Staff Assigned: Adam Robichaud Problem with Spectroscopy mode on ST7-XME CCD

Discussion in 'STF Series CCD Cameras' started by Stan Shadick, Aug 14, 2017.

  1. Stan Shadick

    Stan Shadick Cyanogen Customer

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    Please examine the attached image. It was taken indoors with the SBIG ST7XME exposed to ambient light.

    It appears that the SBIG ST7-XME CCD is mainly properly seeing only a small portion of the CCD chip.

    Any suggestions?

    Is this repairable?

    What is the problem?

    Thank you.

    Stan Shadick
    e-mail:
     

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    Stan Shadick, Aug 14, 2017
    #1
  2. Stan Shadick

    Stan Shadick Cyanogen Customer

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    I have attached 2 images.
    One image taken using MaxIm DL with binning set to spectroscopy and 1x1 appears to image only a portion of the CCD

    The other image taken with binning set to on-chip and also 1x1 seems normal.

    Is this a problem with the CCD or a problem with the latest version of the MaxIm DL Pro software?

    How can I fix this problem so that I can use the CCD with the SBIG SGS spectrograph?

    Stan Shadick
    e-mail: stan.shadick@usask.ca
     

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    Stan Shadick, Aug 14, 2017
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  3. Adam Robichaud

    Adam Robichaud Lead Developer Staff Member

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    Hi Stan,

    I'm sorry I didn't get back to you. I've been swamped with development work, and this fell through the cracks until a moment ago — when I was informed you called last week. I'm told you were put in touch with Tim Pucket. Was he able to resolve this issue?

    Cheers,
    -Adam
     
    Adam Robichaud, Sep 6, 2017
    #3
  4. Stan Shadick

    Stan Shadick Cyanogen Customer

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    Adam,

    No, it has not been resolved. Please review my posts to the forum in mid-August.

    Basically, I cannot properly download images from a SBIG ST7XME ccd when using MaxIm in spectroscopy mode at 1X4 binning. I am trying to use the system with a university class.

    Stan Shadick
     
    Stan Shadick, Sep 6, 2017
    #4
  5. Adam Robichaud

    Adam Robichaud Lead Developer Staff Member

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    I have never seen anything like this before... I don't think we have an ST7 on hand to test with (I'll be checking the warehouse a little later), so I'm going to have to test with a more modern camera. I'm going to run the investigation after a few morning chores.
     
    Adam Robichaud, Sep 7, 2017
    #5
  6. Stan Shadick

    Stan Shadick Cyanogen Customer

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    Do you have a fix for me yet?

    Stan Shadick
     
    Stan Shadick, Sep 13, 2017
    #6
  7. Adam Robichaud

    Adam Robichaud Lead Developer Staff Member

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    While in spectroscopy mode, you mention you're collecting in 1x1 binning mode. Is there some reason you aren't collecting in 3xN? I'm seeing some artifacts in the spectroscopy binning mode at 1x1 (though none as peculiar as the images you've provided) that disappear at higher binning modes. It appears to be a software glitch, and I'm working towards a fix.
     
    Adam Robichaud, Sep 13, 2017
    #7
  8. Stan Shadick

    Stan Shadick Cyanogen Customer

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    I would like to be able to use spectroscopy mode at 1X4 binning (ie bin 4 pixels along y-axis). I believe the problem happened at that setting. I may have stated it incorrectly in the text of my question.

    The only workaround I have found is to not use spectroscopy mode and work at binning 1.

    Stan Shadick
     
    Stan Shadick, Sep 13, 2017
    #8
  9. Adam Robichaud

    Adam Robichaud Lead Developer Staff Member

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    There is almost definitely a bug in the 1xN image acquisition logic at the MaxIm DL plugin level, and I'm working on a fix for it; but frankly, at 1x4 binning, there's no benefit to using spectroscopic mode. You're probably better off using on-chip binning. Maybe @Doug can weigh in?
     
    Adam Robichaud, Sep 13, 2017
    #9
  10. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    The only purpose of spectroscopic binning mode is to provide 1xN binning with N > 4. If you're only doing 1x3 then you don't need to turn on that mode.
     
    Doug, Sep 14, 2017
    #10
  11. Adam Robichaud

    Adam Robichaud Lead Developer Staff Member

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    FYI, I have a potential fix for this compiled and tested. Are you interested in beta testing it?
     
    Adam Robichaud, Sep 18, 2017
    #11
  12. Mike Poitter

    Mike Poitter Cyanogen Customer

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    Mike Poitter, Sep 21, 2017
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  13. Stan Shadick

    Stan Shadick Cyanogen Customer

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    I would be willing to test it in a week or two after my students have finished using the equipment.
     
    Stan Shadick, Sep 24, 2017
    #13
  14. Stan Shadick

    Stan Shadick Cyanogen Customer

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    I don't understand this comment. For our SBIG ST7XME CCD, the MaxIm software does not allow me to change the Y binning to anything other than "Same".
     
    Stan Shadick, Sep 26, 2017
    #14
  15. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    That is odd... we'll look into that.

    Let me ask, though, what are you trying to achieve by using Spectroscopy mode? The feature is for 1XN binning... it doesn't sound like that's what you are wanting?
     
    Doug, Sep 27, 2017
    #15
    Bill likes this.

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