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Features of the Artemis cameras
Reprogrammable main processor
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The heart of the Artemis camera is a 40MHz processor from Microchips. This has on board program memory which is able to be reprogrammed by the processor itself. It is envisaged that supporting new CCDs or hardware will simply be a case of uploading new sections of code into the camera. The processors we provide will have a custom non erasable kernel that will ensure that recovery is straightforward should a firmware upgrade not be successful.
USB communications port
All communications between the camera and the PC take place over a USB link. The camera uses USB1.1 and is compatible with both USB 1 and USB 2 ports.
Multi CCD compatibility
Initially we have developed the code and hardware to run the mono and colour versions of the ICX245 ICX255 ICX429 and ICX285. More details on these can be found in the cameras section. In time we hope to widen the range of supported CCDs further. Upgrading the camera is as easy as removing one CCD and adding a new one, uploading new firmware into the main processors memory, and adjusting a few settings in the boards.
16 bit analogue to digital converter (ADC)
The ADC we are using is a ADS8322 from TI. It can convert up to 500,000 samples per sec to a full 16 bit resolution and output the result on either a 8bit or 16 bit parallel bus. The configuration of the camera allows us to send the result straight back to the PC or we can use the main camera processor to do basic signal conditioning before the results are sent back to the PC.
Peltier cooled CCD
The CCD is sealed in a cold chamber and cooled to about 20 degrees below ambient. This ensures very low dark current and allows exposures of many hours to be performed.
Standard Guide port
The camera has a standard ST4 type guide port for interfacing with compatible mounts. The camera does not have a separate guide CCD but can be used with a separate guide camera or as an auto guider for another camera.
Modified Webcam control
Modified webcams offer a very inexpensive solution for separate guide cameras. However these typically need both a USB and a parallel or serial port connection to the PC. This port will replace the parallel or serial connection and just require the modified webcam to have a standard USB connection back to the PC.
On Board Memory
Prevents the appearance of artefacts in the image should the readout of the CCD stall due the USB link to the computer becoming congested.
Expansion port
The camera has a powered expansion port for future developments or user projects. The firmware includes protocols for simple communions which will be brought out to a user interface on the PC.
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