Moravian Instruments G3-16200 User manual

G3 CCD Camera
User's Guide

Version 3.3
Modified on April 3rd, 2018
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.
G3 CCD cameras 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 © 2000-2018, Moravian Instruments
Moravian Instruments
Masarykova 1148
763 02 Zlín
Czech Republic
tel./fax: [phone]
www: http://www. xccd.com/
e-mail: info@ xccd.com

Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................4
G3 Camera Overview...............................................................................6
CCD and Camera Electronics...................................................................9
CCD Chip..........................................................................................12
Model G3-1000...........................................................................12
Model G3-6300...........................................................................13
Model G3-11000.........................................................................13
Model G3-11000C.......................................................................13
Model G3-16200.........................................................................14
Model G3-16200C.......................................................................14
Camera Electronics...........................................................................14
Model G3-1000...........................................................................15
Model G3-6300...........................................................................15
Model G3-11000.........................................................................15
Model G3-16200.........................................................................16
Coolin and power supply......................................................................17
Power Supply....................................................................................18
Mechanical Specifications......................................................................20
Camera head dimensions..................................................................21
Telescope adapters............................................................................27
Off-Axis Guider Adapter (OAG)......................................................29
Attachin camera head to telescope mount.......................................30
Camera head color variants...............................................................31
Camera Maintenance..............................................................................32
Desiccant exchan e...........................................................................32
Chan in the silica- el................................................................33
Chan in Filters................................................................................35
Chan in the Whole Filter Wheel....................................................37
Chan in the Telescope Adapter......................................................37
Power Supply Fuse............................................................................38

Introduction
Thank you for choosin the Moravian Instruments CCD camera. G3 series of
CCD cameras were developed for ima in under extremely low-li ht
conditions in astronomy, microscopy and similar areas. Desi n of this series
inherits from G2 cameras, with which they share precise electronics providin
uniform frames without artifacts and extremely low read noise limited only by
CCD detector itself. Also the robust construction, rich software support and
easy manipulation are the same. However, G3 camera head is lar e enou h to
contain detector up to 24×36 mm.
G3 cameras can contain also filter wheel with 5 positions for 2 inch (50 mm)
diameter filters.
G3 cameras can be equipped with external filter wheel, but it is not possible to
combine internal and external wheels on sin le camera. G3 camera mus be
made without internal filter wheel to be compatible with external filter wheels.
The G3 cameras are desi ned to work in cooperation with a host Personal
Computer (PC). As opposite to di ital still cameras, which are operated
independently on the computer, the scientific slow-scan, cooled cameras
usually require computer for operation control, ima e download, processin
and stora e etc. To operate the 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.
G3 and G4 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
somewhat lon er if USB 1.1 connection is used.
4

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 G3 and G4 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.
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
G3, but also G0, G1, G2 and G4) and offers 1 Gbps and 10/100 Mbps
Ethernet interface for direct connection to the host 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 G3 cameras need an external power supply to operate. It is not possible to
run the camera from the power lines provided by the USB cable, which is
common for webcams or very simple ima ers. G3 cameras inte rate hi hly
efficient CCD chip coolin , shutter and possibly filter wheel, so their power
requirements si nificantly exceed USB line power capabilities. On the other
side separate power source eliminates problems with volta e drop on lon USB
cables or with drawin of laptop batteries etc.
Also note the camera must be connected to some optical system (e. . the
telescope) to capture ima es. The camera is desi ned for lon exposures,
necessary to acquire the li ht from faint objects. If you plan to use the camera
with the telescope, make sure the whole telescope/mount setup is capable to
track the tar et object smoothly durin the exposure.
5

G3 Camera Overview
G3 camera head is desi ned to be easily used with a set of accessories to fulfill
various observin needs. Camera head itself is manufactured in two different
variants:
●Camera with internal filter wheel with 5 positions for 2” or D50 mm
filters.
●Camera with control port for external filter wheel. This model allows
attachment of an external filter wheels with with 7 positions for 2” or
D50 mm filters.
The whole system comprises of various telescope adapters, which can be
attached to all variants of camera heads – without filter wheel, with internal
filter wheel or with external filter wheel.
Let us note that it is not possible to combine both internal and external filter
wheels. The external filter wheel reuses the control electronics, which stays idle
if the camera is not equipped with internal filter wheel. This solution eliminates
separate power and control cables for the external filter wheel, as it is attached
to the camera head. It also brin s full software compatibility, as the software
does not distin uishes internal and external filter wheels, only the number of
available filters is different.
All telescope adapters, which preserve defined back focal distance (BFD –
typically bayonet adapters for photo raphic lenses but also the OAG adapter),
are desi ned for the external filter wheel BFD. If they are used on the camera
with internal filter wheel or without a filter wheel at all, it is necessary to use
spacers. Thin spacer compensates BFD difference between external and
internal filter wheel and thick spacer adds the thickness of the external filter
wheel housin to keep the BFD on camera without filter wheel.
6

Illustration 1: Schematic diagram of the G3 camera system components
7

Components of G3 Camera system include:
1. G3 camera head with internal filter wheel
2. G3 camera head capable to control External Filter Wheel
3. External Filter Wheel “S” size (7 positions)
4. External Filter Wheel “L” size (9 or 7 positions)
5. G0 Guider camera
6. G1 Guider camera
7. Off-Axis Guider with M68×1 thread
8. Spacer compensatin IFW and EFW back focal distance
9. 1.75” dovetail rail for G3 camera head
10. Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter (x86 CPU)
11. Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter (ARM CPU)
Camera Ethernet Adapter allows connection of up to 4 Gx cameras of
any type on the one side and 1 Gbps Ethernet on the other side. This
adapter allows access to connected Gx cameras usin routable TCP/IP
protocol over practically unlimited distance.
12. 5-positions internal filter wheel for 2”/D50 mm filters
13. 7-positions external filter wheel “S” for 2”/D50 mm filters
14. 9-positions external filter wheel “L” for 2”/D50 mm filters
15. 7-positions external filter wheel “L” for 50×50 mm filters
16. 2-inch barrel adapter
17. T-thread (M42×0.75) adapter
18. Canon EOS bayonet adapter for Canon compatible lenses
19. Nikon bayonet adapter for Nikon compatible lenses
8

CCD and Camera Electronics
G3 series of CCD cameras are manufactured with two kinds of OnSemi
(formerly Kodak) CCD detectors:
●G3 cameras with OnSemi KAF Full Frame (FF) CCD
architecture. Almost all Full Frame CCD detector area is exposed to
li ht. This is why these detectors provide very hi h quantum
efficiency. FF CCD detectors, intended for research applications, are
not equipped with so-called Anti Bloomin Gate (ABG – a ate,
which prohibits bloomin of the char e to nei hborin pixels when
ima e is over-exposed) to ensure linear response to li ht. FF CCD
detectors used for astrophoto raphy are equipped with ABG to
eliminate disruptin bloomin streaks within field of view.
Cameras with Full Frame detectors are suitable for scientific
applications, where linear response is necessary for photometric
applications in astronomy, microscopy etc. Hi h quantum efficiency
could be used also for narrow-band ima in , where overexposure is a
rare exception, and for ima in of small objects without a bri ht star
in the field of view.
Illustration 2: “Full Frame” CCD schematic diagram

●G3 cameras with OnSemi KAI Interline Transfer (IT)
architecture. There is a shielded column of pixels just beside each
column of active pixels on these detectors. The shielded columns are
called Vertical re isters. One pulse moves char e from exposed pixels
to shielded pixels on the end of each exposure. The the char e is
moved from vertical re isters to horizontal re ister and di itized in
the same way like in the case of Full Frame detectors. This mechanism
is also known as “electronic shutterin ”, because it allows very short
exposures and also di itization of the ima e without mechanically
shieldin of the detector from incomin li ht.
Also cameras with IT CCDs are equipped with mechanical shutter,
because electronic shutter does not allow dark-frame exposures,
necessary for proper ima e calibration etc.
The price for electronic shutter if lower quantum efficiency
(sensitivity) of IT detectors compared to FF ones. Also all IT detectors
are equipped with ABG, so they can acquire ima es of very bri ht
objects without char e bloomin to nei hborin pixels.
10
Illustration 3: “Interline ransfer” CCD schematic diagram

G3 camera models with FF CCD architecture:
Model G3-1000 G3-6300 G3-16200 G3-16200C
CCD chip KAF-1001E KAF-6303E KAF-16200 KAF-16200
Resolution 1024×1024 3072×2048 4540×3640 4540×3640
Pixel size 24×24 μm 9×9 μm 6×6 μm 6×6 μm
CCD area 24.6×24.6 mm 27.7×18.4 mm 27.2×21.8 mm 27.2×21.8 mm
ABG No No Yes Yes
Color mask No No No Yes
G3 camera models with IT CCD architecture:
Model G3-11000 G3-11000C
CCD chip KAI-11002 KAI-11002
Resolution 4032×2688 4032×2688
Pixel size 9×9 μm 9×9 μm
CCD area 36.3×24.2 mm 36.3×24.2 mm
ABG Yes Yes
Color mask No Yes
Cameras with “C” suffix contains CCD detector covered with so-called Bayer
mask. Color filters of three basic colors (red, reen, blue) cover all pixels, so
every pixels detects only li ht of particular color.
11

These cameras are able to acquire color ima e in sin le exposure, without the
necessity to chan e color filters. On the other side color mask brin s lower
sensitivity and limits the capability to perform exposures usin narrow-band
filters etc.
Because each pixel is covered by one of three basic color filters, it is necessary
to compute (interpolate) remainin two colors for each pixel, which of course
limits resolution of color ima e. Ima in usin color detectors is described in
the “Color ima es” chapter.
CCD Chip
Quantum efficiency (sensitivity) of CCD detectors used in G3 cameras depends
on the particular camera model.
Illustration 4: Quantum efficiency of CCD detectors used in G3
Inherent dark current of these detectors is quite low compared to other CCD
detectors, suitable for scientific applications, which results into very ood
si nal/noise ratio.
Model G3-1
G3-1000 model uses 1 MPx OnSemi KAF-1001E Class 1 or 2 CCD chip.
Resolution 1024×1024 pixels
12

Pixel size 24×24 μm
Imaging area 24.6×24.6 mm
Full well capacity Approx. 220 000 e-
Output node capacity Approx. 650 000 e-
Dark current 17 e-/s/pixel at 0°C
Dark signal doubling 5.5 °C
Model G3-63
G3-6300 model uses 6 MPx OnSemi KAF-6303E Standard Class CCD chip.
Resolution 3072×2048 pixels
Pixel size 9×9 μm
Imaging area 27.7×18.4 mm
Full well capacity Approx. 100 000 e-
Output node capacity Approx. 220 000 e-
Dark current 1 e-/s/pixel at 0°C
Dark signal doubling 6.3 °C
Model G3-11
G3-11000 uses 11 MPx CCD OnSemi KAI-11002 Class 1 or 2.
Resolution 4032×2688 pixels
Pixel size 9×9 μm
Imaging area 36,3×24,2 mm
Full well capacity Approx. 60 000 e-
Dark current 12 e-/s/pixel at 0°C
Dark signal doubling 7 °C
ABG >1000×
Model G3-11 C
G3-11000C uses 11 MPx CCD OnSemi KAI-11002 Class 1 or 2 with color
(Bayer) mask.
13

Model G3-162
G3-16200 uses 16 MPx CCD OnSemi KAF-16200.
Resolution 4540×3640 pixels
Pixel size 6×6 μm
Imaging area 27.2×21.8 mm
Full well capacity approx. 41 000 e-
Dark current 0,08 e-/s/pixel at 0°C
Dark signal doubling 5.7 °C
ABG 2800×
Model G3-162 C
G3-16200C uses 16 MPx CCD OnSemi KAF-16200 with color (Bayer) mask.
Camera Electronics
16-bit A/D converter with correlated double samplin ensures hi h dynamic
ran e and CCD chip-limited readout noise. Fast USB interface ensures ima e
download time within seconds.
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 Preview
Low-noise
Horizontal binning 1 to 4 pixels
Vertical binning 1 to 4 pixels
14

Sub-frame readout Arbitrary sub-frame
Computer interface USB 2.0 hi h-speed
USB 1.1 full-speed compatible
Binnin can be combined independently on both axes.
Ima e download time and system read noise depends on the CCD chip used in
particular camera model.
Model G3-1
Gain 3 e-/ADU (1×1 binnin )
5 e-/ADU (other binnin s)
System read noise 12 e- (Low noise)
15 e- (Preview)
Full frame download 1.6 s (Low noise)
1.3 s (Preview)
Model G3-63
Gain 1.5 e-/ADU (1×1 binnin )
2.3 e-/ADU (other binnin s)
System read noise 10 e- (Low noise)
12 e- (Preview)
Full frame download 9.4 s (Low noise)
7.3 s (Preview)
Model G3-11
Gain 0.8 e-/ADU (1×1 binnin )
1.6 e-/ADU (other binnin s)
System read noise 11,5 e- (Low noise)
13 e- (Preview)
Full frame download 14.9 s (Low noise)
11.2 s (Preview)
15

Model G3-162
Gain 0.6 e-/ADU (1×1 binnin )
1.0 e-/ADU (other binnin s)
System read noise 10 e- (Low noise)
11 e- (Preview)
Full frame download 24.5 s (Low noise)
18.8 s (Preview)
16

Cooling and power supply
Re ulated two-sta e thermoelectric coolin is capable to cool the CCD chip
from 45 to 50 °C below ambient temperature, dependin on the camera type.
The Peltier hot side is cooled by a fans. The CCD chip temperature is re ulated
with ±0.1 °C precision. Hi h temperature drop and precision re ulation ensure
very low dark current for lon exposures and allow proper ima e calibration.
G3 cameras are available in two variants, differin in the coolin performance:
●Standard coolin cameras achieve temperature difference up to 45 °C
Under environment temperature.
●Enhanced coolin cameras can re ulate temperature up to 50 °C
under environment temperature. Compared to standard variant,
enhanced coolin cameras are somewhat bulkier due to bi er heat
sink, sli htly heavier and somewhat noisier because of more powerful
fans.
The camera head contains two temperature sensors – the first sensor measures
directly the temperature of the CCD chip. The second one measures the
temperature of the air coolin the Peltier hot side.
The coolin performance depends on the environmental conditions and also on
the power supply. If the power supply volta e drops below 12 V, the maximum
temperature drop is lower.
CCD chip cooling Thermoelectric (Peltier modules)
Standard cooling ΔT 48 °C below ambient maximum
45 °C below ambient typical
Enhanced cooling ΔT 53 °C below ambient maximum
50 °C below ambient typical
Regulation precision ±0.1 °C
Hot side cooling Forced air coolin (two fans)
Optional liquid coolant heat exchan er
17

Maximum temperature difference between CCD and ambient air may be
reached when the coolin runs at 100% power. However, temperature cannot
be re ulated in such case, camera has no room for lowerin the CCD
temperature when the ambient temperature rises. Typical temperature drop can
be achieved with coolin runnin at approx. 85% power, which provides
enou h room for re ulation.
Illustration 5: Comparison of the standard (left) and enhanced (right) cooling cameras
Power Supply
The 12 V DC power supply enables camera operation from arbitrary power
source includin batteries, wall adapters etc. Universal 100-240 V AC/50-
60 Hz, 60 W “brick” adapter is supplied with the camera. Althou h the camera
power consumption does not exceed 55 W, the 60 W power supply ensures
noise-free operation.
Camera head supply 12 V DC
Camera head power consumption 15 W without coolin
52 W maximum coolin
Power connector 5.5/2.5 mm, center +
Adapter input voltage 100-240 V AC/50-60 Hz
Adapter output voltage 12 V DC/5 A
Adapter maximum power 60 W
18

1. Power consumption is measured on the AC side of the supplied 12 V
AC/DC power supply. Camera consumes less ener y from 12 V power
supply than state here.
2. The camera contains its own power supplies inside, so it can be
powered by unre ulated 12 V DC power source – the input volta e
can be anywhere between 10 and 14 V. However, some parameters
(like coolin efficiency) can de rade if the supply drops below 12 V.
3. G3 camera measures its input volta e and provides it to the control
software. Input volta e is displayed in the Coolin tab of the Ima in
Camera control tool in the SIPS. This feature is important especially if
you power the camera from batteries.
Illustration 6: 12 V DC/5 A power supply adapter for
G3 and G4 CCD Camera
Warnin :
The power connector on the camera head uses center-plus pin. Althou h all
modern power supplies use this confi uration, always make sure the polarity is
correct if you use own power source.
1

Mechanical Specifications
Compact and robust camera head measures only 154×154×65 mm (approx.
6×6×2.6 inches) for the model with standard coolin without internal filter
wheel. Enhanced coolin increases camera depth by 11 mm and internal filter
wheel adds another 12.5 mm. The head is CNC-machined from hi h-quality
aluminum and black anodized. The head itself contains USB-B (device)
connector and 12 V DC power plu , no other parts (CPU box, USB interface,
etc.), except a “brick” power supply, are necessary. Inte rated mechanical
shutter allows streak-free ima e readout, as well as automatic dark frame
exposures, which are necessary for unattended, robotic setups. Inte rated filter
wheel contains 5 positions for standard 2-inch filter cells with M48×0.75
thread. There are three M3 threaded holes around each filter position, which
allow fixin of filters without cells (only a lass) up to 51 mm diameter.
Mechanical shutter Yes, blade shutter
Shortest exposure time 0.2 s
Longest exposure time Limited by chip saturation only
Internal filter wheel
(optional)
5 positions 2" threaded filter cells or lass filters up to
51 mm diameter
Standard cooling head
dimensions
154×154×65 mm (G3 without filter wheel)
154×154×77.5 mm (G3 with internal filter wheel)
Enhanced cooling head
dimensions
154×154×76 mm (G3-EC without filter wheel)
154×154×88.5 mm (G3-EC with internal filter wheel)
Back focal distance 16,5 mm (G3 without filter wheel)
29 mm (G3 with internal filter wheel)
33.5 mm (G3 with external filter wheel)
Standard cooling head
weight
1.6 k (G3 without filter wheel)
1.9 k (G3 with internal filter wheel)
2.5 k (G3 with “S” external filter wheel)
20