Advertisement
Quick Links
Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25
th
October 2017
Trius SX-56
CCD camera user manual
General description:
The SX-56 is the first in a new range of 'Full Frame' CCD cameras from Starlight Xpress. This camera
is based on the ON Semiconductors KAF 16803 CCD, which has 16.5 million 9uM square pixels in a
4096 x 4096, 37mm square format. Full Frame sensors require a mechanical shutter to obstruct light
during readout, so an important component of this camera is a unique 'roller blind' shutter, which is
stepper motor driven and provides perfectly uniform exposures across the entire CCD surface. Other
important design features include high performance 3 stage cooling, a CCD 'flood' facility to eliminate
Advertisement
Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel
Related Manuals for Starlight Xpress Trius SX-56
Summary of Contents for Starlight Xpress Trius SX-56
- Page 1 CCD camera user manual General description: The SX-56 is the first in a new range of ‘Full Frame’ CCD cameras from Starlight Xpress. This camera is based on the ON Semiconductors KAF 16803 CCD, which has 16.5 million 9uM square pixels in a 4096 x 4096, 37mm square format.
- Page 2 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 RBI image residues and a unique coated synthetic sapphire front window to eliminate dewing by virtue of its very high thermal conductivity. The SX-56 uses a high speed USB 2 interface with a fast 16 bit A/D converter to achieve a full frame download time of less than 7 seconds in bin 1 x 1 mode.
- Page 3 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 The SX software for this new camera is called ‘Starlight Vision’ and will perform most of the functions that are required for taking and saving images. It also includes some camera test functions and will also have some image processing functions in later versions (downloadable from sxccd.com).
- Page 4 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 The camera control and image windows At this time, the cooling will be switched off and the readout will show something close to ambient. Although it is not necessary for initial testing, you can turn on the cooling ‘radio button’ and check that the CCD temperature falls to the nominal -10C setting.
- Page 5 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 The exposure control menu A short exposure of M42. The histogram sliders have been set to show faint image detail...
- Page 6 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 Using the ‘Zoom’ option to see small features and focus quality If you want to save your image, click on the ‘Image File’ tab and then select the ‘Save’ button - the de- fault save format is 16 bit FITS.
- Page 7 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 A stack of 6 x 20 minute H-alpha frames with a 150mm F7 APO. No darks or flats. Other useful functions include the ability to ‘flood’ the CCD with light, followed by a CCD flush. This can be useful for hiding ‘RBI’...
- Page 8 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 Another useful feature in the ‘Test’ menu, is the ability to operate the shutter independently of imaging. This is useful for opening the shutter for cleaning the camera window, or for cycling the shutter to check for correct operation.
-
Page 9: Maintenance And Servicing Information
Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 Maintenance and servicing information:... - Page 10 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 The SX-56 camera should not require much maintenance, but it may be necessary to clean the chamber window or shutter blind on occasion. Dust removal may often be performed by simply setting the shut- ter to ‘Open’, by using the ‘Test’...
- Page 11 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 3) Grip the upper and lower shutter wall plates and ease the shutter assembly forwards, you can then tilt it downwards to rest on the bench top. Note that the shutter blind drums are not fixed to the motor shafts (sliding fit, flatted holes are used) and it may slide off the motors.
- Page 12 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 Reassembly is a simple reversal of the above procedure, being careful to correctly position the shutter and front plate. CCD chamber cleaning: This is not normally required, as the chamber is sealed by vaccuum grease and O rings, but on rare oc- casions, you may want to remove particles from the CCD cover glass, or the inside surface of the sap- phire chamber window.
- Page 13 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 To re-fill the argon chamber, you will need a simple adaptor to fit into the argon input port hole. The hole is an M4 threaded bore and so the adaptor should be about 3.3 mm in outside diameter and about 5mm long.
- Page 14 Handbook for the SX-56 Full Frame camera Issue 1, 25 October 2017 This adaptor is fitted to the end of about 500mm of 4mm gas tube that is connected to the argon cylin- der regulator valve. The re-fill process is quite simple. Remove the two sealing screws from the argon input port and the ex- haust port.
-
Page 15: Conditions Of Guarantee
5) This guarantee shall not apply to components that have a naturally limited life. 6) Starlight Xpress’s decision in all matters is final, and any faulty component which has been replaced will become the property of Starlight Xpress Ltd.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the Trius SX-56 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers