Costar SI-2000M Low Light Level Digital Camera

SI-2000M, LOW LIGHT LEVEL DIGITAL CAMERA

The SI-2000M is an, all solid state, image intensified camera, which has several advantages over a traditional vacuum tube intensifier. A tube based image intensified CCD camera optically couples the CCD to the intensifier tube. The coupling can be by fiber optic bundle, which has good light transfer efficiency, but can limit the MTF and cause artifacts due to the discrete optical fibers. Or the coupling can be relay optics which reduces light transfer efficiency. The SI-2000M CCD imager uses a special CCD that has on-chip electron multiplication that precedes the CCD output amplifier. This configuration therefore suffers no light coupling efficiency or artifact problems, since no coupling is required. The multiplication process uses an impact ionization process in the CCD silicon that creates secondary electrons. This is analogous to secondary electron generation in a microchannel type image intensifier tube. Multiplication occurs in a 400 stage CCD shift register that operates at 40 volts to implement the ionization process. By comparison, an image intensifier tube requires upwards of 5000 volts to generate multiplication gain. The electron multiplication gain increases the sensitivity of the all solid state CCD by up to 1000:1, without increasing noise, since the multiplication stage occurs prior to the CCD output amplifier. This amount of gain allows imaging under starlight illumination conditions. The SI-2000M also incorporates long term integration to further extend sensitivity.

The all CCD image intensifier process has the following advantages and features:

1. No loss of resolution. The original CCD pixel resolution is maintained as opposed to using an image intensifier tube that has a resolution limiting MTF. The all CCD intensifier has twice the resolution of a typical image intensifier tube.

2. No damage due to overexposure to light. The photo cathode of an image intensifier tube can be damaged due to overexposure. The all solid state CCD intensifier has the same immunity to overexposure as an ordinary CCD.

3. Anti blooming. The solid state intensifier has a 1000:1 antibloomng mechanism built into the CCD structure, which is far superior (over 10:1) to an image intensifier tube.

4. The all CCD intensifier is perfectly linear providing superior intrascene dynamic range.

5. The all CCD intensifier can be implemented as a color camera, whereas the image intensifier tube can only be monochromatic. Single chip, Bayer patter, color coded intensified cameras or higher resolution three chip intensified color cameras are possible with the all CCD intensifier

6. USB 2.0, 12 bit computer interface, with no frame grabber required.

7. Less power and voltage than an image intensifier tube. The camera operates from a single 5 Volt supply @1.5 Amps

8. Small size. The CT-100M is only 3.5" X 3.5" X 2.2" By its nature the bulkier image intensifier tube plus CCD and high voltage power supply combination, always has to be larger than the all solid state intensifier camera.

SI-2000M DIGITAL CAMERA SPECIFICATIONS

ccd imager	texas instruments tc253, frame transfer ccd with on-chip electron multiplication
resolution	656 x 496 active pixels

gain	computer selectable on chip gain of up to 1000, using low noise, electron multiplying impact ionization process
sensitivity	starlight illuminated imaging. single photon detection is possible
snr	>64 db
quantum efficiency	40%
format	1/3" with 7.4 m square pixels
active area	4.87 mm x 3.60 mm
full well pixel	27,000 e-
video format	digital video, 12 bits
computer interface	usb 2.0
sensor readout	progressive scan
readout speed	12.2718 mhz
gamma	1.0
Frame readout	33 ms/frame (30 frames per second)
Synchronization	Internal X-tal
CCD Temperature	Solid state thermoelectric cooling, - 40 C (below zero), -60 C below ambient
Dark Current	1 e-/p/s @ -40 C
Binning	2 X 2 (optional)
Integration	Up to 3600 seconds, software selectable
Lens Mount	C Mount, with back focus adjustment
Power	+5V @ 1.5 Amps
PCB	Single board, 3.5" square
Housing	All metal enclosure measuring 3.75" X 3.75" X 2.2"

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