QHY 174M-GPS Monochrome Cooled CMOS Time Domain Imager & GPS Receiver - QHY174M-GPS

This version of the QHY 174M COLDMOS imaging camera comes with a GPS time and location function. The ability to have a very precise recording of the location and time on each frame is very helpful when capturing eclipses, occultations, meteors and other scientific imaging tasks. The QHY174M-GPS Time Domain Imager will record the global shutter exposure beginning and end times with microsecond precision due to it’s built-in LED pulse calibration circuit. You can work in Master Mode or Slave Mode, depending on whether you are working with one camera (Master) or multiple cameras in different locations (Slave).

When operating in Master Mode, the QHY 174M-GPS is free running and the internal 10MHz GPS synced clock will measure and record the shutter's opening and closing time. However, in Slave Mode you can input a target start time and the interval period for two frames. For example: You might want three cameras in different locations 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 seconds. After you input these values, all three cameras will simultaneously start video recording at the desired time, 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 QHY 174M uses the Sony Pregius Exmor IMX174 sensor, with a pixel size of 5.86um and an effective area of 11.25mm x 7.03mm. This CMOS sensor, with its global shutter and high frame rates, is perfect for a time-domain imaging camera. The Pregius global shutter technology, introduced by Sony in 2014, produces less dark noise, higher gains, higher quantum efficiency, and improves imaging of the planets and moon with high frame rates by eliminating annoying pixelization that is caused by atmospheric agitation.

Because of these excellent characteristics, the QHY 174M is an excellent camera for capturing images of the moon, sun, planets and meteors. The QHY 174 can record magnitude 8 & 9 stars during live video sessions at 30FPS with a 50mm f/1.4 lens. With high sensitivity and HD resolution, you will be amazed at what the QHY174 can do!

This version of the QHY174M has dual stage TE cooling to -45C below ambient with full anti-moisture control, including a heated optical window and removable silicon tube for the sensor chamber. The camera has QHY’s 4-pin QHYCFW2 filter wheel control port and a 6-pin autoguider port as well as anti-amp glow function, which will reduce the Sony IMX174 sensor's amplifier glow significantly in long exposures. It also has 128MB DDR memory to speed up download times and thereby reduce dropped frames.

• CMOS Sensor: 1/1.2 inch Exmor CMOS sensor with global shutter
• Effective Pixels: 1920 x 1200
• Pixel Size: 5.86um x 5.86um
• Effective Area: 11.25mm x 7.03mm
• Shutter: Electronic Global Shutter
• Full Well: >32ke-
• QE: 78%
• Readout Noise: 5e@low gain 3e@high gain
• Frame Rate (on 8bit): 138FPS @ 1936 x 1216 260FPS@960*600 490FPS@480 x 300
• ROI Support: Yes. Any Area ROI
• Exposure Time: 50us - 1800 sec
• AD Sample Depth: 10-bit/12-bit (8-bit/12-bit output)
• Anti-amplight Control: Yes (Reduces amplifier glow significantly)
• Cooling: 2-stage TEC, -40C below ambient, typical. Temperature Regulated
• Power: USB Powered for camera and +12V powered for TEC
• Anti Dew Control: Connector for removable silicon gel tube and heater board for CMOS chamber optical window
• Computer Interface: USB 3.0 Super Speed
• Telescope Interface: M42/0.75 & 2-inch adapter. Optional C-mount adapter
• Color Wheel Port: 4-pin QHYCFW2 socket
• Guide Port: 6-pin RJ11 Guide Port
• Optic Window: AR+AR
• Weight: 450g
• Electric Interface: 12V input with lock, USB 3.0 socket, 4-pin QHYCFW, 6-pin RJ11