About CCD Technology

Raw CCD images are exceptional but not perfect. Due to the digital nature of the data many of the imperfections can be compensated for or calibrated out of the final image through digital image processing.

Composition of a Raw CCD Image.

A raw CCD image consists of the following signal components:

IMAGE SIGNAL - The signal from the source.Electrons are generated from the actual source photons.

BIAS SIGNAL - Initial signal already on the CCD before the exposure is taken. This signal is due to biasing the CCD offset slightly above zero A/D counts (ADU).

THERMAL SIGNAL - Signal (Dark Current thermal electrons) due to the thermal activity of the semiconductor. Thermal signal is reduced by cooling of the CCD to low temperature.

Sources of Noise

CCD images are susceptible to the following sources of noise:

PHOTON NOISE - Random fluctuations in the photon signal of the source. The rate at which photons are received is not constant.

THERMAL NOISE - Statistical fluctuations in the generation of Thermal signal. The rate at which electrons are produced in the semiconductor substrate due to thermal effects is not constant.

READOUT NOISE - Errors in reading the signal; generally dominated by the on-chip amplifier.

QUANTIZATION NOISE - Errors introduced in the A/D conversion process.

SENSITIVITY VARIATION - Sensitivity variations from photosite to photosite on the CCD detector or across the detector. Modern CCD's are uniform to better than 1% between neighboring photosites and uniform to better than 10% across the entire surface.

Noise Corrections

REDUCING NOISE - Readout Noise and Quantization Noise are limited by the construction of the CCD camera and can not be improved upon by the user. Thermal Noise, however, can be reduced by cooling of the CCD (temperature regulation). The Sensitivity Variations can be removed by proper flat fielding.

CORRECTING FOR THE BIAS AND THERMAL SIGNALS - The Bias and Thermal signals can be subtracted out from the Raw Image by taking what is called a Dark Exposure. The dark exposure is a measure of the Bias Signal and Thermal Signal and may simply be subtracted from the Raw Image.

FLAT FIELDING -A record of the photosite to photosite sensitivity variations can be obtained by taking an exposure of a uniformly lit 'flat field". These variations can then be divided out of the Raw Image to produce an image essentially free from this source of error. Any length exposure will do, but ideally one which saturates the pixels to the 50% or 75% level is best.

The Final Processed Image

The final Processed Image which removes unwanted signals and reduces noise as best we can is computed as follows:

Final Processed Image = (Raw - Dark)/Flat

All of the digital image processing functions described above can be accomplished by using CCDOPS software furnished with each SBIG imaging camera. The steps to accomplish them are described in the Operating Manual furnished with each SBIG imaging camera. At SBIG we offer our technical support to help you with questions on how to improve your images.

HOW TO SELECT THE CORRECT CCD IMAGING CAMERA FOR YOUR TELESCOPE

When new customers contact SBIG we discuss their imaging camera application. We try to get an idea of their interests. We have found this method is an effective way of insuring that our customers get the right imaging camera for their purposes. Some of the questions we ask are as follows:

What type of telescope do you presently own? Having this information allows us to match the CCD imaging Camera's parameters, pixel size and field of view to your telescope. We can also help you interface the CCD imaging camera's automatic guiding functions to your telescope.

Are you a MAC or PC user? Since our software supports both of these platforms we can insure that you receive the correct software. We can also answer questions about any unique functions in one or the other. We can send you a demonstration copy of the appropriate software for your review.

Do you have a telescope drive base with an autoguider port? Do you want to operate from a remote computer? Companies like Software Bisque fully support our products with telescope control and imaging camera software.

Do you want to take photographic quality images of deep space objects, image planets, or perform wide field searches for near earth asteroids or supernovas? In learning about your interests we can better guide you to the optimum CCD pixel size and imaging area for the application.

Do you want to make photometric measurements of variable stars or determine precise asteroid positions? From this information we can recommend a CCD imaging camera model and explain how to use the specific analysis functions to perform these tasks. We can help you characterize your imaging camera by furnishing additional technical data.

Do you want to automatically guide long uninterrupted astrophotographs? As the company with the most experience in CCD autoguiding we can help you install and operate a CCD autoguider on your telescope. The Model STV has a worldwide reputation for accurate guiding on dim guide stars. No matter what type of telescope you own we can help you correctly interface it and get it working properly.

SBIG CCD IMAGING CAMERAS

The SBIG product line consists of a series of thermoelectrically cooled CCD imaging cameras designed for a wide range of applications ranging from astronomy, tricolor imaging, color photometry, spectroscopy, medical imaging, densitometry, to chemiluminescence and epifluorescence imaging, etc. This catalog includes information on astronomical imaging cameras, scientific imaging cameras, autoguiding, and accessories. We have tried to arrange the catalog so that it is easy to compare products by specifications and performance. The tables in the product section compare some of the basic characteristics on each CCD imaging camera in our product line. You will find a more detailed set of specifications with each individual imaging camera description.

HOW TO GET STARTED USING YOUR CCD IMAGING CAMERA

It all starts with the software. If there's any company well known for its outstanding imaging camera software it's SBIG. Our CCDOPS Operating Software is well known for its user oriented camera control features and stability. CCDOPS is available for free download from our web site along with sample images that you can display and analyze using the image processing and analysis functions of the CCDOPS software. You can become thoroughly familiar with how our imaging cameras work and the capabilities of the software before you purchase an imaging camera. We also include CCDSoftV5 and TheSky from Software Bisque with most of our cameras at no additional charge. Macintosh users receive a free copy of EquinoX planetarium and camera control software for the MacOS-X operating system. No other manufacturer offers better software than you get with SBIG cameras. New customers receiving their CCD imaging camera should first read the installation section in their CCDOPS Operating Manual. Once you have read that section you should have no difficulty installing CCDOPS software on your hard drive, connecting the USB cable from the imaging camera to your computer, initiating the imaging camera and within minutes start taking your first CCD images. Many of our customers are amazed at how easy it is to start taking images. Additional information can be found by reading the image processing sections of the CCDOPS and CCDSoftV5 Manuals. This information allows you to progress to more advanced features such as automatic dark frame subtraction of images, focusing the imaging camera, viewing, analyzing and processing the images on the monitor, co-adding images, taking automatic sequences of images, photometric and astrometric measurements, etc.

A PERSONAL TOUCH FROM SBIG

At SBIG we have had much success with a program in which we continually review customer's images sent to us on disk or via e-mail. We can often determine the cause of a problem from actual images sent in by a user. We review the images and contact each customer personally. Images displaying poor telescope tracking, improper imaging camera focus, oversaturated images, etc., are typical initial problems. We will help you quickly learn how to improve your images. You can be assured of personal technical support when you need it. The customer support program has furnished SBIG with a large collection of remarkable images. Many customers have had their images published in SBIG catalogs, ads, and various astronomy magazines. We welcome the chance to review your images and hope you will take advantage of our trained staff to help you improve your images.

TRACK AND ACCUMULATE (U.S. Patent # 5,365,269)

Using an innovative engineering approach SBIG developed an imaging camera function called Track & Accumulate (TRACCUM) in which multiple images are automatically registered to create a single long exposure. Since the long exposure consists of short images the total combined exposure significantly improves resolution by reducing the cumulative telescope periodic error. In the TRACCUM mode each image is shifted to correct guiding errors and added to the image buffer. In this mode the telescope does not need to be adjusted. The great sensitivity of the CCD virtually guarantees that there will be a usable guide star within the field of view. This feature provides dramatic improvement in resolution by reducing the effect of periodic error and allowing unattended hour long exposures. SBIG has been granted U.S. Patent # 5,365,269 for Track & Accumulate.

DUAL CCD SELF-GUIDING (U.S. Patent # 5,525,793)

In 1994 with the introduction of Models ST-7 and ST-8 CCD Imaging Cameras which incorporate two separate CCD detectors, SBIG was able to accomplish the goal of introducing a truly self-guided CCD imaging camera. The ability to select guide stars with a separate CCD through the full telescope aperture is equivalent to having a thermoelectrically cooled CCD autoguider in your imaging camera. This feature has been expanded to all dual sensor ST series cameras (ST-7/8/9/10/2000) and all STL series cameras (STL-1001/1301/4020/6303/11000). One CCD is used for guiding and the other for collecting the image. They are mounted in close proximity, both focused at the same plane, allowing the imaging CCD to integrate while the PC uses the guiding CCD to correct the telescope. Using a separate CCD for guiding allows 100% of the primary CCD's active area to be used to collect the image. The telescope correction rate and limiting guide star magnitude can be independently selected. Tests at SBIG indicated that 95% of the time a star bright enough for guiding will be found on a TC237 tracking CCD without moving the telescope, using an f/6.3 telescope. The self-guiding function quickly established itself as the easiest and most accurate method for guiding CCD images. Placing both detectors in close proximity at the same focal plane insures the best possible guiding. Many of the long integrated exposures now being published are taken with this self-guiding method, producing very high resolution images of deep space objects. SBIG has been granted U.S. Patent # 5,525,793 for the dual CCD Self-Guiding function.

COMPUTER PLATFORMS

SBIG has been unique in its support of both PC and Macintosh platforms for our cameras. The imaging cameras in this catalog communicate with the host computer through standard serial or USB ports depending on the specific models. Since there are no external plug-in boards required with our imaging camera systems we encourage users to operate with the new family of high resolution graphics laptop computers. We furnish Operating Software for you to install on your host computer. Once the software is installed and communication with the imaging camera is set up complete control of all of the imaging camera functions is through the host computer keyboard. The recommended minimum requirements for memory and video graphics are as shown below.