SBIG Aluma 3200

SBIG Aluma 3200

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Sensor Transplant Only

Our mid-size premium Aluma® Series cameras offer performance and features not available in any other scientific-grade imaging camera.  This lightweight (2.2 lbs) and compact (4.5″ x 4.5″ x 4″ with handles) camera includes two-stage cooling, USB 2.0 and optional WiFi 802.11 b/g/n interfaces, ultra-reliable even-illumination shutter, and fast low-noise readout.  Aluma can be operated from a tablet or smartphone, or from a Windows, Macintosh, or Linux PC.

The Aluma series supports a wide range of accessories, including the 8-position FW8S-Aluma filter wheel with micron-level filter positioning, StarChaser SC-2 off-axis guide camera, AO-8A Adaptive Optics accessory, and Remote Guide Head.

The Aluma 3200 has one of the most sensitive front-illuminated CCD sensors ever made, with peak Quantum Efficiency over 80%.

Aluma is available in two versions – standard version with USB and WiFi interface, and the lower-cost Aluma U series with only the USB interface.

3.2 megapixel high-performance CCD with 6.8 micron pixels and over 80% peak QE, compatible with Windows, Macintosh, and Linux.

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Product Description

Aluma Features include:

  • Wide variety of imaging sensors
  • Light weight, compact design
  • Centered optical axis for optimum instrument balance
  • Ultra reliable even-illumination (photometric) mechanical shutter
  • Support for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux
  • USB 2.0 and optional WiFi 802.11 b/g/n communications interfaces
  • Full frame image buffering eliminates readout artifacts and provides 100% reliable wireless download
  • 2-Stage TE cooling with typical -50C from ambient
  • Twin variable speed fans with SmartCoolingTM technology
  • High accuracy temperature regulation
  • Built-in RBI Pre-flash (full frame front-illuminated sensors only)
  • External TTL trigger inputs and output
  • Included 110V / 220V power supply and optional 12VDC operation
  • User-rechargeable desiccant plug
  • Built-in 1/4-20 tripod mount
  • Support for high precision 8-position filter wheels
  • Support for external guide head, self-guiding filter wheels, and adaptive optics
  • Bulletproof firmware update capability – virtually impossible to “brick”

Multi-Platform Operation

Aluma is designed to operate via USB 2.0 and optionally WiFi 802.11 b/g/n.  Designed from the ground-up to support operation on any modern computing platform, Aluma is compatible with Windows, Macintosh, and Linux.  Fully-documented and supported drivers are available for all platforms, including ASCOM drivers.  The Aluma camera interface specification is fully documented, supporting the development of fully custom interfaces.

Software Included

All Aluma models ship with MaxIm LT for Windows – a special version of MaxIm DL specific to our cameras. Aluma also supports third-party applications through ASCOM and native drivers.

Compact and Lightweight Design

Aluma cameras measure just 4.25″ x 4.25″ x 4.0″ with handles (3.5″ without handles) and weigh just 2.2 lbs (1 kg).

Even-Illumination Shutter

All Aluma cameras include a mechanical shutter, which is used for both dark/bias calibration frames and for shuttering exposures on full frame sensors. Rather than using a complex iris shutter, which are prone to failure, the Aluma uses a twin vane shutter and direct drive motor for high repeatability, reliability, and extremely long life.  The shutter is designed to be “even illumination” for the best accuracy in photometric measurements.

iris1The left image shows a flat field image taken with a camera using an iris type shutter. The right image is a flat field image taken under the same conditions using our even-illumination shutter.

High Performance KAF-3200 Image Sensor

The Aluma 3200 uses the extremely sensitive 3.2 megapixel ON Semi (formerly Kodak) KAF-3200-ABA sensor. The sensor has 2184 x 1472 pixels at 6.8 microns square, for a 14.85 mm x 10.26 mm chip size.

The KAF-3200 has perhaps the best quantum efficiency of any front-illuminated CCD sensor, peaking at over 80%, and it has low dark current and low read noise.  Combining this high performance sensor with Aluma’s high cooling performance and low readout noise results in exceptionally clean images.


KAF-3200 Quantum Efficiency

SmartCoolingTM

All Aluma cameras include our powerful new SmartCooling technology. The two-stage cooler, powerful fans, and advanced heat sink designed using thermal flow simulation combine to produce typical cooling delta from ambient of -50C.  This is quite a feat considering the Aluma’s very compact and lightweight package.

SmartCooling automatically adjusts the fan speed to optimize cooler performance and power consumption.  The camera’s firmware is constantly monitoring the sensor and heat sink temperatures, as well as controlling the cooler power.  When full cooling power is needed – when ramping down or running near full power – the fans ramp up to their maximum speed, resulting in the strongest possible cooling.  When less cooling power is needed the fans automatically slow to reduce noise levels and power consumption. SmartCooling also prevents any possibility of overheating by backing off power if the heat sink gets too hot – so you don’t need to worry if your camera is baking in a hot observatory during the day.

Advanced Software Included

All SBIG cameras come with our MaxIm LT software – a $200 value!  MaxIm LT is a special version of our venerable MaxIm DL software that provides complete control of your camera, filter wheel, and autoguider, plus advanced image processing capabilities.  If you wish you can upgrade to MaxIm DL Pro to get complete observatory integration and even more processing and analysis capabilities.

Included Accessories

Each Aluma camera package includes:

  • MaxIm LT software – please use this form to request your license
  • Deluxe carrying case
  • Universal power supply (110V / 220V, 50-60 Hz)
  • 2″ Nosepiece adapter
  • USB flash drive containing software, drivers, and documentation
  • 15 foot (4.5 m) USB cable
  • Tracking interface cable

Optional Micron-Precision Filter Wheel

The optional FW8S-Aluma 8-position filter wheel includes a positive centering mechanism that precisely centers each filter in the exact same position every time. This single-pixel accuracy completely eliminates ghost images of dust spots and other artifacts after flat-fielding.

Positive detent mechanism provides single-pixel filter position accuracy

flatfield2Precision flat-fielding with utlra-accurate indexing

The left-hand image shows a dust spot on the filters.  A flat-field calibration frame was taken, then the filter wheel was rotated several times before taking a second picture, which was flat-field calibrated, at right.  No evidence of the dust spot is visible.  This high precision results in the highest quality images and excellent photometric accuracy.

The Aluma wheel holds standard 36 mm filters, and inserts are available for 1-1/4″ filters, which are suitable for smaller format CCD sensors.

The Aluma filter wheel replaces the camera’s front plate, resulting in the minimum possible back-focus, ensuring that the camera / filter wheel combination will reach focus on the widest possible variety of optical systems.

Optional StarChaser SC-2 Off-Axis Guide Camera

For astronomical imaging the Aluma series works the the StarChaser SC-2 Off-Axis Guide Camera.  This provides reliable guiding with no impact from optical train flexure.  It also supports operation of the optional AO-8A Adaptive Optics accessory.

Optional AO-8A Adaptive Optics

ao8

All Aluma models can operate with the AO-8A Adaptive Optics accessory.  The AO-8A uses a tip-tilt window to quickly and precisely adjust the image position in response to autoguider feedback.  With Adaptive Optics there is no backlash, stiction, or lag, and the movements are extremely precise and accurate.  This allows the AO-8A to not only remove the effects of periodic error, drift, and wind gusts, but also reduce the effects of atmospheric seeing.

For more information please see AO-8A.

 

Additional Information

OAG Option

StarChaser

Peak QE

80

Antiblooming

n

Sensor Size

14,85 mm x 10.26 mm

Pixel Size

6.8 μm

Total Pixels

3.2 million pixels

Self-Guiding In Front of Filters

y

Imaging / Pixel Array

2184 px x 1472 px

Imaging Sensor

KAF-3200

Full Well Capacity

55,000 e-

Dark Current e-/p/s

0.5 e-/p/s typical

Filter Wheel Option

y

Shutter

Mechanical, Even-illumination

Power

12 VDC, 5A max

Remote Guide Head

y

Adaptive Optics Option

Y

Pixel Digitization Rate

4 MPix/sec or 1 MPix/sec (selectable)

OS Compatibility

Windows 7, 8, 10 x86/x64, MacOS 10.14 "Mojave" x86 binaries, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS x64, Raspbian Buster armhf, Ubuntu MATE arm64

Computer Interface

USB 2.0, USB2 / WiFi 802.11 b/g/n

Exposure

0.1 sec minimum

Cooling Delta

~ 50 °C

Read Noise (typ)

11.5 e- typical at 4 MHz, 10 e- typical at 1 MHz

A/D Converter

16 bits

Weight

2.2 lbs

Filter Size

36mm / 1.25"

Temperature Regulation

y

Documentation

Product overview

Product overview of SBIG Aluma CCD cameras.

Download

User’s Manual

Aluma Series user’s manual.

Download

Backfocus Calculator Spreadsheet

This Excel spreadsheet helps you calculate backfocus distance for your system. If you do not have Excel it can be uploaded into Google Sheets.
Download

Software

Drivers and Camera Configuration Utility

Aluma uses the DL Imaging driver package. Download the latest drivers and camera configuration utility.

Download

ASCOM Driver

Provides compatibility with many third party control applications. Please install the main driver package (above) first.

Download (x86) Download (x64) 

MaxIm LT Software

Camera owners can request a MaxIm LT license here (camera serial number required):

Link

To get started immediately, request the full MaxIm DL Pro demo version here (click Demo tab):

Link

Once you receive your MaxIm LT license, simply replace your demo license using Help menu Enter License.

MacOS and Linux Drivers

Available by request. Please post in our support forum, Aluma section:

Link

Software Development Kit

Available by request. Please post in our support forum, Aluma section:

Link

Firmware Updates

Visit our Firmware Archive here:

Link