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Related Manuals for Oxford Instruments Andor Apogee Alta Series
Summary of Contents for Oxford Instruments Andor Apogee Alta Series
- Page 1 Hardware Guide Version 1.5 rev 23 Sep 2016 Apogee Alta & Ascent Series andor.com Andor Technology Ltd. 2016 ©...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................2 Revision History ................................4 Safety and Warning Information ............................5 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION ............................7 1.1 Help and Technical Support ............................7 1.2 Disclaimer ..................................8 1.3 Trademarks and Patent Information .......................... - Page 3 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 6.2 Cleaning the Camera Window ..........................27 6.2.1 Tools Required ............................... 28 6.2.2 Window Cleaning Procedure ..........................28 SECTION 7: USING YOUR APOGEE CAMERA ....................... 31 7.1 Standard CCD Image Calibration Procedures ......................31 7.2 Dark Current Correction ............................
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Page 4: Revision History
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual Revision History Version Released Description 13 Oct 2014 Initial Release 28 Jan 2015 Updated to apply to Ascent and Alta models Minor edits throughout. Added Hot Surface warning description in Safety and 02 Sep 2015 Warning Section New content added to cover connection of power and signal cables. -
Page 5: Safety And Warning Information
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual Safety and Warning Information WARNING: PLEASE READ THIS SAFETY INFORMATION BEFORE USING YOUR APOGEE CAMERA. 1. If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by Apogee or Andor, the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired. - Page 6 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 17. Shielded I/O cables must be used when operating this equipment. 18. Pollution Degree 2. Normally only non-conductive Pollution occurs. Occasionally, however, a temporary conductivity caused by condensation must be expected. 19. Your product is a precision scientific instrument containing fragile components. Always handle it with care.
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Page 7: Introduction
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION Thank you and congratulations for purchasing your Apogee camera. This Owner's Operating Manual will help you discover, install and use your Apogee camera with the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems. Apogee USB camera systems are supported by the Windows 32 and 64 bit operating systems. -
Page 8: Disclaimer
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 1.2 Disclaimer Andor Technology Ltd. assumes no liability for the use of the information contained in this document or the software which it describes. The user assumes all risks. There is no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, either express or implied. -
Page 9: About Apogee
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 1.4 About Apogee Apogee Imaging Systems started up in 1993 in Tucson, Arizona providing imaging solutions to the astronomy market. The growing company relocated to Northern California in 2001. Apogee was acquired by Andor Technology Ltd., in October 2013 with the Apogee camera range taking full advantage of Andor’s manufacturing facilities and quality systems. -
Page 10: Installation
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual SECTION 2: INSTALLATION 2.1 Installation Summary To get the most from your Apogee camera, we recommend the following: 1. Familiarize yourself with this manual 2. Carefully unpack and inspect the contents of the box containing your camera and accessories 3. -
Page 11: Supplied Items
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 2.3 Supplied Items As you un-box your camera, please inspect the contents and make sure it includes the following items. If the shipping package is missing anything listed below, or appears it may be damaged, please contact your local sales representative. -
Page 12: Optional Items
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 2.3.3 Optional Items There is a wide range of optional accessories for the Alta and Ascent. These may be specified at the time of ordering or purchased at a later date from Andor. Please contact us, or refer to our website www.andor.com for further information. -
Page 13: Product Description
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 2.4 Product Description The following section provides a brief overview of the external features and connections of each camera model family. 2.4.1 Ascent Series The Ascent Camera Series supports a variety of interline transfer sensors with high quantum efficiency and low dark current. -
Page 14: Alta (F Series)
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 2.4.2 Alta (F Series) The Alta F Series represents the next step in the evolution of the Alta line of cameras with faster readout speeds. The Alta line continues to support a wide variety of front-illuminated, back-illuminated and interline transfer CCDs. -
Page 15: Power And Signal Connections
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 2.5 Power and Signal Connections WARNING: Do not connect your camera to a PC before installing the drivers. If you do and the "Add New Hardware Wizard" appears, please select the Cancel button. Never connect or disconnect the camera from an operating computer. - Page 16 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual Each LVTTL signal of the I/O Port has two modes of operation. The signal may be used as a general purpose and user-defined I/O pin, or it may be configured to perform a predefined/fixed-function operation. After initialization, the I/O Port defaults to having the signals set as user-defined.
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Page 17: Installing Your Camera Software
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual SECTION 3: INSTALLING YOUR CAMERA SOFTWARE Before attempting to connect or operate your camera, make sure you have the correct software installed on your computer. Once the software is installed as outlined in this section, proceed with the hardware installation. -
Page 18: Install Maxim Dl
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 6. The drivers for your camera are now installed on your PC. 3.2 Install MaxIm DL • Your camera will run at its best when you use MaxIm DL image capture and processing software, developed by Diffraction Limited. -
Page 19: Setting Up Maxim Dl Software To Control Your Apogee Camera
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual SECTION 4: SETTING UP MAXIM DL SOFTWARE TO CONTROL YOUR APOGEE CAMERA MaxIm DL, a product from Diffraction Limited, is a powerful camera control and image processing package. The MaxIm DL software package has an extensive user’s guide, which provides details into setting up the software and getting started. - Page 20 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 4. All settings for the Apogee camera are in the Apogee Configuration dialog, accessed from the Advanced... button. This dialog is also available while the camera is connected, by clicking the Options button on the Settings Tab and selecting the Camera Settings command. 5.
- Page 21 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 8. Apogee cameras are connected via USB2 or Ethernet mode, depending on model, can operate in 16-bit mode. This provides the highest dynamic range. 9. Fan Setting controls the camera's fan speed. Higher speeds provide better cooling, but may result in slightly more noise and vibration.
- Page 22 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 16. Open Shutter opens the shutter for inspection or cleaning. 17. The two Status Indicator lights can be configured to provide basic status information. To prevent light contamination under very low-light imaging conditions, you can select OFF when exposing. You can also select Always OFF or Always ON.
- Page 23 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 22. The Gain and Offset for Twelve-bit digitization mode can be changed from their factory values: you must unclick the Defaults button to unlock the edit boxes. The Gain for Sixteen-bit mode is not adjustable, but its value is displayed.
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Page 24: Connecting Your Camera
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual SECTION 5: CONNECTING YOUR CAMERA 5.1 Mounting your Camera WARNINGS • Refer to the safety and warning information at the start of this manual and Section 8 before installing and using this product. • Do not connect your camera to a PC before installing the drivers. -
Page 25: Connecting The Power And Signal Cables
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 5.2 Connecting the power and signal cables Refer also to Section 2.2.1 for description of power and signal connections. Note: Ensure that the mains power cable can be accessed in case that emergency disconnection from the mains power supply is required. -
Page 26: Apogee Ascent
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 5.2.2 Apogee Ascent 1. Connect the supplied USB cable between the USB connector on the camera and the corresponding slot on the Ascent Camera Insert the 12V DC power cable into the power connector on the Connections panel of the camera. Ascent Camera To Mains 6 V DC PSU... -
Page 27: Cleaning
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual SECTION 6: CLEANING 6.1 General Cleaning Information • The aluminium camera body can be cleaned with a soft cloth and glass cleaner. • Never spray liquids directly on the camera; apply cleaning solution to the cloth, then wipe the camera body with the dampened cloth. -
Page 28: Tools Required
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 6.2.1 Tools Required • Compressed Air Can • Optics Brush 6.2.2 Window Cleaning Procedure 1. Remove the camera from your telescope and place it on a clean dry surface. 2. Use the camera control software to open the shutter. TIP: If your program does not have this feature, try starting a long exposure. - Page 29 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual GUIDELINES FOR USING COMPRESSED AIR • If you are using a compressed air can always test-blast away from window before blowing air on the window. When you test-blast, you’ll notice a spray of condensation shoot out from the can.
- Page 30 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 8. If there are still particles stuck on the window use an optics brush to dislodge them from the window surface. Spray the dust particles out of the camera head with compressed air. 9. Make sure to use compressed air to clean your adapter tubes and focal reducers so you don't get more dust once everything’s assembled.
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Page 31: Using Your Apogee Camera
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual SECTION 7: USING YOUR APOGEE CAMERA Digital imaging and image processing forms the core of modern astronomy. Much of what we know about the structure and behaviour of planets, stars, interstellar clouds, galaxies and the universe that surrounds us has been gleaned from processing pictures exposed through telescopes. -
Page 32: Bias Correction
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 7.3 Bias correction CCD cameras typically add a bias value to each image they record. If you know that the same bias value has been added to each pixel, it can be corrected by subtracting a constant from the sky image. However, most CCD cameras add different bias values to their pixels therefore it becomes necessary to produce a bias image and subtract it from the sky image, too. -
Page 33: Combining Images
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 7.6 Combining images One way to increase signal-to-noise is to digitally combine a set of images featuring the same subject. To combine a set of similar images, each picture must be aligned with each other so the subject appears the same size and in an identical rotational orientation. -
Page 34: Specifications
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual SECTION 8: SPECIFICATIONS Refer to the specification sheet specific to your camera model as technical specifications will vary with sensor type and camera configuration. 8.1 Ascent – General Specifications USB 2.0 PC Interface 16-bit Digital Resolution 100 milliseconds to 95 minutes Exposure Time... -
Page 35: Alta - General Specifications
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 8.2 Alta – General Specifications PC Interface USB 2.0 Digital Resolution 16-bit to 8 MHz 20 milliseconds to 95 minutes Exposure Time (2.56 microsecond increments) Image Sequencing 1 to 65535 image sequences under software control Frame Sizes Full frame, subframe Thermoelectric cooler with forced air. -
Page 36: Mechanical Drawings - Ascent
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 8.3 Mechanical Drawings – Ascent Dimensions in inches 2016 Version 1.5 rev 26 Sep... -
Page 37: Mechanical Drawings - Alta
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 8.4 Mechanical Drawings – Alta Dimensions in inches [mm] 2016 Version 1.5 rev 26 Sep... -
Page 38: D02
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 2016 Version 1.5 rev 26 Sep... -
Page 39: D07
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 2016 Version 1.5 rev 26 Sep... -
Page 40: Apogee Filter Wheel Installation
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual SECTION 9: APOGEE FILTER WHEEL INSTALLATION 9.1 Introduction and Setup Apogee USB Filter Wheels are optimized for the USB 2.0 interface, while also supporting backward compatibility with older USB 1.1 connections. We recommend the following steps for getting your new Filter Wheel up and running as quickly as possible: 1) Install the latest Apogee Drivers 2) Install the MaxIm DL application software 3) Connect to the Filter Wheel using MaxIm DL... -
Page 41: Driver Installation (Procedure Shown For Windows 7)
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 9.3 Driver Installation (procedure shown for Windows 7) WARNING: Do not connect your camera to a PC before installing the drivers. If you do and the "Add New Hardware Wizard" appears, please select the Cancel button. Make sure your Windows user account has administrator privileges. -
Page 42: Install Maxim Dl
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 9.4 Install MaxIm DL The Apogee Filter Wheel is easily used with the MaxIm DL image capture and processing software, developed by Diffraction Limited. If you will be using the MaxIm DL software, we recommend that you install it prior to setting up your Filter Wheel. - Page 43 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual If your filters vary in thickness a Focus Offset can be entered for each filter. Consult the MaxIm DL user’s guide for details on this feature. The Model should be set to the type of Filter Wheel you are controlling. Click the Advanced button and press Search to find the device.
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Page 44: Filter Wheel Installation
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 9.6 Filter Wheel Installation This section outlines the filter wheel installation process for an Alta camera with an AFW50-9R. The Ascent may be sold with a CFW series filter wheel which is factory fitted only. 9.6.1 Installing Filters 1. - Page 45 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 7. Carefully install filters into openings of carousel. Only touch filters at the outer edges and never touch the centre of a filter. When holding filters always use some kind of protection such as gloves or the glass packing material.
- Page 46 Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual Install filters using the below screws and nylon washers provided using the 1/16” Allen wrench provided. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN; this may physically distort your filters which will optically distort your image. Make sure filters do not move after tightening. Rotate the carousel by hand to verify clearance under the circuit board.
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Page 47: Mounting The Filter Wheel To The Camera
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 9.6.2 Mounting the Filter Wheel to the Camera 1. Mount the adapter flange to the front of your camera using M4-.7 x 10mm flathead screws. Make sure counter sunk features are facing up so screws mount flush with adapter surface. There are two hole patterns machined into the flange to accommodate different Alta camera sizes. -
Page 48: Attaching The Camera To Other Optical Equipment
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual 9.6.3 Attaching the Camera to other Optical Equipment 1. Attach your adapter using the centre threaded 3-24 TPI centre hole or the 4x #10-32 UNF-2B x .250 deep threaded holes. 2. Integrate the filter wheel and camera into your system and start imaging! 9.7 Setup Suggestions The Filter Wheel and Camera connect to the computer using separate USB cables. -
Page 49: Section 10: Troubleshooting
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual SECTION 10: TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Solution ● Check to make sure the belt is on the motor The motor is turning but the wheel is not. pulley correctly. If the motor is turning but the pulley is not, tighten the motor pulley set screw, being careful not to strip the set screw. -
Page 50: Appendix: Other Information
Apogee Astronomy Alta and Ascent Manual APPENDIX: OTHER INFORMATION Terms and Conditions of Sale and Warranty Information The terms and conditions of sale, including warranty conditions, will have been made available during the ordering process. The current version may be viewed at: www.andor.com/pdfs/literature/Andor_Standard_Warranty.pdf Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Regulations 2006 (WEEE) The company’s statement on the disposal of WEEE can be found in the Terms and Conditions...
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Questions and answers
I have an Apogee camera that is greater than 10 years old and I would like to update its driver software. Model E30MB; s/nA6491. Ethernet connectivity. How would I do that?
To update the driver software for the Oxford Instruments Apogee Alta Series E30MB camera:
1. Ensure your Windows user account has administrator privileges.
2. Do not connect the camera to the PC before installing the drivers. If the "Add New Hardware Wizard" appears, cancel it.
3. Run the setup file named setupApogeeSoftware.exe.
4. If you see an error dialog, refer to section 3.3 of the manual, remove version 3 software if needed, and retry the setup.
5. Follow the installation wizard instructions.
6. After successful installation, connect the camera to the PC.
7. Wait for the system to detect and install the drivers for the Apogee USB camera.
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