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Appendix A – Adjustments and Maintenance
This section describes the various adjustments and maintenance issues with the STXL.
Firmware Updates
The STXL was designed to allow updating its Firmware (internal software) in the field. This is
accomplished through the STXL tab of the 64-Bit Driver Checker dialog. First you should
Download and Update any driver changes through the Drivers tab and then switch to the STXL
tab and apply upgrades there. The STXL uses the following types of Firmware:
Firmware Type
USB
Gate Array
ROP
Internal Tracker Focus
The Imaging CCD in the STXL is large (~37 mm on a side) and hence the Tracking CCD is
relatively far off axis. Many telescopes will show focus curvature off axis that can slightly
defocus the Tracking CCD relative to the Imaging CCD. With the STXL minor corrections to the
Tracking CCD focus position can be accomplished with a 3-32 inch hex-head screw adjustment
behind the covered TRACKER FOCUS port above the Remote Guide Head connector.
Desiccant Regeneration
The STXL has an internal Desiccant Plug that keeps the CCD from frosting over at cold
temperatures. The Desiccant Plug will typically go a year before requiring regeneration by
baking the Desiccant Plug (not the whole camera!) in the oven. Remove the eight screws that
hold the front cover onto the body of the STXL to get access to the Desiccant Plug (see page 12)
1. Remove the desiccant container from the side of the chamber according to the
instructions on page 12 of this manual. Remove the O-ring.
2. Plug the resulting hole in the chamber by placing a piece of black plastic tape
over the opening to keep dust out while you are baking the desiccant.
3. Heat the desiccant container in an oven at 350°F (175 deg C) for 4 hours.
The solder used to seal the can melts at 460 degrees F, so be sure to stay at
least 50 degrees below this number. Preheating the oven to avoid hot spots is
advised.
4. Replace the desiccant container onto the CCD chamber, being careful to
reinstall the O-ring and insure that it does not get pinched, and attach with the
socket head screws you removed in step 1.
Expect the camera to take an hour or two to reach the frost free state. If it does seem to frost and
Purpose
Firmware for the embedded USB processor.
Hardware definition and embedded firmware for the gate array and
CPU.
Readout Programs for the 2 embedded CCD Readout Engines.
These can be separate updates and are also embedded in the Gate
Array file.
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