iNova PLA-Mx CCD Monochrome SONY ICX618ALA Astronomy Camera

Description

The i-Nova PLA-Mx CCD is a multi-purpose, capable camera, from planetary imaging to autoguiding. It includes the Sony Exview ICX618ALA CCD sensor (640 x 480 pixel array) (640 x 480 pixel array) with a very high quantum efficiency from the visible spectrum to the near infrared (IR) region.
Due to an excellent sensitivity, from the visible spectrum to the near infrared (IR) region, this camera is ideally suited for planetary high resolution imaging. It provides 2×2 hardware binning (640 x 480) to get a 11.2µm square pixel to be able to detect a faint star for autoguiding.
Technical specifications
Sony Exview ICX618ALA 1/4″
640*480
5.6μm x 5.6μm
Yes
Yes
10/12bit
Up to 63 FPS at full resolution
From 0.1ms to infinity
USB2.0
For filter wheel control, focusing motors control, and telescope mount control (ASCOM V6)
BMP, AVI (8bit), FITS (8/16 bit) et SER (8/16bit) which can be read directly with main softwares like RegiStax V6.1, Avistacker V2, AutoStakkert V2
ASCOM V6 Plugin available and tested with PHDGuiding V1.14, AstroArt V4 & V5, MaximDL V5, Prism and all softwares using ASCOM protocol
50 x 50 x 40mm
170g (6 oz)
CCD Sensor
CCD Matrix (L*H)
Pixel size
Hardware binning 2×2
Hardware ROI (region of interest)
A/D converter
Frame rate(8/12bit)
Exposure time
Interface
Communication port
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Format
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ASCOM
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Dimensions
Weight
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Software and compatibility
Microsoft
Windows XP SP3, Vista, W7, 8, 8.1 x86/x64
Compliant with Microsoft Directshow
The SDK is available on request for programming (Microsoft C# or C++).
Linux
Linux drivers are available.
Mac
Drivers are not available but it is possible to run i-Nova cameras in emulation Windows mode with Bootcamp.
Performance
Method to reduce readout noise with lower frequency
Mode
Fast mode
Normal mode
Low speed mode
Usage
Planetary 8/12bit
Planetary 12bit
Visual enhancement & Deepsky 12bit
Frequency
24Mhz
12Mhz
6Mhz
Included accessories
C mount to 1.25’’ adapter
USB2 cable for PC connection
Software pack including:
PLxCapture control and acquisition specific software and conversion format utility (video)
ASCOM plugin
New software releases are available for download from FTP site
Options
Autoguiding cable RJ12 connector for ST4 port
Peltier cooling system kit with or w/o temperature regulation
Recommended accessories
Motorised filter wheel – 5 or 8 positions provided with ASCOM plugin
Electronic viewfinder: C/CS mount objective lens, FL from 2.1mm (150° fov) to 25mm (11° fov)
GPS module with USB2.0 portC mount to T2 female adapter