The SXVR-H35 & H36

Very large format 35mm frame size

11 Megapixels & 16 Megapixels

Monochrome

A view of the 36 x 24mm CCD installed in a prototype H36 camera

The SXVR-H35 and H36 cameras are the largest in the SX line of Kodak CCD based imagers. To reduce the negative effects of the greater Kodak dark signal, we have used a two stage Peltier cooler for an extra 10 degree reduction in the CCD temperature, and a new high-speed USB2 interface circuit to greatly reduce the download time. The fast download minimises the visibility of bias frame artefacts, such as hot columns and the top to bottom gradient that is commonly seen on such chips. The camera shown on this page is the H36, as both versions have a closely similar appearance.

A view of the image plane alignment screws for setting the CCD accurately orthogonal to the focal plane of the telescope

The Takahashi 72mm thread adaptor

 Major features:

  SXVR-H35:

• Large, high resolution Kodak CCD chip, with 10,838,016 x 9uM square pixels in a 36.3 x 24.2mm array. 
• High sensitivity, approx. 52% QE at peak (green light), 31% at H alpha.
• Low dark signal - Dark frames not necessary for most of the brighter deep sky objects
• Anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area
• Built-in super high speed USB 2.0 interface for approx. 7 second downloads
• Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera
• Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO "scopes etc.
• Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
• Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions
• Very low power consumption. Less than 1.0 amps at 12v DC - 12VA at 110v or 240v AC
• Compact and lightweight - only 118mm in diameter x 102mm long - less than 1100 grams load on the telescope.
• 72 x 1mm input thread, compatible with Takahashi FSQ106 etc.

SXVR-H36:

• Large, high resolution Kodak CCD chip, with 16,085,120 x 7.4uM square pixels in a 36.3 x 24.2mm array. 
• High sensitivity, approx. 52% QE at peak (green light), 31% at H alpha.
• Low dark signal - Dark frames not necessary for most of the brighter deep sky objects
• Anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area
• Built-in super high speed USB 2.0 interface for approx. 10 second downloads
• Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera
• Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO "scopes etc.
• Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
• Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions
• Very low power consumption. Less than 1.0 amps at 12v DC - 12VA at 110v or 240v AC
• Compact and lightweight - only 118mm in diameter x 102mm long - less than 1100 grams load on the telescope.
• 72 x 1mm input thread, compatible with Takahashi FSQ106 etc.

The North America and Pelican nebulas by Alan Chen

Veil nebula by Alan Chen

Detailed specifications:

SXVR-H35

•  CCD type: Kodak KAI11002M interline CCD with low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
•  CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 9uM x 9uM, Image format: 4032 x 2688 pixels
•  CCD Image area: 36.3mm (Horizontal) x 24.2mm (Vertical).
•  CCD quality: Grade 2 as standard.
•  Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~52%), 30% at 400nM and 660nM. 
•  Readout Noise: Less than 15 electrons RMS - typically only 12 electrons. 
•  Full-well capacity: Greater than 50,000 e- (unbinned)
•  Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 1000x.
•  Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 10 hours. Less than 0.08 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
•  Data format: 16 bits.
•  System gain:  0.9 electrons per ADU
•  Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. 
•  Image download time: Typically 7 seconds at full resolution using USB 2.0.
•  Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 750mA max.
•  Cooling system: Regulated constant current cooling supply with two stage thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -40C below ambient.
•  Size: 98 x 100mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 72 x 1mm thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. CCD alignment screws are provided for setting the chip parallel to the focal plane.
•  Weight: approx. 1100g.

 Spectral response and QE curve 

SXVR-H36

•  CCD type: Kodak KAI16000M interline CCD with low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
•  CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 7.4uM x 7.4uM, Image format: 4904 x 3280 pixels
•  CCD Image area: 36.3mm (Horizontal) x 24.2mm (Vertical).
•  CCD quality: Grade 2 available at this time.
•  Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~52%), 30% at 400nM and 660nM. 
•  Readout Noise: Less than 12 electrons RMS - typically only 9 electrons. 
•  Full-well capacity: Greater than 30,000 e- (unbinned)
•  Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 1000x.
•  Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 10 hours. Less than 0.05 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
•  Data format: 16 bits.
•  System gain:  0.4 electrons per ADU
•  Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. 
•  Image download time: Typically 10 seconds at full resolution using USB 2.0.
•  Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 750mA max.
•  Cooling system: Regulated constant current cooling supply with two stage thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -40C below ambient.
•  Size: 118 x 102mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 72 x 1mm thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. CCD alignment screws are provided for setting the chip parallel to the focal plane.
•  Weight: approx. 1100g.

 Spectral response and QE curve