SBIG STX Series User manual

Operating Manual
STX Advanced Series
CCD Cameras
SBIG Imaging Systems A Division of Diffraction Limited.
59 Grenfell Crescent, Unit B, Ottawa, ON Canada, k2G 0G3
Tel: [phone] | Fax: [phone]| E-mail: [email protected] | www.sbig.com
© 2016 Diffraction Limited. All rights reserved. The SBIG logo are trademarks of Diffraction Limited,
All other trademarks, service marks and tradenames appearing in this brochure are the property of
their respective owners.

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.
Shielded I/O cables 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.
OPERATION Manual for STX Series
Cameras Revision 1.3
Dec 2016
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0. CAMERA HARDWARE ...................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1. Introduction and Overview .......................................................................................................... 4
1.2. Unpacking the Camera.................................................................................................................. 4
Standard Items:....................................................................................................................... 6
Optional Items: ....................................................................................................................... 7
1.3. Parts and Assembly ....................................................................................................................... 8
1.4. Connectors....................................................................................................................................... 9
[A] Tracking CCD Focus Adjustment................................................................................. 9
[B] Remote Guide Head Port ............................................................................................... 9
[C] USB Port ........................................................................................................................... 9
[D] SCOPE Port.....................................................................................................................10
[E] I2C-AUX Port..................................................................................................................10
[F] Ethernet............................................................................................................................10
[G] Power...............................................................................................................................10
[H] 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
1.11. Gas Purging..................................................................................................................................14
1.12. Indicator Lights ...........................................................................................................................14
1.13. Opening the Back Cover - Changing the Fuse.........................................................................15
1.14. Using a Relay Adapter Box with the STX ................................................................................15
1.15. Camera Resolution......................................................................................................................17
1.16. Camera Field of View .................................................................................................................18
1.17. Focal Length, Resolution and Field of View............................................................................19
2.0. CAMERA SOFTWARE .......................................................................................................................................20
2.1 Installing Software .........................................................................................................................20
Installing CCDOps ................................................................................................................20
Installing the SBIG Drivers...................................................................................................20
Linking the Drivers ...............................................................................................................21
2.2. Using the Camera..........................................................................................................................22
Establishing a Link with CCDOps ......................................................................................22
Camera Setup.........................................................................................................................22
Taking Sample Dark Frames................................................................................................22
Further Investigations...........................................................................................................23
2.3. Specific Activities ..........................................................................................................................23
Ethernet Configuration.........................................................................................................23
Web Browser..........................................................................................................................23
Making the Autoguiding Connection.................................................................................23
2.4. Third Party Software.....................................................................................................................24
CCDSoft ..................................................................................................................................24
MaximDl .................................................................................................................................24
Support and Developer Resources......................................................................................................24
Appendix A – Adjustments and Maintenance .......................................................................................................25
Firmware Updates.................................................................................................................................25
Internal Tracker Focus ..........................................................................................................................25
Desiccant Regeneration ........................................................................................................................25
Cleaning the CCD and the Window ...................................................................................................26
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Appendix B - Capturing a Good Flat Field .............................................................................................................27
B-1. Technique ......................................................................................................................................27
Appendix C – Camera Specifications.......................................................................................................................28
Appendix D – Connector and Cables.......................................................................................................................29
Power Jack .....................................................................................................................................................................29
Scope Port ......................................................................................................................................................................29
I2C/AUX Port ...............................................................................................................................................................29
4
The SBIG STX Series represents the ultimate in astronomical imaging systems. The
integrated design allows the user to select either Ethernet or high speed USB 2.0 connection
to the control computer. The Model STX-16803 uses Kodak’s KAF-16803 CCD with 16
million pixels at 9 microns. The sensor measures almost 37mm square. The built-in tracking
CCD is a Kodak KAI-340S with 640 x 480 pixels at 7.4 microns. The STX series has
superior cooling to -50 degrees C below ambient with air only. Water-cooling is also
possible.
Built-in Guiding CCD with Adjustable Focus: The guiding CCD in the STX cameras is a
KAI-340 CCD with 640 x 480 pixels at 7.4u. As the imaging CCDs get larger, the guiding
CCD gets pushed farther away from the center of the optical axis. Depending on the nature
of the optical system, this can cause the image on the guiding CCD to be slightly out of
focus when the image on the main CCD is in focus. To address this, STX cameras have a
user accessible adjustment for changing the focal point of the on-board guiding CCD.
For external guiding, the same same KAI-340 CCD is also used the optional Remote Guide
Head, and in the new STX Guider accessory for the FW7-STX filter wheel. The STX
Guider allows you to use the smaller, less expensive 50 mm square filters, and increases the
guider FOV with focal reduction optics. The smaller filters also mean that the FW7-STX
wheel can hold 7 filters instead of 5.
Product Description

5
1.0. CAMERA HARDWARE
Congratulations and thank you for buying one of Santa Barbara Instrument Group's STX
Series CCD cameras. These large format cameras are SBIG's seventh generation CCD cameras
and represent the state of the art in CCD camera systems with their low noise and advanced
capabilities. The STX Series cameras include several exciting new features: internal and
optional external self-guiding (US Patent 5,525,793), 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 have two CCDs inside a sealed chamber, one CCD is used for guiding and
the large one for imaging. An optional remote guiding head may be added for guiding through
an external optical system or through an off-axis guider placed before the camera. The low noise
of the read out electronics virtually guarantees that a usable guide star will be within the field of
the guiding CCD for telescopes with F/numbers F/6.3 or faster. 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. The internal guiding CCD eliminates differential deflection of
guide scope relative to the main telescope and requires no radial guider setup hassles. The
remote guiding head allows for a convenient alternative when imaging through narrow band
filters where suitable guide stars may be difficult to find. 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! The technology also makes image
stabilization possible through our Adaptive Optics accessory.
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 STX Series camera is packed in a
deluxe custom carrying case. This case contains all the items necessary to operate your camera.

Standard Equipment for STX Series Cameras:
STX Camera Universal Power
Supply AC Cord Power Cable
Extension
USB Cable Tracking Cable /
Adapter
Software and
Manuals Custom Case
Standard Items:
Camera Body
The STX Series Camera Body incorporates an imaging CCD, built-in and guiding 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 STX 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 STX'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 9 foot 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 STX 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 STX series cameras.
6

Power Supply Extension Cable
This 9 foot 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. Must specify at time
of order.
14’ USB Cable
A standard 14’ 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 Case
Carrying cases provided for the STX Series cameras are high quality, waterproof, dustproof,
crushproof .
Optional Items:
Remote Guide Head
The optional STX Remote Guide Head contains a KAI-340S CCD identical to the guiding CCD
that is built into the camera. This remote head allows you to use a separate guide scope or off-
axis guider to place the guiding CCD outside the filter wheel for convenience when imaging
through narrow band filters or anytime you wish to use an external guider.
FW5-STX, FW7-STX Filter Wheel
50mm and 65 mm filter wheels are available for the STX camera. Filter sets are offered by
Baader Planetarium, Custom Scientific and Astrodon.
STX Guider
This product attaches to the front of a FW7-STX filter wheel, turning it into a self-guiding filter
wheel. The STX Guider is directly compatible with the AO-X adaptive optics unit.
AO-X
The SBIG AO-X is a large aperture AO designed to be compatible with all STX and STXL series
cameras, including the STX-16803, STXL-16200, STXL-11000 and STXL-6303. The AO-X requies
minimal backfocus while offering a large 3″ aperture optical element, which is large enough to cover the
KAF-16803 CCD sensor.
7

8
Nikon and Canon Lens Adapters
Adapter allows the use of Canon or Nikon 35mm camera lenses on Research Series
cameras for wide field imaging.
1.3. Parts and Assembly
The black anodized portion of the camera body contains the CCD chamber, electronics,
desiccant plug, gas purge valve, heat exchanger, fan and a power supply for 12VDC operation in
the field. The red front cover contains the shutter mechanism and mounting plate with 3 inch
threads. 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. Two water circulation fittings are
found on the side of the camera opposite the power and other electrical connections. Access to
the gas purge valve is inside the front cover, next to the desiccant plug, on the CCD chamber.

1.4. Connectors
[A] Tracking CCD Focus Adjustment
The built-in tracking CCD is set at the factory to be par focal with the imaging CCD
assuming a flat field. However, some optical designs produce enough curvature of field
to cause star images to be out of focus at the location of the tracking CCD. In this case
you may wish to adjust the focus of the tracking CCD. The available adjustment is +/-1.5
turns which corresponds to approximately +/- 1.5mm of focal plane shift for the tracking
CCD. To reset the adjustment to the nominal position, turn the adjustment screw fully
clockwise until it stops then turn it back (counterclockwise) 1.5 turns.
[B] Remote Guide Head Port
This miniature 25-pin connector is for attaching the optional remote guiding head. The
remote guiding head contains a 16-bit, cooled, low-noise, KAI-340S guiding CCD
identical to the guiding CCD built-in the camera. It draws its power from the main
camera and is controlled by the same software that controls the internal guider. This
option allows the use of either the internal or the remote guiding CCD for self-guiding
during long exposures. It has its own shutter for dark frames
[C] USB Port
Connect to your computer using a standard 14’ USB cable. If your computer must be
more than 14’ from the camera we recommend an active extension for short
distances
9

(14’ additional) such as a powered USB. 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 CAT5e cable (see [F] below).
[D] 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.
[E] 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.
[H] Water In / Out
[F
This port is for
Ethernet cable between this port and your computer's Ethernet port. See the Software
Section 2.3 for instructions of using an Ethernet interface.
[G] Power
10
] Ethernet
controlling the camera using Ethernet instead of USB. Connect CAT5
This port accepts 13-14VDC in to power the camera and any accessories that may be
connected to the I2C port. 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.
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. The water fittings of the STX cameras accept tubing with 1/4 inch inside
diameter.

1.5. Attaching the camera to a telescope.
ue to the size of the largest CCD supported by the STX
se
N-
in
1.6. Connecting the Relay Cable
he camera contains opto-isolated relays to control a telescope during self-guiding or when auto
diagram at right (Off-the-shelf cable
1.7. Attaching the Remote Head
ional accessory for all
all
u
T
guiding. Most modern telescope drive controllers have a 6-pin modular phone style jack on their
front panel or hand paddle for plugging in an autoguider.
The relay outputs from the camera are brought out via a
phone style connector labeled “SCOPE.” To connect the
telephone style Relay Cable to the camera, use the 6-
conductor cable provided.
Please note that the cable
must have the connectors
attached on each end in the
correct orientation for
autoguiding. See the
for telephone use may have these plugs reversed).
The Remote Guiding Head is an opt
models of the STX Series cameras. When attached to the
main camera body, the Remote Guiding Head can perform
of the functions of the guiding CCD that is built into the
camera. You control the Remote Guider using the same
menu commands as you would for the internal guider. Yo
can select which guider to use for a self-guided image. The
Remote Guiding Head makes it possible to self-guide using a
separate guide scope, or through an off-axis guider assembly that is placed in front of the filters.
11
D
camera, typical t-threads and even a 2” nosepiece will cau
vignetting of the CCD. The accessory plate on the front
cover of the camera has a 3” threaded aperture (3.00-24 U
2B). The outside diameter of this threaded ring also allows
for dovetail attachment with the appropriate sized adapter.
Please check with your telescope manufacturer for an
attachment adapter. Mechanical drawings are provided
the Appendix of this manual for making custom adapters.
This can be useful when imaging through narrow band filters where stars are difficult to see. It is
important to remember that you should not connect or disconnect the Remote Head to the
camera while the power ison.

1.8. Connecting water hoses
STX Series cameras are equipped with a heat exchanger that
g
r
t
the water circulation. Also, it is usually not necessary to cool the water
allows water circulation if conditions require additional coolin
of the CCD. The cameras may be operated with or without
water circulation. No special steps are necessary to use wate
circulation other than connection of a water supply. The camera
comes with two water hose fittings (pictured in the inset at left)
that accept a hose with an inside diameter of 1/4th inch. Very
little water pressure is needed for additional cooling. Only
enough pressure to maintain a constant flow is required to ge
below ambient temperature with ice or refrigeration but it
can be done so long as you monitor the dew point. Water
at ambient temperature is an effective heat conductor and
maximum benefit from
a constant flow of water will carry away enough heat
from the heat exchanger that further cooling of the water
supply will result in little gain. Cooling the water supply
too much may cool the camera well below the dew point
so that moisture forms on the inside surface of the case or
the outside surface of the CCD chamber window.
If do not have a way to supply water to the camera, the 12VDC pond pump and
tubing shown can be purchased at most hardware stores.
12

Powered USB extenders. Powered extenders such as the Icron Ranger
(www.icron.com) are also commonly available. These extenders require power at one
end of the cable (either end) and will let you operate the camera (or any USB device) up
to 100 meters from the computer.
1.10. Opening the Front Cover - Regenerating the Desiccant Plug
The CCD is housed in a sealed chamber
located inside the front cover of the camera.
The chamber is separate from the large front
and rear cover plates, so that opening the
front or rear cover plates will not expose the
CCD chamber to the environment. The CCD
chamber has a desiccant plug located on one
side to help remove moisture from the air
inside the chamber. If it should become
necessary to recharge the desiccant due to
excess moisture or frosting in the chamber, it
is a simple matter to remove the desiccant
plug, bake it in a conventional oven at 350
degrees F (175 degrees C) for 4 hours and
replace the plug in the camera. To gain access to the desiccant plug, remove the front cover by
loosening the eight socket head screws as shown in the picture above. Note the location of the
desiccant plug in the next photo below.
Remove the plug by unscrewing it from the
chamber. You should be able to unscrew it
using your fingers. If time and
temperature have made it too tight, use soft
grip pliers to remove it. Be sure to take off
the o-ring from around the threads before
baking the plug. Place a small piece of
electrical tape over the hole in the side of
the CCD chamber while you are baking the
desiccant plug to keep unwanted dust and
moisture out of the chamber. When you
replace the desiccant plug after baking it,
do not over-tighten it when you screw it
back into the chamber. It should be tightened as much as you can with your fingers only. Don’t
forget to replace the o-ring on the plug before re-installing it after baking.
13

1.11. Gas Purging
Purging the CCD chamber with an inert gas such as Argon can provide a quick dry air chamber
and cooling performance may be slightly improved. However, this procedure is generally
unnecessary. The gas purge port is therefore included as a convenience, but not a necessity.
You should only consider purging the chamber if it is absolutely necessary. The risk is that you
may introduce foreign material to the chamber, or worse, destroy the CCD. WARNING: DO
NOT PURGE THE CHAMBER UNLESS THE DESICCANT PLUG IS COMPLETELY
REMOVED FROM THE CHAMBER. DO NOT PURGE THE CHAMBER WITH THE
DESICCANT PLUG SIMPLY LOOSENED BUT LEFT PARTIALLY SCREWED INTO
ITS PORT ON THE CHAMBER. Failure to follow these instructions may result is
destruction of the CCD and this damage is NOT covered under warranty. The pressure
may not exceed 1 or 2 pounds per square inch on the CCD. If you do not have a regulator
capable of limiting the gas pressure to about 1 psi, then you should flow the gas through the
chamber under very low pressure with an OPEN desiccant plug port (remove the desiccant plug
completely) to prevent the pressure from building up inside the chamber. After a few seconds,
turn off the gas and only then replace the desiccant plug.
1.12. Indicator Lights
There are two sets of LED indicator
lights located on the side of the camera
body that provide information about the
camera’s communication link, exposure
status, relay activity, and input voltage.
The top row contains five LEDs: The
red status LED will flicker when the
camera is powered up. It will then either
glow continuously when the camera is
idle or blink when the camera is taking
an exposure. The four amber LEDs
indicate when any of the four relays are
activated during during self-guiding.
The bottom row contains four LEDs:
These indicate the input voltage to the camera and are helpful when operating from battery
power. Normally the Green LED will glow continuously to indicate that the power supplied is
12 -14 volts. The first yellow LED labeled 11V will light if the input voltage at the camera
drops to 11.25V or less. The second yellow LED labeled 10V will light if the input voltage at
the camera drops to 10.25V or less. At 10.25V or less, the camera will automatically shut down
the TE cooling but otherwise continue to operate normally. The final red LED labeled 9V will
light if the input voltage at the camera drops to 9.25V or less. At this point the camera's
operation may be unreliable and you should shut it down until the voltage can be brought back
up to the normal operating range.
14

1.13. Opening the Back Cover - Changing the Fuse
STX cameras have a built-in voltage regulation that lets you run the camera directly from any
unregulated 12VDC source such as car battery. The input to this supply is protected with a fuse
located inside the rear of the camera. To access the fuse, place the camera face down on a
smooth clean surface. To help avoid any static damage, touch something metal that is grounded
before opening the camera. Open the back cover plate of the camera by removing the eight
socket head screws located around the perimeter of the back plate. Carefully lift the rear cover
and turn it over. You will see a wiring harness for the fan that prevents the cover from being
completely detached, but the wires should be long enough that the cover can be placed out of the
way without unplugging the harness. The fuse is located on the digital board as shown in the
right hand photo above. .
1.14. Using a Relay Adapter Box with the STX
STX cameras use opto-isolated relays that isolate
the camera, electrically, from your mount’s drive
electronics. It is therefore unlikely that a Relay
Adapter box will be needed with any commercial
mount. However if you wish to use the Relay
Box with mechanical relays for other reasons,
then jumpers must be set inside the camera to
provide 12V out on one pin of the SCOPE port.
This is needed to supply power to the Relay
Adapter Box before it can be used with the
camera. To set the jumpers, remove the back
cover of the camera as instructed in the previous
section for changing the fuse. Unlike the fuse, however, the jumpers are not on the top board, so
it may be easier for this procedure to unplug the fan wiring harness from the digital board to get
the wires out of the way. Then, remove the five long Phillips screws from the digital board as
indicated by the arrows in the photo above. Note also the location of the rectangular box outline
in the same photo. This outline indicates the location of a connector on the bottom of the digital
board that attaches to the board below (visible in the next photo). To remove the digital board
15

you must carefully pry this connector loose and lift
the digital board away from the camera. Care should
be taken not to pull too strongly on the digital board
far from the connector as this could bend the board
and cause cracks in the delicate traces.
Once the digital board is removed locate the jumper
pins just next to the row of five LEDs that show
through holes in the side of the camera body. The
jumper pins are immediately adjacent to LED02 (see
photo below). There are four pairs of pins. Jumpers
must be placed on the two pairs of pins farthest away
from the LEDs (bottom photo below).
Factory configuration: No jumpers. Jumpers set for Relay Box
Replace the digital board taking care to align all the pins in the connector before applying slight
pressure to seat the pins. Replace the five Phipllips-head screws and plug in the fan wiring
harness. Then replace the back plate.
16

1.15. Camera Resolution
Resolution comes in two flavors these days. In the commercial world of digital devices, the
word resolution is often used synonymously with the number of pixels used in a device. You are
used to seeing ads for scanners with a "resolution" of 2,000 x 3,000 pixels, etc. Computer
monitors have various "resolution" settings which are basically the number of pixels displayed.
We use the word here in its literal sense, which is ability to resolve detail. This has nothing to
do with the number of
pixels, rather it is governed
by the size of each pixel and
the focal length of the
optical system. Typically,
seeing limits the resolution
of a good system. Seeing is
often measured in terms of
the Full Width Half
Maximum (FWHM) of a star
image on a long exposure.
That is, the size of a star's
image in arcseconds when
measured at half the
maximum value for that star
in an exposure of many
seconds. As a general rule,
one wants to sample such a
star image with no less than
2 pixels. It is preferable to
sample the star image with 3
or more pixels depending on
the processing steps to be
performed and the final display size desired. By way of example, if the atmosphere and optical
system allow the smallest star images of 2.6 arcseconds in diameter (FWHM) then one needs a
telescope focal length and pixel size that will let each pixel see 1/3 of 2.6 arcseconds. In this
example the pixel field of view should be about 0.86 arcseconds per pixel for an optimum
balance of extended object sensitivity to resolution of fine detail. If you aim for a pixel FOV of
about 1 arcsecond per pixel through a given focal length, then you should be fine for the majority
of typical sites and imaging requirements. If your seeing is much better than typical, then you
should aim for less than one arcsecond per pixel. If your seeing is much worse than typical, then
you can get away with 1.5 or even 2 arcseconds per pixel. The table at left shows the field of
view per pixel for several pixel sizes at various focal lengths. Select the focal length or range of
focal lengths of your telescope(s) and look across for a pixel size that yields a field of view close
to 1 arcsecond per pixel. Note also that the exception to this rule is planetary imaging where
sensitivity is not an issue and resolution is paramount. In this case, aim for 0.5 or 0.25
1
7

arcseconds per pixel. Also note that cameras with smaller pixels may be binned 2x2 or 3x3 to
create larger pixels and expand the useful range of the camera. For example, an STX-16000
with 7.4 micron pixels can be binned 2x2 to give 14.8 micron pixels. The overall field of view
of the CCD does not change however, and a camera with larger pixels and a larger field of view
might be preferable if it will not be used on shorter focal length instruments.
1.16. Camera Field of View
The field of view that your camera will see through a given telescope is determined by the focal
length of the telescope and the physical size of the CCD chip. This also has nothing to do with
the number of pixels.
Through the same
telescope, a CCD that has
512 x 512 pixels at 20
microns square will have
exactly the same field of
view as a CCD with 1024
x 1024 pixels at 10
microns square even
though the latter has four
times as many pixels.
One can vary the focal
length to vary the field of
view. Using a focal
reducer to shorten the
focal length will increase
the field of view (and
make the image brighter in the process). Using a barlow or eyepiece projection to effectively
lengthen the focal length of the telescope will decrease the field of view (and make the image
dimmer in the process). In order to determine the field of view for a given CCD, note the CCD's
length and width dimensions in millimeters (from the
camera specifications) and use the following formula for
determining the field of view for that CCD through any
telescope:
(135.3 x D ) / L = Field of View in arcminutes
where D is the length or width dimension of the CCD in
millimeters, and L is the focal length of your telescope in
inches. So, for example, if you wanted to know the field of
view of the new STL-4020M camera when attached to a 5"
F/6 telescope you would first determine the focal length of
the telescope by multiplying its aperture, 5 inches, by its
focal ratio, 6, to get its focal length, 30 inches. The CCD
dimensions are 15.2 x 15.2 mm. To calculate the field of
view multiply 135.3 x 15.2 = 2,057 and then divide by 30 = 68.6 arcminutes. By way of
comparison, the field of view of the STX-16803 through the same telescope would be 135.3 x
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36.8 = 4,979 divided by 30 = 166 arcminutes. The table above shows the calculated field of
view in arcminutes for each of the several large format CCDs at various focal lengths. Keep in
mind however that when you vary the CCD field of view you are also varying the field of view
for each pixel and are therefore also affecting the resolution of your system.
1.17. Focal Length, Resolution and Field of View
From the forgoing we see that neither resolution alone, nor field of view alone, are dependent
solely on the number of pixels of a sensor. So when are more pixels better? The key word in the
first sentence is “alone.” All else being equal, more pixels will yield a larger field of view
compared to another camera with fewer pixels of the same pixel size. The resolution will be the
same through any optical system, because the size of each pixel remains the same. But more
pixels mean a larger CCD and therefore a larger field of view at the same resolution. So the
question becomes: What is the field of view of a CCD at a given resolution based upon pixel size
and the focal length of your optical system?
The tables on the preceding pages can help you determine this answer. The table below uses the
KAF-16803 CCD as an example:
KAF-16803 with 4096 x 4096 pixels at 9 microns
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2.0. CAMERA SOFTWARE
This section gets you up and running right away with your STX camera. First you’ll install
the Application Software and Drivers, then you’ll have Windows Link the Drivers to the
Camera and finally you’ll connect to the Camera and take a few sample images. Please follow
these instructions in order and do not attach your Camera to your Computer until instructed.
Note: The STX Drivers require Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 .
They will not work under older Windows versions like Windows 98, XP
2.1 Installing Software
Before you can use your camera you’ll have to install the CCDOps Application software and the
Windows Drivers for the camera. We’ll walk you through that in this section.
Installing CCDOps MAC WINDOWS
SBIG’s Application Software for our cameras is called CCDOps. It gives you full
control of your camera’s features. To install CCDOps follow the instructions below:
•Insert the CD-ROM that came with your camera into your computer’s CD drive.
If the CD doesn’t auto-run Explore the CD and run the autorun.exe file in the
root directory.
•Click the Setup New ST Camera button.
•Click on the Install CCDOps button and follow the onscreen instructions.
Installing the SBIG Drivers MAC WINDOWS
SBIG Cameras require Drivers to be installed in Windows or Mac before you can
communicate with them. Our Driver Checker program downloads the latest Drivers
from our website and Installs them on your computer. Follow the instructions below to
install the SBIG Drivers for your camera:
•Install 64-Bit Driver Checker. You must use the 64-Bit Driver Checker with the
STX and it works on both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows.
•Follow the onscreen instructions to install the Driver Checker. At the end of the
Install opt to Launch the SBIG Driver Checker.
•The Driver Checker will ask you about any older ST Series Camera you may
have with or without the Remote Guide Head capability. Read the options
carefully, select the appropriate setting then click OK. Click on the Update
button to Install the Drivers.. In the process of installing the drivers it will show
you a ReadMe file with notes about the current drivers and it will ask you to
verify that you want to apply the Update. After clicking Update Me it will install
the drivers on your system.
•Before you quit the Driver Checker you should see that all the Drivers are listed
as Current in the table as shown below. If not click on the Download button to
Download the latest Drivers from our web site then click the Update button a 2nd
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time. Your versions may be different than those shown.