MallinCam SkyRaider DS10CTEC User manual

Revision Sheet
SkyRaider DS10CTEC User Manual Page i
Revision History
SKYRAIDER DS10CTEC
[Version 3.5]
Michael Burns
Rock Mallin
[SkyRaider DS10CTEC User Manual]
This document will quickly introduce you to the wonders of the MallinCam SkyRaider
DS10CTEC Camera. It will include instructions on how to install the Software and
Drivers and how connect the SkyRaider to your computer along with explanations of
the camera’s major settings. The purpose of this guide is to quickly get you up and
running with the SkyRaider Camera so that you can image.

Revision Sheet
SkyRaider DS10CTEC User Manual Page ii
Version
Date
Revision Description
3.5
03/17/2019
Template Creation

SkyRaider DS10CTEC User Manual March 17, 2019
SkyRaider Quick Guide Page 1
Table of Contents
Contents
Revision History .....................................................................................................................................i
Table of Contents ..........................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................6
The Contents of the SkyRaider-DS10CTEC Package ........................................................7
Specifications:........................................................................................................................................7
System Requirements: ...........................................................................................................................8
In the Box...............................................................................................................................................8
2. Installing Driver and Software...............................................................................................9
System Requirements ................................................................................................................9
Installing the Software...............................................................................................................9
3. Connecting the SkyRaider....................................................................................................13
Connecting the SkyRaider-DS10CTEC to your Computer .................................................13
Using the USB 2.0 Ports on the SkyRaider-DS10CTEC.......................................................16
Dimensions of the SkyRaider-DS10CTEC.............................................................................16
4. Using MallincamSky Software.............................................................................................17
The MallincamSky Window....................................................................................................17
SkyRaider Quick Setup and Pictorial Work-Flow................................................................18
Live Stack Pictorial Work-Flow.............................................................................................19
Histogram Pictorial Work-Flow.............................................................................................20
ROI Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................................21
Save Image Pictorial Work-Flow............................................................................................22
Record Video Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................23
Batch Record Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................24
Auto Capture Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................25
Save Sequence of Images Pictorial Work-Flow (Trigger Mode) .........................................26
Digital Binning..........................................................................................................................27
Dark Field Pictorial Work-Flow.............................................................................................28
Flat Field Pictorial Work-Flow...............................................................................................29
Sharpen Pictorial Work-Flow.................................................................................................30

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More Detailed Work-Flow Procedures..................................................................................31
Quick Workflow for MallincamSky ....................................................................................................31
Detailed Workflow of Video Imaging Planetary Objects ....................................................................35
Detailed Workflow of Video Imaging Deep Sky Objects....................................................................41
5. The SkyRaider Software Controls........................................................................................51
Top Menu Line.........................................................................................................................51
File.......................................................................................................................................................51
Open Image ......................................................................................................................................52
Open Video ......................................................................................................................................53
Save..................................................................................................................................................54
Save As …........................................................................................................................................54
Batch Save…....................................................................................................................................57
Paste as New File .............................................................................................................................59
Recent Files......................................................................................................................................59
Exit...................................................................................................................................................60
Edit.......................................................................................................................................................60
Cut....................................................................................................................................................60
Copy.................................................................................................................................................61
Paste .................................................................................................................................................61
Paste Shortcut...................................................................................................................................61
Delete ...............................................................................................................................................61
Image Select.....................................................................................................................................61
Select All..........................................................................................................................................61
Select None ......................................................................................................................................62
View.....................................................................................................................................................62
Browse..............................................................................................................................................62
Thumbnail ........................................................................................................................................63
Sidebar..............................................................................................................................................63
Histogram.........................................................................................................................................64
Grids.................................................................................................................................................64
Best Fit .............................................................................................................................................67
Actual Size .......................................................................................................................................67
Full Screen .......................................................................................................................................67
Track ................................................................................................................................................67
Reticles.............................................................................................................................................68
Browse.................................................................................................................................................68
Sort...................................................................................................................................................69
Icons.................................................................................................................................................69
Refresh .............................................................................................................................................69
Properties..........................................................................................................................................69
Open Record Folder ........................................................................................................................69
Open Image Folder ..........................................................................................................................69
Setup ....................................................................................................................................................70
Start/Pause........................................................................................................................................70
ST4 Test… .......................................................................................................................................70
Capture.................................................................................................................................................71
Capture Image ..................................................................................................................................71
Auto Capture....................................................................................................................................71
Start Record…..................................................................................................................................72
Batch Record....................................................................................................................................73

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SkyRaider DS10CTEC User Manual Page 3
Image ...................................................................................................................................................75
Mode ................................................................................................................................................75
Adjust...............................................................................................................................................76
Rotate ...............................................................................................................................................81
Crop..................................................................................................................................................82
Scale… .............................................................................................................................................83
Histogram.........................................................................................................................................84
Process.................................................................................................................................................86
Image Stacking.................................................................................................................................89
Options.................................................................................................................................................91
Window................................................................................................................................................97
Activate Video Window...................................................................................................................97
Close All...........................................................................................................................................97
Reset Window Layout......................................................................................................................97
Windows… ......................................................................................................................................98
About ...................................................................................................................................................98
MallincamSky Toolbar............................................................................................................99
Open.....................................................................................................................................................99
Save....................................................................................................................................................100
Browse...............................................................................................................................................100
Thumbnail ........................................................................................................................................101
Target ............................................................................................................................................101
Image Type .......................................................................................................................................102
Auto Capture......................................................................................................................................102
Batch Record......................................................................................................................................102
Pause Video Capture..........................................................................................................................102
Open Video Folder.............................................................................................................................103
Zoom..................................................................................................................................................103
Image Select.......................................................................................................................................103
Track..................................................................................................................................................103
Histogram...........................................................................................................................................104
Reticle................................................................................................................................................104
ST4 Test ........................................................................................................................................105
Advance/Reverse ...............................................................................................................................105
Stitch .............................................................................................................................................105
Panorama Straighten: .....................................................................................................................106
Projection Type:.............................................................................................................................106
Seam Finder: ..................................................................................................................................107
Exposure Compensation:................................................................................................................107
Bundle Adjust:................................................................................................................................107
Preferences.........................................................................................................................................109
6. Controlling the SkyRaider..................................................................................................110
Camera List............................................................................................................................110
Capture and Resolution.........................................................................................................111
Resolution..........................................................................................................................................111
Snap ...................................................................................................................................................111
Record................................................................................................................................................112
Gain....................................................................................................................................................113
Exposures...........................................................................................................................................113
Video Mode....................................................................................................................................113
Trigger Mode..................................................................................................................................116
Bit Depth.................................................................................................................................118
White Balance.........................................................................................................................118
White Balance....................................................................................................................................118

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Color Adjustment...................................................................................................................119
Hue.....................................................................................................................................................119
Saturation...........................................................................................................................................120
Brightness ..........................................................................................................................................120
Contrast..............................................................................................................................................120
Gamma...............................................................................................................................................121
Frame Rate.............................................................................................................................121
Color/Gray..............................................................................................................................122
Flip...........................................................................................................................................122
Rotate......................................................................................................................................122
Sampling .................................................................................................................................123
ROI..........................................................................................................................................123
Histogram ...............................................................................................................................125
Digital Binning........................................................................................................................127
Method...............................................................................................................................................128
Number ..............................................................................................................................................128
Usage suggestion in digital binning...................................................................................................128
Dark Frame subtraction in Digital Binning........................................................................................129
Dark Field Correction ...........................................................................................................130
Flat Field Correction .............................................................................................................132
Introduction:.......................................................................................................................................132
Optical Path Noise: ............................................................................................................................132
Taking Flats: ......................................................................................................................................133
Black Level..............................................................................................................................135
Live Stack................................................................................................................................136
Conversion Gain.....................................................................................................................139
Cooling....................................................................................................................................140
Sharpen...................................................................................................................................142
Misc .........................................................................................................................................142
Preset.......................................................................................................................................142
7. Installing Optional Software..............................................................................................145
Installing DirectShow Driver................................................................................................146
Installing Mallincam ASCOM Driver..................................................................................148
8. Appendix .............................................................................................................................150
Imaging in SharpCap.............................................................................................................150
Imaging in MaximDL ............................................................................................................153
AstroToaster and MallinamSky............................................................................................155
AstroLive USB and the SkyRaiderDS10CTEC...................................................................160
Sequence Generator Pro and SkyRaiderDS10CTEC.........................................................163
The SkyX and the SkyRaiderDS10CTEC............................................................................165

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How Do I … ............................................................................................................................167
How do I get rid of the Green Exposure Rectangle?..........................................................................167
How do I Select a part of the Image and Zoom in?............................................................................167
How do I automatically save 1 image every 30 seconds?..................................................................168
How do I adjust the brightness in my monochrome SkyRaider? .......................................................168
How do I Broadcast my image onto Night Skies Network (NSN)?...................................................168
Can I Use MallincamSky with One SkyRaider and Auto-Guide with another? ................................168
How Do I Pause the Video?...............................................................................................................169
How do I Undo an Operation?...........................................................................................................169
How do I make my ROI the whole Image Again?.............................................................................169
How do I Turn Off Dark Field correction?........................................................................................169
How Do I take Another Dark Field?..................................................................................................169
My ROI Window is Black?................................................................................................................169
Upgrading my SkyRaider Camera Software.......................................................................170
Uninstall SkyRaider Software............................................................................................................170
Uninstall SkyRaider DirectShow Drivers..........................................................................................171
Uninstall SkyRaider ASCOM Drivers...............................................................................................173
Finish the Uninstalling Procedure......................................................................................................173
First Aid for the SkyRaider Series .......................................................................................174
All I see is a White image..................................................................................................................174
MallincamSky acts Strange After Update..........................................................................................175
How do I Optimize my Computer?....................................................................................................175
Stacking is going very slow or Stops completely?.............................................................................176
I see a Pink Floyd Kaleidoscope effect on my Screen .......................................................................180
Dark Field Explanation.........................................................................................................181
Dark Frame vs Dark Field..................................................................................................................181
Dark Frame Subtraction .................................................................................................................181
Dark Field Correction.....................................................................................................................181
Setting up to Broadcast on Night Skies Network................................................................184
Customizing the Screen.........................................................................................................194
Focal Reducers .......................................................................................................................195
MFR-10 Focal Reducer......................................................................................................................195
User Notes...............................................................................................................................196

SkyRaider DS10CTEC User Manual March 17, 2019
SkyRaider DS10CTEC User Manual Page 6
1. Introduction
MallinCam Introduces the new MallinCam DS10cTEC - designed from the ground
up to accommodate the most demanding astronomical video imaging
applications. Since most CMOS sensors cannot be directly cooled via a cold
finger without causing damage and delamination with time which will ultimately
shorten their life, a new cooling system had to be developed. MallinCam
developed a unique cooling system that provides no direct physical contact
between the Peltier cooler and the sensor. Instead, the Peltier cooler creates
a convection system “refrigerator-like” environment that cools the sensor without
actually contacting it. This cooling system is unique to MallinCam and not found
on other astronomical imaging cameras.
Since the back illuminated IMX294 class 1 CMOS sensor of the MallinCam
DS10cTEC is cooled via convection, thermal shock to it and its associated
circuitry is reduced. CMOS sensors have other components mounted on the
same wafer with the imaging section which do not requires or can be adversely
affected by cooling. This includes the digital logic circuitry (interface, timing,
processing, output amplifiers, pad rings and associated oscillators), clocks and
timing controls, analog signal processing, analog-to-digital converter (which
when under cooling from direct cold finger and Peltier results in instability). These
parts of the CMOS sensor do not need to be direct cooled from a cold finger
application.
MallinCam has successfully design a working alternative - a cooling chamber
called refrigeration cooling - which subjects the CMOS sensor to cooling inside a
triple sealed vacuumed sensor chamber controlled with a heating element
mounted around the internal optical window to control and avoid dew
formation on the optical window and surroundings. A vacuumed sealed
chamber is used to eliminate the use of desiccant material and keep dew free
environment permanently.
The result of this new technology, the SkyRaider DS10cTEC, will not require a dark
frame for live application or imaging in most cases. It is built to laboratory
specification, where CNC machining is used throughout to provide the rigid
tolerances needed to provide precise component matching. The chamber has
six stainless steel screws securing the chamber cover under 100 pounds of
pressure to avoid possible air leaks into the chamber.
The internal electronics use Grade 1 components with tolerance of 0.5%, a
military and aerospace standard. The camera contains 4Gb DDR3 internal
memory to insure the smooth flow of data to the computer. The DS10cTEC also
has a built-in USB2 hub that can support a guider or a USB type focuser.
Special thanks to Jack Huerkamp and Rock Mallin whose expertise and
experience are way beyond my capabilities.
So, thank you for your purchase, and let the adventure begin.

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SkyRaider DS10CTEC User Manual Page 7
The Contents of the SkyRaider-DS10CTEC Package
Specifications:
•Convection Linear Cooling
•Refrigeration Chamber
•Vacuumed Sealed Optical Chamber
•Built-in Heater for Optical Window Dew Removal and Chamber
Temperature Control
•100 Pound Chamber Plate Pressure Held with 6- Stainless Steel Screws
•Built-In USB2 hub for Guider, Focuser, Filter Wheel etc.
•Four Blue LED Status Indicators ( power, system, cooler, fan)
•High velocity Ultra Quiet Fan With Dual Air Output
•4Gb DDR3 Internal Memory for smooth operation
•Sony IMX294 Back Illuminated, Class 1 Hand Picked CMOS Sensor
(Scientific grade)
•T-Mount
•Pixel Size: 4.63 X 4.63 microns.
•1900 mv Output
•Spectral Range: 350nm to 1100nm.
•Light Pollution Electronic Removal System using the White Balance Feature
•HCG and LCG Mode ( High Conversion gain, Low Conversion Gain
Selectable)
•Correlated Double Sampling
•A high S/N ratio with no Amp Glow
•Precision All Aluminum Construction and Stainless Steel hardware
•10.0 cm X 8.00 cm (3.93 Inches X 3.14 inches)
•34 Grams / 1.17 Pounds
•5 volts operation @900 ma.
•Pixel Size: 4.63 X 4.63 microns.
•21.63mm Diagonal Sensor Size
•Resolution Sizes:
- 4096 X 2160, 38 FPS @0.100ms
- 3704 X 2778, 35 FPS @ 0.100 ms
- 2048 X 1080, 70 FPS @ 0.100ms
- 1360 X 720, 100 FPS @ 0.100ms
•Digital Binning Mode: 1 x 1, 2 x 2, 3 x 3, 4 x 4, All in Color
•Global Shutter
•Image Format, FITS, JPEG, BMP, PNG
•Full Video Mode: AVI, SER
•Vacuumed Sealed Optical Window

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System Requirements:
•Equal to Intel Core2 2.8GHz or Higher
•Memory: 4GB or More
•USB port: USB 3.0 Port (will operate on USB 2.0, but a slower through-put)
•Display: 17" or Larger Recommended
In the Box
The SkyRaider DS10CTEC includes the following standard equipment:
➢MALLINCAM SkyRaider-DS10CTEC Camera
➢High Precision T-mount to 2” mount Eyepiece Adapter
➢5-metre (15 ft) USB 3.0 cable.
➢12 volts dc, AC power supply.
➢High Grade Carrying Case.
➢MallinCam Software MallinCam SKY
➢SkyRaider-DS10CTEC also includes a 2-metre ST4 Guider cable.
Updated Software and Drivers can be down-loaded at the Software Downloads
Window located in the Support Tab at www.mallincam.net