QHYCCD QHY411 User manual

Overview
The QHY411/461 has both USB3.0 and 2*10GigaE interfaces. The 2*10GigaE version supports a higher readout speed.
QHY411/QHY461 have both mono and color version. The application of this camera includes astronomy imaging, astronomy
photography, space object survey, satellite tracking, etc.
Benefiting from its back-illuminated pixel structure, the QHY411 has a large full well of 80ke-. And when using 2 * 2 binning,
the full well can reach 320ke-, corresponding to a merged pixel size of 7.5um * 7.5um; while at 3 * 3 binning, the full well can
be up to 720ke- with a large pixel size of 11um * 11um, which is much larger than any other CCD or CMOS sensor of the same
pixel size. Combined with the low readout noise, the camera has a large dynamic range advantage.
Native 16 bit A/D: The new Sony sensor has native 16-bit A/D on-chip. The output is real 16-bits with 65536 levels.
Compared to 12-bit and 14-bit A/D, a 16-bit A/D yields higher sample resolution and the system gain will be less than 1e-
/ADU with no sample error noise and very low read noise.
BSI: One benefit of the back-illuminated CMOS structure is improved full well capacity. This is particularly helpful for sensors
with small pixels. In a typical front-illuminated sensor, photons from the target entering the photosensitive layer of the
sensor must first pass through the metal wiring that is embedded just above the photosensitive layer. The wiring structure
reflects some of the photons and reduces the efficiency of the sensor. In the back- illuminated sensor the light is allowed to
enter the photosensitive surface from the reverse side. In this case the sensor’s embedded wiring structure is below the
photosensitive layer. As a result, more incoming photons strike the photosensitive layer and more electrons are generated
and captured in the pixel well. This ratio of photon to electron production is called quantum efficiency. The higher the
quantum efficiency the more efficient the sensor is at converting photons to electrons and hence the more sensitive the
sensor is to capturing an image of something dim.
Zero Amplify Glow: This is also a zero amplifer glow camera.
TRUE RAW Data: In the DSLR implementation there is a RAW image output, but typically it is not completely RAW. Some
evidence of noise reduction and hot pixel removal is still visible on close inspection. This can have a negative effect on the
image for astronomy such as the “star eater” effect. However, QHY Cameras offer TRUE RAW IMAGE OUTPUT and produces
an image comprised of the original signal only, thereby maintaining the maximum flexibility for post-acquisition
astronomical image processing programs and other scientific imaging applications.
Anti-Dew Technology: Based on almost 20-year cooled camera design experience, The QHY cooled camera has implemented
the fully dew control solutions. The optic window has built-in dew heater and the chamber is protected from internal
humidity condensation. An electric heating board for the chamber window can prevent the formation of dew and the sensor
itself is kept dry with our silicon gel tube socket design for control of humidity within the sensor chamber.
Cooling: In addition to dual stage TE cooling, QHYCCD implements proprietary technology in hardware to control the dark
current noise.
Advanced Functions
Reboot the camera by power off and on

The camera is designed to use the +12V to reboot the camera without disconnecting and reconnecting the USB interface. This
means that you can reboot the camera simply by shutting down the +12V and then powering it back on. This feature is very
handy for remote controlling the camera in an observatory. You can use a remotely controlled power supply to reboot the
camera. There is no need to consider how to reconnect the USB in the case of remote control.
Random change thermal noise suppression function
You may find some types of thermal noise can change with time in some back-illuminated CMOS cameras. This thermal
noises has the characteristic of the fixed position of typical thermal noise, but the value is not related to the exposure time.
Instead, each frame appears to have its own characteristics. The QHY600 / 268C uses an innovative suppression technology
that can significantly reduce the apparent level of such noise.
Optimizing USB Traffic to Minimize Horizontal Banding
It is common behavior for a CMOS sensor to contain some horizontal banding. Normally, random horizontal banding can be
removed with multiple frame stacking so it does not affect the final image. However, periodic horizontal banding is not
removed with stacking so it may appear in the final image. By adjust the USB traffic in Single Frame mode or Live Frame
mode, you can adjust the frequency of the CMOS sensor driver and it can optimize the horizontal banding appeared on the
image. This optimized is very effective to remove the periodic banding in some conditions.
A typical Periodic Horizontal Noise under certain USB_TRAFFIC values.
After Adjusting the USB Traffic to avoid the periodic horizontal noise.

Specifications
Model QHY411 QHY461
Image Sensor SONY IMX411 BSI CMOS Sensor SONY IMX461 BSI CMOS Sensor
Pixel Size 3.76um x 3.76um 3.76um x 3.76um
Color / Mono
Version Both Available Both Available
Image
Resolution
14304 x 10748 (Inlcudes the optic
black area and over scan area) 11760 × 8896
Effective Pixels 151 Megapixels 102 Megapixels
Effective Image
Area 54mm x 40mm 44mm x 33mm
Sensor Surface
Glass AR+AR multi-coating Clear Glass AR+AR Multi-Coating Clear Glass
Full Well
Capacity (1×1,
2×2, 3×3)
50ke- / 200ke- / 450ke- in
Standard Mode
80ke- / 320ke- / 720ke- in Extend
Fullwell Mode
50ke- / 200ke- / 450ke- in
Standard Mode
80ke- / 320ke- / 720ke- in Extend
Full Well Mode
A/D 16-bit (0-65535 greyscale)
16-bit (0-65535 greyscale) for
1X1Binning
18bit in 2X2 19BIT in 3X3 20BIT
in 4*4 software Binning
Sensor Size TYPICAL 4.2inch TYPICAL 3.4inch
Read Noise Apporx 1 to 3 e (in HGC Mode) 1e to 3.7e (in HGC mode)
Dark Current Apporx 0.0011e/pixel/sec at -20C Approx 0.003e/pixel/sec @ -20C
Exposure Time
Range 20us – 3600sec 50us – 3600sec

Frame Rate
USB3.0 Port:
Full Frame Resolution 2FPS @
8BIT 1FPS @ 16BIT
5000Lines 4FPS @ 8BIT 2FPS
@16BIT
3000Lines 7FPS @ 8BIT 3.3FPS
@16BIT
2000Lines 10FPS@8BIT 5.5FPS
@16BIT
1000Lines 20FPS@8BIT 10FPS
@16BIT
500Lines 35FPS@8BIT 19FPS
@ 16BITFiber Port : TBD
2.7FPS @ 8BIT 1.3FPS@16BIT
on USB3.0
2.7FPS @ 16BIT 6FPS @ 14BIT
on 10Gigabit Fiber
Shutter Type Electric Rolling Shutter Electric Rolling Shutter
Computer
Interface USB3.0 and 2*10Gigabit Fiber USB3.0 and 2*10Gigabit Fiber
Trigger Port
Programmable TrigOut, High
Speed Sync Port / GPS interface
Port
Programmable TrigOut, High
Speed Sync Port / GPS interface
Port
Filter Wheel
Interface 4PIN QHYCCD CFW Port 4PIN QHYCCD CFW Port
Built-in Image
Buffer 2GByte 2GByte
FPGA Upgrade
Via USB Support Support
Cooling
System
Dual Stage TEC cooler-35C
below ambient with air cooling, -
45C below ambient with
ambient temperature water
cooling). More deltaT below
ambient can be achieve by using
the cooled water cooling.
Test temperature +20°
Fan Cooling/Water Cooling
Compatible
Dual Stage TEC cooler-35C
below ambient with air cooling,
-45C below ambient with
ambient temperature water
cooling). More deltaT below
ambient can be achieve by using
the cooled water cooling.
Test temperature +20°
Fan Cooling/Water Cooling
Compatible
Recommended
flow rates for
water-cooled
versions
12ml/s 12ml/s
Anti-Dew
Heater Yes Yes
Telescope
Interface
Six Screw holes (See mechanical
drawing)
Six Screw holes (See mechanical
drawing)
Optic Window
Type
AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer
Anti-Reflection Coating
AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer
Anti-Reflection Coating
Back Focal
Length
16mm(without tilt adjust ring)
28.5mm (with tilt adjust ring)
16mm (without tilt adjust
ring28.5mm (with tilt adjust
ring)
Weigth TBD
TBD
QHY411 Curves
As a scientific camera, QHYCCD gives the maxium flexibility to access the setting of the camera and allow user to use all

possible readout mode in the CMOS sensor. Currently there is totally 8 readout mode (In future we will active more). The
eight readout modes is mode #0 to mode #7. The follwing graph is the system gain, readout noise and fullwell of each mode.
Different mode has different behaviour in both fullwell, readout noise , and some other noise conditions. You can select the
suitable mode according the applications. You can also download the detailed messured data from this link (excel file)
QHY411_CURVES_ALLMODE – Download

QHY411 QE. Since SONY has not release the absolutely QE curve of IMX411. There is only the relativity QE Curve. QHYCCD
did some test of absolutely QE for the 3.76um BSI sensor in another model. It can be used for just a reference. This article can
be found in https://www.qhyccd.com/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=show&catid=23&id=261
Regarding the linearity of QHY411, we conducted a preliminary linearity determination experiment. QHY411 data can be
used to enable astronomical metering.
The experiment is to obtain a deviation of a fixed area by shooting the flat field plate with different exposure times. Then,
after converting the conversion to a value in units of volume, the curve where the overlapping exposure time is increased and
replaced by the image sensor is replaced.
In order to obtain relatively large full-scale range data. We used the QHY411 correction mode with a gain of 0 (GAIN = 60).
The obtained curve is as follows. You can see from the picture. QHY411 has very good linearity in a wide range. When the full
scale is greater than 75000e, the linearity begins to decrease, and the curve conforms to the general linearity of the image
sensor in the near area.

QHY461 Curves

Mechanical Dimentions

Reference Paper / Document
Some scholars in Italy found secrets hidden in the ancient manuscripts with the QHY411 camera.
https://www.rainews.it/tgr/veneto/articoli/2022/05/ven-Verona-i-segreti-degli-antichi-manoscritti-della-Biblioteca-
Capitolare-2e86b901-02d5-4afb-8faf-e37cffb51fad.html?fbclid=IwAR2z1Sk9qosM4cRj5filFc-amQIls-bGNSBY-XIQeWk-
Qcq6hR9kgaO38KI
User Images
IC 1396 Elephant’s Trunk Nebula in Bi-Color palette (cropped) Capture by Denis Salnikov with QHY461 camera and AG
Optical 14.5″ iDK telescope. Full resolution image

Basic Uesr Menu
Before Start: Install "All-In-One" Pack
All-In-One Pack Driver, SDK and Software) for WINDOWS supports all QHYCCD USB3.0 devices only except PoleMaster and
some discontinued CCD cameras. Please go to https://www.qhyccd.com/download/ and install it.
Note:
Since most of the contents of All-in-one package are plug-ins that support third-party software, the third-party
capturing software that you want to use must be installed before the All-in-one package. Otherwise the program will
report an error.
ALL-IN-ONE Pack contains:
System Driver, which is necessary for camera operation and must be installed.
WDM Broadcast Driver, which can provide a live signal to Obs and other live software, you can install it if you
have such needs like opeing a live show.
EZCAP_QT , which is developed by QHYCCD and can be used in QHY devices tests, and management of updates.
So even if you won’t use EZCAP_QT for capturing, we suggest you install it.
Ascom driver needs to be sync with the ascom platform version you installed (the latest version of Ascom is 6.5)
The two sorts of Ascom CFW Drivers correspond to two methods of controling the filter wheel: USB control and
camera serial control. It is recommended that both drivers should be installed if you have a filter wheel.
CP210X_VCP is a serial driver. Some computers come with the driver, but the computer without the driver may be
failed of controling the filter wheel.
SDKs for Third-party Software: Just pick and install the corresponding SDK according to the software you want to
use. Don’t forget to check whether the software you are using is 32-bit or 64-bit and select the right SDKs.
SHARPCAP is also included in the pack, you can choose 32-bit or 64-bit to install. This is authorized by
SHARPCAP.
QT LIB is a plug-in to ensure that 64-bit software can exeuate normally on some computers with poor
compatibility.
Difference between Stable version and Beta Version: Beta version is the latest version, which gives priority to support
for the latest products (the stable version may not be compatible with those yet), and has some of the latest optimized
,but experimental features. The stable version is older than the beta version but more stable, so it is recommended for
beginners who are not using the latest products.
Don’t let the camera connect to the computer during the All-in-one pack installation process; connect it to the
computer after all the installation is complete.
Input Voltage Requirements
The camera requires an input voltage between 11V and 13.8V. If the input voltage is too low the camera will stop functioning

or it may reboot when the TEC power percent is high, causing a drain on the power. Therefore, please make sure the input
voltage arrived to the camera is adequate. 12V is the best but please note that a 12V cable that is very long or a cable with
small conductor wire may exhibit enough resistance to cause a voltage drop between the power supply and the camera. The
formular is: V(drop) = I * R (cable). It is advised that a very long 12V power cable not be used. It is better to place the 12V AC
adapter closer to the camera.
First connect the 12V power supply, then connect the camera to your computer via the USB3.0 cable. Make sure the camera is
plugged in before connecting the camera to the computer, otherwise the camera will not be recognized. When you connect
the camera for the first time, the system discovers the new device and looks for drivers for it. You can skip the online search
step by clicking “Skip obtaining the driver software from Windows Update” and the computer will automatically find the
driver locally and install it. If we take the 5IIISeries driver as an example (shown below), after the driver software is
successfully installed, you will see QHY5IIISeries_IO in the device manager.
Please note that the input voltage cannot be lower than 11.5v, otherwise the device will be unable to work normally.
Connect Software
Before using software, make sure you have connected the cooling camera to the 12V power supply and connected it to the
computer with a USB3.0 data cable. If it’s a planetary/guiding camera, 12V power is not needed.
Note: We recommend 64-bit Software if possible, like SharpCAP x64 , N.I.N.A x64. etc., especially when you’re using 16bit
cameras like QHY600.
EZCAP_QT
EZCAP_QT is software developed by QHYCCD. This software has basic capture functions for QHYCCD deep sky cameras.
Run EZCAP_QT. Click “Connect” in Menu -> Camera. If the camera is successfully connected, the title line of EZCAP_QT will
display the camera firmware version and the camera ID as shown below.
Click “Temperature Control” in “Camera Settings” to set the temperature of the CMOS sensor. You can turn on “Auto” to set
the target temperature. For example, here we set the target temperature to -10C. The temperature of the CMOS sensor will
drop quickly to this temperature (approximately 2-3 minutes). If you want to turn off cooling, you can choose Stop. If you just
want to set the TEC power but not the temperature. You can select “Manual” and then set the percentage of the TEC power.
You can use the “preview tab” to preview and use the focus tool to focus. Then use the “capture tab” to capture the image.

SharpCap
Launch SharpCap. If the software and drivers mentioned above are installed successfully, the video image will appear
automatically about 3 seconds after the software loads. You will also see the frame rate in the lower left corner of the software
window as shown below.
If you have already started the SharpCap software before connecting the camera, in order to open the camera, click on the
“camera” in the menu bar and then select the device.
Offset adjustment. When you completely block the camera (i.e., like taking a dark frame) you may find that the image is not
really zero. Sometimes this will reduce the quality of the image contrast. You can get a better dark field by adjusting the offset.
You can confirm this by opening the histogram as indicated in the figure below.
If you want to enter the 16-bit image mode, select the “RAW16” mode.
By selecting the “LX” mode you can expand the exposure setting range and take long exposures.

After cooling devices connected to the 12V power supply, the temperature control circuit will be activated. You can control
the CMOS temperature by adjusting the settings in the figure below. Basically, you can control the temperature of CMOS by
either adjusting “Cooler Power” or clicking “Auto” and setting “Target Temperature”. You can also see the CMOS
temperature at the lower-left corner of the software window.
ASCOM supported software (e.g. MDL)
With ASCOM drivers, you can use the device with many software packages that support the ASCOM standard. We will use
Maxim DL below as an example, but a similar procedure is used for The SkyX and other software packages supporting
ASCOM.
First make sure you have not only loaded the ASCOM drivers but that you have also downloaded and installed the ASCOM
platform from ASCOM. After both the drivers and platform are installed, start MAXIMDL. Follow the instructions shown
below to finish the setup. Then Click Connect in and enter the software.

N.I.N.A
Open N.I.N.A. – Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy. Drive connections via ASCOM.
Turn on the TE cooler to set temperature. Then set the exposure time to capture the image.
BroadCast WDM Camera Driver
QHYCCD BroadCast WDM Camera is a broadcast driver that supports QHYCCD cameras with video broadcast function,
which can meet the needs of customers to send video images to other target software. For example, use sharpcap to connect a
WDM-enabled camera, and the sharpcap display video image can be sent to other WDM-supported software for display,

which is suitable for video online broadcast applications.
Installation:
Perform the AllInOne installation and check the BroadCast WDM Camera option.
The installation process is over, right-click the computer to find the device manager, and check that the image device name is
QHYCCD BroadCast WDM Camera, which means the installation is successful.
Activate the function:
Usually sharpcap is used to connect the camera as the broadcasting terminal. After connecting the camera, you need to turn
on the Enable Live Broadcast switch to broadcast.

Common supporting software (ie, broadcast receiver) includes: UFOCAPTURE, HANDYAVI, QQ video functions, etc.
AMcap test effect chart:
HANDYAVI test effect chart:
UFOCAPTURE test renderings:

Precautions:
Currently only supports Windows system.
Currently, the SDK does not support 16 bits for the time being.
RGB24 mode must be selected for color images, otherwise the image will appear gridded.
Advanced Control Tools
Click to download 2021.1.2
Debug TOOL
Release TOOL
Run Sharpcap and make sure the QHY Camera works well under it. You will see the continous image appears.

Click “connect” button and it will show camera name and series number.
select QHY Camera tabl.
check on the “Enable TrigOut” Input 2 to the textbox near to the “GPIO PORT MODE”. Then click the “GPIO PORT MODE”
Button to set the GPIO working mode.

Check the waveform output from the TrigPort.
The introduction of different GPIO PORT MODE
MODE0: Generic GPIO output mode / Auto Guide Port
In this mode. Four GPIO port is all output . You can control each port to output high or output low with the API. This mode
does not controlled by Enable TrigOut.
You can select the check box of MODE0, GPIO1,GPIO2,GPIO3,GPIO4 to test this mode. This mode is also been used to test if
the socket io port working well.
MODE1: 6PIN QHY-GPSBOX mode
In this mode, Four GPIO port is configed as gps_clock, gps_data, shuttermeassure,gps_control. You can connect with
QHYCCD-GPSBOX. The camera will output the shuttermeassure signal to GPSBOX and GPSBOX will send the data to camera.
Camera will replace the first some pixel to the gps data .
MODE2: 5PIN Generic TrigOut / TrigIn mode
In this mode, Four GPIO port is configed as TrigOut, ShutterMeassure, TrigIn, LinePeriod . Only TrigIn pin is input direction
and other three pin is output direction.
In some camera, like QHY4040,QHY2020,QHY42PRO,QHY6060, The shuttermeassure waveform rising edge is the start
exposure time and falling edge is the end exposure time  in other camera like QHY600,QHY268, QHY411,QHY461 etc, The
shuttermeassure waveform is the vsync signal . It is near to the end of exposure time of the first row. For more information of
TrigOut,LinePeriod. Please see some other document of QHYCCD supplied.

MODE3: 4PIN GPS Card TrigIn mode
In this mode. there is two pin is configured as ouptut . Both of the two pins is the shuttermeassure signal but one of it is
inverted. This is suitbale for some GPS card which need such a “differencial signal”. But please note this is not LVDS signal. It
is still TTL signa,
MODE4: Multi-Camera Master Mode
TO BE ADDED
MODE5: Multi-Camera Slave Mode
TO BE ADDED
MODE6: LED Calibration Mode
By using the controlled LED pulse, we can calibrate the distance from the TrigOut or ShutterMeassure signal to the real
pixel/row start/end exposure time. To use this mode. You need to connect a LED to one GPIO pin and let the camera capture
the flash that output from the camera. The start time and end time relative with the TrigOut/ShutterMeassure can be set by
APIs. By check if the camera captured this pulse. You will get the delta time of the TrigOut/ShutterMeassure signal and use it
to calibrate the messured GPS time.
mode
0mode 1 mode 2 mode 3 mode 4 mode5 mode6
GPIO1 GPSBOX_Control ShutterMessure+ ShutterMessure+ n.a n.a ShutterMessure+
GPIO2 GPSBOX_Data (IN TrigIn2 ShutterMessure- n.a n.a TrigIn2
GPIO3 GPSBOX_ShutterMessure LinePeriod n.a HSYNC(OUT HSYNCIN) LinePeriod
GPIO4 GPSBOX_CLK TrigOut n.a VSYNC(OUT VSYNC(IN) LED(OUTPUT)
GND GND GND GND GND GND GND
UVLO Function Introduction
Note: Now only QHY600, QHY268, QHY410, QHY411, QHY461, QHY533 cameras have UVLO function.
What is UVLO?
UVLOUnder Voltage Locking), is primarily intended to protect the electronic device from damage caused by abnormally low
voltages.
Our daily life experience tells us that the actual operational voltage of an electrical device must not significantly exceed the
rated voltage, otherwise it will be damaged. For such precision equipment as cameras, long-term work at too low input
voltage can also be detrimental to the working life of the camera, and may even make some devices, such as power manager,
burn up due to long-term overload. In the all-in-one driver and SDK after 2021.10.23 stable version, the camera will give a
warning when the input voltage of the camera is below 11V.
UVLO warning execution