MX7-C

The Next Generation of One-Shot Colour!

The MX7-C is a brand-new introduction to the Starlight Xpress product line and offers both a substantial increase in imaging area and resolution, combined with an exceptionally high QE and STAR 2000 self-guiding capability.

The ICX249AK, as used in the MX7-C, is a new kind of Sony interline imager - the 'EXview' CCD, which has the greatest quantum efficiency yet offered in an interline device and which significantly exceeds that of the Kodak 'Blue plus' process used for the KAF series of CCDs throughout the visible and infrared spectrum. The fundamental QE is of the order of 70% from 650nM to 470nM, although modified by the colour filters needed for single-shot imaging, and this compares well with the 40-50% of earlier devices. It is also much higher than the values offered by CCDs with primary colour filters, such as the ICX084AK and ICX085AK, as used in the LISAA cameras.

The essential characteristics of the camera are as follows:

The MX7-C camera specification:
CCD type:	Sony ICX249AK SuperHAD CCD 'Exview HAD' secondary colour matrix imager.
Pixel size:	8.6µm (horizontal) x 8.3µm (vertical)
CCD image format:	752 (horizontal) x 582 pixels (vertical) 779 (horizontal) x 582 pixels (vertical) squared.
CCD size:	7.95mm (horizontal) x 6.45mm (vertical).
Quantum efficiency:	Mean visual QE is 45% (includes filter loss)
Readout noise:	Approx. 12e RMS
Well depth:	'Fast' and 'Interlaced' modes 90,000e. 'Progressive' mode 45,000e
Data format:	Full 16 bits.
Computer interface:	8 bit unidirectional parallel port with bi-directional status lines (Standard Centronics interface). 25 pin 'D' style plug for LPT1, 2 or 3, via a 5 metre x 6mm diameter cable (parallel interface not recommended for Windows 2000 or XP). USB interface optional.
Power Requirements:	120VAC @ 10VA, or 12VDC @ 750 milliamps max.
Cooling system:	Regulated constant-current cooling supply built-in. Single-stage thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately 30C below ambient.
Size:	50mm diameter x 100mm long (Same as the MX5) and 15 way 'D' style input plug at rear.
Included Software:	Compatible with Windows 3.1 or higher. Windows 98/Me/2000/XP required for USB interface. PC 486 66MHz or higher recommended (Pentium for STAR2000).
Sample Images:	M16 | M17 | M57 Note: These open in a new browser window.
Documentation:	MX7C User Manual (1.1MB zipped MS Word file) MX7C User Manual (1162k PDF)