Santa Barbara Instrument Group STXL Series User manual

Operating Manual
STXL Advanced Series
CCD Cameras
Santa Barbara Instrument Group
150 Castilian Drive, Suite 101
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
[phone] •www.sbig.com •[e-mail]

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
We, Santa Barbara Instrument Group, a division of Aplegen, Inc., 150 Castilian Drive, Santa Barbara,
CA 93117 USA, [phone], declare under our sole responsibility that the Model STXL CCD
camera complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
____________________________________________________________
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in
a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the receiver and the equipment.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
A ferrite clip on the USB cable and Guider HDMI cable must be used when operating this equipment.
You are also warned that any changes to this certified device will void your legal right to operate it.
____________________________________________________________________________
Operating Manual for STXL Series Cameras
Revision 1.3
December, 2012
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0. CAMERA HARDWARE.......................................................................................................5
1.1. Introduction and Overview ...................................................................................5
1.2. Unpacking the Camera..........................................................................................5
Standard Items: ................................................................................................6
Optional Items: ................................................................................................7
1.3. Parts and Assembly...............................................................................................8
1.4. Connectors ............................................................................................................9
Remote Guide Head Port .................................................................................9
Power ...............................................................................................................9
Ethernet..........................................................................................................10
I2C-AUX Port................................................................................................10
USB Port........................................................................................................10
SCOPE Port ...................................................................................................10
Water In / Out ................................................................................................10
1.5. Attaching the camera to a telescope. ..................................................................11
1.6. Connecting the Relay Cable ...............................................................................11
1.7. Attaching the Remote Head................................................................................11
1.8. Connecting water hoses ......................................................................................12
1.9. Extending the USB cable....................................................................................12
1.10. Opening the Front Cover - Regenerating the Desiccant Plug...........................13
1.12. Indicator Lights.................................................................................................13
1.13. Opening the Back Cover - Changing the Fuse..................................................14
1.14. Using a Relay Adapter Box with the STXL .....................................................14
1.15. Camera Resolution............................................................................................16
1.16. Camera Field of View.......................................................................................17
1.17. Focal Length, Resolution and Field of View....................................................18
2.0. CAMERA SOFTWARE ......................................................................................................19
2.1 Installing Software...............................................................................................19
Installing CCDOps.........................................................................................19
Installing the SBIG Drivers ...........................................................................19
Linking the Drivers........................................................................................20
2.2. Using the Camera................................................................................................21
Establishing a Link with CCDOps ................................................................21
Camera Setup.................................................................................................21
Taking Sample Dark Frames .........................................................................21
Further Investigations ....................................................................................22
2.3. Specific Activities...............................................................................................22
Ethernet Configuration ..................................................................................22
Web Browser .................................................................................................22
Making the Autoguiding Connection ............................................................23
2.4. Third Party Software ..........................................................................................23
CCDSoft ........................................................................................................23
MaximDl........................................................................................................23
Support and Developer Resources..............................................................................23
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Appendix A – Adjustments and Maintenance ...........................................................................24
Firmware Updates.......................................................................................................24
Internal Tracker Focus................................................................................................24
Desiccant Regeneration ..............................................................................................24
Cleaning the CCD and the Window ...........................................................................25
Appendix B - Capturing a Good Flat Field................................................................................26
B-1. Technique...........................................................................................................26
Appendix C – Camera Specifications .........................................................................................27
Appendix D – Connector and Cables .........................................................................................28
Power Jack ..................................................................................................................28
Scope Port...................................................................................................................28
I2C/AUX Port .............................................................................................................28
Appendix E – Mechanical Drawings and Backfocus Distances ...............................................29
Adapter ring drawings and thread specifications .......................................................29
Backfocus: Camera without filter wheel. ...................................................................30
Backfocus: Camera with Standard Filter Wheel. .......................................................31
Backfocus: Camera with Self-Guiding Filter Wheel.................................................32
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1.0. CAMERA HARDWARE
Congratulations and thank you for buying one of Santa Barbara Instrument Group's STXL
Series CCD cameras. These large format cameras are SBIG's ninth generation CCD cameras and
represent the state of the art in CCD camera systems with their low noise and advanced
capabilities. The STXL Series cameras include several exciting new features: self-guiding in
front of the filters, enhanced cooling capabilities, both high speed USB 2.0 interface and Ethernet
interface, plus other innovative features found nowhere else.
1.1. Introduction and Overview
These cameras can control two CCDs: The imaging CCD inside the sealed chamber, and
an external tracking CCD located either in the self-guiding filter wheel or remote guide head.
The new cooling design is capable of exceptional performance even in warm climates. The relay
output plugs directly into most recent commercial telescope drives and is easily adaptable to
virtually any drive system. As a result, you can take hour long guided exposures with ease, using
either the built-in guiding CCD or the remote guiding head. Using the self-guiding filter wheel
eliminates differential deflection of a guide scope relative to the main telescope and requires no
radial guider setup. The remote guiding head allows for a convenient alternative if using camera
lenses or when less backfocus is required. This dual tracking mode capability, coupled with the
phenomenal sensitivity of the CCD, will allow the user to acquire observatory class images of
deep sky images with modest apertures!
1.2. Unpacking the Camera
It is always a good idea to check over your new camera to make sure that you have
received all necessary parts and standard accessories. Each STXLL Series camera is packed in a
deluxe custom carrying case. This case contains all the items necessary to operate your camera.
The case is sealed at the factory with a “plastic padlock” that cannot be removed without leaving
evidence that the case was opened. If you received your camera without one of these plastic
security locks sealing the case, please immediately take inventory of the contents and contact
your dealer or SBIG to report the condition of the camera and accessories.
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Standard Equipment for STXL Series Cameras:
STXL Camera
Universal Power
Supply
Regional AC Cord
and Plug
Power Cable
Extension
15’ USB Cable
Tracking Cable /
Adapter
Software and
Manuals
Custom Pelican Case
Standard Items:
Camera Body
The STXL Series Camera Body incorporates an imaging CCD, two-stage cooling, high-
speed USB interface, Ethernet interface and opto-isolated relays for telescope control. An
accessory plate with 3” threaded aperture is fixed to the front of the camera body for
attaching to your telescope adapter. Due to the large size of some CCDs used in the
STXL series cameras, a 2” nosepiece is too small to use without vignetting the image.
Rack handles are also attached to the camera body at the factory. In addition to making
the camera easier to handle in the dark, these handles also protect the fan housing when
the camera is placed on a flat surface or when it is packed in its carrying case.
Universal Power Supply
The STXL's universal power supply enables operation of the camera from 100 to
240VAC, 50-60 Hz. Note that the power supply has a different pin configuration than the
camera power port. The supplied extension power cable must be used between the power
supply and the camera. This extension cable provides the correct pinout for the camera.
Use only the power supply provided with the STXL camera. The earlier model STL
cameras also have a 6 pin power port, however the power supplies provided with STL
cameras do not provide sufficient current to operate the STXL series cameras.
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Power Supply Extension Cable
This cable extends the distance the power supply may be placed away from the camera. It
is also much more flexible than the short lead provided with the power supply. Finally,
the extension cable adapts the four-pin output of the power supply to the six-pin DIN plug
at the camera.
Regional AC Cord and Plug
AC cords with either European or North American style plugs are provided.
15’ USB Cable
A standard 15’ USB cable is supplied
Relay Cable
The tracking cable is a 6 conductor flat cable with 6 pin modular telephone style plugs at
both ends
Software and Manuals
A complete package of camera control software, drivers for both 32 bit and 64 bit
Windows O/S and manuals are included.
Custom Pelican Case
The Pelican brand carrying cases provided for the STXL Series cameras are high quality,
waterproof, dustproof, crushproof cases that carry a lifetime guarantee from the
manufacturer.
Optional Items:
Filter Wheels
SBIG offers two filter wheels for the STXL series cameras. The FW8S-STXL is a
standard filter wheel with 8 positions for 50mm round un-mounted filters. The FW8G-
STXL is identical except that it incorporates a self-guiding CCD in the filter wheel cover,
in front of the filters.
Custom Filters
50mm round filters are commonly available from several manufacturers. As of this
writing, SBIG offers filter sets from Baader Planetarium and Astrodon. Sets designated
as LRGBC contain both a Luminance and a Clear filter in addition to the RGB filters.
Some manufacturers provide a Clear only and some provide a Luminance only. A
Luminance filter is both UV and IR blocked. A clear filter is not blocked, but should be
AR coated.
Remote Guide Head
The optional STXL Remote Guide Head contains a KAI-340S CCD identical to the
guiding CCD that is built into the Self-Guiding Filter Wheel. This remote head allows
you to use a separate guide scope or off-axis guider to place the guiding CCD outside the
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filter wheel for convenience when imaging through narrow band filters or anytime you
wish to use an external guider.
Canon EOS Lens Adapter
This adapter allows the use of Canon EOS camera lenses on STXL cameras equipped
with the standard filter wheel.
12VDC Power Cord
A 12VDC power cord is available for field operation directly from a battery.
12V Water Pump
A submersible pump is available for water cooling. It is only necessary to provide a
constant flow of water through the heat exchanger to achieve maximum cooling. Cooling
the water supply is generally not necessary but may be used for additional cooling if
desired. If you do not have a ready source of water this pump will work in the field from
12VDC.
1.3. Parts and Assembly
The front section of the camera body contains the CCD chamber, shutter, electronics, and
desiccant plug. The rear section contains the heat exchanger, fan, power supply for 12VDC
operation in the field, and fuse. The red front cover has a round black mounting plate with 3 inch
threads and dovetail shape. The front cover may be removed from the camera body without
exposing the CCD chamber to the air. The accessory plate is shimmed at the factory to provide a
flat mounting surface that is parallel to the CCD. Under normal use, it should not be removed. If
it is removed, please note the location of the shims around the screws holding the plate to the
front cover so that they may be replaced in the same configuration. The rear cover has rack
handles, fan and heat sink, plus ventilation slots for air circulation which should not be blocked
or covered. Two water circulation fittings are found on the side of the camera opposite the
power and other electrical connections.
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1.4. Connectors
Remote Guide Head Port
This miniature connector is for attaching an optional remote guiding head or the FW8G-
STXL Self-Guiding filter wheel guiding CCD. Both the remote guiding head and the
FW8G-STXL contain a 16-bit, low-noise, KAI-340S guiding CCD identical to the
guiding CCD built-in the camera. They draw power from the main camera and are
controlled by the same software that controls the internal guider. This option allows the
use of either the RGH or FW8G-STXL for self-guiding during long exposures. Each of
these accessories have mechanical shutters and are therefore capable of automatically
taking dark frames for the guiding CCD.
Power
This port accepts 12-14VDC in to power the camera and any accessories that may be
connected to the I2C port. Use the supplied 100-240VAC Universal power supply or
connect directly to a 12VDC supply such as a car battery. If using the Universal power
supply, note that the supplied extension cord must also be used between the power
supply and the camera to provide the correct pin configuration at the camera. Note
also, that the STXL's power connector will accept a direct connection from an STL
camera power supply. If you inadvertently plug an STL power upply into an STXL
camera, it will not cause damage to the STXL camera, but the camera will not
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operate reliably under full cooling power as the STL supply does not provide the
required current for the STXL camera. If you wish to make a custom power cable, the
pin outs for the connector may be found in the appendix of this manual. We recommend
16 gauge conductor for 10’ to 15’ of cable or 18 gauge conductor for less than 10’ of
cable.
Ethernet
This port is for controlling the camera using Ethernet instead of USB. Connect CAT5
Ethernet cable between this port and your computer's Ethernet port. See the Software
Section 2.3 for instructions of using an Ethernet interface.
I2C-AUX Port
This port is for attachment of accessories: SBIG filter wheels, Adaptive Optics, etc.
Accessories designed to use this port do not require separate power supplies or control
cables running to the computer.
USB Port
Connect to your computer using a standard 15’ USB cable. If your computer must be
more than 15’ from the camera we recommend an active extension for short distances
(15’ additional) or a powered USB extended such as the Icron Ranger for longer
distances. The Icron Ranger allows USB devices to operate up to 100 meters from the
host computer. For long runs we recommend using the Ethernet interface with CAT5
cable.
SCOPE Port
This port supplies the relay outputs for controlling the guiding of your telescope.
Connect the supplied 6-conductor telephone style cable to this connector and the other
end of the cable to your telescope drive's autoguider input port. See Section 1.6 for more
information.
Water In / Out
The camera can be operated with or without
water circulation. Simply by attaching water
circulation you can maintain a lower
operating temperature in warm
environments. The water circulation helps
lower the temperature of the heat exchanger
located in the back of the camera and this, in
turn, makes it easier for the TE cooler to
reach lower temperatures. The water does
not need to be cooled, but it may be for
additional efficiency. An optional 12VDC
water pump is available from SBIG. The
water fittings of the STXL cameras accept tubing with 1/4 inch inside diameter.
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