Hi everyone. I'll start by saying that I know close to nothing about the finer things in astronomy. However, I do know quite a bit about optics, electronics, embedded systems, programming, blah blah blah. In any case, I have recently been involved in developing some imaging systems (video) and I thought I'd try my hand at something CCD-related. Now, I have seen some of the websites out there for smaller companies making CCD cameras and I have seen some of the features of their cameras. But what I really want to know is what sorts of features do end users really want/need in a high performance CCD.
First let me explain what will certainly be included in my design:
- 8 Megapixel (KAF-8300 - 3326 x 2504 - Full color) - I can technically do much more, but I decided to start with this
- 12-bit ADC
- Programmable integration time
- Binning
- Image windowing
- Ethernet 10/100/1000 and USB 2.0 control and image transfer
- Peltier cooled to 0 to -30 C
- Mechanical shutter (not needed for imaging)
- CNC Machined and Anodized Aluminum case
What about the following things:
- External triggering?
- What sort of mounting pattern is commonly used?
- What's the most troublesome thing when taking a high performance CCD into the field?
- How much (realistically) should such a CCD camera cost?
- Do you expect any fancy schmancy software connectivity? (i.e. what if the included software just downloaded the raw image, is this all you need? for stacking, for instance.)
In any case, I am nearly done with my schematic/layout and I want to order prototype boards soon. However, I thought the input of people "in the trenches," so to speak, would be invaluable.
Oh, and I think (THINK) I could offer such a system at a VERY competitive price. At least half of what is out there for a comparable system. I hope to have a prototype done in the near future at which point I'd like to have a chance to get some intial imaging. So if anyone lives in the Chicago area, let me know and I'd love to work together.
First let me explain what will certainly be included in my design:
- 8 Megapixel (KAF-8300 - 3326 x 2504 - Full color) - I can technically do much more, but I decided to start with this
- 12-bit ADC
- Programmable integration time
- Binning
- Image windowing
- Ethernet 10/100/1000 and USB 2.0 control and image transfer
- Peltier cooled to 0 to -30 C
- Mechanical shutter (not needed for imaging)
- CNC Machined and Anodized Aluminum case
What about the following things:
- External triggering?
- What sort of mounting pattern is commonly used?
- What's the most troublesome thing when taking a high performance CCD into the field?
- How much (realistically) should such a CCD camera cost?
- Do you expect any fancy schmancy software connectivity? (i.e. what if the included software just downloaded the raw image, is this all you need? for stacking, for instance.)
In any case, I am nearly done with my schematic/layout and I want to order prototype boards soon. However, I thought the input of people "in the trenches," so to speak, would be invaluable.
Oh, and I think (THINK) I could offer such a system at a VERY competitive price. At least half of what is out there for a comparable system. I hope to have a prototype done in the near future at which point I'd like to have a chance to get some intial imaging. So if anyone lives in the Chicago area, let me know and I'd love to work together.
