visible light to determine which subset of micromirrors must be modulated to accomplish multi-object spectroscopy (MOS). MOS is achieved by instructing the DMD to steer the desired incoming light to the UV detector for acquisition of multiple spectral observations in parallel. Spectral data is then stored on the OBC for post-flight analysis. Comprehensive testing with ground support equipment has been completed to verify the system’s functionality, and vibration testing was completed while fully integrated into the sounding rocket. The SUMO Prototype was scheduled to fly in the fall of 2025, however logistical challenges related to range operation have moved launch into 2026. This work is supported by a NASA Astrophysics Research and Analysis Program.

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