Updating your Camera’s Firmware

We release firmware updates to the Aluma, Aluma AC, STC, and StarChaser series cameras and guiders which can contain: bug-fixes, improvements, optimizations, and new features. We advise updating the DL Imaging suite simultaneously. You can update your FPGA firmware via the DL Config application as follows:
  1. Install the latest version of DL Config – this will also update your camera drivers
  2. Power up your camera and connect to the computer (USB recommended), but make sure it is not connected to MaxIm DL or other control software
  3. Download the latest firmware revision (below)
  4. Go to Start Menu / DL Config Utility and run the DL Config Utility
  5. Make sure your camera is selected
  6. Click the “Choose File…” button
  7. Browse to and select the firmware file you downloaded
  8. Click OK and confirm the operation when prompted
  9. Wait until the process is completed.  Do not interrupt the process or it will revert to old firmware
  10. When complete, power down the camera and power it up again
For details on how to update your camera’s Wireless firmware, please review this document. NOTE: Original Equipment Manufacturers with customized camera firmware should contact us for assistance. The firmware presented here is not for OEM use and is intended for end-users of standard product. NOTE:  Users of SBIG STF, STX, and STXL series cameras should instead use the SBIG Driver Checker. NOTE: Users looking to update their StarChaser cameras should use the correct model number. Use StarChaser E for units with serial numbers SC1300M2110xxxx and later, and StarChaser for units with serial numbers before that.

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Files

FPGA

AC455 Firmware Revision 27

2025-07-04

- Added support for the AC461
- Added support for static IP assignment via DLAPI
- Improved readout noise at high gain
- Fixed a bug that caused deadlocks after receiving an error condition from the filter wheel
- Fixed a bug that caused an 0.5 systematic offset reporting the selected adjustable gain level
- Fixed a bug that scaled eGain by adjustable gain incorrectly
- Adjusted full frame output to 9564 x 6380, overscan region is 9588 x 6388
- Various minor optimizations and stability improvements

Download MD5: 577D03D7F0FCCEC020B5AC3C5481C611

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 30

2025-02-10

- Fixed a bug that caused the filter wheel to report "Waiting for Trigger" while waiting for the filter wheel to move.
- Fixed a bug that caused deadlocks after receiving an error condition from the filter wheel

Download MD5: B7BAACEAC07DEAFFA990681EA54B520F

FPGA

AC455 Firmware Revision 19

2025-01-22

- Ensures that sensor is in low power mode after camera startup, and after re-initialization of the sensor

Download MD5: A0206EFA3BAE7512BEA488BFF991A1C5

FPGA

STC Firmware Revision 11

2025-01-09

- Fixed a bug that caused the filter wheel to report "Waiting for Trigger" while waiting for the filter wheel to move.
- Fixed a bug that caused deadlocks after receiving an error condition from the filter wheel

Download MD5: 8783B2A96799A8541B77B30808AC7C07

FPGA

AC4040 Firmware Revision 17

2025-01-09

- Fixed a bug that caused the filter wheel to report "Waiting for Trigger" while waiting for the filter wheel to move.
- Fixed a bug that caused deadlocks after receiving an error condition from the filter wheel

Download MD5: 68ACB30D7970E86F81E136D335314C28

FPGA

AC2020 Firmware Revision 11

2025-01-09

- Fixed a bug that caused the filter wheel to report "Waiting for Trigger" while waiting for the filter wheel to move.
- Fixed a bug that caused deadlocks after receiving an error condition from the filter wheel

Download MD5: B231D286626C693CACD956CDF4042207

FPGA

AC2020 Firmware Revision 7

2024-10-31

- Fixes problem with HDR Image gains being reversed.

Download MD5: 3C0941F5DEA990305BB759252222A6AB

FPGA

AC2020 Firmware Revision 6

2024-09-03

- Ensures proper sensor data synchronization.

Download MD5: 183A3FFDD7BB438210D0373E5A60D436

FPGA

AC2020 Firmware Revision 4

2024-05-17

- Adjusts sensor settings to improve robustness of sensor operation

Download MD5: 572333D860BC46646CB4F9EB953E5422

FPGA

AC4040 Firmware Revision 15

2023-09-15

- Fixed a bug in the AC4040 firmware that caused slower filter wheels like the FW7 to time out during long moves and get stuck in an initialization loop, preventing communication with the camera.

Download MD5: 8D777E3AB3C2CB0D881F07EF53D8009D

FPGA

AC4040 Firmware Revision 14

2022-11-21

- Added ability to re-transfer acquired images if the initial download fails
- Optimized cooler performance to reduce noise in images

Download MD5: 96DD884868B7AA43616BDCEFF6AB3C32

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 27

2022-11-17

- Added feature for OEM use.

Download MD5: 9E63E9E9F3A14BBBACB15E0BEB2144EA

FPGA

STC Firmware Revision 9

2022-09-13

- This firmware update corrects an error with exposure timing and reading the camera states for the STC-7 and STC-428 series cameras.
- This also corrects an issue reported by the ASCOM Conform test related to the above.

It is recommended for all customers.

Download MD5: 4A9CB3913AC18651FF659F174CA33309

FPGA

AC4040 Firmware Revision 13

2022-08-12

This update should be applied to all AC4040 FSI and AC4040 BSI cameras.

For AC4040BSI camera:
- Eliminates a noise bump in short exposures (0.35s to 0.8s) by optimizing the activation of the sensor's low dark current operation.
- Reduces dark current related noise by ~7% in full frame images, and proportionally more the smaller the subframe.
- Corrects a problem where long exposure images may have obviously corrupt data under rare circumstances
- Improves image consistency after long idle periods. The camera flushes the sensor periodically when it is inactive to prevents possible charge build up evident in the first image taken after a long idle period. This provides greater image consistency regardless of image cadence.

For both FSI and BSI cameras:
- The camera automatically closes the mechanical shutter on power-up. It will stay closed until actuated, that is, until a light frame is requested. This reduces dust falling on the chamber window.
- Minor corrections and performance improvements based on customer feedback.
- For all cameras, improved performance will require taking new calibration frames.
- The camera's shutter now closes on power-up.

Download MD5: D3A9858B2746DDA0FEA00C3AC2AA6C72

FPGA

AC4040 Firmware Revision 12

2022-07-29

IMPORTANT: This update should be installed by all AC4040BSI customers.

- This addresses an issue where an application does not successfully connect to the camera. Although the camera is operating and shows in the Windows Device Manager, it may not respond to the connect request.

Download MD5: 9E8120B73EE095485D051BAECB389F96

FPGA

AC4040 Firmware Revision 9

2022-05-10

- Improved robustness of Filter Wheel operation for increased reliability under abnormal conditions.
- Slightly improved image download speed.
- Slightly improved sensor cooling capacity and reduced dark current.

Download MD5: 9DFCBA882FE308207E96F59686942942

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 26

2022-05-10

+ Minor performance improvements.

Download MD5: 82526A841CFD98C71B0D3D97F8609495

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 25

2022-03-31

- Fixed Aluma 77-00 noise issue in long exposures.
- Slightly increased amplifier recovery time in Aluma 694 and Aluma 814. This should improve image uniformity for precision applications.

Download MD5: F46B1DBCD2933E4E361F6CCDC2CAC5BB

FPGA

AC2020 Firmware Revision 3

2022-03-01

- Increased readout speed. Note: It might lower the dark current and read noise. Customers might need to take new calibration images.
- Increased download speed for single images (High Gain and Low Gain).
- Increased Filter Wheel reliability. Added automatic recovery in case of a communication error or physical stall, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
- Fixed occasional camera hang issue when imaging continuously for over 12 hours.

Download MD5: E867C9FFE9AA220E7223AE8C13B2585B

FPGA

AC4040 Firmware Revision 8

2022-03-01

+ Added support for 4040BSI (detection, clocking, LDC, LP).
+ Fixed StackPro for 4040BSI by performing stacking after swtiching to LP mode, which required increasing min subexposure from 1s to 2s.
+ Fixed an issue resulting in intermittent hangs when operating camera for extended periods of time (several hours+).
+ Moved TriggerIn loop to after actuating the shutter for instant response.

Download MD5: B3C3BC98890311E9986AC5B9A0F7AE19

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 24

2021-12-29

+ Added support for AFW16 and Dual-Wheel.

Download MD5: 0AEF1EEE7C32111650462B3CA2F8724B

FPGA

AC2020 Firmware Revision 2

2021-12-21

+ Slightly increased FAN LOW speed to ensure smooth auto fan from 0-100% TEC power.
+ Updated FW code to support all AFW devices 2-16 pos.
+ Updated shutter motor micro-stepping for smoother operation.
+ Fixed TriggerOut. Fixed IR LED toggle function.
+ Added CameraCapability for RBI.

Download MD5: 99A54AC679A98BAF3AF21A7430737C74

FPGA

AC4040 Firmware Revision 7

2021-12-21

+ Updated FW code to support all AFW devices 2-16 pos.
+ Updated shutter motor micro-stepping for smoother operation.

Download MD5: 170B58BE2B381517A35D349CA1DE2341

FPGA

STC Firmware Revision 8

2022-03-31

+ Added 8bit readout mode.
+ Added support for AFW16 and DualWheel.
+ Updated I2C interface to work with old and new FW/AO.

Download MD5: 68779714903D82E7156C4999CDFEF889

FPGA

StarChaser E Firmware Revision 7

2021-10-13

+ Release of new product: StarChaser E. Based on existing SC-2/SC-3 hardware with extended range as the P3 sensor version has wider sensitivity and includes IR.

Note: This firmware file is *not* compatible with StarChaser cameras built before October 1st 2021.

Download MD5: A41FBF24AD97B3D28DC7F70FF90FA3A0

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 23

2021-09-09

+ Switched to a hardware Exposure Timer for better precision and reliability.
+ Added missing CameraCapabilities.
+ Added CameraOption.
+ Added GetCoolerState.

Download MD5: 0922DEFA6BE17C8F4B09B915A5F64C9C

FPGA

STC Firmware Revision 7

2021-07-20

+ Added double buffer to speed up download by 33%.
+ Added two extra half steps after detecting STC-7 internal FW position to centre the filter slot properly.

Download MD5: 63bc24ca4a58ca762ae3adf0538b3d95

FPGA

STC Firmware Revision 6

2021-03-10

+ Added GetCoolerStatus
+ Fixed wrong initial state of the STC mechanical shutter.

Download MD5: 19593a2f3a541b60353ea7c769bdbda4

FPGA

AC2020 Firmware Revision 1

2021-06-17

+ Initial Release

Download MD5: dcefaff79654dab792f9d67e46e88f56

FPGA

AC4040 Firmware Revision 6

2021-05-13

+ Added support for Dual-Wheel operation of AFW model filter wheels
+ Changed default partial stacking exposure from 1s to 15s
+ Improved TEC setpoint ramp down (now independed from imaging)
+ updated max cooling power and CoolerPowerPercentage formula
+ Updated auto fan setting to be more linear
+ Updated TEC LUT to 12-bit
+ Added AFW error handling

Download MD5: b06310cc206ce26a9aed7eca18c3f4be

FPGA

AC4040 Firmware Revision 5

2021-03-10

+ Updated AC4040 firmware.
+ Fix issue with StackPro
+ Added extended cooler status reporting

Download MD5: 2864332A82DF54F30195B85613EBE710

FPGA

STC Firmware Revision 5

2021-01-18

- This firmware fixes potential issues where the image download would hang after changing binning mode

Download MD5: e9e53bdbfb27cd345ad7743b08148354

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 22

2020-11-27

- Lowered vertical shift time for 694 and 814 from 88us to 56us
- Added a flag for NEW ALUMA that disables the Guider and reports only a single imaging sensor
- Added up-to-date CameraCapabilities

Download MD5: a353f8b27a06f7f61fc39e4e00bb9972

FPGA

AC4040 Firmware Revision 3

2020-11-20

+ Initial release of AC4040 firmware.

Download MD5: d2bd57b6980752d95925d4ff233be4bd

FPGA

STC Firmware Revision 4

2020-11-14

+ Improved support for internal filter wheels by defaulting camera's "UseFWAsShutter" setting to "Off" by default.
+ Added support for changing fan controls during exposure.
+ Updated CameraCapabilities to reflect latest version of the protocol spec.

Download MD5: f9a36d9e4f3b1a337f19332bf558f099

FPGA

StarChaser Firmware Revision 6

2020-10-14

+ Improved stability when operating at low temperature

Download MD5: 5453e4ee49224370b0796604a7374ea9

FPGA

STC Firmware Revision 3

2020-08-28

+ correct issues with external filter wheel control.

Download MD5: e8a900679536df77c5978270404941cf

FPGA

StarChaser Firmware Revision 5

2020-09-03

+ corrected endianness of exposure time for FITS header and fixed AO connectivity issues.

Download MD5: b74e9bf6f9bc5cfb983edeee185ee3f3

FPGA

StarChaser Firmware Revision 4

2020-08-19

+ Fixed bug with endianness of exposure duration in image metadata.

Download MD5: 2504e224dd2fff6dc148faad7725014d

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 21

2020-07-24

+ Maintenance release containing support for new camera models

Download MD5: bca949f1bbf7e069b1ac64310eb574c7

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 20

+ Status LED now defaults to "ON" in Aluma firmware, pursuant to changes in revision 18.

Download MD5: 12dde15932343a07d67348096ea344dd

WiFi

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 4

+ Updating WiFi software to include extensions to the DLAPI communication (consistent with DLAPI version 1.3.5.0)

Download MD5: fc145bad4ba122b278123606d697bfcb

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 19

+ Fixed a bug where filter wheel status was not being reported correctly (specifically, reporting idle while the filter wheel was still in transit)

Download MD5: 22b7d2dbfe4cd49416090cd314733908

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 18

+ Added support for Camera Capabilities DLAPI functionality
+ Added support for controlling Status LED in Sensor Settings
+ Improved telescope guiding: Previously, guiding was done from the main line causing guide pulse durations longer than requested, usually by 15ms, sometimes even 16ms. It is now done in the interrupts, making sure that guiding duration is always precise

Download MD5: 712a80ce063455f020e0bb72c3484aa9

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 17

+ Improved auto-fan feature
+ Fixed issue with camera occasionally generating a blank image
+ Filter wheel requests when no filter wheel is present now generates a DeviceError
+ Filter wheel requests that specify an out-of-bounds slot now generates an InvalidParameter error

Download MD5: 3164b1a8def119e3b74c0a7ff927b8b2

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 16

+ Fixed a bug when taking images with the main and external sensors simultaneously (at different binnings) resulting in the external sensor overriding the binning settings for the main sensor
+ various optimizations

Download MD5: 5593a4cafcceb72023298abc259ee089

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 15

+ Fixed a bug with the filter wheel involving timing of I2C messages, and hangs
+ Fixed a bug where camera could request an exposure before the filter wheel stopped moving

Download MD5: cae2cedf49d93c501bbdb944d826d642

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 14

+ Fixed a bug with shutter initialization on connect
+ various optimizations & safety checks

Download MD5: cdba2844747b505ea375f5e91c85dcb3

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 13

+ Added new auto-fan feature
+ Added support for new high-resolution shutters
+ Added support for new temperature sensors
+ Set thresholds to prevent camera from overheating: heat sink at 50C -> set fan to high heat sink at 65C -> turn off the cooler
+ Fixed bug where the CCD amplifier would stay low when an exposure was aborted, now when abort is requested, the amplifier goes back up
+ various optimizations

Download MD5: efa5120b6adfc12da5385e0cc00ee37d

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 12

+ Added support for AO peripherals
+ Fixed issue when Pulse Guiding correcting pulse durations and status reporting to the camera

Download MD5: cb99719cd82dcc5d194c8bd204a56971

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 10

+ Added support for KAF-3200
+ Various optimizations

Download MD5: 96ed39b736bfcc8ec6f08cc774d86475

FPGA

Aluma CCD Firmware Revision 9

+ Initial release of Aluma FPGA firmware

Download MD5: 861465028d9079f24339392976d8cb65