Introduction

Pyxel is a novel, end-to-end simulation framework in Python for imaging detectors.

It was designed to host and combine existing and new models, i.e. codes simulating instrument effects such as optical diffraction, charge deposition by cosmic rays, charge diffusion, detector Point Spread Function, readout noise sources, Charge Transfer Inefficiency in CCD or persistence in CMOS-based imaging detectors.

This general, collaborative framework has been developed in order to avoid re-developing and re-implementing simulation codes, models & tools for every new instrument on-board space missions or for ground observatories, instead run and share these simulation models via the Pyxel framework. Therefore new models, codes can be added very easily and quickly by the users.

Pyxel is an easy-to-use, easy-to-contribute and multi-purpose tool supporting instrument development during all phases, for example to generate synthetic data, support data processing and analysis, estimate performance, investigate problem sources or trade between different technologies.

It is developed at the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with the European Southern Observatory (ESO), and is available as a fully open-source software. Our goal is to establish a worldwide collaboration based on Pyxel to share simulation resources, initiate and facilitate the knowledge transfer within the instrumentation community of Space Astronomy, Ground-based Astronomy and Earth observation.


In-orbit and future space astronomy missions of ESA in the visible and infrared domains

In-orbit and future space astronomy missions of ESA in the visible and infrared domains

In short

  • A novel end-to-end detector simulation framework
  • For all type of imaging detectors (including CCD, CMOS-based sensors)
  • Developed for and by the instrumentation community to share and reuse models
  • Host, pipeline and combine models to simulate instrument effects on images
  • Implemented in Python, based on popular, open-source Python packages
  • Cross-platform, multi-purpose framework with wide range of potential applications
  • Users can add new simulation models easily and quickly
  • The European Southern Observatory has already joined the growing Pyxel collaboration