CHUNGARA CCD CAMERA series

Chungara CCD camera series is intended for the most demanding applications in low noise and long exposure imaging such as Astronomy, Spectroscopy. It has been designed by a team of engineer that have gathered high level experience in the observatory operating largest telescopes in the World and largest CCD camera/mosaics. The Chungara CCD controller is able to read all kind of CCDs, because it is based on modularity and commun hardware architecture. For instance, the CCDs that can be used are ranging from the 1536x1024 Kodak KAF-1602 CCD to the 4096x4096 Kodak KAF-16801 CCD. The link to the host computer is performed thru a Ethernet Link allowing large distance between the Computer and the CCD camera, use thru a network and even by Wifi. This kind of design cannot be found anywhere over the market. Whereas cooling is deficient in many commercial CCD camera, the Chungara camera series has been optimized for best cooling making dark current negligible, even for ultra low light level application such as spectroscopy.

The CCD camera is driven by a professionnal world class widely sold software : PRISM running under Microsoft Windows NT/Xp/2000. This software allows all kind of data reduction.

Chungara CCD Head, embedding KAF1602 CCD

Complete Chungara System, from left to right : CCD head, control box, and 19" rack power supply (19" housing is optionnal), standard housing for the power supply is delivered (200x100x200mm box). This camera was built par the company that work for industrial and military Chungara.

Chungara CCD Head and control box, the ethernet link can be noticed.

We wanted this product to be as oustanding as possible, using high quality components and parts, and not jeopardazing an affordable price.

CCD board Head, super high QE E2V CCD47-10, also visible (right side) the frame transfer tracking CCD

Latest News

Mecastronic is proud to announce that a 16 million pixel camera is on the way, this is the largest CCD camera ever made in Europe. The camera's heart is the Kodak KAF-16801E CCD featuring 4096 x 4096 9µm pixels , ultra low dark current and blue enhanced quantum efficiency CCD.

KAF-16801 CCD : 37mm x 37mm of silicon dedicated for photons, QE here

Also, Mecastronic has the pleasure to announce the developpement of a Chungara CCD camera E4240 using the high quantum efficiency CCD from E2V (Formaly Marconi/EEV) E2V42-40. This device features 2048 x 2048 13.5µm pixels. This is a thinned CCD allows superb blue Quantum Efficiency larger than 65% at 350nm, reaching 90% at 450nm. This is the most sensitive CCD in the market.

E2V-42-40 CCD : 26mm x 26mm Sensitive area, low noise and outstanding QE !

Have you heard about the CCD KAF-22000CE ? No ? This is the new largest Kodak Chip about to be available... Some figures ? This device has 22 millions pixels (yes!), laid out in a matrix of 4080 x 5440 pixels... that sounds great but this device is foreseen for its implementation to Chungara series...

KAF-22000 CCD : 36mm x 49 mm Sensitive area : the absolute imaging machine

Products

Overall product features in a nutshell :

• Multi modular CCD capable system
• Low noise system (downto 7 to 8e- noise with E2v CCD)
• 16 bits digitization, 2e- per ADU
• Maximum read speed over 350Kpx/sec
• Triple stage peltier cooling
• Scientific grade CCD quality, 300nm to 1000nm spectral range
• No internal PC acquisition board : uses embedded mainboard ethernet interface : "Laptop PC ready"
• Modular system using exchangeable CCD heads (ie K400 can be bought and upgraded to K1402, with minimum costs, no need to change power supply and control box)
• Second CCD chip as standard for autoguiding or other (Adaptative Optic).
• Time Delay Integration, Video, all Binning and windowing mode capable
• Trigger start exposure input (optionnal) TTL input rising edge
• Digital interface : Full duplex Data Ethernet interface, no need to purchase additionnal board for laptops, download rate : 3 sec per megapixel, single straight RJ45 cable up to 200m length, scalable system or many systems chained by means of commercial ethernet switch.
• 42mm thread Optical interface, back focal plane distance : 25 mm (any optical interface upon request)
• Water or air cooling with superior performance more than 50°C from ambiant, closed loop temperature regulation.
• Mechanical head sealed to prevent moisture to build up over CCD surface
• Embedded Electronic shutter (Oriel, Prontor, Melles Griot, or Uniblitz)
• Acquisition Software : PRiSM software running Win98/ME/NT/2000/XP

Available cameras :

CCDs Quantum efficiency according to model.

All prices on request, please contact :

Phone :
+33 (0)5 62 18 40 75
Fax
+33 (0)5 62 18 32 38

Email : mecastronic@mecastronic.com

All Kodak chips are Blue-Plus CCD, Microlens devices (ME) are also available on request.
Other CCD (Atmel, Sony, Phillips, TI, SITe ..) can be installed upon request : this is easy to implement new CCDs because the Chungara controller is designed as a modular multi-CCD controller.
Linux platform on request

For any customization, don't hesitate to contact us !

5 times 60s exposures, R+I filter, 600mm telescope F3.7, Chungara, Displayed with LOG LUT, E4710, no image processing enhancements. Clic to enlarge to bin1x1.

Updated August 8th 2003
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