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With the advantage of low readout noise and high-speed readout, CMOS technology has revolutionized astronomical imaging. A monochrome, back-illuminated, high-sensitivity, astronomical imaging camera is the ideal choice for astro-imagers.
The QHY600 uses the latest SONY back-illuminated sensor, the IMX455, a full frame (35mm format) sensor with 3.76um pixels and native 16-bit A/D. This sensor is available in both monochrome and color versions. The QHY600 ends the days of non-16bit CMOS cameras and it ends the days non-full frame (and larger) monochrome CMOS cameras.
Features:
Equipped with a Sony IMX455, the QHY600 is a back-illuminated Scientific CMOS Camera with extremely low dark current (0.002e/p/s@-20C) using SONY’s Exmor BSI CMOS technology. QHY600 is also a zero amplifer glow camera.
The QHY600 has only one electron of read noise at high gain and full resolution and 4FPS readout speed. One electron of read noise means the camera can achieve a SNR>3 at only 4 to 6 photons. This is perfect performance when conditions are photon limited, i.e., short exposures, narrow band imaging, etc., making this large area sensor ideal for sky surveys, time domain astronomy, fluorescence imaging, DNA sequencing and microscopy.
2GB DDR3 image buffer
In order to provide smooth uninterrupted data transfer of the entire 60MP sensor at high speed, the QHY600 has 2GB DDR3 image buffer. The pixel count of the latest generation of CMOS sensors is very high resulting in greater memory requirements for temporary and permanent storage. For example, the QHY600 sensor produces about 120MB of data per frame. The data band-width is also increased from the original 16-bits to the current 32-bits. Transferring such a large file sizes necessarily requires the camera to have sufficient memory. The QHY600 has adopted a large-capacity memory of up to 2GB. Data throughput is doubled. This large image buffer meets the needs of high-speed image acquisition and transmission of the new generation of CMOS, making shooting of multiple frames smoother and less stuttered, further reducing the pressure on the computer CPU.
Another advantage is that when using some computers that do not have fast processors or have poor support for USB 3.0, the computer can’t transfer high-speed data well, and the data is often lost. The DDR can buffer a lot of image data and send it to the computer. Even if the USB 3.0 transmission frequently gets suspended, it will ensure that data is not lost. There are options in SharpCap to turn DDR buffering on or off. The current version of the ASCOM driver works in DDR mode.
Extended Full Well Capacity and Multiple Read Modes
With a pixel size of 3.76um, these sensors already have an impressive full well capacity of 51ke. Nevertheless, QHYCCD has implemented a unique approach to achieve a full well capacity higher than 51ke- through innovative user controllable read mode settings. In extended full well readout mode, the QHY600 can achieve an extremely large full-well charge value of nearly 80ke- and the QHY268C can achieve nearly 75ke-. Greater full-well capacity provides greater dynamic range and large variations in magnitude of brightness are less likely to saturate. The QHY600 / 268C have three readout modes with different characteristics.
Native 16 bit A/D
The new Sony sensor has native 16-bit A/D on-chip. The output is real 16-bits with 65536 levels. Compared to 12-bit and 14-bit A/D, a 16-bit A/D yields higher sample resolution and the system gain will be less than 1e-/ADU with no sample error noise and very low read noise.
BSI
One benefit of the back-illuminated CMOS structure is improved full well capacity. This is particularly helpful for sensors with small pixels.In a typical front-illuminated sensor, photons from the target entering the photosensitive layer of the sensor must first pass through the metal wiring that is embedded just above the photosensitive layer. The wiring structure reflects some of the photons and reduces the efficiency of the sensor.
In the back- illuminated sensor the light is allowed to enter the photosensitive surface from the reverse side. In this case the sensor’s embedded wiring structure is below the photosensitive layer. As a result, more incoming photons strike the photosensitive layer and more electrons are generated and captured in the pixel well. This ratio of photon to electron production is called quantum efficiency. The higher the quantum efficiency the more efficient the sensor is at converting photons to electrons and hence the more sensitive the sensor is to capturing an image of something dim.
Zero Amplify Glow
This is also a zero amplifer glow camera.
TRUE RAW Data
In the DSLR implementation there is a RAW image output, but typically it is not completely RAW. Some evidence of noise reduction and hot pixel removal is still visible on close inspection. This can have a negative effect on the image for astronomy such as the “star eater” effect. However, QHY Cameras offer TRUE RAW IMAGE OUTPUT and produces an image comprised of the original signal only, thereby maintaining the maximum flexibility for post-acquisition astronomical image processing programs and other scientific imaging applications.
Anti-Dew Technology
Based on almost 20-year cooled camera design experience, The QHY cooled camera has implemented the fully dew control solutions. The optic window has built-in dew heater and the chamber is protected from internal humidity condensation. An electric heating board for the chamber window can prevent the formation of dew and the sensor itself is kept dry with our silicon gel tube socket design for control of humidity within the sensor chamber.
Cooling
In addition to dual stage TE cooling, QHYCCD implements proprietary technology in hardware to control the dark current noise.
QHY 3rd Generation L Color Filter Wheel
With the introduction of their innovative new 3rd generation models, QHYCCD has revolutionized what one can expect from a filter wheel moving forward. Incorporating an ultra-thin stepper motor drive, this 21.5 mm thick filter wheel is capable of fully automatic filter switching. It offers seven positions for 2" or 50 mm round filters. Maximum filter thickness for mounted filters, excluding filter thread height, is 10 mm. Learn more about the QHYCFW3 Filter Wheel and its impressive features in the comprehensive video below!
Ultra-Thin Hybrid Stepper Motor Drive
QHYCCD has chosen to use an ultra-thin, high quality hybrid stepper motor for the design of their third generation filter wheels. When compared to PM stepper motors used in many filter wheels, this hybrid stepper motor offers improved precision and a smaller step angle. An enclosed motor prevents the accumulation of dust for enhanced reliability and longer life. In addition, as filter rotation is reversible, the carousel can be rotated clockwise as well as counterclockwise for convenient filter access.
Friction Drive with Zero Backlash
Regarding the evolution of the motor drive, QHYCCD's 2nd generation filter wheels used a gear drive while their 3rd generation filter wheels use a friction drive that results in zero backlash during operation.
USB Serial Port Switch
Incorporates a serial port switch to enable fast shifting between serial and USB communication modes.
USB Powered
Supports QHY 4-pin connection control mode, contains open source Arduino-compatible firmware, and is designed to work with a similar sized QHY Off-Axis Guider (OAG).
Beautiful Appearance
The main body of this QHYCCD 3rd generation color filter wheel is cut from a single precision CNC machined piece of aluminum. It boasts a skillfully crafted and elegant finish. As soon as you hold this filter wheel in your hands, its small design will prevent you from ever wanting to put it down!
The filter carousel has been specially designed to allow the installation of unmounted filters with varying thickness. Mounted filters below 10 mm in thickness can be installed while unmounted filters of different thicknesses can also be mounted to the same filter disc. This makes filter positioning quicker and more precise.
QHY Medium Off-Axis Guider
The Medium Off-Axis Guider by QHY has 47 mm to the center point. It is a thin and solid design only being 10 mm thick. Adding an M42 thread or M54 adapter ring will add 3 mm for a total thickness of 13 mm. There are six 3 mm through holes in the OAG for direct connection to the QH-QHYCFW2 and QHY A series camera.
The prism position can be adjusted and can be locked down to fix its position. The prism is 8 mm x 8 mm size and the aperture between the prism and mirror is 8 mm in diameter. The QH-QHYOAG has a multi-thread 1.25-inch focuser build in which has a locking thumbscrew to hold the guide camera after focusing.
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