C3 Series

Astronomical CMOS Cameras

User’s Guide
Version 1.9

Modified on October 13th, 2023

All information furnished by Moravian Instruments is believed to be

accurate. Moravian Instruments reserves the right to change any
information contained herein without notice.

C3 cameras are not authorized for and should not be used within Life
Support Systems without the specific written consent of the Moravian
Instruments. Product warranty is limited to repair or replacement of
defective components and does not cover injury or property or other
consequential damages.

Copyright © 2000-2023, Moravian Instruments

Moravian Instruments
Masarykova 1148
763 02 Zlín
Czech Republic

phone: +420 577 107 171

web: https://www.gxccd.com/
e-mail: info@gxccd.com
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................. 5
C3 Camera Overview ..................................................................................... 7
C3 Camera System .................................................................................. 10
C3 camera with “S” size adapter ......................................................... 10
C3 camera with “L” size adapter ......................................................... 11
CMOS Sensor and Camera Electronics ........................................................ 13
Camera Electronics.................................................................................. 15
Sensor linearity ....................................................................................... 15
Download speed ..................................................................................... 16
Camera gain ............................................................................................ 18
Conversion factors and read noise.......................................................... 18
Binning .................................................................................................... 20
Hardware binning................................................................................ 20
Adding vs. averaging pixels ................................................................. 21
Binning in photometry ........................................................................ 23
Exposure control ..................................................................................... 24
Mechanical shutter ............................................................................. 25
GPS exposure timing ........................................................................... 25
Cooling and power supply ........................................................................... 28
Overheating protection ....................................................................... 30
Power supply ........................................................................................... 31
Mechanical Specifications ........................................................................... 34
Camera front view................................................................................... 35
Camera without filter Wheel .................................................................. 35
Camera with Internal Filter Wheel .......................................................... 37
 Camera with “S” External Filter Wheel ................................................... 38
Back focal distance .................................................................................. 40
Adapters without back focal distance defined .................................... 41
Adapters with defined back focal distance ......................................... 43
Off-Axis Guider Adapter ...................................................................... 45
Optional accessories.................................................................................... 47
Telescope adapters ................................................................................. 47
Off-Axis Guider Adapter (OAG) ............................................................... 49
GPS receiver module ............................................................................... 50
GPS receiver module handling ............................................................ 51
Attaching camera head to telescope mount ........................................... 52
Camera head color variants .................................................................... 53
Moravian Camera Ethernet Adapter ....................................................... 53
Adjusting of the telescope adapter ............................................................. 55
Camera Maintenance .................................................................................. 58
Desiccant exchange ................................................................................. 58
Exchanging the silica-gel...................................................................... 59
Desiccant containers for Standard cooling and Enhanced cooling
cameras ............................................................................................... 61
Changing Filters in the Internal Filter Wheel ........................................... 61
Opening the camera head ................................................................... 62
Changing the Whole Filter Wheel ........................................................... 62
Changing the Telescope Adapter ............................................................ 63
Power Supply Fuse .................................................................................. 64
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the Moravian Instruments camera. The C3 series of
cooled scientific CMOS cameras were developed for imaging under
extremely low-light conditions in astronomy, microscopy and similar areas.

Mechanical design of this series inherits from earlier CCD-based G3 Mark II

cameras, which makes the C3 camera line fully compatible with vast range
of telescope adapters, off-axis guider adapters, filter wheels, Camera
Ethernet adapters, guiding cameras etc.

Rich software and driver support allow usage of C3 camera without

necessity to invest into any 3rd party software package thanks to included
free SIPS software package. However, ASCOM (for Windows) and INDI (for
Linux) drivers and Linux driver libraries are shipped with the camera,
provide the way to integrate C3 camera with broad variety of camera
control programs.

The C3 cameras are designed to work in cooperation with a host Personal

Computer (PC). As opposite to digital still cameras, which are operated
independently on the computer, the scientific cooled cameras usually
require computer for operation control, image download, processing and
storage etc. To operate the camera, you need a computer which:

1. Is compatible with a PC standard and runs modern 32 or 64-bit

Windows operating system.
2. Is an x86 or ARM based computer and runs 32 or 64-bit Linux
operating system.

Drivers for 32-bit and 64-bit Linux systems are provided, but the
SIPS camera control and image processing software, supplied
with the camera, requires Windows operating system.

3. Support for x64 based Apple Macintosh computers is also

included.

Only certain software packages are currently supported on Mac.

5
C3 cameras are designed to be attached to host PC through very fast
USB 3.0 port. While C3 cameras remain compatible with older (and slower)
USB 2.0 interface, image download time is significantly longer.

Alternatively, it is possible to use the “Moravian Camera Ethernet Adapter”

device. This device can connect up to four Cx (and CCD based Gx) cameras
of any type (not only C3, but also C1, C2 and C4) and offers 1 Gbps and
10/100 Mbps Ethernet interface for direct connection to the host PC.
Because the PC then uses TCP/IP protocol to communicate with the
cameras, it is possible to insert WiFi adapter or other networking device to
the communication path.

Please note that the USB standard allows usage of cable no longer
than approx. 5 meters and USB 3.0 cables are even shorter to achieve
very fast transfer speeds. On the other side, the TCP/IP communication
protocol used to connect the camera over the Ethernet adapter is
routable, so the distance between camera setup and the host PC is
virtually unlimited.

Download speed is naturally significantly slower when camera is attached

over Ethernet adapter, especially when compared with direct USB 3
connection.

The C3 cameras need an external power supply to operate. It is not

possible to run the camera from the power lines provided by the USB
cable, which is common for simple imagers. C3 cameras integrate highly
efficient CMOS sensor cooling, shutter and possibly filter wheel, so their
power requirements significantly exceed USB line power capabilities. On
the other side separate power source eliminates problems with voltage
drop on long USB cables or with drawing of laptop batteries etc.

Also note the camera must be connected to some optical system (e.g. the
telescope) to capture images. The camera is designed for long exposures,
necessary to acquire the light from faint objects. If you plan to use the
camera with the telescope, make sure the whole telescope/mount setup is
capable to track the target object smoothly during long exposures.

6
C3 Camera Overview
C3 camera head is designed to be easily used with a set of accessories to
fulfil various observing needs. Camera head itself is manufactured in
several variants.

First, there are variants differing in the cooling performance:

 Standard cooling
 Enhanced cooling (11 mm thicker due to increased heat sink)

Second, there are variants differing if filter wheel control:

 Camera with Internal filter wheel.

 Camera with control port for External filter wheel. This model
allows attachment of several variants of external filter wheels
with various number of filter positions and sizes.

Figure 1: Standard Cooling C3 Camera (left), Enhanced Cooling C3 Camera (middle-

left) and C3 camera with “M” size External filter wheel (middle-right) and with “L”
size External filter wheel (right)

C3 camera model with Internal filter wheel accepts two sizes of filters:

 Filter wheel with 5 positions for unmounted D50 mm (or 2”) filters
or filters in 2” threaded cells.
7
  Filter wheel with 7 positions for unmounted D36 mm filters.

There are three sizes of the External filter wheels, capable to accept
various sizes of filters, available for the C3 cameras:

Small “S” size wheel for:

 5 square 50×50 mm filters

 7 unmounted filters D50 mm or filters in 2” threaded cells
 10 unmounted filters D36 mm filters

Medium “M” size wheel for:

 5 square 50×50 mm filters

 7 unmounted filters D50 mm or filters in 2” threaded cells
 10 unmounted filters D36 mm filters.

Large “L” size wheel for

 7 square 50×50 mm filters

 9 unmounted D50 mm or filters in 2” threaded cells

Both Internal and External filter wheels with D36 mm filters can be
used with C3 camera equipped with APS size sensors. Cameras with
“Full-frame” sensors (24×36mm) cannot use such small filters.

Please note the camera head is designed to either accept Internal filter
wheel or to be able to connect to the External filter wheel, but not
both. If the Internal filter wheel variant is used, External filter wheel
cannot be attached.

And third, there are two sizes of adjustable adapters, which can be used
with C3 cameras:

 Small “S” adapters, compatible with C2 cameras, are used for e.g.
M48×0.75 and M42×0.75 threaded adapters, Nikon bayonet
adapter, 2” barrel adapter etc.
 Large “L” adapters, compatible with C4 cameras, intended for
large diameter attachments between camera and telescope, e.g.

8
 M68×1 threaded adapter or C3-OAG, which is also equipped with
M68×1 thread.

Adjustable adapters are mounted on adapter base when camera with

internal filter wheel or camera without any filter wheel is used or directly
on the external filter wheel front surface. This means both “S” and “L”
adapter bases can be mounted on any camera, external but filter wheels
are made for one particular adapter size only:

 “S” external filter wheels are compatible with “S” adapters

 “M” and “L” external filter wheels are compatible with “L”
adapters

Note the “S” and “M” filter wheels are of very similar dimensions and
hold the same number of the same filters. They differ in the adjustable
adapter size only.

9
C3 Camera System
C3 camera with “S” size adapter

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of C3 camera with “S” size adapter system

components

10
C3 camera with “L” size adapter

Figure 3: Schematic diagram of C3 camera with “L” size adapter system

components

11
Components of C3 Camera system include:

1. C3 camera head with Internal Filter Wheel

2. C3 camera head with Internal Filter Wheel and Enhanced Cooling
3. C3 camera head capable to control External Filter Wheel
4. C3 camera head capable to control External Filter Wheel with
Enhanced Cooling
5. 1.75” dovetail rail for C3 camera head
6. Moravian Camera Ethernet Adapter (x86 CPU)
7. Moravian Camera Ethernet Adapter (ARM CPU)

The Ethernet Adapter allows connection of up to 4 Cx cameras

of any type on the one side and 1 Gbps Ethernet on the other
side. This adapter allows access to connected Cx cameras using
routable TCP/IP protocol over unlimited distance.

8. 7-positions internal filter wheel for unmounted D36 mm filters

9. 5-positions internal filter wheel for 2”/D50 mm filters
10. 10-positions filter wheel for “S” or “M” housing for D36 mm filters
11. 7-positions filter wheel for “S” or “M” housing for 2”/D50 mm
filters
12. 5-positions filter wheel for “S” or “M” housing for 50×50 mm
filters
13. External Filter Wheel “S” size (5, 7 or 10 positions)
14. M42×0.75 (T-thread) or M48×0.75 threaded adapters, 55 mm BFD
15. Canon EOS bayonet lens “S” size adapter
16. Nikon bayonet lens “S” size adapter
17. External Filter Wheel “M” size (5, 7 or 10 positions)
18. External Filter Wheel “L” size (7 or 9 positions)
19. 9-positions filter wheel for “L” housing for 2”/D50 mm filters
20. 7-positions filter wheel for “L” housing for 50×50 mm filters
21. C1 auto-guiding camera
22. M68×1 threaded “L” size adapter, 47.5 mm BFD
23. Canon EOS bayonet lens “L” size adapter
24. Off-Axis Guider with M68×1 thread, 61.5 mm BFD

12
CMOS Sensor and Camera Electronics
C3 cameras are equipped with Sony IMX rolling shutter back-illuminated
CMOS detectors with 3.76 × 3.76 μm square pixels. Despite the relatively
small pixel size, the full-well capacity over 50 ke- rivals the full-well
capacity of competing CMOS sensors with much greater pixels and even
exceeds the full-well capacity od CCD sensors with comparable pixel size.

The used Sony sensors are equipped with 16-bit ADCs (Analog to Digital
Converters). 16-bit digitization ensures enough resolution to completely
cover the sensor exceptional dynamic range.

While the used sensors offer also lower dynamic resolution (12 and
14 bit), C3 cameras do no utilize these modes. Astronomical images
always use 2 bytes for a pixel, so lowering the dynamic resolution to 14
or 12 bits brings no advantage beside the slightly faster download. But
cooled astronomical cameras are intended for very long exposures and
a fraction of second saved on image download is negligible compared
to huge benefits of 16-bit digitization.

Both IMX571 (used in C3-26000) and IMX455 (used in C3-61000) sensors

are supplied in two variants:

 Consumer grade sensors. The sensor manufacturer (Sony

Semiconductor Solutions Corporation) limits their usage to
consumer digital still cameras only with operation time max. 300
hours per year.
 Industrial grade sensors, intended for devices operating 24/7.

All sensor characteristics (resolution, dynamic range, …) are equal, sensors

differ only in target applications and usage time. C3 is technically digital
still camera, only specialized for astronomy. If it is also “consumer” camera
strongly depends on users. Cameras used for causal imaging (when
weather permits) only rarely exceeds 300 hours of observing time per year.
Cameras permanently installed on observatories, utilizing every clear night
and possibly located on mountain sites with lots of clear nights exceed the
300 hours/year within a couple of months. This is why C3 cameras are
offered in two variants:
13
  C3-26000 and C3-61000 with consumer grade sensors, intended
for max. 300 hours a year operation.
 C3-26000 PRO and C3-61000 PRO with industrial grade sensors.

Monochrome C3 camera models with consumer-grade sensors:

Model C3-26000 C3-61000

CMOS sensor IMX571 IMX455
Sensor grade Consumer Consumer
Color mask None None
Resolution 6252 × 4176 9576 × 6388
Pixel size 3.76 × 3.76 μm 3.76 × 3.76 μm
Sensor size 23.51 × 15.70 mm 36.01 × 24.02 mm

Monochrome C3 camera models with industrial-grade sensors:

Model C3-26000 PRO C3-61000 PRO

CMOS sensor IMX571 IMX455
Sensor grade Industrial Industrial
Color mask None None
Resolution 6252 × 4176 9576 × 6388
Pixel size 3.76 × 3.76 μm 3.76 × 3.76 μm
Sensor size 23.51 × 15.70 mm 36.01 × 24.02 mm

Color C3 camera models with consumer-grade sensors:

Model C3-26000C C3-61000C

CMOS sensor IMX571 IMX455
Sensor grade Consumer Consumer
Color mask Bayer RGBG Bayer RGBG
Resolution 6252 × 4176 9576 × 6388
Pixel size 3.76 × 3.76 μm 3.76 × 3.76 μm
Sensor size 23.51 × 15.70 mm 36.01 × 24.02 mm

14
Color C3 camera models with industrial-grade sensors:

Model C3-26000C PRO C3-61000C PRO

CMOS sensor IMX571 IMX455
Sensor grade Industrial Industrial
Color mask Bayer RGBG Bayer RGBG
Resolution 6252 × 4176 9576 × 6388
Pixel size 3.76 × 3.76 μm 3.76 × 3.76 μm
Sensor size 23.51 × 15.70 mm 36.01 × 24.02 mm

Camera Electronics
CMOS camera electronics primary role, beside the sensor initialization and
some auxiliary functions, is to transfer data from the CMOS detector to the
host PC for storage and processing. So, as opposite to CCD cameras, CMOS
camera design cannot influence number of important camera features, like
the dynamic range (bit-depth of the digitized pixels).

Sensor linearity
The sensors used in C3 cameras show very good linearity in response to
light. This means the camera can be used for advanced research projects,
like the photometry of variable stars and transiting exoplanets etc.

15
Figure 4: Response of IMX455 sensor in 16-bit mode

Download speed
C3 cameras are equipped with on-board RAM, capable to hold several full-
resolution frames. Downloading of the image to the host computer thus
does not influence image digitization process, as the download only
transfers already digitized images from camera memory.

Time needed to digitize and download single full frame depends on USB
connection type.

Camera model C3-26000 C3-61000

Full-frame, USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) 0.22 s 0.44 s
Full-frame, USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) 1.16 s 2.73 s

If only a sub-frame is read, time needed to digitize and download image is

naturally lower. However, the download time is not cut proportionally to
number of pixels thanks to some fixed overhead time, independent on the
sub-frame dimensions.

16
 Camera model C3-26000 C3-61000
1024×1024 sub-frame, USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) 0.03 s 0.05 s
1024×1024 sub-frame, USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) 0.06 s 0.06 s

Download times stated above are valid for cameras with firmware
version 3.3 and newer. Older firmware download times were
approximately 30% longer.

The driver is sometimes forced to read bigger portions of the sensor

than the user defined because of a sub-frame position and dimension
limitations imposed by the sensor hardware. Sometimes it is even
necessary to read a whole sensor.

It is recommended to click the Adjust Frame button in the Frame tab

of the SIPS camera control tool. The selected frame dimensions are
then adjusted according to sensor limitations. Adjusted frame is then
read from the sensor, without a necessity to read a bigger portions or
even whole sensor and crop image in firmware.

C3 camera electronics supports in-camera 2×2 binning. If this binning

mode is used, download speed increases because of less amount of data
read from camera.

Camera model C3-26000 C3-61000

Full-frame 2×2 binning, USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) 0.16 s 0.30 s
Full-frame 2×2 binning, USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) 0.29 s 0.69 s

The in-camera binning is supported by firmware version 3.3 and later.

Download speed when using the Moravian Camera Ethernet Adapter

depends if the 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps Ethernet is used, if USB 2 or USB 3 is
used to connect camera to Ethernet Adapter device, but also depends on
the particular network utilization etc.

When the camera is connected to the Ethernet Adapter using USB 3 and
1 Gbps Ethernet is directly connected to the host PC, download time of the
C3-61000 full frame is approx. 2.5 s.

17
Camera gain
Sensors used in C3 cameras offer programmable gain from 0 to 36 dB,
which translates to the output signal multiplication from 1× to 63×.

Note the C3 camera firmware supports only analog gain, which means
real amplification of the signal prior to its digitization. The used
sensors support also digital gain control, which is only numerical
operation, bringing no real benefit for astronomical camera. Any such
operation can be performed later during image processing if desired.

Camera driver accepts gain as a number in the range 0 to 4030, which

corresponds directly to sensor’s register value. This number does not
represent gain in dB nor in multiply value. However, the driver offers a
function, which transforms the gain numerical value to gain expressed in
dB as well as multiply. Some selected values are shown in the table:

Gain number Gain in dB Gain multiply

0 0.00 1.00×
500 1.13 1.14×
1000 2.43 1.32×
1500 3.96 1.58×
2000 5.82 1.95×
2500 8.19 2.57×
3000 11.46 3.74×
3500 16.75 6.88×
4000 32.69 43.11×
4030 35.99 63.00×

Conversion factors and read noise

Generally, many sensor characteristics depend on the used gain. Also, the
used sensors employ two conversion paths. One path offers very low read
noise, but cannot utilize full sensor dynamic range. Another conversion
path offers maximum pixel capacity, but at the price of higher read noise.
The cross point is set to gain 3× (approx. 10dB), where the full well capacity
drops from more than 50 ke- to ~17 ke-. The read noise then drops from
~3.2 e- RMS to ~1.5 e- RMS.

Gain number 0 2749 2750 4030

18
 Sensor gain 0.0 dB 9.7 dB 9.7 dB 36 dB
1× 3× 3× 63×
Full well capacity 52800 e- 17100 e- 16900 e- 11600 e-
Conversion factor 0.80 e-/ADU 0.26 e-/ADU 0.26 e-/ADU 0.18 e-/ADU
Read noise 3.51 e- RMS 3.15 e- RMS 1.46 e- RMS 1.39 e- RMS

Sensor dynamic range, defined as full well capacity divided by read noise, is
greatest when using gain 0, despite somewhat higher read noise:

 At gain = 0, dynamic range is 52800 / 3.51 = 15043×

 At gain = 2750, dynamic range is 16900 / 1.46 = 11575×

Also, it is worth noting that in reality the noise floor is not always defined
by read noise. Unless the camera is used with very narrow narrow-band
filter (with FWHM only a few nm) and under very dark sky, the dominant
source of noise is the sky glow. When the noise generated by sky glow
exceeds approximately 4 e- RMS, extremely low read noise associated with
gain set to 2750 or more is not utilized and dynamic range is unnecessarily
limited by the lowered full well capacity.

So, which gain settings is the best? This depends on the particular task.

 Gain set to 2750 can be utilized if imaging through narrow-band

filter with appropriately short exposures, so the background noise
does not exceed the read noise. This is typical for aesthetic astro-
photography, where the lowered full well capacity does not
negatively influence the result quality.
But even without narrow-band filters, the extremely low read
noise allows stacking of many short exposures without
unacceptable increase of the stacked image background noise,
caused by accumulation of high read noise of individual
exposures.
 Gain set to 0 offers maximum full well capacity and the greatest
sensor dynamic range, which is appreciated mainly in research
applications. Pass-bands of filters used for photometry are
relatively wide and dominant source of noise is the sky glow.
But also, for RGB images, used for aesthetic astro-photography,
higher dynamic range allows longer exposures while the bright
19
 portions of the nebulae and galaxies still remain under saturation
and thus can be properly processed.

Please note the values stated above are not published by sensor
manufacturer, but determined from acquired images using the SIPS
software package. Results may slightly vary depending on the test run,
on the particular sensor and other factors (e.g., sensor temperature,
sensor illumination conditions etc.), but also on the software used to
determine these values, as the method is based on statistical analysis
of sensor response to light.

Binning
The camera driver and user’s applications offer wide variety of binning
modes up to 4×4 pixels as well as all combinations of asymmetrical binning
modes 1×2, 1×3, 1×4, 2×4 etc. To allow such flexibility, binning is
performed only in the camera driver (software binning) and does not rely
on the limited capabilities of the hardware binning.

The negative side of software binning is the same download time like in
the case of full-resolution 1×1 mode. For typical astronomy usage, the
small fraction of second download time is irrelevant, but for applications
sensitive to download time, the hardware 2×2 binning can be useful.

Hardware binning
C3 camera implements 2×2 binning mode in hardware in addition to the
normal 1×1 binning.

Hardware binning is supported by camera firmware version 3.3 and

later. The Windows SDK supports the hardware binning from version
4.11 and the SIPS software package from version 3.33.

Hardware binning can be turned on and off using the parameter

HWBinning in the ‘cXusb.ini’ configuration file, located in the same
directory like the ‘cXusb.dll’ driver DLL file itself.

[driver]
HWBinning = true

20
When the HWBinning parameter is set to true, the in-camera hardware
binning is used and software binning is no longer available. This mode
brings faster download time, but also introduces several restrictions:

1. Maximal binning is limited to 2×2, higher binning modes are not

available.
2. Asymmetrical binning modes (1×2, 2×1, …) are not allowed.

Despite the number of pixels in the 2×2 binned image is ¼ of the full
resolution image, the download time is not four-times lower.

Adding vs. averaging pixels

The traditional meaning of pixel binning implies adding of binned pixels.
This originated in CCD sensors, where pixel charges were literally poured
together within the sensor horizontal register and/or the output node.

For CMOS sensors with full 16-bit dynamic resolution, the negative side of
binning is limiting of the sensor dynamic range, as for instance only ¼ of
maximum charge in each of the 2×2 binned pixels leads to saturation of
resulting pixel. CCDs eliminated this effect to some extend by increasing of
the charge capacity of the output node and also by decreasing of the
conversion factor in binned modes. But such possibilities are not available
in CMOS detectors.

CMOS sensors with less than 16-bit precision often just add binned
pixels to fulfil the available resolution of 16-bit pixels. For instance,
camera with 12-bit dynamic range can sum up to 4×4 pixels and still
the resulting binned pixels will not overflow the 16-bit range.

In theory, the resulting S/N ratio of binned pixel remains the same
regardless if we add or average them. Let’s take for example 2×2 binning:

 If we add 4 pixels, signal increases 4-times and noise increases 2-

times – three additive operations increase noise by

(√2) × (√2) . Resulting S/N increases 2-times, but only until

the sum of all pixels is lower than the pixel capacity.

21
  If we average 4 pixels, signal remains the same but the noise is
(√ ) ×(√ )
lowered to ½ as noise is averaged . Resulting S/N also
increases 2-times, but only until the noise decreases to lowest
possible 1-bit of dynamic range.

As the C3 camera read noise in the maximum dynamic range (gain 0) is

around 3.5 ADU, halving it in 2×2 binning mode still keeps the read noise
above the lower 1-bit limit and at the same time binned pixel will not
saturate. For higher binning modes, the noise approaches lower limit, but
averaging pixels still protects from pixel saturation, which is more
important than limiting of S/N.

If we take into account that the image background noise is only rarely
defined by the read noise of the sensor, as the noise caused by background
sky glow is typically much higher, for 16-bit camera averaging pixels is
definitely the better way to bin pixels compared to just adding them. This
is why both software and hardware binning modes in the C3 cameras are
by default implemented as averaging of pixels, not summing.

However, both software and hardware binning modes can be switched to

sum binned pixels instead of average them by the BinningSum parameter
in the ‘cXusb.ini’ configuration file:

[driver]
BinningSum = true

Let’s note there is one more possibility to bin pixels – in the application
software. This time binning is not performed in camera hardware nor in
the camera driver. Full resolution 1×1 image is downloaded from the
camera and software itself then performs binning. The SIPS software adds
pixels instead of averaging them, but at the same time SIPS converts
images from 16-bit to 32-bit dynamic range. This means S/N of the binned
images always increases, pixels never saturate and read noise newer
approaches lower limit. The negative side of this option is two-time bigger
images.

22
Binning in photometry
Saturated pixels within bright stars are no issue for aesthetic astro-
photography, but photometry measurement is invalid if any pixel within
the measured object reaches maximum value, because it is not possible to
determine the amount of lost flux. Software performing photometry (e.g.
the SIPS Photometry tool) should detect saturation value and invalidate
entire photometric point not to introduce errors.

But binning efficiently obliterates the fact that any of the binned pixels
saturated (with the exception of all binned pixels reached saturation
value). So, using of binning modes for research applications (photometry
and astrometry) can lead to errors caused by lost flux in saturated pixels,
which cannot be detected by the processing software due to binning.

This is why the behavior of both software and hardware binning modes is
user-configurable through the BinningSaturate parameter in the ‘cXusb.ini’
configuration file:

[driver]
BinningSaturate = true

If the BinningSaturate parameter is set to true, resulting binned pixel is set

to saturation value if any of the source pixels is saturated. For aesthetic
astro-photography, keeping this parameter false could result into slightly
better representation of bright star images, but for research applications,
this parameter should always be set to true.

Note the BinningSum and BinningSaturate parameters have any effect if

the camera firmware version is 5.5 or later. Prior firmware versions just
averaged binned pixels and the pixel saturation was not taken into account
when hardware (in camera) binning was used.

The earlier camera drivers, performing software binning, also used pixel
averaging for binning, but handled the saturated pixels like the
BinningSaturate parameter is true.

Both above mentioned configuration parameters require at last the

software/drivers version:

 SIPS version 3.33

23
  Moravian Camera SDK version 4.11
 ASCOM drivers version 5.13
 Linux INDI drivers version 1.9-2
 Linux libraries version 0.7.1
 macOS libraries version 0.6.1
 TheSkyX Windows/Linux/macOS version 3.4
 AstroArt drivers version 4.3

If the camera is used through the Moravian Camera Ethernet Adapter, it’s
firmware must be updated to version 53 or newer.

Exposure control
The shortest theoretical exposure time of the C3 cameras depends on the
used sensor type:

 C3-26000 shortest exposure is 139 μs

 C3-61000 shortest exposure is 156 μs

However, such short exposures have no practical application, especially in

astronomy. The camera firmware rounds exposure time to a multiply of
100 μs intervals, so in reality the shortest exposure time of both camera
models is 200 μs.

Note the individual lines are not exposed at the same time, regardless
of how short the exposure is, because of the rolling-shutter nature of
the used sensors. The difference between the first and last line
exposure start time is 0.15 s for the C3-26000 and 0.25 s for the C3-
61000.

There is no theoretical limit on maximal exposure length, but in reality, the

longest exposures are limited by saturation of the sensor either by
incoming light or by dark current (see the following chapter about sensor
cooling).

Please note the short exposure timing is properly handled in the

camera firmware version 6.7 and later.

24
Mechanical shutter
C3 cameras are equipped with mechanical shutter, which is very important
feature allowing unattended observations (fully robotic or just remote
setups). Without mechanical shutter, it is not possible to automatically
acquire dark frames, necessary for proper image calibration etc.

Mechanical shutter in the C3 cameras is designed to be as reliable as

possible, number of open/close cycles is virtually unlimited, because there
are no surfaces rubbing against each other. The price for high reliability is
slow shutter motion. Luckily, mechanical shuttering is not necessary for
exposure control, only for taking dark frames and possibly bias frames —
all used CMOS sensors are equipped with electronic shuttering.

Camera firmware optimizes the shutter operation to avoid unnecessary

movements. If a series of light images is taken immediately one after
another, the shutter remains open not to introduce quite significant delay
of the close/open cycle between each pair of subsequent light images. In
the case next image has to be dark or bias frame, shutter closes prior to
dark frame exposure and vice versa — shutter remains closed if a series of
dark frames is acquired and opens only prior to next light frame. If no
exposure is taken for a few seconds while the shutter is open (this means
after a light image exposure), camera firmware closes the shutter to cover
the sensor from incoming light.

GPS exposure timing

C3 cameras can be equipped with GPS receiver module (see the Optional
Accessories chapter). The primary purpose of the GPS receiver is to provide
precise times of exposures taken with the camera, which is required by
applications dealing with astrometry of fast-moving objects (fast moving
asteroids, satellites, and space debris on Earth orbit, …).

The GPS module needs to locate at last 5 satellites to provide exposure

timing information. Geographic data are available if only 3 satellites are
visible, but especially the mean sea level precision suffers if less than 4
satellites are used.

The camera SDK provides functions, allowing users to access precision

exposure times as well as geographics location. The SIPS software package
25
main imaging camera control tool window contains the GPS tab, which
shows the state of the GPS fix.

Figure 5: SIPS offers GUI to determine the state the GPS receiver

Determination of exact exposure time is quite complicated because of the

rolling-shutter nature of the used sensors. Camera driver does all the
calculations and returns the time of the start of exposure of the first line of
the image. Still, users interested in precise exposure timing need to include
several corrections into their calculations:

1. Individual image lines are exposed sequentially. The time

difference between start of exposure of two subsequent lines is
fixed for every sensor type:
i. C3-26000 line exposure takes 34.667 μs
ii. C3-61000 line exposure takes 39.028 μs
2. If the image is binned, single line of resulting image contains
signal from multiple added (or averaged) lines, each with different
exposure time start. The exposure start of individual lines of the
binned images differs by the single line time difference, multiplied
by the vertical binning factor.
26
 3. If only a sub-frame is read, it must be considered that the sensor
imposes some restrictions to the sub-frame coordinates. If the
required sub-frame coordinates violate the sensor-imposed rules,
camera driver enlarges the sub-frame region to fully contain
desired sub-frame and then crops it by software. The provided
start exposure time then concerns the first line actually read from
the camera, not the first line of the resulting (software cropped)
image.
For instance, the y-coordinate of the sub-frame must not be lower
than 15 lines. If a sub-frame with lower y-coordinate is asked by
the user, whole frame is read and cropped by software.
Note the camera SDK offers function AdjustSubFrame, which
returns the smallest sub-frame, fully containing the requested
sub-frame, but also fulfilling the sensor-imposed sub-frame
coordinate restriction. If adjusted sub-frame is read, no software
cropping occurs and image exposure time concerns the first line
of the image. The SIPS software offers the “Adjust Frame” button,
which adjusts defined sub-frame.

Please note the precise exposure timing is properly handled in the

camera firmware version 7.10 and later.

Always use the latest camera drivers (ASCOM or Camera SDK DLLs in
Windows, INDI or libraries in Linux) available on the web. Also, always
update the firmware in the Moravian Camera Ethernet Adapter if the
camera is connected over Ethernet.

27
Cooling and power supply
Regulated thermoelectric cooling is capable to cool down the CMOS sensor
from 40 to 45 °C below ambient temperature, depending on the camera
type. The Peltier hot side is cooled by fans. The sensor temperature is
regulated with ±0.1 °C precision. High temperature drop and precision
regulation ensure very low dark current for long exposures and allow
proper image calibration.

C3 cameras are available in two variants, differing in the cooling

performance:

 Standard cooling cameras achieve regulated temperature

difference up to 40 °C below environment temperature.
 Enhanced cooling cameras can regulate temperature up to 45 °C
below environment temperature. Compared to standard variant,
enhanced cooling cameras are somewhat bulkier due to bigger
heat sink, slightly heavier and somewhat noisier because of more
powerful fans.

Figure 6: Standard cooling camera (left) and Enhanced cooling model (right) with
thicker back shell containing greater heat sink

The cooling performance depends on the environmental conditions and

also on the power supply. If the power supply voltage drops below 12 V,
the maximum temperature drop is lower.

28
 Sensor cooling Thermoelectric (Peltier modules)
Standard cooling ΔT 40 °C below ambient maximum
35 °C below ambient typical
Enhanced cooling ΔT 45 °C below ambient maximum
40 °C below ambient typical
Regulation precision ±0.1 °C
Hot side cooling Forced air cooling (two fans)
Optional liquid coolant heat exchanger

Figure 7: Standard cooling C3-16000 camera reaching -40°C sensor temperature

below ambient temperature

29
Figure 8: Enhanced cooling C3-16000EC camera reaching -45°C sensor temperature
below ambient temperature

Maximum temperature difference between sensor and ambient air

may be reached when the cooling runs at 100% power. However,
temperature cannot be regulated in such case, camera has no room
for lowering the sensor temperature when the ambient temperature
rises. Typical temperature drop can be achieved with cooling running
at approx. 90% power, which provides enough room for regulation.

Overheating protection
The C3 cameras are equipped with an overheating protection in their
firmware. This protection is designed to prevent the Peltier hot side to
reach temperatures above ~50°C – sensor cooling is turned off to stop heat
generation by the hot side of the Peltier TEC modules.

30
 Please note the overheating protection uses immediate temperature
measurement, while the value of camera temperature, presented to
the user, shows temperature averaged over a longer period. So,
overheating protection may be engaged even before the displayed
camera temperature reaches 50°C.

Turning the overheating protection on results in a drop in cooling power, a

decrease in the internal temperature of the camera and an increase in the
temperature of the sensor. However, when the camera cools its internals
down below the limit, cooling is turned on again. If the environment
temperature is still high, camera internal temperature rises above the limit
an overheating protection becomes active again.

Please note this behavior may be mistaken for camera malfunction,

but it is only necessary to operate the camera in the colder
environment or to lower the desired sensor delta T to lower the
amount of heat generated by the Peltier modules.

The overheating protection is virtually never activated during real

observing sessions, even if the environment temperature at night
reaches 25°C or more, because camera internal temperature does not
reach the limit. But if the camera is operated indoors in hot climate,
overheating protection may be activated.

Power supply
The 12 V DC power supply enables camera operation from arbitrary power
source including batteries, wall adapters etc. Universal 100-240 V AC/50-
60 Hz, 60 W “brick” adapter is supplied with the camera. Although the
camera power consumption does not exceed 50 W, the 60 W power supply
ensures noise-free operation.

Warning:

The power connector on the camera head uses center-plus pin.

Although all modern power supplies use this configuration, always
make sure the polarity is correct if you use own power source.

31
 Camera head supply 12 V DC
Camera head power consumption <8 W without cooling
47 W maximum cooling
Power connector 5.5/2.5 mm, center +
Adapter input voltage 100-240 V AC/50-60 Hz
Adapter output voltage 12 V DC/5 A
Adapter maximum power 60 W

Power consumption is measured on the 12 V DC side. Power

consumption on the AC side of the supplied AC/DC power brick is
higher.

The camera contains its own power supplies inside, so it can be

powered by unregulated 12 V DC power source – the input voltage can
be anywhere between 10 and 14 V. However, some parameters (like
cooling efficiency) can degrade if the supply drops below 12 V.

C3 camera measures its input voltage and provides it to the control

software. Input voltage is displayed in the Cooling tab of the Imaging
Camera tool in SIPS. This feature is important especially if you power
the camera from batteries.

32
Figure 9:Figure 8: 12 V DC/5 A power supply adapter for the C3 camera

33
Mechanical Specifications
Compact and robust camera head measures only 154×154×65 mm (approx.
6×6×2.6 inches) for the model with standard cooling. Enhanced cooling
increases camera depth by 11 mm.

The head is CNC-machined from high-quality aluminum and black

anodized. The head itself contains USB-B (device) connector and 12 V DC
power plug, no other parts (CPU box, USB interface, etc.), except a “brick”
power supply, are necessary. Another connector allows control of optional
external filter wheel. Integrated mechanical shutter allows automatic dark
frame exposures, which are necessary for unattended, robotic setups.

Internal mechanical shutter Yes, blade shutter

Standard cooling head 154×154×65 mm (without filters)
dimensions 154×154×77.5 mm (internal wheel)
Enhanced cooling head 154×154×76 mm (without filters)
dimensions 154×154×88.5 mm (internal wheel)
Standard cooling weight 1.6 kg (without filter wheel)
1.9 kg (with Internal filter wheel)
2.5 kg (with “S” External filter wheel)
2.5 kg (with “M” External filter wheel)
2.8 kg (with “L” External filter wheel)
Enhanced cooling weight 1.8 kg (without filter wheel)
2.1 kg (with Internal filter wheel)
2.7 kg (with “S” External filter wheel)
2.7 kg (with “M” External filter wheel)
3.0 kg (with “L” External filter wheel)

34
Camera front view

Figure 10: C3 camera head front view dimensions

Camera without filter Wheel

Figure 11: C3 camera head side view dimensions

35
Figure 12: C3 camera head bottom view dimensions

Figure 13 C3 camera head with Enhanced Cooling side view dimensions

36
Camera with Internal Filter Wheel

Figure 14: C3 camera head with Internal Filter Wheel side view dimensions

Figure 15: C3 camera head with Internal filter wheel bottom view dimensions

37
Figure 16: C3 camera head with Enhanced Cooling and Internal Filter Wheel side
view dimensions

Camera with “S” External Filter Wheel

Figure 17: C3 camera head with External filter wheel front view dimensions

38
Figure 18: C3 camera head with External filter wheel side view dimensions

Figure 19: C3 camera head with External filter wheel bottom view dimensions

The “L” sized External Filter Wheel diameter is greater (see External Filter
Wheel User's Guide), but the back focal distance of all external filter
wheels is identical.

39
Figure 20: C3 camera head with Enhanced cooling and External filter wheel side
view dimensions

Back focal distance

The stated back focal distances (BFD) include corrections for all optical
elements in the light path (cold chamber optical window, sensor cover
glass, ...), fixed in the camera body. So, stated values are not mechanical,
but optical back focal distances. However, no corrections for filters are
included, as the thicknesses of various filters are very different.

C3 cameras are manufactured in many variants and can be connected with

various accessories, which leads to many possible back focal distance
values.

There are two groups of the telescope and lens adapters, differing in back
focal distance definition:

 Adapters without strictly defined BFD. These adapters are

designed to provide as low BFD as possible.
 Adapter with defined BFD. These adapters are typically intended
for optical correctors (field flatteners, coma correctors, ...) and
also for photographic lenses. Keeping the defined BFD is
necessary to ensure proper functionality of correctors or to be
able to achieve focus with photographic lenses.

40
Adapters without back focal distance defined
Most commonly used adapters without strictly prescribed back focal
distance are M48 × 0.75 thread for C3 cameras with the “S” adapter base
or the “S” sized External Filter Wheel and M68 × 1 thread for C3 cameras
with the “L” adapter base or the “M” and “L” sized External Filter Wheel.

Let us note the M48 × 0.75 threaded adapter is sometimes used with
55 mm BFD, e.g. when used with optical correctors. This is why two
models of this adapters are available — “short” variant with as low
BFD as possible and “long” variant, which preserves the 55 mm BFD.

Figure 21: C3 camera with “S” adapter base back focal distances with short
M48 × 0.75 adapter

Figure 22: C3 camera with Internal Filter Wheel and “S” adapter base back focal
distances with short M48 × 0.75 adapter

41
Figure 23: C3 camera with “S” External Filter Wheel back focal distances with short
M48 × 0.75 adapter

Figure 24: C3 camera with “L” adapter base back focal distances with M68 × 1
adapter

42
Figure 25: C3 camera with Internal Filter Wheel and “L” adapter base back focal
distances with M68 × 1 adapter

Figure 26: C3 camera with “M” External Filter Wheel back focal distances with
M68 × 1 adapter

Adapters with defined back focal distance

There are three basic variants of C3 camera, differing with back focal
distance of the camera head front shell — camera without internal filter
wheel, with Internal Filter Wheel with External Filter Wheel. But adapters
preserving back focal distance are always designed with the same
thickness. Their dimension counts with the BFD of the tiltable adapter base
33.5 mm, which corresponds with BFD of the camera with External Filter
Wheel.

However, adapters not mounted on the External Filter Wheel tiltable base
must be mounted on standalone tiltable adapter base attached to the
43
camera head. Such adapter base is designed to provide exactly the same
33.5 mm BFD when mounted on camera with Internal Filter Wheel.

If a camera without filter wheel is to be used with adapter preserving the

defined BFD, it is necessary to use a thick tiltable adapter base, which also
provides the 33.5 mm BFD. Thickness of this adapter base equals the
thickness of the External Filter Wheel shell.

The following illustrations show variants with Canon EOS bayonet

adapters, preserving 44 mm BFD in all three cases. Similar situations are
with Nikon bayonet or M48 × 0.75 threaded adapter with 55 mm BFD.

Figure 27: C3 camera without filter wheel, the Canon EOS adapter is on the thick
adapter base to preserve defined BFD (the thick adapter base adds the same BFD
like the External filter wheel)

44
Figure 28: C3 camera with Internal filter wheel, the Canon EOS adapter is on the
thin adapter base to preserve defined BFD

Figure 29: C3 camera with External filter wheel, the Canon EOS adapter is attached
to adapter base on the External filter wheel

Off-Axis Guider Adapter

The OAG for C3 cameras use M68×1 threaded adapter with 61.5 mm back
focal distance.

45
Please note when the OAG has to be used with a camera without filter
wheel, it is necessary to use a thick adapter base of the same thickness like
the External filter wheel to keep the distance from OAG to sensor constant.
Otherwise, the guiding camera cannot reach focus.

46
Optional accessories
Various accessories are offered with C3 cameras to enhance functionality
and help camera integration into imaging setups.

Telescope adapters
Various telescope and lens adapters for the C3 cameras are offered. Users
can choose any adapter according to their needs and other adapters can
be ordered separately.

Adjustable telescope/lens adapters are attached slightly differently

depending if the External filter wheel is used or not:

 If no External filter wheel is used, C3 adapters are not mounted

directly on the camera head. Instead, a tilting adapter base,
holding the circular spring, is always used.
 If the External filter wheel is used, the adapted base is not
necessary, as the Mark II External filter wheel front plate is
already designed to hold the spring and it also contains threads to
fix respective adapters.

C3 cameras are offered with two sizes of adjustable adapter base:

 Small “S” adapters (also used with C2 cameras)

 Large “L” adapters (also used with C4 cameras)

Adjustable adapters are mounted on adapter base when camera with

internal filter wheel or camera without any filter wheel is used or directly
on the external filter wheel front surface. This means both “S” and “L”
adapter bases can be mounted on any camera, external but filter wheels
are made for one particular adapter size only:

 “S” external filter wheels are compatible with “S” adapters

 “M” and “L” external filter wheels are compatible with “L”
adapters

47
 Figure 30: Comparison of the "S" size external filter wheel with "S" adapter
(left) and "M" size external filter wheel with "L" adapter (right)

Small “S” size adapters:

 2-inch barrel – adapter for standard 2" focusers.

 T-thread short – M42×0.75 inner thread adapter.
 T-thread with 55 mm BFD – M42×0.75 inner thread adapter,
preserves 55 mm back focal distance.
 M48×0.75 short – adapter with inner thread M48×0.75.
 M48×0.75 with 55 mm BFD – adapter with inner thread
M48×0.75, preserves 55 mm back focal distance.
 Canon EOS bayonet – standard Canon EOS lens adapter
(“S” size”). Adapter preserves 44 mm back focal distance.
 Nikon F bayonet – standard Nikon F lens adapter (“S” size”),
preserves 46.5 mm back focal distance.

Large “L” size adapters:

 M68×1 – adapter with M68×1 inner thread.

 Canon EOS bayonet – standard Canon EOS lens adapter
(“L” size”). Adapter preserves 44 mm back focal distance.
 Nikon F bayonet – standard Nikon F lens adapter (“L” size”),
preserves 46.5 mm back focal distance.

48
Off-Axis Guider Adapter (OAG)
C3 camera can be optionally equipped with Off-Axis Guider Adapter. This
adapter contains flat mirror, tilted by 45° to the optical axis. This mirror
reflects part of the incoming light into guider camera port. The mirror is
located far enough from the optical axis not to block light coming to the
main camera sensor, so the optics must be capable to create large enough
field of view to illuminate the tilted mirror.

C3-OAG is manufactured with M68×1 thread with the back focal distance
61.5 mm.

If the OAG is used on camera without filter wheel, thicker adapter base
must be used to keep the Back focal distance and to allow the guiding
camera to reach focus.

Note the C3-OAG is manufactured for “L” size adapter base, so it is

compatible with “M” and “L” external filter wheels only.

While C2-OAG (with M48×0.75 or M42×0.75 inner thread) for “S” size
adapter base can be technically mounted to “S” size external filter
wheel, the mirror is so close to optical axis, that it partially shields
sensors used in C3 cameras and C2-OAG is not recommended for C3-
61000 camera.

Figure 31: Position of the OAG reflection mirror relative to optical axis

49
OAG guider port is compatible with C1 cameras with CS-mount adapter. It
is necessary to replace the CS/1.25” adapter with short, 10 mm variant in
the case of C1 cameras. Because C1 cameras follow CS-mount standard,
(BFD 12.5 mm), any camera following this standard with 10 mm long 1.25”
adapter should work properly with the C3-OAG.

Figure 32: OAG on C3 camera with Internal filter wheel, attached to thin adapter
base

GPS receiver module

The C3 cameras can be equipped with an optional GPS receiver module,
which allows very precise timing of the exposure times. Geographic
location data are also available to the control software through specific
commands.

The used GPS receiver is compatible with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and
BeiDou satellites.

The GPS receiver can be attached to the back side of the camera head. If
the GPS module is removed, the GPS port is covered with a flat black cover.
50
Figure 33: The C3 camera with GPS receiver module with external antenna

Please note the camera must be equipped with a different back shell
as well as internal electronic circuits to be compatible with GPS
modules. So, it is necessary to choose GPS-ready variant upon camera
ordering. Adding a GPS later requires the camera to be sent to
manufacturer.

GPS receiver module handling

GPS antenna is shipped with the GPS module. Antenna cable is 3 m long
and the antenna is equipped with a magnet, allowing it to be attached to
any ferromagnetic surface. Please note the antenna must have a good view
to the sky to be able to acquire signal from GPS satellites. Placing the
antenna e.g. under metal covered dome may significantly limit the GPS
signal reception.

GPS module is handled through camera command set. Its main purpose is
to provide very precise timing of the exposure times with μs precision (the
GPS module provides time pulses with 30 ns tolerance). Geographic

51
location data are also available to the control software through specific
commands.

Attaching camera head to telescope mount

C3 cameras are equipped with two “tripod” 0.250-20UNC threaded holes
on the top side of the camera head, as well as four metric M4 threaded
holes.

These threaded holes can be used to attach 1.75 inch “dovetail bar” (Vixen
standard). It is then possible to attach the camera head, e.g. equipped with
photographic lens, directly to various telescope mounts supporting this
standard.

Figure 34: 1.75" bar for standard telescope mounts

52
Camera head color variants
Camera head is available in several color variants of the center plate. Visit
manufacturer's web pages for current offering.

Figure 35: C3 camera color variants

Moravian Camera Ethernet Adapter

Moravian Camera Ethernet Adapter allows connection of up to 4 Cx
cameras of any type on the one side and 1 Gbps Ethernet on the other
side. This adapter allows access to connected Cx cameras using routable
TCP/IP protocol over practically unlimited distance.

53
Figure 36: The Moravian Camera Ethernet Adapter with two connected cameras

54
Adjusting of the telescope adapter
All telescope/lens adapters of the C3 series of cameras can be slightly
tilted. This feature is introduced to compensate for possible misalignments
in perpendicularity of the telescope optical axis and sensor plane.

Figure 37: Releasing of the “pushing” screw

The camera telescope adapters are attached using three “pulling” screws.
As the adapter tilt is adjustable, another three “pushing” screws are
intended to fix the adapter after some pulling screw is released to adjust
the tilt.

Warning:

Both pulling and pushing screws, used on the C3 camera adapter, are
fine-pitch M4×0.5 thread screws, not standard M4 thread ones. Always
use only screws supplied with the adapter, using of normal M4 screws
damages the adapter.

55
Because the necessity to adjust two screws (one pushing, one pulling) at
once is inconvenient, the adapter tilting mechanism is also equipped with
ring-shaped spring, which pushes the adapter out of the camera body. This
means the pushing screws can be released and still slight releasing of the
pulling screw means the distance between the adapter and the camera
body increases. The spring is designed to be strong enough to push the
camera head from the adapter (fixed on the telescope) regardless of the
camera orientation.

When all three pulling screws are fully tightened, releasing of just one
or two of these screws does not allow adapter to move, or at last only
very slightly thanks to deformation of the adapter body. If the adapter
has to be adjusted, it is necessary to slightly release all three pulling
screws, which makes room for tilt adjustment.

Figure 38: Adjusting of the "pulling" screw

Only after the proper tilt is reached, the pushing screws should be slightly
tightened to fix the adapter in the desired angle relative to camera head.
This ensures long-time stability of the adjusted adapter.
56
Adjustable telescope/lens adapters are attached slightly differently
depending if the adapter is attached directly to the camera head (e.g.
when camera is equipped with internal filter wheel) or to the External filter
wheel case.

 If the External filter wheel is used, the adapted base is not

necessary, as the External filter wheel front plate is already
designed to hold the spring and it also contains threads to fix
respective adapters.
 C3 adapters are not mounted directly on the camera head.
Instead, a tilting adapter base, holding the circular spring, is
always used.

Figure 39: Off Axis Guider adapter on the adapter base, attached to the C3 camera
without External filter wheel (left) and directly on the External filter wheel (right)

57
Camera Maintenance
The C3 camera is a precision optical and mechanical instrument, so it
should be handled with care. Camera should be protected from moisture
and dust. Always cover the telescope adapter when the camera is removed
from the telescope or put the whole camera into protective plastic bag.

Desiccant exchange
The C3 camera cooling is designed to be resistant to humidity inside the
sensor chamber. When the temperature decreases, the copper cold finger
crosses freezing point earlier than the sensor chip itself, so the water vapor
inside the sensor chamber freezes on the cold finger surface first. Although
this mechanism works very reliably in majority of cases, it has some
limitations, especially when the humidity level inside the sensor chamber is
high or the chip is cooled to very low temperatures.

This is why a cylindrical container, filled with silica-gel desiccant, is placed

inside the camera head. This cylindrical chamber is connected with the
insulated cooled sensor chamber itself.

Warning:

High level of moisture inside the sensor cold chamber can cause
camera malfunction or even damage to the sensor. Even if the frost
does not create on the detector when the sensor is cooled below
freezing point, the moisture can be still present. It is necessary to keep
the sensor chamber interior dry by the regular exchange of the silica-
gel desiccant. The frequency of necessary silica-gel exchanges depends
on the camera usage. If the camera is used regularly, it is necessary to
dry the sensor chamber every few months.

It is possible to dry the wet silica-gel by baking it in the oven (not the
microwave one!) to dry it again. Dry the silica-gel for at last one or two
hours at temperature between 120 and 140 °C.

The silica-gel used in C3 cameras changes its color according to amount of

absorbed water – it is yellow-orange when it is dry and turns to green or
transparent without any color hue when it becomes wet, depending on the
58
silica-gel type (manufacturer). It is recommended to shorten replacement
interval if the silica-gel is completely green or transparent upon
replacement. If it is still yellow-orange, it is possible to prolong the
replacement interval.

Figure 40: Silica-gel container is accessible from the camera back side

Exchanging the silica-gel

C3 cameras employ the same desiccant container like the C1+, C1x, C2 and
C4 cameras. The whole container can be unscrewed, so it is possible to
exchange silica-gel without the necessity to remove the camera from the
telescope.

Silica-gel is held inside the container with a perforated cap. This cap is also
screwed into the container body, so it is easy to exchange the silica-gel
inside the container after it is worn out or damaged e.g. by too high
temperature etc.

The container itself does not contain any sealing (the sealing remains
attached to the sensor cold chamber inside the camera head), it consists of
59
aluminum parts only. So, it is possible to heat the whole container to
desired temperature without risking of the temperature-induced sealing
damage.

Figure 41: Desiccant is held inside container by perforated cap

Note:

New containers have a thin O-ring close to the threaded edge of the
container. This O-ring plays no role in sealing the sensor cold chamber
itself. It is intended only to hold possible dust particles from entering
the front half of the camera head with the sensor chamber optical
window and shutter. While the O-ring material should sustain the high
temperature during silica-gel baking, it is possible to remove it and put
it back again prior to threading the contained back to the camera.

This design also allows usage of some optional parts:

 Threaded hermetic cap, which allows sealing of the dried

container when it is not immediately attached to the camera
head.
 Alternate (somewhat longer) desiccant container, modified to be
able to be screw in and tightened (as well as released and
screwed out) without any tool.

60
 The sealing cap as well as the tool-less container are not supplied with
the camera, they are supplied only as optional accessory.

Figure 42: Optional cap, standard and tool-less container variants for both standard
cooling and enhanced cooling (prolonged) cameras

Desiccant containers for Standard cooling and Enhanced

cooling cameras
The difference between Standard and Enhanced cooling cameras is the
thickness of the camera back shell, containing heat sink. Naturally, the
silica-gel container of Enhanced cooling variants must be longer.
Otherwise, the containers are the same and the longer variant can be used
with standard cooling cameras, it then only extends from the camera back.

Changing Filters in the Internal Filter Wheel

It is necessary to open the camera head to change filters or the whole filter
wheel.

61
Opening the camera head
To open the head, unscrew the eight bolts holding camera head together.

Figure 43: Filters can be exchanged after removing of the camera front cover

After removing the screws carefully turn the camera head by the telescope
adapter upward. Gently pull the front part of the case. Notice there are
two cables, connecting the filter wheel motor and the filter position optical
bar, plugged into the electronics board. It is not necessary to unplug these
cables to change filters, but if you unplug them, take care to connect them
again in the proper orientation!

Changing the Whole Filter Wheel

The whole filter wheel can be changed at once. It is necessary to remove
the front part of the camera case the same way as in the case of changing
filters. The filter wheel can be removed when you unscrew the bolt on the
center of the front part of camera case. Take care not to damage the
horseshoe-shaped optical bar when replacing the filter wheel.

62
Changing the Telescope Adapter
All adapters of the cameras are attached using three “pulling” screws. As
the adapter tilt is adjustable, another three “pushing” screws are intended
to fix the adapter in place.

If the adapter has to be replaced for another one, it is necessary to

unscrew the three pulling screws. The adapter then can be removed and
replaced with another one.

Warning:

Both pulling and pushing screws, used on the C3 camera adapter, are
fine-pitch M4×0.5 thread screws, not standard M4 thread ones. Always
use only screws supplied with the adapter, using of normal M4 screws
damages the adapter.

Always make sure to carefully locate the ring-shaped spring prior to

attaching the adapter.

Figure 44: Replacing of the adjustable telescope adapter

63
Power Supply Fuse
The power supply inside the camera is protected against connecting of
inverted-polarity power plug or against connecting of too-high DC voltage
(above 15 V) by electronic sensors. So, camera just remains unpowered
when wrong polarity or wrong voltage plug is connected.

Still, there is a fuse inside the camera head, adding one more layer of
protection. If such event happens and the cooling fans on the back side of
the camera do not work when the camera is connected to proper power
supply (12 V DC, center + plug), return the camera to the service center for
repair.

64