QHY174GPS
QHY174GPS
The QHY174GPS camera is a remarkable scientific imaging device designed for precision and accuracy. Let’s delve into its features:
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Sensor and Specifications:
- The QHY174GPS employs the Sony IMX174 CMOS sensor with a global shutter.
- Key specifications include:
- Pixel Size: Each pixel measures 5.86 μm x 5.86 μm.
- Effective Pixels: It offers 2 megapixels.
- Image Area: The effective image area is 11.25 mm x 7.03 mm (1/1.2-inch).
- Frame Rate: It achieves a rapid frame rate of 138 FPS at 1920 x 1200 resolution.
- Quantum Efficiency (QE): The QE is an impressive 78%.
- Low Read Noise: The camera boasts a low read noise level of 3-5e-.
- These specifications make it ideal for various scientific imaging tasks, including capturing occultations, eclipses, and meteors.
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Built-in GPS Module:
- The standout feature of the QHY174GPS is its integrated GPS module.
- This module syncs with atomic clock signals received from GPS satellites.
- It allows the camera to record the start and end times of exposures with 1 microsecond precision anywhere on Earth.
- The QHY174GPS was even selected by the NASA New Horizons Team to successfully capture the MU69 occultation in the summer of 20171.
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Cooling and Anti-Amp Glow:
- The QHY174GPS features dual-stage TE cooling, maintaining temperatures as low as -45°C below ambient.
- It includes full anti-moisture control, including a heated optical window and a removable desiccant plug for the sensor chamber.
- An anti-amp glow function significantly reduces the IMX174 sensor’s amplifier glow during long exposures.
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Global Shutter:
- Unlike rolling shutter technology, the QHY174GPS employs a global shutter.
- This ensures that the exposure time for the entire image area is uniform, starting and ending simultaneously.
- Ideal for high-precision applications, it minimizes distortion caused by moving objects or atmospheric effects.
In summary, the QHY174GPS is a powerful tool for scientific imaging, combining precision, speed, and global shutter technology. Whether you’re studying celestial events or conducting research, this camera delivers exceptional performance
Unlike the rolling shutter technology used in most CMOS cameras, a global shutter guarantees that the exposure time for the whole image area is uniform, beginning and ending at exactly the same time. This type of shutter is ideal for high precision applications. For high-speed moving object and the atmospheric agitation, the global shutter can generate undisborted imaging and realizes high picture quality.
Master mode: In Master Mode, the camera is free running, and the internal 10MHz GPS synced clock will measure and record the shutter’s opening and closing time.
Slave mode: In Slave Mode you can input a target start time and the interval period for two frames. For example: You want three cameras in different locations (maybe thousands of kilometers apart) to start an exposure at 2016.3.9.UTC 14:00:00.000000 and then to continue with exposures at the interval time of 0.100000 sec. After you input these value, all the three cameras will wait until this time and then simultaneously start video recording, e.g.:
2016.3.9 UTC 14:00:00.000033
2016.3.9 UTC 14:00:00.100033
2016.3.9 UTC 14:00:00.200033
2016.3.9 UTC 14:00:00.300033
(The 0.00033 is a global delay of the CMOS shutter).
The time stamp and other GPS information is embedded into the image. The software decodes it in real time and displays the information on left. Since the data is embedded, it will never be lost so long as you keep the original image.
Model | QHY174GPS |
COMS Sensor | SONY IMX174 CMOS |
Pixel Size | 5.86um*5.86um |
Effective Pixel Area | 1920*1200 |
Effective Pixels | 2mega |
Effective Image Area | 11.25mm*7.03mm |
QE | 78% |
Fullwell | >32ke- |
AD Sample Depth | 12/10bit (output as 16bit and 8bit) |
Sensor Size | Typical 1/1.2 inch |
Full Frame Rate and ROI Frame Rate |
138FPS@1936×1216
260FPS@960×600 490FPS@480×300 *Note:QHYCCD has optimized the cmos drive frequency and limit the max frame rate. The CMOS sensor may not work under the max frequency to ensure the better noise performance. If you need the customized higher frame rate version, please contact QHYCCD. |
ROI Support | Yes. Any Area ROI |
Readout Noise | 5.3e-@Gain0% 2.8e-@Gain60% 1.6e-@Gain100% |
Exposure Time Range | 5us-900sec |
Binning | 1×1,2×2 |
Anti-Glow Control | Yes (Reduces amplifier glow significantly) |
Shutter Type | Electric Global Shutter |
Computer Interface | USB3.0 Super Speed |
Non-volatile memory / On camera storage | Build-in total 512Kbytes Flash Memory. 100Kbytes user-accessible space for stellar ROI frames for analysis of exoplanet investigation, occultations, atmospheric seeing measurement, focus , optic analysis etc. Support 100*100 image x 10rames 50*50 image x40frames. 25*25 image x160frames 10*10 image * 1000 frames (total frame numbers is based on 8bit image) |
Cooling System |
Dual Stage TEC cooler(-40C below ambient),
(Test temperature +20°) Temperature Regulated |
Anti-Dew Control |
Connector for removable silicon gel tube
Heater board for CMOS chamber optical window |
Telescope Interface | M42/0.75 / 2inch faster installer. Optional C-mount adapter |
Optic Window Type |
Mono Version: AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating
Color Version: IR cut coating |
Guide Port | 6PIN RJ11 Guide Port |
Color Wheel Port | 4PIN QHYCFW Socket |
Back Focal Length | 17.5mm |
Weigth | 450g |
GPS version, Time-Stamp Precision | 1 micro-second of the GPS UTC clock |
Reference Price | QHY174M-GPS USD1239 w/TE Cooling |