Session

Poster Session 2

Location

Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT

Abstract

The ArduCAM OV5642 rolling shutter sensor was selected for ALEASAT because its simpler design results in reduced cost, power consumption, and heat generation. Although rolling shutter readout can introduce image skew due to the relative motion between the CubeSat and Earth, these sensors provide sufficient resolution and sensitivity within mission constraints. The feasibility of de-skewing, therefore, depends on the stability and predictability of the rolling shutter readout. Camera testing is not currently included in ISO 19683 (Space Systems – Design qualification and acceptance tests of small spacecraft and units). This work could be a step towards addressing that omission.

The objective of this work is to characterize the rolling shutter readout of our ArduCAM OV5642 imaging sensor and use these results to assess the feasibility of developing de-skewing algorithms. Here, we present the concept behind our low-cost test fixture and reveal:

  • The rolling shutter readout time (time required to read through all pixel rows)? 
  • Whether the rolling shutter progress linearly on a row-by-row basis? 
  • Whether the rolling shutter readout time is consistent throughout different exposures?

Document Type

Event

SSC26-P2-47 (1).pdf (430 kB)
Paper

Available for download on Saturday, August 22, 2026

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Aug 24th, 12:00 AM

Characterizing Rolling-Shutter Distortions in a 1U CubeSat Camera Using LED Strobe Imaging

Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT

The ArduCAM OV5642 rolling shutter sensor was selected for ALEASAT because its simpler design results in reduced cost, power consumption, and heat generation. Although rolling shutter readout can introduce image skew due to the relative motion between the CubeSat and Earth, these sensors provide sufficient resolution and sensitivity within mission constraints. The feasibility of de-skewing, therefore, depends on the stability and predictability of the rolling shutter readout. Camera testing is not currently included in ISO 19683 (Space Systems – Design qualification and acceptance tests of small spacecraft and units). This work could be a step towards addressing that omission.

The objective of this work is to characterize the rolling shutter readout of our ArduCAM OV5642 imaging sensor and use these results to assess the feasibility of developing de-skewing algorithms. Here, we present the concept behind our low-cost test fixture and reveal:

  • The rolling shutter readout time (time required to read through all pixel rows)? 
  • Whether the rolling shutter progress linearly on a row-by-row basis? 
  • Whether the rolling shutter readout time is consistent throughout different exposures?