QHYCCD QHY600M PRO II Scientific Camera

The QHY600M Pro II: A 61.17 MP Scientific Imaging Platform

The QHY600M Pro II is QHYCCD's scientific-grade implementation of the Sony IMX455 sensor, QHYCCD positions the Pro series as scientific grade, mainly for scientific institutions. Since 2023 the Pro series has been divided into Pro I and Pro II: Pro I has a 2x10G fiber interface with a shorter body, and Pro II, based on Pro I, adds two CameraLink interfaces, which QHYCCD lists as exclusive to Pro II products.

Alongside the sensor, the camera offers multiple readout modes, a 6-pin GPIO port for triggering and GPS timing, and firmware and FPGA upgrades through the camera's USB port.

Native 16-bit Conversion from a 36mm x 24mm BSI Sensor

At the heart of the QHY600M Pro II is the Sony IMX455, a back-side illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor with a massive 36mm x 24mm imaging area and a 43.27mm diagonal. Its 9576 x 6388 array of 3.76µm pixels gives 61.17 megapixels, and QHYCCD lists a peak QE of 90%.

The sensor's native 16-bit A/D converter is a critical feature, delivering 65,536 grayscale levels. QHYCCD reports a good linear response across the whole full-well range, and the 16-bit output avoids the sampling error of 12-bit or 14-bit conversion.

Multi-Mode Readout: 1.1e- Read Noise and >80ke- Full Well Capacity

The QHY600M Pro II features several user-selectable readout modes, allowing you to optimize the camera's performance for your specific target. Each mode adjusts the sensor's driver timing to prioritize either low read noise or high full well capacity, giving you precise control over the data you collect.

• High Gain Mode: Read noise runs from 1.1e- to 3.6e-; QHYCCD recommends this mode when you have to capture faint signal.
• Photographic DSO Mode: Offering a balanced profile with read noise from 1.9e- to 7.8e- and a full well of >51ke-, QHYCCD calls this mode suitable for most DSO imaging situations and recommends gain 26 (unity gain) as the default.
• Extended Full Well Mode: This mode raises the full well to over 80ke-, with read noise of 5.4e- to 7.9e-, which helps keep bright stars from saturating.
• 2CMS Modes: QHYCCD also offers 2CMS versions of these modes (modes #3 to #5), which sample the same signal twice and average it on the sensor; QHYCCD gives about 1.3 times lower read noise with the same full well and system gain, and prefers 2CMS modes for astrophotography.

-35°C Cooling and 0.0022e-/sec Dark Current

Data integrity is maintained by a powerful dual-stage thermoelectric cooling (TEC) system that suppresses thermal noise. The cooler achieves a maximum delta of -35°C below ambient for long exposures, and -30°C for short exposures, with dark current of 0.0022 e-/pixel/sec at -20°C. QHYCCD also lists a suppression technology for random-change thermal noise on its 16-bit cameras.

QHYCCD lists zero amplifier glow and zero RBI remains. The optical window has a built-in dew heater, a humidity sensor watches the chamber, and the sensor is kept dry with QHYCCD's silicon gel tube socket design.

2x 10Gbps Fiber, Camera Link, and a 2GB DDR3 Buffer

To handle the massive data stream from the 61.17 MP sensor, the QHY600M Pro II is equipped with a large 2GB DDR3 internal buffer. The buffer holds frames while the computer is busy, which helps avoid dropped frames during transfer. While the standard USB 3.0 interface provides a transfer rate of 2.5 FPS at full 16-bit resolution, the Pro II model offers professional-grade connectivity for more demanding applications.

QHYCCD gives two 10G fibers a speed of 1.6GB/s, against USB 3.0's actual maximum of about 350MB/s, and the spec table lists up to 3.5 FPS at 16-bit in PCIE mode. QHYCCD's standard fiber module reaches up to 300 meters, and optical communication is not affected by electromagnetic interference. QHYCCD describes the Camera Link interface as the better choice for shorter transmission distances in industrial or laboratory areas with large amounts of image data.

6-Pin GPIO for Triggering and GPS Integration

The QHY600M Pro II includes a 6-pin GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) port that expands its capabilities for scientific measurement. This interface can be configured for various modes, including trigger in and trigger out. QHYCCD can customize the GPIO to a user's requirements, and users can also reprogram the FPGA for more complex needs.

In QHY-GPSBOX mode the camera sends its shutter signal to the GPSBOX, which returns GPS data that the camera writes into the first pixels of the image. On the QHY600 the shutter signal is the VSYNC signal, near the end of the exposure of the first row.

14.5mm Back Focus for Flexible Optical Trains

The specification table lists this camera with the SBFL (Short Back Focal Length) body and a back focus of 14.5mm. QHYCCD also makes the QHY600 Pro II with the standard 17.5mm plus 6mm (CAA) back focus.

QHYCCD designs the SBFL version for DSLR lens users and others with a special requirement for a short back focal length.

Stable 12V Operation with UVLO Protection

The QHY600M Pro II requires a stable 11V to 13.8V DC power source to operate its sensor, electronics, and TEC cooler, which can draw up to 40W at 100% cooling power. To protect the sensitive electronics, the camera incorporates Under Voltage Locking (UVLO) protection, and with the All-In-One driver and SDK after the 2021.10.23 stable version the camera gives a warning when its input voltage is below 11V.

QHYCCD notes that long-term work at too low an input voltage can shorten the camera's working life. The camera is also designed to be rebooted simply by cycling the 12V power, a crucial feature for remote observatories that allows for recovery from a fault without needing to physically disconnect and reconnect the USB cable.

Unified Driver Support for ASCOM, N.I.N.A., and SharpCap

QHYCCD supports the QHY600M Pro II with its All-In-One driver package, which provides system drivers, ASCOM drivers, and dedicated SDKs for popular third-party software. QHYCCD's guide covers connecting DSO imaging software (for example N.I.N.A), planetary imaging software (for example SharpCap) and ASCOM.

The unified driver allows you to control all camera functions, including cooling, gain, offset, and readout mode selection, directly from your preferred software. QHYCCD's own EZCAP_QT gives basic image capture, an Image Task Planner for sequences, and device tests and update management; QHYCCD suggests installing it even if you capture with other software.

1kg Body with Integrated Dew and Humidity Control

Weighing approximately 1kg, the QHY600M Pro II uses QHYCCD's sealing design, with the sensor kept dry by a silicon gel tube socket. An internal humidity sensor reports the conditions inside the chamber.

To prevent condensation on the AR+AR coated optical window, an electric heating board warms the glass.