Small Size COLDMOS

Small Size COLDMOS

High Sensitivity Ultra Low Noise

The QHYCCD small size COLDMOS camera series includes the QHY178M/C, QHY290M/C and QHY224C. They are all share some basic characteristics: high frame rates, ultra low read noise and high sensitivity. Also these cooled versions of our smaller sensors offer excellent dark current performance and are ideal for serious planetary imaging and the entry-level DSO imaging.

QHY178M/C

6MP BSI Sensor 14-bit A/D

The QHY178M/C is available in both monochrome and color versions, each with 6 megapixels at 2.4um, low 0.9-2.4e- read noise, and up to 50FPS output at full resolution. The back-illuminated sensor has excellent sensitivity even with the small, high resolution pixel size. The QHY178M/C also uses QHYCCD's unique amplifier glow reduction circuit.

QHY290M/C

Best Planetary Imager 135FPS BSI Sensor

The IMX290 sensor is well known as the best sensor for planetary imaging. Back illuminated, 135FPS@1920 x 1080, 2.9um pixel size, 0.7-3.2e- ultra low readout noise. The uncooled QHY5III290M is very popular among amateur planetary photographers. Professional imagers prefer the cooling capability of the COLDMOS series for the most demanding work.

QHY224C

Low Cost 150FPS

The QHY224C uses a SONY IMX224 CMOS sensor. The QHY224C is a low cost cooled color camera. It produces a high frame rate of 150FPS @ 1280 x 960. The pixel size is 3.75um and the ultra-low read noise is 0.5e- to 3e-. This camera also uses QHYCCD's unique hardware amplifier glow control circuit to significantly reduce amplifier glow.

DEEP COOLING

By using dual stage TEC cooling, QHY small size COLDMOS cameras achieve -45C to -50C below ambient. This significantly reduces dark current for long exposures, and can improve even short exposures where high gain and large numbers of stacked images are the norm.

Unique Ampilifer Glow Control

QHY178M/C and QHY224C employ QHYCCD's unique amplifier glow control technology that significantly reduces amplifier glow in short and long exposures.

Anti-Dew Technology

Based on more than 10 years of experience in cooled camera development, QHYCCD COLDMOS cameras enjoy full anti-dew designs that include an optical window heater and sealed sensor chamber that prevents dew on the window and frost on the sensor itself.

 
Model
QHY178
QHY224
QHY290
Sensor
SONY Exmor R, IMX178 STARVIS Back-Illuminated CMOS, 1/1.8-inch
SONY Exmor IMX224, Color CMOS, 1/3-inch
SONY Exmor R, IMX290 STARVIS Back-Illuminated CMOS, 1/2.8-inch
Pixel Size
2.4um*2.4um
3.75*3.75um
2.9*2.9um
Full Resolution
3072*2048
1280*960
1920*1080
Effective Pixels
6.29mega pixels
1.2mega pixels
2mega pixel
Effective Area
7.37*4.92mm
4.8*3.6mm
5.6*3.1mm
Full Well
15ke-
19ke-
15ke-
Shutter Electronic Shutter Electronic Shutter Electronic Shutter
QE TBD TBD TBD
Readout noise 2.4e-@low gain    0.9e-@high gain 3e-@low gain    0.55e-@high gain 3.2e-@low gain    0.75e-@high gain
System Gain TBD TBD TBD
Unity Gain TBD TBD TBD
Frame Rate (on 8bit) 50FPS @full resolution  100FPs@1528x1024    190FPS@764x512 150FPS@1280*960  300FPS@640*480  557FPS@320*240 135FPS@1920x1080   220FPS@960x540     460FPS@480x270
ROI Support Yes. Any Area ROI Yes. Any Area ROI Yes. Any Area ROI
Exposure Time 50us - 1800sec 7us - 400sec 50us - 1800sec
A/D Sample depth
10-bit/14-bit (8-bit/14-bit output)   14-bits mapped to 16-bit output.
10-bit/12-bit (8-bit/12-bit output)
10-bit/12-bit (8-bit/12-bit output)
On Camera Image Buffer Yes, 128MB DDRII Buffer Yes, 128MB DDRII Buffer Yes, 128MB DDRII Buffer
Anti-amp light control Yes (Reduces the amp glow significantly)    
Cooling 2-stage TEC, Typical -40C below Ambient. Temperature Regulated 2-stage TEC, Typical -40C below ambient. Temperature Regulated 2-stage TEC, Typical -40C below ambient. Temperature Regulated
Power USB Powered for camera and +12V powered for TEC USB Powered for camera and +12V powered for TEC USB Powered for camera and +12V powered for TEC
Anti Frost Control Air Connector for removable silicon gel tube Air Connector for removable silicon gel tube Air Connector for removable silicon gel tube
Anti Dew Control Heater board for optical window of sealed chamber Heater board for optical window of sealed chamber Heater board for optical window of sealed chamber
Computer Interface USB 3.0 Super Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed
Telescope Interface M42/0.75 & 2-inch adapter. Optional C-mount adapter M42/0.75 & 2-inch adapter. Optional C-mount adapter M42/0.75 & 2-inch adapter. Optional C-mount adapter
Color Wheel Port 4-pin QHYCFW socket 4-pin QHYCFW socket 4-pin QHYCFW socket
Guide Port 6-pin RJ11 Guide Port 6-pin RJ11 Guide Port 6-pin RJ11 Guide Port
Optic Window AR+AR (Mono)    IR+AR(Color) IR+AR (Color)   (AR+AR window can be ordered on request) AR+AR (Mono)    IR+AR(Color)
Power consumption TBD TBD TBD
Color Version
QHY178C
QHY224C
QHY290C
Mono version
QHY178M
N.A
QHY290M
Weight  450gram 450gram 450gram