Moravian Instruments G0 User manual

G0 and G1 CCD Camera
User's Guide

Version 3.0
Modified on December 15th, 2015
All information furnished by Moravian Instruments is believed to be
accurate. Moravian Instruments reserves the ri ht to chan e any information
contained herein without notice.
G0 and G1 CCD devices are not authorized for and should not be used
within Life Support Systems without the specific written consent of the
Moravian Instruments. Product warranty is limited to repair or replacement
of defective components and does not cover injury or property or other
consequential dama es.
Copyri ht © 2000-2015, Moravian Instruments
Moravian Instruments
Masarykova 1148
763 02 Zlín
Czech Republic
tel./fax: [phone]
internet: http://www. cxxd.com/
e-mail: info@ xccd.com

Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................4
Camera Technical Specifications.............................................................7
CCD Chip............................................................................................9
Model G0-0300 and G1-0300.......................................................9
Model G0-0300C and G1-0300C..................................................9
Model G1-0301...........................................................................10
Model G1-0301C.........................................................................10
Model G0-0800 and G1-0800.....................................................10
Model G0-0800C and G1-0800C................................................11
Model G0-2000 and G1-2000.....................................................11
Model G0-2000C and G1-2000C................................................11
Model G1-1200...........................................................................11
Model G1-1200C.........................................................................12
Model G1-1400...........................................................................12
Model G1-1400C.........................................................................12
Camera Electronics......................................................................13
CCD Chip Coolin ............................................................................14
Power Supply....................................................................................15
G0 Camera Mechanical Specifications.............................................16
G1 Camera Mechanical Specifications.............................................17
Guidin ...................................................................................................20
Camera Maintenance..............................................................................23
Chan in the Telescope Adapter of the G1 Camera.........................23

Introduction
Thank you for choosin the Moravian Instruments CCD camera. These
cameras were developed to be small, li htwei ht and easily operated.
Despite their compactness and simplicity, they are very sensitive for use in
low-li ht ima in applications in astronomy, microscopy and similar areas.
G0 and G1 cameras di itize ima e with 16 bit precision to fully exploit
CCD chip dynamic ran e. Still the pixel di itization rate reaches 8 Mpx/s in
fast read mode – downloadin of ima e containin hundreds thousands
pixels takes only a small fraction of a second. Slow read mode on the other
hand ensures very low read noise, approachin the read noise limit of the
CCD chip itself, and still provides more than 2.5 Mpx/s di itization speed.
Also important desi n oal of G0 and G1 cameras was USB-powered
operation. Camera is attached to the host computer only via sin le USB
cable, which provides both camera-to-host communication and camera
power. No separate power supply is used with G1 cameras.
Both G0 and G1 series of CCD cameras provide also the RJ-12 connector
beside the USB-B connector, which allows direct connection of the camera
head and the telescope mount equipped with the standard “auto uider” port.
This connector (to ether with other camera features like very fast
download, compact and li htwei ht construction, USB powered operation
etc.) makes usin of these cameras for uidin of telescope mount very
simple. Usin of G0 or G1 CCD for uidin is described later in this
manual.
Simplicity, compactness and quick ima e download took precedence to
some other features, so G0 and G1 series of CCD cameras lack mechanical
shutter and filter wheel. Also power provided by USB cable is not sufficient
for power-hun ry thermoelectric (Peltier) coolers. This is why the CCD
chip in these cameras cannot be cooled below ambient temperature.
However, G1 cameras employ a small fan, which forces air flow inside the
camera head and removes the heat enerated by camera electronics. The
CCD temperature can be lowered by many de rees Celsius compared to
sealed desi ns, which results to lowerin of CCD thermal noise by a factor
of two or more.
4

Please note the G0 and G1 CCD cameras are desi ned to work in
cooperation with a host Personal Computer (PC). Computer is necessary for
operation control, ima e download, processin and stora e as well as for
uidin . To operate G0 or G1 CCD camera, you need a computer which:
1. Is compatible with a PC standard.
2. Runs a modern 32 or 64-bit Windows operatin system.
Drivers for 32-bit and 64-bit Linux systems are also provided, but
camera control and ima e processin software, supplied with the
camera, requires Windows operatin system.
3. Provides at last one free USB port.
The G0 and G1 CCD cameras are desi ned to operate with
USB 2.0 hi h-speed (480 Mbps) hosts. Althou h they are fully
backward compatible with USB 1.1 full-speed (12 Mbps) hosts,
ima e download time can be si nificantly lon er if USB 1.1
connection is used.
A simple and cheap device called USB hub can expand number of
available USB port. Typical USB hub occupies one computer USB
port and offers four free ports. Make sure the USB hub is USB 2.0
hi h-speed compatible.
But keep on mind that if more USB devices connected to one hub
need to communicate with a host PC, USB hub shares its sin le
up-link line to the host PC. Althou h G0 and G1 CCD cameras can
operate throu h a USB hub, it can ne atively affect the camera
performance, like download time etc. It is recommended to
connect other USB devices throu h USB hub (e. . the mouse) and
to provide the camera a direct USB connection to the host PC.
Also note the G0 and G1 cameras are powered from the host PC
throu h the USB cable. Unpowered USB hub may not provide
enou h current to operate the camera. Always use USB hub with
its own power supply to connect the camera. G0 and G1 camera
power considerations are described later.
4. Alternatively it is possible to use the Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter.
This device can connect up to four Gx cameras of any type (not
only G0 and G1, but also G2, G3 and G4) and offers 1 Gbps and
10/100 Mbps Ethernet interface for direct connection to the host
5

PC. Because the PC then uses TCP/IP protocol to communicate
with the cameras, it is possible to insert e. . WiFi brid e or other
networkin device to the communication path.
The G0 or G1 CCD camera must be connected to some optical system (e. .
the telescope) to capture ima es.
G1 cameras are equipped with CS-thread adapter, which allows usa e of
CCTV lens with C/CS thread with the camera (it is necessary to use 5 mm
distance rin for C-mount lenses). Adapter for 1.25” telescope focuser is
screwed into the CS-thread adapter adapter.
G0 cameras are desi ned to be attached to the 1.25” telescope focuser only
and CCTV lenses cannot be directly used.
6

Camera Technical
Specifications
The G0 series of CCD cameras comprises of the followin models:
Model G0-0300 G0-0300C G0-0800 G0-0800C
CCD chip ICX424AL ICX424AQ ICX204AL ICX204AK
Resolution 656×494 656×494 1032×778 1032×778
Pixel size 7.4×7.4 µm7.4×7.4 µm4.65×4.65 µm 4.65×4.65 µm
Read mode Pro ressive Pro ressive Pro ressive Pro ressive
Dimension 4.9×3.7 mm 4.9×3.7 mm 4.8×3.6 mm 4.8×3.6 mm
Color mas Not present RGB (Bayer) Not present RGB (Bayer)
Interface USB 2.0 USB 2.0 USB 2.0 USB 2.0
Model G0-2000 G0-2000C
CCD chip ICX274AL ICX274AQ
Resolution 1628×1236 1628×1236
Pixel size 4.4×4.4 µm 4.4×4.4 µm
Read mode Pro ressive Pro ressive
Dimension 7.2×5.4 mm 7.2×5.4 mm
Color mas Not present RGB (Bayer)
Interface USB 2.0 USB 2.0
7

The G1 series of CCD cameras comprises of the followin models:
Model G1-0300 G1-0300C G1-0301 G1-0301C
CCD chip ICX424AL ICX424AQ ICX414AL ICX414AQ
Resolution 656×494 656×494 656×494 656×494
Pixel size 7.4×7.4 µm7.4×7.4 µm9.9×9.9 µm9.9×9.9 µm
Read mode Pro ressive Pro ressive Pro ressive Pro ressive
Dimension 4.9×3.7 mm 4.9×3.7 mm 6.5×4.9 mm 6.5×4.9 mm
Color mas Not present RGB (Bayer) Not present RGB (Bayer)
Interface USB 2.0 USB 2.0 USB 2.0 USB 2.0
Model G1-0800 G1-0800C G1-1200 G1-1200C
CCD chip ICX204AL ICX204AK ICX445ALA ICX445AQA
Resolution 1032×778 1032×778 1296×966 1296×966
Pixel size 4.65×4.65 µm 4.65×4.65 µm3.75×3.75 µm3.75×3.75 µm
Read mode Pro ressive Pro ressive Pro ressive Pro ressive
Dimension 4.8×3.6 mm 4.8×3.6 mm 4.9×3.6 mm 4.9×3.6 mm
Color mas Not present RGB (Bayer) Not present RGB (Bayer)
Interface USB 2.0 USB 2.0 USB 2.0 USB 2.0
Model G1-1400 G1-1400C G1-2000 G1-2000C
CCD chip ICX285AL ICX285AQ ICX274AL ICX274AQ
Resolution 1392×1040 1392×1040 1628×1236 1628×1236
Pixel size 6.45×6.45 µm6.45×6.45 µm4.4×4.4 µm 4.4×4.4 µm
Read mode Pro ressive Pro ressive Pro ressive Pro ressive
Dimension 9.0×6.7 mm 9.0×6.7 mm 7.2×5.4 mm 7.2×5.4 mm
Color mas Not present RGB (Bayer) Not present RGB (Bayer)
Interface USB 2.0 USB 2.0 USB 2.0 USB 2.0
8

CCD Chip
Sensitivity is an important feature of any CCD camera, no matter if it is
used as an ima in camera or automatic uider. Ima in camera must not
waste li ht athered by the optical system to provide ima es with as ood
si nal/noise ratio as possible. Achievin of sufficient S/N ratio in rather
short time is also important to allow perfect uidin – the necessity to
accumulate li ht for many minutes is often unacceptable for hi h quality
uider. This is why the G1 cameras utilize sensitive Sony CCDs.
●The CCD quantum efficiency exceeds 50%.
●The CCD read noise is very low and reaches 5 to 10 electrons
RMS.
●G1 cameras support 16-bit di itization, si nificantly enhancin the
dynamic ran e compared to 8-bit cameras.
●Stron anti-bloomin protection keeps even bri ht stars round,
without bloomin streaks.
●G1 cameras also provide very fas readout – pixel di itization speed
is 8 Mpx/s in fast read mode.
Model G0-0300 and G1-0300
G0/G1-0300 model uses pro ressive-scan VGA (640×480 pixels) Sony
ICX424AL CCD chip.
Resolution 656 × 494 pixels
Pixel size 7.4 × 7.4 µm
Imaging area 4.9 × 3.7 mm
Color mas Not present
Model G0-0300C and G1-0300C
G0/G1-0300C model uses pro ressive-scan VGA (640×480 pixels) Sony
ICX424AQ CCD chip with Red, Green and Blue color mask (Bayer mask)
applied directly on the CCD, which allows capturin of color ima es by
sin le exposure.
Resolution 656 × 494 pixels
9

Pixel size 7.4 × 7.4 µm
Imaging area 4.9 × 3.7 mm
Color mas RGBG (Bayer mask)
Model G1-0301
G0/G1-0300 model uses pro ressive-scan VGA (640×480 pixels) Sony
ICX424AL CCD chip.
Resolution 656 × 494 pixels
Pixel size 9.9×9.9 µm
Imaging area 6.5×4.9 mm
Color mas Not present
Model G1-0301C
G0/G1-0300C model uses pro ressive-scan VGA (640×480 pixels) Sony
ICX424AQ CCD chip with Red, Green and Blue color mask (Bayer mask)
applied directly on the CCD, which allows capturin of color ima es by
sin le exposure.
Resolution 656 × 494 pixels
Pixel size 9.9×9.9 µm
Imaging area 6.5×4.9 mm
Color mas RGBG (Bayer mask)
Model G0-0800 and G1-0800
G0/G1-0800 model uses pro ressive-scan XGA (1024×768 pixels) Sony
ICX204AL CCD chip.
Resolution 1032 × 778 pixels
Pixel size 4.65 × 4.65 µm
Imaging area 4.8 × 3.6 mm
Color mas Not present
10

Model G0-0800C and G1-0800C
G0/G1-0800C uses pro ressive-scan XGA (1024×768 pixels) Sony Super
HAD ICX204AK chip with Red, Green and Blue color mask (Bayer mask)
applied directly on the CCD, which allows capturin of color ima es by
sin le exposure.
Resolution 1032 × 778 pixels
Pixel size 4.65 × 4.65 µm
Imaging area 4.8 × 3.6 mm
Color mas RGBG (Bayer mask)
Model G0-2000 and G1-2000
G0/G1-2000 model uses pro ressive-scan UXGA (1600×1200 pixels) Sony
ICX274AL CCD chip.
Resolution 1628 × 1236 pixels
Pixel size 4.4 × 4.4 µm
Imaging area 7.2 × 5.4 mm
Color mas Not present
Model G0-2000C and G1-2000C
G0/G1-2000C uses pro ressive-scan UXGA (1600×1200 pixels) Sony
Super HAD ICX274AQ chip with Red, Green and Blue color mask (Bayer
mask) applied directly on the CCD, which allows capturin of color ima es
by sin le exposure.
Resolution 1628 × 1236 pixels
Pixel size 4.4 × 4.4 µm
Imaging area 7.2 × 5.4 mm
Color mas RGBG (Bayer mask)
Model G1-1200
G1-1200 model uses pro ressive-scan HD (1280×960 pixels) Sony
ICX445ALA chip. The ICX445 detector is manufactured usin so-called
ExView HAD technolo y, which enhances its sensitivity especially in red
and near infra-red portion of the spectrum. Also absolute quantum
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efficiency of this CCD chip very hi h, comparable to ICX285 based
models.
Resolution 1296 × 966 pixels
Pixel size 3.75 × 3.75 µm
Imaging area 4.9 × 3.6 mm
Color mas Not present
Model G1-1200C
G1-1200C model uses pro ressive-scan HD (1280×960 pixels) Sony
ICX445AQA chip with Red, Green and Blue color mask (Bayer mask)
applied directly on the CCD, which allows capturin of color ima es by
sin le exposure. The ICX445 detector is manufactured usin so-called
ExView HAD technolo y with absolute absolute quantum efficiency
comparable to ICX285 based models.
Resolution 1296 × 966 pixels
Pixel size 3.75 × 3.75 µm
Imaging area 4.9 × 3.6 mm
Color mas RGBG (Bayer mask)
Model G1-1 00
G1-1400 model uses pro ressive-scan SXGA (1280×1024 pixels) Sony
ICX285AL chip. The ICX285 detector is manufactured usin so-called
ExView HAD technolo y, which enhances its sensitivity especially in red
and near infra-red portion of the spectrum. Also absolute quantum
efficiency of this CCD chip is hi hest from all detectors used in other G1
camera models.
Resolution 1392 × 1040 pixels
Pixel size 6.45 × 6.45 µm
Imaging area 9.0 × 6.7 mm
Color mas Not present
Model G1-1 00C
G1-1400C model uses pro ressive-scan SXGA (1280×1024 pixels) Sony
ICX285AQ chip with Red, Green and Blue color mask (Bayer mask)
12

applied directly on the CCD, which allows capturin of color ima es by
sin le exposure. The ICX285 detector is manufactured usin so-called
ExView HAD technolo y, which enhances its sensitivity especially in read
and near infra-red portion of the spectrum.
Resolution 1392 × 1040 pixels
Pixel size 6.45 × 6.45 µm
Imaging area 9.0 × 6.7 mm
Color mas RGBG (Bayer mask)
Camera Electronics
16-bit A/D converter with correlated double samplin ensures hi h dynamic
ran e, in fact exceedin the pixel well capacity of the used CCD. Fast USB
interface ensures ima e download time within a small fraction of second.
Maximum len th of sin le USB cable is 5 m. This len th can be extended
to 10 m by usin sin le USB hub or active USB extender cable. Up to 5
hubs or active extenders can be used in one connection.
Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter device allows connection of up to four Gx
cameras of any type throu h Ethernet interface and TCP/IP network.
Because TCP/IP protocol can be routed, the distance between camera and
host PC can be virtually unlimited.
ADC resolution 16 bits
Sampling method Correlated double samplin
Read modes Fast (8 Mpx/s)
Slow (2.5 Mpx/s)
Computer interface USB 2.0 hi h-speed
USB 1.1 full-speed compatible
1. Camera driver allows arbitrary software binnin up to 4×4 pixels
of downloaded ima es.
Ima e download time and system read noise depends on the CCD chip used
in particular camera model and on the read mode.
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Camera model G0/G1-0300 G0/G1-0800 G0/G1-2000 G1-1400
Download time (fast mode) 0.05 s 0.1 s 0.25 s 0.18 s
Download time (slow
mode)
0.15 s 0.32 s 0.8 s 0.58 s
1. Download times are valid for USB 2.0 host and may vary
dependin on host PC. Times stated here were measured on
1.5 GHz Pentium M based laptop computer.
2. Download times can be si nificantly lon er when connected to
USB 1.1 host.
Some electronics characteristics like system ain or system read noise
cannot be determined without knowled e of some CCD parameters (e. .
output node sensitivity), which are not published by Sony.
CCD Chip Cooling
The G0 and G1 series of CCD cameras does not use active coolin with
Peltier TEC modules, so the CCD cannot be cooled below ambient
temperature.
Workin electronics (includin the CCD chip itself) produce quite amount
of heat, which rise the camera internal temperature many de rees above
ambient temperature. Because the CCD thermal noise typically doubles
every 5 or 7 °C, the thermal noise can be si nificantly hi her after some
time of camera operation.
The G1 series of CCD cameras contain small fan, which efficiently removes
the heat from the camera body and keeps the CCD temperature as close to
ambient temperature as possible. The fan operation can be controlled from
the software.
G0 and G1 cameras also include the embedded temperature sensor, which
measures the current CCD temperature. This feature enables controllin of
the CCD temperature and ensurin the used dark frame was taken in the
same or similar temperature as the li ht exposure etc.
14

Power Supply
G0 and G1 cameras are powered from the USB cable. No external power
supply is necessary.
The current limit for sin le USB device is 500 mA from 5 V supply. The
current required by G1 CCD cameras varies dependin on the camera
operation mode. The followin table summarizes camera consumption.
Either way, G1 cameras do not reach the allowed 500 mA limit, defined in
USB specification.
Camera operation mode Required current
Idle, fan off 185 mA
Idle, fan on 260 mA
Ima e di itization, fan off 285 mA
Ima e di itization, fan on 360 mA
G0 cameras are not equipped with fan, so their power consumption equals
to power consumption of G1 cameras with fan off.
1. If the camera is connected throu h non-powered USB hub, the
current available for the connected devices can be as low as
100 mA, which is insufficient. Always use powered USB hubs
when usin G1 cameras.
2. Note the so-called “active USB extender cable” is in fact nothin
more than standard USB cable with a hub with sin le USB
connector on the far side. Such hub consumes some ener y and
may not work with G1 cameras.
3. Some USB cables incorporate very thin power lines with relatively
hi h resistance. If the USB device consumes several hundreds
milliamperes, the volta e drop on such cable can be around one
volt. Althou h the G1 camera should work, some features (e. .
temperature measurement) may be ne atively affected. Always
make sure the used USB cable is as short as possible and with low-
resistance power lines.
15

G0 Camera Mechanical Specifications
G0 camera head has just 40 mm diameter (approx. 1.6 inch) and 85 mm
len th (approx. 3.3 inch), includin the 18 mm lon 1.25” nose in the front
part of the camera. All connectors (USB and auto uider) are placed on the
rear side of the camera.
G0 cameras are desi ned to be attached directly to standard 1.25” telescope
focusers. There is no C/CS thread available, so the G0 camera cannot be
used with common CCTV lenses.
Illustration 1: G0 camera head
16

Illustration 2: G0 camera dimensions
The G0 cameras use Interline Transfer CCDs allowin electronic exposure
control, so they do not contain mechanical shutter. But it is necessary to
cover the telescope manually to take dark or bias frame.
Internal mechanical shutter No
Shortest exposure time 0.000125 s
Longest exposure time Limited by chip saturation only
Head dimensions 40 mm (diameter) × 85 mm (len th)
Camera head weight 0.1 k
G1 Camera Mechanical Specifications
Compact and robust camera head measures only 83 × 76 × 26 mm (approx.
3.25 × 3 × 1 inch). The head is CNC-machined from hi h-quality aluminum
and black anodized.
The camera is supplied with CS adapter for connectin various CS
compatible lenses. The C-thread to 1.25" adapter can be screwed into the
head to attach the camera to any telescope focuser acceptin standard 1.25"
eyepieces.
17

Both C and CS standards use the same thread specification (C-thread with
1 inch diameter, 32 threads per inch). The difference between them is in the
back focal distance – while the standard C-thread back focal distance is
17.5 mm, the CS back focal distance is 12.5 mm. Both variants are available
for G1 CCD cameras.
Illustration 3: G1 camera head
The G1 cameras use Interline Transfer CCDs allowin electronic exposure
control, so they do not contain mechanical shutter. But it is necessary to
cover the telescope manually to take dark or bias frame.
Internal mechanical shutter No
Shortest exposure time 0.000125 s
Longest exposure time Limited by chip saturation only
Head dimensions 83 mm × 76 mm × 26 mm
Bac focal distance 12.5 mm (CS standard)
17.5 mm (C standard)
Camera head weight 0.2 k
1. Camera dimensions do not include the CS-thread adapter. This
adapter depth is 6.4 mm, so the camera depth includin the CS-
thread adapter is 32.4 mm.
18

Illustration 4: G1 camera dimensions
19

Guiding
A lot of astronomical telescope mounts (especially the mass-manufactured
ones) are not precise enou h to keep the star ima es perfectly round durin
lon exposures without small corrections. Astronomical CCD cameras and
di ital SLR cameras allow perfectly sharp and hi h-resolution ima es, so
even a small irre ularity in mount trackin appears as star ima e
deformations. G0 and G1 CCD cameras were desi ned especially with
automatic mount uidin on mind.
The G0 and G1 cameras were desi ned to operate without any mechanically
movin parts (with the exception of ma netically levitatin fan used in G1
cameras). Electronic shutter allows extremely short exposures and also
obtainin thousands of ima es in a short time, which is necessary for
quality uidin . CCD chips used in G0 and G1 cameras are sensitive
enou h to capture even a faint stars within few seconds. The limitin
ma nitude of G0 and G1 cameras is much hi her compared to the most
sensitive TV or Web cameras.
G0 and G1 cameras work in connection with a host computer (PC). Guidin
corrections are not calculated in the camera itself, it only sends acquired
ima es to the PC. The software runnin on the PC calculates the difference
from required state and sends appropriate corrections to the telescope
mount. The plus side of usin a host PC CPU to process ima es is the fact,
that current PCs provide overwhelmin computational power compared to
any embedded processor inside the uidin camera. Guidin al orithms
then can determine star position with sub-pixel precision, can match
multiple stars to calculate avera e difference, which limits the effects of
seein , etc.
Calculated corrections can be sent back to mount usin PC-to-mount link,
but more accurate uidin can be achieved usin so called “Auto uider”
port. It is enou h to connect the G0 or G1 camera and the mount usin 6-
wire cable and uide the mount throu h the camera.
20