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QHY600 BSI Cooled Cameras
The QHY 600 is available in three models: The QHY 600 PH-L (LITE) (only available with monochrome sensor), the QHY 600 - PH (PHOTO) and the QHY 600 - PRO. The last two models are available with either a monochrome or a color sensor. The image quality is identical for all 3 models.
In addition to the standard USB 3.0 interface, the PRO version have 2 x 10 Gigabit fiber interfaces for faster data transfer. For the use of the GB interfaces, a QHY PCIE Kit (#1931116 , € 3050,-) is required optionally and separately at extra charge. This option is not available for the LITE and PH version. HOWEVER - a grabber card is not necessary to operate the camera, since it is likewise capable to work under USB3.0 connection. Some users may own two or more ethernet compatible cameras but only do operate one camera at a time. In this case just one grabber card needs to be ordered. But for multiple cameras, each to operate with 2X10GB simultaneously, then the same number of grabber cards are needed.
The monochrome QHY 600 M models PRO and PHOTO are delivered with an Industrial (Grade K) class sensor. This sensor is certified by Sony for 24/7 continuous operation. The QHY 600 PH-L is shipped with a Consumer (Grade C) class sensor and is not designed for 24/7 continuous operation. Here we describe in detail the differences between the Industrial and Consumer sensor classes.
The models with the sensors of the Industry class are recommended for professional astronomy and semi-professional amateur astronomy in remote operation for regular sky monitoring.
Special versions of the QHY 600:All three models (PRO, PH and LITE) are also available as short backfocus (BFL) versions. Here the backfocus is only 7mm, instead of the usual 17.5mm, behind the camera body. The QHY600 Short back-focus version is specially designed for DSLR lens users or those who has special requirment of short back focal length. An OffAxis Guider and filter wheels can be integrated. For more information on the BFL, please visit the QHYCCD manufacturer's page and our "New Technologies in the QHY600 and QHY268 Cameras" page.
The QHY 600 PRO versions (mono and color) are also available with liquid cooling for an additional charge. Liquid cooling has several advantages over air cooling and cools deeper below ambient temperature than standard air cooling. The liquid cooling for the QHY 600 - PRO must be firmly ordered with an order, a later retrofit is NOT possible. Further information about water cooling we describe here
The QHY 600 PRO versions (Mono and Colour) can be equipped with 2 x 10 Gigabit fiber interfaces for an additional charge. This requires an additional PCIE interface board from QHY: QHY PCIE Kit (#1931116 , € 3050,-) . The Gigabit interface is an upgrade and can be ordered directly when placing an order, but can also be activated at any time later. More information about the Gigabit interfaces can be found here
Important note: For all orders of QHY 600 special versions we kindly ask you to contact us via eMail to avoid any mistakes.High Resolution, 61 Megapixels, Full Frame
The QHY600 Mono versions (PH, PRO, Lite) uses the new Sony Full Frame (35mm format) IMX455 Back-Illuminated CMOS Sensor. It is available in both a monochrome version and a color version (PH, Pro). The IMX455 is a 61 Megapixel, scientific CMOS sensor with 3.76um square pixels and 16-bit ADC. The sensor size is 36mm x 24mm. All Mono version of QHY600PH & QHY600Pro use IMX455 industry grade sensor (Grade-K). A consumer sensor with Grade C is installed in all color versions. This sensor is certified by Sony for 24/7 continuous operation. The QHY 600M PH-L (LITE) is delivered with a consumer (Grade C) class sensor and is not designed for continuous operation.
Full Well Capacity, >51ke- at 3.76um, >400ke- Binned and up to >720ke- in Extended Mode
One benefit of the back-illuminated CMOS structure is improved full well capacity. This is particularly helpful for sensors with small pixels. Even with unbinned 3.76um pixels the QHY600 has a full well capacity >51ke-. When binned 2x2 to 7.5um the full well is >204ke- and when binned 3x3 to 11um the full well is >408ke-. In extended mode the full well is >80ke- unbinned, >320ke- binned 2x2 and >720ke- binned 3x3.
Native 16-bit ADC
With native 16-bit A/D on-chip, the output is real 16-bits with 65536 levels. A 16-bit ADC has a higher sample resolution than 12-bit or 14-bit ADC and the system gain will be less than 1e-/ADU. The QHY600 uses software digital binning. With digital summing, 2x2 binning will be four 16-bit summed = 18-bits.
Breakthrough Low Read Noise 1e- to 3.7e-
The QHY600 is capable of only one electron of read noise at high gain and 2 FPS high readout speed. One electron of read noise means the camera can achieve a SNR>3 at only 3 to 4 photons. This is perfect performance when conditions are photon limited, i.e., short exposures, narrow band imaging, etc., making this large area sensor ideal for sky surveys and time domain astronomy.
Back-Illuminated, >87% QE, Low Dark Current
Sony's Exmor R back-illuminated technology produces sensors that Sony estimates are twice as sensitive as similar front illuminated sensors. QHYCCD tests have borne out this claim and based on our tests the peak QE is greater than 87%. Additionally, Sony sensors are well known for their low dark current. QHYCCD's proprietary thermal noise reduction technology and the QHY600's dual-stage regulated thermoelectric cooling further reduce dark current to extremely low levels, 0.0032e-/p/s at -20C for clean, long duration exposures.
Best Match for RASA System
The round camera case design of QHY600 and the high resolution, large area, small pixel array is an ideal match for RASA optical systems.
Comparsion Photographic and Professional QHY 600 models
QHY600 Mono PH-L (Lite) Photographic Model QHY600 PH M/C: Professional Model QHY600 PRO M/C: - USB3.0
- 2.5 FPS, full frame, 16-bit images
- 4.0 FPS, full frame, 8-bit image
- Support for ROI at higher frame rates
Sensor: Sony IMX455, Consumer (Grade C) - Mono
Available special versions: Short Backfocus (BFL)- USB3.0
- 2.5 FPS, full frame, 16-bit images
- 4.0 FPS, full frame, 8-bit image
- Support for ROI at higher frame rates
Sensor QHY600M PH: Sony IMX455, Industrial (Grade K) - Mono, Continuous operation 24/7 specified
Sensor QHY600C PH: Sony IMX455, Consumer (Grade C) - Colour
Available special versions: Short Backfocus (BFL)
- USB3.0
- 4.0 FPS, full frame, 16-bit images
- 10 FPS, full frame, 14-bit images
- 30 FPS 8K video
- Programmable trigger in/out
- Advanced timing interface for GPS
- Support for ROI at higher frame rates
- Customizable FPGA
Sensor QHY600 PRO-M: Sony IMX455, Industrial (Grade K) - Mono, Continuous operation 24/7 specified
Sensor QHY600 PRO-C: Sony IMX455, Consumer (Grade C) - Colour
Available special versions: Short Backfocus (BFL)
* Requires optional QHY PCIE Kit (#1931116 , € 3050,-) from QHYCCD.
The Professional version is more expensive than Photographic version and has a longer body to accommodate the length of the optical fiber interface.
The features of the three QHY600 models:
QHY600 PH-L QHY600 PH, Photographic Model: QHY600 PRO, Professional Model: Mono/Color Only Mono Mono and Colour
Mono and Colour
IMX 455 Sensorgrade -Consumer (C) -Mono: Industry (K): M version (suitable for 24/7 operation)
-Colour: Consumer (C)
-Mono: Industry (K): M version (suitable for 24/7 operation)
-Colour: Consumer (C)USB3.0 Yes
Yes
Yes Dual 10Gbps Filber Interface No
No
Yes, optional at extra cost, 14bit Max Frame Rate Nein
Nein
10 FPS 16bit Max Frame Rate 2.5 FPS
2.5 FPS
2.5 FPS
4 FPS with optional
Multi-Propose IO Port No No Yes Inferface for GPS Timing BOX Connection No No Yes Trig-In Function No No Yes Multiple Camera High Precise Sync Capture No No Yes Customized FPGA code No No Yes ACC Socket No No Yes QHY filter wheel socket Yes Yes Yes Built-In DDR3 Image Buffer 1GB 2GB 2GB Humidity/Pressure Sensor Yes Yes Yes Readout Mode 4 4 4 Anti-Dew Heater Yes Yes Yes Optical Window Type AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating Backfocus 17.5 mm 17.5 mm - Mono / Colour 17.5 mm - Mono / Colour Special version with ultra short backfocus Yes - 7 mm Yes - Mono/Colour, 7 mm Yes - Mono/Colour, 7 mm Special version with water cooling No No Yes - Mono / Colour Length (w/dovetail ring) 113 mm 141 mm 191 mm ((with prepared optical fiber interface. Activation optional and against surcharge) Diameter 90 mm 90 mm 90 mm * Please Note: An upgrade to the optical fiber interfaces is subsequently also possible for the earlier models QHY 600 - Early Bird (EB) and the QHY 600 - PRO - L supplied by us. If you are interested, please contact us.
Please select the appropriate QHY600 camera from the drop-down menu above for more technical details.
Readout Mode Selection is a new function for the QHY600 and other newer QHYCCD cameras. Different readout modes have different driver timing, etc., that cause the sensor to yield different performance results, allowing you to tailor the sensor response to your particular imaging needs. Each readout mode has its advantages and disadvantages. The QHY600 currently has three readout modes. In the future QHYCCD may add more modes.
Readout Mode #0 (Photographic Mode). In this mode, the read noise of the QHY600 drops between a gain setting of 25 and 26. We therefore recommend setting the gain to 26 as a starting point. At gain=26, the full well is 27ke- and read noise is 2.7e-. For long exposures where read noise performance is not as critical, lowering the gain results in higher full well.
Readout Mode #2 (Extended Full Well Mode). In this Ultra-High Full Well Mode, the QHY600 exhibits an unbinned full well capacity of greater than 80,000e-. Binned 2x2 the full well is greater than 320,000e- and binned 3x3 the full well is greater than 720,000e-.
New readout mode # 03:
QHYCCD extends the readout modes of the QHY 600 models by the new # 03 Extend Fullwell 2CMSIT mode. The advantage of mode # 03 is that it has the same fullwell value and system gain as mode #02 Extend Fullwell, but the readout noise is reduced by about 1.3 times. This readout mode may require upgrading the control software to version SDK (Software Development Kit) 2020.6.26 or later. If your software does not display mode # 03, please download the QHY All In One installation package to upgrade the SDK in the software. The mode is available for all QHY 600 series models.
This readout mode requires an upgrade of the control software to version SDK (Software Development Kit) 2020.6.26 or later. If your software does not show mode # 03, please download the QHY AllInOne installation package to upgrade the SDK in the software. The mode is available for all models of the QHY 600 series.
QUANTUM EFFICIENCY AND DARK CURRENT TEST RESULTS
Quantum Efficiency.
Sony provides a relative QE curve for the IMX455 sensor. in order to determine the absolute QE of this curve QHYCCD ran tests comparing the response of the IMX455 sensor against a camera of known absolute QE at two wavelengths along this curve (489nm and 656nm). From these test results we can plot a good estimate of the QHY600 QE curve in absolute terms with a peak QE >87%:Dark Current.
Dark current results for the QHY600 are based on measurements of the dark current of the IMX455 sensor installed in the QHY600 camera. At 0C the dark current is 0.014e-/p/s and at -20C it is 0.003e-/p/s:Further detail information can be found on the original webpage of QHYCCD :
More information, descriptions of technical details can be found here:
If you have any further questions, please send us an email to kontakt (at) baader-planetarium.de.
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