SBIG ST-10XME 3.2 Megapixel Camera with High QE Kodak KAF-3200ME and Texas Instruments TC-237 CCD, Class 1

The ST-10XME is the highest resolution CCD cameras in the "ST" series from SBIG. The body is identical to the ST-7XME, ST-8XME, ST-9XE, and ST- 2000XM models with some slight modifications to accommodate the larger detector. The ST-10XME contains an enhanced KAF-3200ME imaging detector from Kodak. The only difference between the CCDs is the addition of a micro lens layer over the pixels of the KAF-3200ME CCD for increased sensitivity.

These 3.2 megapixel CCDs have a Full Frame Resolution of 2184 x 1472 pixels at 6.8 microns making them the ultimate cameras for wide field apochromatic refractors. The active imaging area is 17% greater than the ST-8XME and the arrays contain approximately twice as many pixels. The imaging camera includes an electro-mechanical shutter, 16 bit analog to digital (A/D) converter, regulated temperature control, and built-in TC-237H, guiding CCD with all of the electronics integrated into the CCD head. Communication to the PC is through the USB port at up to 425,000 pixels per second.

The Kodak Digital Science TM KAF-3200E Image Sensor is a high density, 3.2 million pixel, full-frame Blue Plus image sensor. It joins the family of Kodak Blue Plus sensors with improved quantum efficiency across the visible spectrum. Ultra-low dark current of less than 1e-/pixel/second at 0o C (typical) allows moderate cooling for applications involving extended exposures. With an improved liquid cooling design, the ST-10XME cameras will reach approximately 45-degree C below ambient temperature for best performance even in hot climates.

The KAF-3200ME is the same CCD as the KAF- 3200E with the exception of the addition of micro lenses over the pixels. This has the effect of increasing the effective quantum efficiency of the CCD. Although the ST-10XME camera is a perfect match to high quality refractors in high resolution mode, with 3.2 million pixels the ST-10XME is easily adapted to a variety of focal lengths. The various binning modes of 6.8, 13.6 and 20.4 micron pixels allow you to match the focal length of a wide range of telescopes and lenses to this imaging camera.

The ST-10XME camera utilizes SBIG's high speed analog and digital electronics with a USB interface to the PC. This interface is up to 14 times faster than the older parallel interface, and even using USB 1.1 is about as fast as competitors' cameras using USB 2.0. The full frame download rate for the ST-10XME is approximately 8.7 seconds. For finding and centering objects and for focusing, various binning or partial frame modes may be selected to significantly shorten the download time. For instance, in focus mode with a 20 x 20 pixel box the download time is about 0.5 seconds per frame.