Related Manuals for Diffraction SBIG Aluma AC455
Summary of Contents for Diffraction SBIG Aluma AC455
- Page 1 ® SBIG Aluma AC455 Imaging Cameras User’s Manual Version 0.8 – July 15, 2024 SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 2 © 2023 Diffraction Limited. All rights reserved. Cyanogen Imaging®, SBIG®, and Aluma® are registered trademarks of Diffraction Limited. StackPro, SmartCooling, ST-4, MaxIm DL, and MaxIm LT are trademarks of Diffraction Limited. IMX455 and STARVIS are trademarks of Sony Semiconductor. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Corporation.
-
Page 3: Table Of Contents
3.4 Understanding Calibration Groups ..........35 3.5 Calibrating and Combining Images ..........36 4 - Accessories ....................39 Appendix A: SBIG Aluma AC455 Camera Details .......... 40 A-1 Connector pinouts ................40 A-2 Aluma AC455 Specifications ............. 43 Appendix B: Maintenance ................45 B-1 Cleaning the filters and sensor window ........... - Page 4 Appendix G: Concepts and Terminology ............58 IMPORTANT! Please read this guide thoroughly before installing and operating your new SBIG Aluma AC455 camera. It is important to fully understand and follow all installation, operation, and maintenance procedures as stated to ensure proper functionality.
- Page 5 As soon as any frost appears on the sensor, you must immediately cease operation and recharge the desiccant. Failure to immediately recharge the desiccant will result in permanent damage due to sensor corrosion, which is not covered under our warranty. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 6: Sbig Aluma Ac455 Imaging Cameras
SBIG Aluma AC455 Imaging Cameras The SBIG Aluma AC455 cameras are state-of-the-art advanced scientific CMOS cameras for astronomical imaging systems. The SBIG Aluma AC455M and AC455C utilize the Sony Semiconductor IMX455 monochrome and color CMOS Active Pixel Sensors respectively. Both cameras have 61.1 million square pixels, 3.69 micron in size, arranged... - Page 7 This eliminates the need for costly service – not to mention the associated down-time and shipping costs. This feature is especially important in high-humidity locations. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 8 If you wish you can upgrade to MaxIm DL Pro to get complete observatory integration, scripting, and even more processing and analysis capabilities. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 9: Installation
Options include OM3 fiber optic cable, SFP+ transceivers, and 10 GBPS computer adapters and converters. Please see Appendix F SFP+ Fiber Ethernet Primer for an explanation of the various fiber optic components, and suggested sources if you did not purchase them with the camera. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 10: Installing The Software
• Mouse 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 licence you will be automatically emailed a license key. -
Page 11: Installing The Network Hardware
In all cases, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the networking hardware. Diffraction Limited has adapters and format converters available on our website. It may be less expensive to purchase them directly from suppliers. Please note that, if you are operating in cold temperatures, you will need Industrial temperature range transceivers and adapters. -
Page 12: Computer Ethernet Interface Setup - Windows
Installing MaxIm LT will automatically install the drivers. Next we will configure the 10 GB Ethernet interface in Windows. 2. In Windows 11, go to Settings. Click Network and Internet. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... - Page 13 3. Click on Advanced network settings. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 14 4. Find your Ethernet adapter listed under Network Adapters. You might have more than one. Click the down arrow at right. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 15 ON. It should be the only enabled protocol. 8. This will ensure that other protocols will not interfere with the operation of the camera. 9. Next, click the Configure… button, and an additional settings dialog box will appear. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 16 This is available from within MaxIm LT via the camera control Setup tab/ Setup Camera / Advanced. You can then configure the camera, and connect to it from MaxIm LT or other software. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 17: Installing The Camera Hardware
2. If you are using an SBIG filter wheel with the camera, connect it via the I2C port. 3. Slide the fiber optic transceiver(s) into the Slot 0 receptacle. Press firmly until it is properly seated. (Slot 1 is reserved for future use.) SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... - Page 18 5. Attach the power supply cable between the POWER connector and the power supply. Thread the connector backshell onto the camera to lock it in place. The camera is now ready to be powered up and tested. Refer to: Section 1.5 Testing the Camera. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 19: Testing The Camera
1.5 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... - Page 20 • Firmware processor will shut down In this situation, you must cycle power off/on to restore camera operation. Please ensure that sufficient voltage is available. Please note that some through-the-mount wiring has insufficient gauge to handle the camera’s power requirements. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 21: Indicator Led
5 seconds. Do not power down the camera while the sensor is powered up. It is possible to force the LED off via the DL Imaging driver setup page; however, the flashing yellow sensor power-down indication cannot be disabled. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 22: Gain Setting
It is worth noting that the sky background produces photon shot noise, which will usually become dominant over the read noise on long exposures. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 23: Operating The Aluma Camera With Maxim Lt
The following is the basic MaxIm LT procedure used to configure and connect to the Aluma camera. Launch the MaxIm LT application. Click the Camera Control icon or press Ctrl-W to open the Camera Control form and click the Setup tab. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... - Page 24 Ensure that the AO selector parameter is set to Off. 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 25 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 26 Set Camera Cooler form closes. 19. The Aluma AC455 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 27: 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... - Page 28 Stop. This mode is generally used for focusing and framing purposes, and the acquired images are not saved. To configure a custom sequence of exposures, click the Autosave button. The Autosave Setup form opens. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 29 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 30: 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 31: 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... - Page 32 5. Click the Start button to begin the sequence. 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 33: 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... - Page 34 In other words, you will usually need a set of "darks" and a set of "flat-darks". SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 35: 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 36: 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... - Page 37 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 38 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 39: Accessories
• AFW-10-50SQ ten-position, 50 mm square filter wheel • StarChaser SC-4 Guide Camera • AO-X Adaptive Optics • Nosepiece adapters • Desiccant plugs • Cables, transceivers, and adapters • Power supplies Accessories are available from your authorized SBIG dealer and at: https://www.diffractionlimited.com SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 40: Appendix A: Sbig Aluma Ac455 Camera Details
Appendix A: SBIG Aluma AC455 Camera Details A-1 Connector pinouts POWER: The POWER barrel connector is center-positive and requires an input of +12.0 VDC (range: 10.0 to 14.5 VDC) at 8 amps maximum. For a suitable mating connector, we recommend the Switchcraft S10KS17 connector. - Page 41 The Trigger Out function can be used to control an external shutter, for activities such as precision timing measurements, or similar. For such purposes, the same signal appears on Trigger Out 0 and Trigger Out 1, and the trigger output signal remains active during the exposure. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 42 Note that Trigger Out is an open collector output, which means that it requires an external pull-up resistor to between 3.3V to 12V maximum. When the camera is idle the output is high impedance. While the exposure is in progress the output is pulled low (GND). SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 43: Aluma Ac455 Specifications
~35° C typical Dimensions 4.5 inch diameter x 5.6 inch long (11.4 x 14.2 cm) Weight 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg) Computer interface SFP+ 10 gigabit fiber optic Ethernet OS compatibility Windows 10 x64, Windows 11 x64 SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... - Page 44 ~35° C typical Dimensions 4.5 inch diameter x 5.6 inch long (11.4 x 14.2 cm) Weight 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg) Computer interface SFP+ 10 gigabit fiber optic Ethernet OS compatibility Windows 10 x64, Windows 11 x64 SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 45: Appendix B: Maintenance
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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 46: Regenerating The Desiccant
Otherwise, the desiccant could become contaminated. CAUTION: Failure to regenerate the desiccant regularly can lead to expensive corrosion damage inside the camera body and will void your warranty. Do not ignore this procedure! SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... - Page 47 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 modules are available from Diffraction Limited. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 48: 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 49 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 ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
-
Page 50: Appendix C: Troubleshooting
Check the firmware and SBIG drivers: Use the DL Config utility program to ensure the camera’s firmware is up to date and that the latest drivers are installed. Refer to Appendix B-3 Updating the camera drivers and firmware. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 51: Appendix D: Technical And Warranty Support
Appendix D: Technical and Warranty Support D-1 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 52: Appendix E: Compatible Software Products
E-2 MaxIm DL Pro MaxIm DL Pro 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 of 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 53: Appendix F: Sfp+ Fiber Ethernet Primer
This means they are readily available, although they are not typically sold in local retail stores. Diffraction Limited offers a limited selection of components if you wish to purchase it as a package. -
Page 54: What Are The Components Of An Sfp+ Interface
Fortunately, this is simpler than it sounds: • The Transceiver Modules must be SFP+. o Make sure they have LC type connectors. o Do not purchase the older, slower SFP modules as they are not compatible. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 55: What About The Computer Port
There are also SFP+ copper modules with RJ-45 connectors available. Do not use these. Our testing has shown that they do not work properly; they may connect to the camera, but the connection is unstable, and you will not be able to download images. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 56: Where Can I Buy These Parts
F-6 Where Can I Buy These Parts? Diffraction Limited offers a limited selection of components and cables on our webstore. We provide this option for convenience; they will often be available at lower cost elsewhere. We list below a selection of sources for fiber optic cable, transceivers, and interface cards. -
Page 57: F-6.4 Thunderbolt Adapter
Format Converter instead. Note that the Ethernet port should be dedicated to just the camera, and not shared with a network. Here are some examples: https://www.fs.com/products/101476.html (Temperature rated to - 10C.) https://www.amazon.com/10G-SFP-Fiber-Media- Converter/dp/B09G5YHK41/?th=1 SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... -
Page 58: Appendix G: Concepts And Terminology
That is because images are normally stored as three red, green, and blue planes. Your computer monitor simply displays the three colors directly and your brain interprets different combinations of those three colors as a full SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL... - Page 59 Full Well Capacity - Full Well Capacity refers to the maximum number of electrons that a sensor’s pixel can hold. This number is usually directly proportional to the area of the pixel. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 60 Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) diameter of recorded star images. Refer also to “Transparency”. SFP+ - Small Form-factor Plugabble Enhanced. This is a standardized 10 GBPS fiber ethernet interface standard. Typically this is comprised of an OM3 SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 61 This can be compensated for by using flat-fielding calibration, but it is usually preferable to physically avoid vignetting if possible. SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
- Page 62 SBIG ALUMA AC455 USER’S MANUAL...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the SBIG Aluma AC455 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers