STX-16803 Image with Nosie in both Dark and light

Discussion in 'STX and STXL Series Cameras' started by rami, Oct 22, 2025.

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  1. rami

    rami Standard User

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    Hi everyone,

    We're running into an issue with our SBIG STX-16803 camera. After observing for just a few frames, the CCD becomes unresponsive.

    A key observation is that when we try to take a light frame, the CCD isn't producing a proper image—we're only seeing noise (around 750 readout per pixel). Compounding this, a single vertical line of artifact noise appears on the image, and its position shifts randomly with every subsequent frame. The attached figure illustrates this noise and line issue.

    We suspect a driver issue may be contributing, as the SBIG Driver Checker shows some files still have the old 2015 driver version, unlike others that show the newer 2020 update.

    I've visually inspected the hardware and found no obvious physical damage to any chip or capacitor.

    Any guidance you can offer to help us resolve this driver, noise, and variable vertical line issue and get our observations back on track would be greatly appreciated!

    Thanks!
     

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    rami, Oct 22, 2025
    #1
  2. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    Is this a new installation or new computer?
    Have you installed any operating system updates?
    What software are you using? e.g. MaxIm DL Pro 7.2.2
    What operating system? e.g. Windows 11 25H2
    Has it been working fine for years and now this problem?

    If the camera stops responding, check this:
    https://forum.diffractionlimited.co...connects-turn-off-usb-selective-suspend.7848/

    Have you looked down the nose of the camera to see if the shutter is operating properly?
     
    Colin Haig, Oct 23, 2025
    #2
  3. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    I'm suspecting a hardware failure. Can we get a FITS frame of the whole image?
     
    Doug, Oct 23, 2025
    #3
  4. rami

    rami Standard User

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    rami, Oct 23, 2025
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  5. rami

    rami Standard User

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    Also, here is the fits file.
     
    rami, Oct 23, 2025
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  6. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    Please provide the camera serial number.

    The image size is incorrect. It should be 4096 x 4096. That suggests there is corruption to the EEPROM settings. That probably explains the band down the middle of the image - it's out of sync.

    The image has a standard deviation of just 3.6 ADU. That's far too low. It suggests there's no data coming out of the sensor. That looks like the noise floor of the A/D converter.

    @Tim might be able to remote in and reset the EEPROM, but I'm really not sure that would fix it.

    I would recommend sending it in for service. If you want to do that, please fill in this form: https://diffractionlimited.com/request-rma/
     
    Doug, Oct 24, 2025
    #6
  7. rami

    rami Standard User

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    Yes, I have just notes this in the header of frame of the fits file.
    the serial number is: X13050228

    I tried to use the full frame using the CCDops5 > grab but this is what i get!!.

    thanks so much.
     
    rami, Oct 24, 2025
    #7
  8. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    Built in 2013. Normal test results at the time.

    I suspect something has failed. Recommend return for servicing.
     
    Doug, Oct 24, 2025
    #8

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