Related Manuals for Diffraction SBIG STC-7
Summary of Contents for Diffraction SBIG STC-7
- Page 1 ® SBIG STC-7 Imaging Camera User’s Manual Version 1.02 - September 25, 2020 SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 2 © 2020 Diffraction Limited. All rights reserved. Cyanogen Imaging® and SBIG® are registered trademarks of Diffraction Limited. STC-7, StackPro, SmartCooling, ST-4, STF, MaxIm DL, MaxIm LT are trademarks of Diffraction Limited. ON Semiconductor, product, and service names profiled herein are trademarks of Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
................9 1.3 Installing the Hardware ................10 1.4 Testing the Camera ..................13 2 – Operating the SBIG STC-7 camera with MaxIm LT ..14 2.1 Connecting the STC Camera to MaxIm LT ..........14 2.2 Basic Imaging Procedure................18 2.3 StackPro... - Page 4 Appendix A: SBIG STC-7 Camera Details ......33 A-1 Connector pinouts ................... 33 A-2 STC-7 Specifications ................35 Appendix B: Maintenance ............36 B-1 Cleaning the filters and sensor window ..........36 B-2 Regenerating the desiccant ..............37 B-3 Updating the camera drivers and firmware ..........38 Appendix C: Troubleshooting ..........
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Page 5: Sbig Stc-7 Imaging Camera
SBIG STC-7 Imaging Camera The SBIG STC-7 is designed for high performance astronomical imaging applications. The camera features an ultra-sensitive and low noise 7.1 megapixel cooled CMOS sensor, integrated 8-position filter wheel, plus a complete set of LRGB and narrowband filters, including an opaque filter for convenience in taking dark frames. - Page 6 0.1ºC, and minimizes fan speed based on heat sink temperature for longer life and quieter operation. The SBIG STC-7 camera also comes with our MaxIm LT software. MaxIm LT is a special version of our venerable MaxIm DL software that provides complete control of your camera, filter wheel, and autoguider, plus advanced image processing capabilities.
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Page 7: Camera Features
• High-speed USB 3.0 interface (USB 2.0 compatible) • I C and Trigger I/O interface • Centered optical axis for optimum instrument balance • Multiplatform software API and sample code availability Refer to Appendix A-2 STC-7 Specifications for detailed camera specifications. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 8: Installation
• USB flash drive • Ferrite snap-on chokes (2) to reduce radio frequency interference • USB 3.0 cable, 15 feet (4.6 meters) • MaxIm LT software • 1/20” (0.050") Allen key • 1/16” (0.0625") Allen key SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 9: Installing The Software
• Internet browser Windows installation 1. Go to the Registration page on the Diffraction Limited website at: https://diffractionlimited.com/maxim-lt-registration 2. Enter the requested information and serial number to register for the MaxIm LT application. Use your camera’s serial number for this. If your camera is authorized for a free license you will be automatically emailed a license key. -
Page 10: Installing The Hardware
2. Remove the four indicated screws from the filter wheel lid using the supplied 1/16" Allen Key and remove the lid. 3. Remove the eight indicated screws securing the filter retainer using the supplied 1/20" Allen key and remove the retainer from the carousel. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... - Page 11 Open a choke and lay the cable into the channel, then snap the choke halves together. 2. Attach the cabling: CAUTION: Never “hot plug” the cables into or from the units. Always disconnect power before connecting or disconnecting any cables. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 12 Pull on the shell to release the connector if required. Do not turn the power supply on yet. The camera is now ready to be powered up and tested. Refer to: Section 1.4 Testing the Camera. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
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Page 13: Testing The Camera
1.4 Testing the Camera Once MaxIm LT is installed and the camera hardware is connected, Diffraction Limited recommends that you perform a simple bench test of the system. Do this before mounting your camera on your optics. You should read Chapter 2 to familiarize yourself with the basic software connection and operating instructions prior to performing this test. -
Page 14: Operating The Sbig Stc-7 Camera With Maxim Lt
2 - Operating the SBIG STC-7 camera with MaxIm LT The MaxIm LT application allows full configuration and control of the SBIG STC-7 camera. Calibrating files, automating imaging sequences, logging, and various image processing tasks can all be performed. Please note however that since MaxIm LT and MaxIm DL both share the same Help file, not all features detailed in that file will be enabled in MaxIm LT. - Page 15 Ensure that the AO selector parameter is set to Off. a. Click the Advanced button. The DL :: Config form opens. This form allows you to check camera parameters and also to perform firmware updates and additional camera configuration. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 16 Access camera from separate thread and Access filter wheel from separate thread must both be selected for both Camera 1 and Camera 2 (if used). Click OK to accept the settings. The Options form closes and you are returned to the Camera Control form. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 17 Set Camera Cooler form closes. 17. The STC-7 camera is now connected and ready to begin imaging. Note that the next time you open MaxIm LT, your option selections will automatically appear in the Setup DL Imaging form. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
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Page 18: Basic Imaging Procedure
Enable Status LED (Normally enabled. Turn this off to disable the LED on the side of the camera for darkness.) • Subexposure Duration (refer to 2.3 StackPro Subexposure Function for details) Configure the parameters as required and click OK to accept. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... - Page 19 Click the Options arrow. A list of choices is displayed. This menu is used to access and configure a number of imaging parameters to customize your imaging requirements. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 20 Click OK when you are finished configuring the sequence. To begin the custom sequence, ensure that the Autosave radio button is selected and click Start. You can end the Autosave sequence at any time prior to its completion by pressing Stop. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
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Page 21: Stackpro Tm Subexposure Function
Duration will be increased by the minimum amount required to make an even number of 2 to 16 exposures. For example, if you have a Subexposure Duration of 10 seconds and ask for an exposure of 25 seconds, you will get two subexposures of 12.5 seconds. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... - Page 22 As a general rule, the ideal Subexposure Duration target should be modestly below the level where you expect to see sensor saturation occur. That provides the maximum dynamic range with the minimum extra read noise. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
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Page 23: Image Calibration
Please note that calibration images must be taken using the same Readout Mode as the images you intend to calibrate. Otherwise the calibration will not be performed correctly. Refer to the online Help file for further information and more detailed procedures, as required. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 24: Dark Frame Calibration
Subframe: Set to Off. MaxIm LT will automatically extract a subframe from the full frame if required. 3. Click the Options arrow and set the following: • Click on No Calibration. • Click on Set Image Save Path and specify the desired file location. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... - Page 25 When the sequence completes, you will have a set of dark frames that can subsequently be used to create a calibration group and apply a dark calibration to your light frames. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
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Page 26: Flat-Field Frame Calibration
The flat-field frames themselves must be calibrated. To do this you must use flat-darks, which are dark frames having the same exposure duration and settings as the flat-field frames. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... - Page 27 In other words, you will usually need a set of "darks" and a set of "flat-darks". SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
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Page 28: Understanding Calibration Groups
When the masters are saved to disk, they are tagged with image header keywords to indicate whether these subtractions have been done. In that way when they are loaded again later, MaxIm LT will know whether they need to have these subtractions performed or not. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 29: Calibrating And Combining Images
As such, consider it an overview. Numerous parameters not cited here are available to tailor the process to specific imaging types and requirements. Refer to the MaxIm DL Help file for full tutorials, further information, and more detailed procedures, as required. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... - Page 30 Groups tree at left. You can also deselect individual files from the tree so that they will not be included in the stacking process. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 31 For other applications, we recommend using 16-bit TIFF images. The choice of TIFF or FITS can be set under: File menu > Settings > Files tab > Default File Extensions Setting. This determines the default file type created when MaxIm LT takes images. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
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Page 32: Accessories And Customization
• Canon and Nikon lens adapters • Nosepiece adapters • C-mount adapter (NOTE: Vignetting may occur) • Desiccant plugs • Cables • Power supplies Accessories are available from your authorized SBIG dealer and at: https://www.diffractionlimited.com SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 33: Appendix A: Sbig Stc-7 Camera Details
Appendix A: SBIG STC-7 Camera Details A-1 Connector pinouts USB connector pinout is to the USB standard. The connector works with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 cables. AUX connector (9-pin mini-DIN) The diagram shows the pin number identification when looking into the camera connector. - Page 34 100 pF, and should be connected to the cable shield. • Power ground is connected to the chassis of the camera through a low impedance. • For a positive retention power connection we recommend using locking connector Kycon 806-KMDLAX-6P. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
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Page 35: Stc-7 Specifications
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS x64, Raspbian Buster armhf, Ubuntu MATE arm64 Supported options: Off-axis guiding Yes, with AO-8A plus StarChaser SC-2 Filter wheel Yes. Camera includes an integrated 8-position filter wheel. Adaptive optics Yes, with StarChaser SC-2 SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 36: Appendix B: Maintenance
Excessive pressure could also unexpectedly lift an unsecured filter off the carousel. Keep the can vertical to avoid expelling the propellant. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but also test it on another surface prior to using it on the camera. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 37: Regenerating The Desiccant
If you need to capture images prior to this time and it frosts again, reduce your cooling to the 0° C range - the dark current will still be quite low. Additional desiccant plugs are available from Diffraction Limited. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 38: Updating The Camera Drivers And Firmware
B-3 Updating the camera drivers and firmware You should periodically check for updates to your camera’s drivers and firmware to ensure the best possible performance. Diffraction Limited supplies a software utility program named DL Config that will update the firmware elements in the camera via USB. - Page 39 Use Factory File button in DL Config. This file is updated with every release of DL Config, and may not be the latest, depending on which version of DL Config you have installed. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
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Page 40: Appendix C: Troubleshooting
Avoid using front panel USB ports on desktop computers. They have internal wiring that will degrade USB signal quality. • Diffraction Limited suggests tie wrapping the USB cable and power cable together near the camera in order to minimize risk of the USB connector coming loose or being pulling out. -
Page 41: Appendix D: Technical And Warranty Support
Appendix D: Technical and Warranty Support Software Downloads Downloads are included on the Diffraction Limited website product pages: http://diffractionlimited.com/ Navigate to your product and click the Downloads tab. Software utilities, drivers, user documentation, and a Software Development Kit are available here. -
Page 42: Appendix E: Compatible Software Products
MaxIm DL MaxIm DL is a full-featured camera control and image processing program available from Diffraction Limited. It can control all SBIG camera models and a wide variety third-party cameras. For product details, refer to the Software page of the Diffraction Limited web site at: http://diffractionlimited.com/products/software-products/... -
Page 43: Appendix F: Concepts And Terminology
It works because the retina in the human eye itself is based on red, green, and blue light-sensitive cells. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL... - Page 44 Histogram – A histogram is a simple bar graph that shows the range of brightness in an image. Each bar in the graph represents a range of brightness. The leftmost bar represents the dimmest pixels, and the rightmost SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 45 Every camera sensor produces a certain amount of dark current, which accumulates in the pixels during an exposure. This unwanted dark current is produced by heat, and high-performance cameras cool their sensors to minimize this effect. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 46 This can be compensated for by using flat-fielding calibration, but it is usually preferable to physically avoid vignetting if possible. SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 47 SBIG STC-7 CAMERA USER’S MANUAL...
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