The CCDs are widely used in astronomical observations either in direct imaging use or spectroscopic mode. However, the areas of available sensors are too small for large imaging format. One possibility to obtain large detection area is to assemble mosaics of CCD, and drive them simultaneously. Parallel driving of many CCDs together rules out the possibility of individual tuning; however, such optimisation is very important, when the ultimate low light level performance is required, particularly for new, or mixed devices. In this work, a new concept is explored for an entirely novel approach, where the drive waveforms are multiplexed and interleaved. This simultaneously reduces the number of leadout connections and permits individual optimisation efficiently. The digital controller can be designed within a single EPLD (Erasable Programmable Logic Device) chip produced by a CAD software package, where most of the digital controller circuits are integrated. This method can minimise the component. count., and improve the system efficiency greatly, based on earlier works by Han et a1. (1996, 1994). The system software has an open architecture to permit convenient modification by the user, to fit their specific purposes. Some variable system control parameters can be selected by a user with a wider range of choice. The digital controller design concept allows great flexibility of system parameters by the software, specifically for the compatibility to deal with any number of mixed CCDs, and in any format, within the practical limit.

• MARTIN CLAYTON(Optical Science Lab., Dept Physics and Astronomy, University College London)
• DAVID D. WALKER(Optical Science Lab., Dept Physics and Astronomy, University College London)
• Ho JIN(Korea Astronomy Observatory)
• WONYONG HAN(Korea Astronomy Observatory)