Moravian Instruments G3 Series Operating instructions

G3 and G4 CCD

Operating Manual

Version 2.3

Modified on December 4th, 2012

All information furnished by Moravian Instruments is believed to be accurate.

Moravian Instruments reserves the right to change any information contained

herein without notice.

G3 and G4 CCD cameras are not authorized for and should not be used within

Life Support Systems without the specific written consent of the Moravian

Instruments. Product warranty is limited to repair or replacement of defective

components and does not cover injury or property or other consequential

damages.

Moravian Instruments

Masarykova 1148

763 02 Zlín

Czech Republic

tel./fax: +420 577 107 171

www: http://www.gxccd.com/

e-mail: [email protected]

Table of Contents

Introduction....................................................................................................5

Camera Technical Specifications...................................................................7

CCD Chip...............................................................................................10

Model G3-6300.................................................................................10

Model G3-1000.................................................................................11

Model G3-11000...............................................................................11

Model G3-11000C............................................................................11

Model G4-9000.................................................................................12

Model G4-16000...............................................................................12

Camera Electronics.................................................................................12

Model G3-6300.................................................................................13

Model G3-1000.................................................................................13

Model G3-11000...............................................................................13

Model G4-9000.................................................................................14

Model G4-16000...............................................................................14

CCD Chip Cooling.................................................................................15

Power Supply..........................................................................................15

Mechanical Specifications......................................................................16

Package Contents....................................................................................17

Optional components..............................................................................18

Filter wheel for five 2 inch threaded filter cells................................19

LRGB filter set..................................................................................19

Clear (C) filter...................................................................................19

UBVRI filter set................................................................................20

Separate filters...................................................................................20

Telescope adapters for G3 cameras..................................................20

Telescope adapters for G4 cameras..................................................22

Getting Started..............................................................................................24

Camera System Driver Installation.........................................................24

Windows 7 System Driver Installation.............................................25

Windows XP and Windows Vista System Driver Installation.........25

Windows 2000 System Driver Installation.......................................26

SIPS Software Installation......................................................................27

SIPS configuration files....................................................................27

G3 and G4 CCD Camera Driver for SIPS..............................................28

Using of multiple configuration files for different cameras.............29

Cropping of the CCD area................................................................30

Camera Connection................................................................................31

Camera LED state indicator..............................................................32

Working with Multiple Cameras............................................................32

Camera Operation.........................................................................................34

Camera and the Telescope......................................................................34

Temperature Control...............................................................................36

First Images............................................................................................38

Brightness and Contrast – Image Stretching..........................................40

Calibration..............................................................................................41

Color Images with monochrome camera and filters...............................43

Color images with color camera.............................................................46

Balancing colors.....................................................................................48

Some General Rules for Successful Imaging...............................................50

Camera Maintenance....................................................................................53

Desiccant exchange................................................................................53

Changing Filters......................................................................................54

Changing the Whole Filter Wheel..........................................................56

Changing the Telescope Adapter............................................................56

Power Supply Fuse.................................................................................57

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the large-format CCD camera. G3 and G4 series of

CCD cameras were developed for imaging under extremely low-light

conditions in astronomy, microscopy and similar areas. Design of this series

inherits from G2 cameras, with which they share precise electronics providing

uniform frames without artifacts and extremely low read noise limited only by

CCD detector itself. Also the robust construction, rich software support and

easy manipulation are the same. However, G3 and G4 CCD camera head is

large enough to contain detector up to 24×36 mm for G3 series and 36×36 mm

for G4 series.

G3 cameras can contain also filter wheel with 5 positions for 2 inch (50 mm)

diameter filters. Internal filter wheel is not available for G4 cameras, because

a filter wheel capable to carry 50×50 mm square filters is too big.

External Filter wheels with 5 positions for 50×50 mm square filters or

7 positions for 2 inch (50 mm) diameter filters are available for G4 cameras.

Also G3 cameras can be equipped with external filter wheel, but it is not

possible to combine internal and external wheels on single camera. G3 camera

mus be made without internal filter wheel to be compatible with external filter

wheels.

Please note the G3 and G4 CCD cameras are designed to work in cooperation

with a host Personal Computer (PC). As opposite to digital still cameras, which

are operated independently on the computer, the scientific slow-scan, cooled

cameras usually require computer for operation control, image download,

processing and storage etc. To operate the camera, you need a computer which:

1. Is compatible with a PC standard.

2. Runs a modern 32 or 64-bit Windows operating system.

Drivers for 32-bit and 64-bit Linux systems are also provided, but

camera control and image processing software, supplied with the

camera, requires Windows operating system.

3. Provides at last one free USB port.

G3 and G4 cameras are designed to operate with USB 2.0 high-speed

5

(480 Mbps) hosts. Although they are fully backward compatible with

USB 1.1 full-speed (12 Mbps) hosts, image download time can be

somewhat longer if USB 1.1 connection is used.

A simple and cheap device called USB hub can expand number of

available USB port. Typical USB hub occupies one computer USB

port and offers four free ports. Make sure the USB hub is USB 2.0

high-speed compatible.

But keep on mind that if more USB devices connected to one hub need

to communicate with a host PC, USB hub shares its single up link line

to the host PC. Although G3 and G4 cameras can operate through a

USB hub, it can negatively affect the camera performance, like

download time etc. It is recommended to connect other USB devices

through USB hub (e.g. the mouse) and to provide the camera a direct

USB connection to the host PC.

The G3 and G4 cameras need an external power supply to operate. It is not

possible to run the camera from the power lines provided by the USB cable,

which is common for webcams or very simple imagers. G3 and G4 CCD

cameras integrate highly efficient CCD chip cooling, shutter and possibly filter

wheel, so their power requirements significantly exceed USB line power

capabilities. On the other side separate power source eliminates problems with

voltage drop on long USB cables or with drawing of laptop batteries etc.

Also note the camera must be connected to some optical system (e.g. the

telescope) to capture images. The camera is designed for long exposures,

necessary to acquire the light from faint objects. If you plan to use the camera

with the telescope, make sure the whole telescope/mount setup is capable to

track the target object smoothly during the exposure.

6

Camera Technical Specifications

G3 and G4 series of CCD cameras are manufactured with two kinds of CCD

detectors:

●G3 and G4 cameras with Kodak KAF Full Frame (FF) CCD

architecture. Almost all Full Frame CCD detector area is exposed to

light. This is why these detectors provide very high quantum

efficiency. FF CCD detectors, intended for research applications, are

not equipped with so-called Anti Blooming Gate (ABG – a gate,

which prohibits blooming of the charge to neighboring pixels when

image is over-exposed) to ensure linear response to light through the

whole dynamic range. FF CCD detectors used for astrophotography

are equipped with ABG to eliminate disrupting blooming streaks

within field of view.

Cameras with Full Frame, non-ABG detectors are suitable for

scientific applications, where linear response is necessary for

photometric applications in astronomy, microscopy etc. High quantum

efficiency could be used also for narrow-band imaging, where

overexposure is a rare exception, and for imaging of small objects

without a bright star in the field of view.

7

Illustration 1: “Full Frame” CCD schematic diagram

●G3 cameras with Kodak KAI Interline Transfer (IT) architecture

(G4 cameras are not produced with IT detectors). There is a shielded

column of pixels just beside each column of active pixels on these

detectors. The shielded columns are called Vertical registers. One

pulse moves charge from exposed pixels to shielded pixels on the end

of each exposure. The the charge is moved from vertical registers to

horizontal register and digitized in the same way like in the case of

Full Frame detectors. This mechanism is also known as “electronic

shuttering”, because it allows very short exposures and also

digitization of the image without mechanically shielding of the

detector from incoming light.

Also G3 cameras with IT CCDs are equipped with mechanical shutter,

because electronic shutter does not allow dark-frame exposures,

necessary for proper image calibration etc.

The price for electronic shutter if lower quantum efficiency

(sensitivity) of IT detectors compared to FF ones. Also all IT detectors

are equipped with ABG, so they can acquire images of very bright

objects without charge blooming to neighboring pixels.

8

Illustration 2: “Interline Transfer” CCD schematic diagram

G3 camera models:

Model G3-6300 G3-1000 G3-11000 G3-11000C

CCD chip KAF-6303E KAF-1001E KAI-11002 KAI-11002

Resolution 3072×2048 1024×1024 4032×2688 4032×2688

Pixel size 9×9 µm 24×24 µm 9×9 µm 9×9 µm

CCD area 27.7×18.4 mm 24.6×24.6 mm 36.3×24.2 mm 36.3×24.2 mm

ABG No No Yes Yes

Color mask No No No Yes

G4 camera models:

Model G4-9000 G4-16000

CCD chip KAF-09000 KAF-16803

Resolution 3056×3056 4096×4096

Pixel size 12×12 µm 9×9 µm

CCD area 36.8×36.8 mm 36.9×36.9 mm

ABG Yes Yes

Color mask No No

Cameras with “C” suffix contains CCD detector covered with so-called Bayer

mask. Color filters of three basic colors (red, green, blue) cover all pixels, so

every pixels detects only light of particular color.

9

These cameras are able to acquire color image in single exposure, without the

necessity to change color filters. On the other side color mask brings lower

sensitivity and limits the capability to perform exposures using narrow-band

filters etc.

Because each pixel is covered by one of three basic color filters, it is necessary

to compute (interpolate) remaining two colors for each pixel, which of course

limits resolution of color image. Imaging using color detectors is described in

the “Color images” chapter.

CCD Chip

Quantum efficiency (sensitivity) of CCD detectors used in G3 and G4 cameras

depends on the particular camera model.

Inherent dark current of these detectors is quite low compared to other CCD

detectors, suitable for scientific applications, which results into very good

signal/noise ratio.

Model G3-6300

G3-06300 uses 6 MPx Kodak KAF-6303E Class 1 or 2 CCD chip.

10

Illustration 3: Quantum efficiency of Kodak CCD detectors used in G3 and G4 cameras

Resolution 3072×2048 pixels

Pixel size 9×9 µm

Imaging area 27,7×18,4 mm

Full well capacity Approx. 100 000 e-

Output node capacity Approx. 220 000 e-

Dark current 1 e-/s/pixel at 0°C

Dark signal doubling 6.3 °C

Model G3-1000

G3-01000 model uses 1 MPx Kodak KAF-1001E Class 1 or 2 CCD chip.

Resolution 1024×1024 pixels

Pixel size 24×24 µm

Imaging area 24.6×24.6 mm

Full well capacity Approx. 220 000 e-

Output node capacity Approx. 650 000 e-

Dark current 17 e-/s/pixel at 0°C

Dark signal doubling 5.5 °C

Model G3-11000

G3-11000 uses 11 MPx CCD Kodak KAI-11002 Class 1 or 2.

Resolution 4032×2688 pixels

Pixel size 9×9 µm

Imaging area 36,3×24,2 mm

Full well capacity Approx. 60 000 e-

Dark current 12 e-/s/pixel at 0°C

Dark signal doubling 7 °C

Model G3-11000C

G3-11000C uses 11 MPx CCD Kodak KAI-11002 Class 1 or 2 with color

(Bayer) mask.

11

Model G4-9000

G4-9000 uses 9 MPx CCD Kodak KAF-09000.

Resolution 3056×3056 pixels

Pixel size 12×12 µm

Imaging area 36,8×36,8 mm

Full well capacity Approx. 110 000 e-

Dark current 0,5 e-/s/pixel at 0°C

Dark signal doubling 7 °C

Model G4-16000

G4-16000 uses 16 MPx CCD Kodak KAF-16803.

Resolution 4096×4096 pixels

Pixel size 9×9 µm

Imaging area 36,9×36,9 mm

Full well capacity Approx. 100 000 e-

Dark current 0,3 e-/s/pixel at 0°C

Dark signal doubling 6,3 °C

Camera Electronics

16-bit A/D converter with correlated double sampling ensures high dynamic

range and CCD chip-limited readout noise. Fast USB interface ensures image

download time within seconds. Maximum length of single USB cable is 5 m.

This length can be extended to 10 m by using single USB hub or active USB

extender cable. Up to 5 hubs or active extenders can be used in one connection.

Third party USB extenders allow extending of one USB connection up to

100 m.

ADC resolution 16 bits

Sampling method Correlated double sampling

Read modes Standard

Low-noise

Horizontal binning 1 to 4 pixels

12

Vertical binning 1 to 4 pixels

Sub-frame readout Arbitrary sub-frame

TDI readout Only for KAF-equipped cameras

Computer interface USB 2.0 high-speed

USB 1.1 full-speed compatible

Binning can be combined independently on both axes.

Image download time and system read noise depends on the CCD chip used in

particular camera model.

Model G3-6300

Gain 1.5 e-/ADU (1×l binning)

2.3 e-/ADU (other binnings)

System read noise 12 e- (LN read)

15 e- (Standard read)

Full frame download 9.8 s (LN read)

8.1 s (Standard read)

Model G3-1000

Gain 3 e-/ADU (1×l binning)

5 e-/ADU (other binnings)

System read noise 12 e- (LN read)

15 e- (Standard read)

Full frame download 2.0 s (LN read)

1.7 s (Standard read)

Model G3-11000

Gain 0.8 e-/ADU (1×l binning)

1.6 e-/ADU (other binnings)

System read noise 11,5 e- (LN read)

13

13 e- (Standard read)

Full frame download 16.9 s (LN read)

14.1 s (Standard read)

Model G4-9000

Gain 1.5 e-/ADU (1×l binning)

1.7 e-/ADU (other binnings)

System read noise 10 e- (LN read)

12 e- (Standard read)

Full frame download 16.3 s (LN read)

13.1 s (Standard read)

Model G4-16000

Gain 1.6 e-/ADU (all binnings)

System read noise 9 e- (LN read)

11 e- (Standard read)

Full frame download 26 s (LN read)

22 s (Standard read)

System read noise depends on the particular CCD detector. For instance KAF-

6303 can be read with 11 e- RMS.

Download times are valid for USB 2.0 host and may vary depending on host

PC.

G4-16000 cameras use the same gain for unbinned and binned reading when

used with system driver version 2.3 and higher. When older driver is used,

stated gain 1.6 e-/ADU is used for 1×l binning only, while all other binning use

2.7 e-/ADU. Gain setting was unified to utilize the full A/D converter dynamic

range, because particular detector output node cannot pass higher output signal

levels either way.

The gain in binning modes of G4-9000 cameras was adjusted from 2.5 e-/ADU

to 1.7 e-/ADU beginning with system driver version 2.3 from the same reasons.

14

CCD Chip Cooling

Regulated two-stage thermo-electric cooling is capable to cool the CCD chip up

to 45 °C below ambient temperature. The Peltier hot side is cooled by a fans.

The CCD chip temperature is regulated with ±0.1 °C precision. High

temperature drop and precision regulation ensure very low dark current for long

exposures and allow image proper calibration.

The camera head contains two temperature sensors – the first sensor measures

directly the temperature of the CCD chip. The second one measures the

temperature of the air cooling the Peltier hot side.

The cooling performance depends on the environmental conditions and also on

the power supply. If the power supply voltage drops below 12 V, the maximum

temperature drop is lower.

CCD chip cooling Thermoelectric (Peltier modules)

TEC modules Two stages

Maximal ∆T45 °C below ambient

Regulated ∆T40 °C below ambient (75% cooling)

Regulation precision ±0.1 °C

Hot side cooling Forced air cooling (two fans)

Optional heat exchanger for liquid coolant

Maximum temperature difference between CCD and ambient air may exceed

45 °C when the cooling runs at 100% power. However, temperature cannot be

regulated in such case, camera has no room for lowering the CCD temperature

when the ambient temperature rises. The 40 °C temperature drop can be

achieved with cooling running at approx. 85% power, which provides enough

room for regulation.

Power Supply

The 12 V DC power supply enables camera operation from arbitrary power

source including batteries, wall adapters etc. Universal 100-240 V AC/50-

60 Hz, 60 W “brick” adapter is supplied with the camera. Although the camera

power consumption does not exceed 55 W, the 60 W power supply ensures

noise-free operation.

15

Camera head supply 12 V DC

Camera head power consumption 14 W without cooling

52 W maximum cooling

Adapter input voltage 100-240 V AC/50-60 Hz

Adapter output voltage 12 V DC/5 A

Adapter maximum power 60 W

1. Power consumption is measured on the AC side of the supplied 12 V

AC/DC power supply. Camera consumes less energy from 12 V power

supply than state here.

2. The camera contains its own power supplies inside, so it can be

powered by unregulated 12 V DC power source – the input voltage

can be anywhere between 10 and 14 V. However, some parameters

(like cooling efficiency) can degrade if the supply drops below 12 V.

3. G3 and G4 camera measures its input voltage and provides it to the

control software. Input voltage is displayed in the Cooling tab of the

CCD Camera control tool in the SIPS. This feature is important

especially if you power the camera from batteries.

Warning:

The power connector on the camera head uses center-plus pin. Although all

modern power supplies use this configuration, always make sure the polarity is

correct if you use own power source.

Mechanical Specifications

Compact and robust camera head measures only 154×154×74 mm (approx.

6×6×3 inches). The head is CNC-machined from high-quality aluminum and

black anodized. The head itself contains USB-B (device) connector and

12 V DC power plug, no other parts (CPU box, USB interface, etc.), except a

“brick” power supply, are necessary. Integrated mechanical shutter allows

streak-free image readout, as well as automatic dark frame exposures, which

are necessary for unattended, robotic setups. Integrated filter wheel contains

5 positions for standard 2-inch filter cells with M48×0.75 thread. There are

three M3 threaded holes around each filter position, which allow fixing of

16

filters without cells (only a glass) up to 51 mm diameter.

Internal mechanical shutter Yes, blade shutter

Shortest exposure time 0.25 s

Longest exposure time Limited by chip saturation only

Internal filter wheel

(G3 cameras only)

5 positions 2" threaded filter cells or glass

filters up to 51 mm diameter

Head dimensions 154×154×77 mm (G3 with wheel)

154×154×65 mm (G3 without wheel, G4)

Back focal distance 29 mm (G3 with wheel)

17 mm (G3 without wheel, G4)

Camera head weight 1.7 kg (G3 with wheel)

1.5 (G3 without wheel, G4)

Package Contents

G3 and G4 CCD cameras are supplied in the foam-filled, hard carrying case

containing:

●Camera body with a user-chosen telescope adapter. The standard 2"

barrel adapter is included by default for G3 cameras. G4 cameras are

equipped with M68×1 threaded adapter. If ordered, the filter wheel is

already mounted inside the camera head and filters are threaded into

place (G3 cameras only).

If the camera is ordered with external filter wheel, the external filter

wheel is attached to the camera head.

●A 100-240 V AC/50-60 Hz input, 12 V DC/5 A output power supply

adapter with 1.5 m long output cable. The adapter includes AC cable.

17

Illustration 4: 12 V DC/5 A power supply adapter for

G3 and G4 CCD Camera

●5 m long USB A-B cable for connecting camera to host PC.

Warning:

5 m (approx. 15 feet) is the maximum allowed length of USB cable.

Do not try to connect 5 m USB A-B cable with USB A-A extension

cable to get a longer connection. When the distance between camera

and host PC is longer, USB hub or an active USB extender cable can

be used as a repeater to provide up to 10 m long connection. Third-

party USB extenders allow USB connection tens or even hundreds

meters long.

●An USB Flash Driver or CD-ROM with camera system drivers,

drivers for third party software packages, SIPS software package with

electronic documentation and PDF version of this manual.

●A printed copy of this manual.

Optional components

Number of optional parts are available for G3 and G4 CCD cameras. These

parts can be ordered separately. Refer to our web site for the pricing, please.

18

Filter wheel for five 2 inch threaded filter cells

Because the filter wheel is not necessary for some applications (e.g. in

microscopy), a version of G3 camera without filter wheel is also offered. Make

sure you choose the variant with filter wheel included, even if you plan to use

own filters and you order camera without LRGB filters.

G3 cameras without filter wheel do not allow later installation of the internal

filter wheel. They can be only attached to external filter wheel. It is of course

possible to supply a camera intended for installation of the internal filter

without the wheel, but it is necessary to state such requirement in the camera

order.

It is not possible to install internal filter wheel into G4 camera head. G4

cameras can be used with external filter wheel only.

Another filter wheel can be also ordered separately. Replacing the whole filter

wheel is easier than replacing individual filters. It is possible to thread for

instance LRGB filter set into one wheel, BVRI set into second wheel and

narrow-band filters (Hα, OIII, ...) into the third one.

LRGB filter set

High quality 2" LRGB filter set optimized for CCD imaging. This set contains

high-pass Red, Green and Blue filters plus Luminance filter covering the

combined RGB spectral range, blocking IR and UV portion of spectrum for

maximum color accuracy.

Clear (C) filter

Optional clear filter (optical glass with AR coatings) of the same thickness like

RGB filters can be used in addition to (or instead of) Luminance filter to use

maximum chip QE for luminance images. Optical glass is used instead of

simple empty hole in filter wheel to ensure proper focus and to eliminate

refocusing when changing from filtered to unfiltered exposures.

The Clear filer can be also combined with RGB so it is possible to install

CRGB filter set and to leave one empty filter wheel position.

19

UBVRI filter set

Scientific-grade UBVRI filter set with AR coatings in 2" cells. This set

contains scientific Blue, Visual, Red and Infra-red filters for photometric

applications.

Separate filters

Number of 2" filters for narrow-band imaging and other special applications

(UHC, Hα, Hβ, OIII, SII, etc.) are available. Visit our web site for current filter

offering.

Telescope adapters for G3 cameras

The G3 cameras are supplied with standard 2" barrel adapter by default, but the

user can choose any other adapter he/she prefers. Another adapters can be

ordered separately.

It is possible to choose among various telescope/lens adapters:

2" barrel adapter Adapter for 2" focusers.

T-thread short M42×0.75 mm inner thread,

7.5 mm long.

T-thread long M42×0.75 mm inner thread,

preserves 55 mm back focal

distance as defined by

Tamron.

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