With the advantage of low readout noise and high-speed readout, CMOS technology has revolutionized astronomical imaging.  A monochrome, back-illuminated, high-sensitivity, astronomical imaging camera is the ideal choice for astro-imagers.
 
The QHY268M/C is a new generation of back-illuminated CMOS cameras with true 16-bit A/D and 3.76um pixels.  This new Sony sensor is an ideal CMOS sensor exhibiting no amplifer glow. 16-bit A/D gives high resolution sampling of the whole full well range.  Digitizing 0-65535 levels yields a smooth image with continuous gradation of greyscale levels. The QHY268M/C is a cooled, back-illuminated, CMOS camera based on the Sony IMX571 sensor with native 16-bit A/D and 3.76um pixels.
 
Features:
 
1GB DDR3 image buffer
In order to provide smooth uninterrupted data transfer of the entire 26MP sensor at high speed, the QHY268 has 1GB DDR3 image buffer. The pixel count of the latest generation of CMOS sensors is very high resulting in greater memory requirements for temporary and permanent storage.  The QHY268 has adopted a large-capacity memory of up to 1GB.  Data throughput is doubled. This large image buffer meets the needs of high-speed image acquisition and transmission of the new generation of CMOS, making shooting of multiple frames smoother and less stuttered, further reducing the pressure on the computer CPU.
 
USB Re-connection by 12V Power on/off
The 268 camera’s USB interface to the computer can be connected or disconnected by turning on and off the camera’s 12V power, without the need to plug and unplug the USB cable. This technology enhances the controllability of the camera when used in a remote station.  You only need to remotely control the 12V power supply of the camera, or the power of the camera AC adapter, to achieve remote USB connecting and reconnecting of the camera.
 
Random change thermal noise suppression function
You may find some types of thermal noise can change with time in some back-illuminated CMOS cameras. This thermal noises has the characteristic of the fixed position of typical thermal noise, but the value is not related to the exposure time.  Instead, each frame appears to have its own characteristics.  The QHY600 / 268C uses an innovative suppression technology that can significantly reduce the apparent level of such noise.
 
Extended Full Well Capacity and Multiple Read Modes
With a pixel size of 3.76um, these sensors already have an impressive full well capacity of 51ke.  Nevertheless, QHYCCD has implemented a unique approach to achieve a full well capacity higher than 51ke- through innovative user controllable read mode settings.  In extended full well readout mode, the QHY600 can achieve an extremely large full-well charge value of nearly 80ke- and the QHY268C can achieve nearly 75ke-.  Greater full-well capacity provides greater dynamic range and large variations in magnitude of brightness are less likely to saturate.  The QHY600 / 268C have three readout modes with different characteristics.
 
Native 16 bit A/D
The new Sony sensor has native 16-bit A/D on-chip. The output is real 16-bits with 65536 levels. Compared to 12-bit and 14-bit A/D, a 16-bit A/D yields higher sample resolution and the system gain will be less than 1e-/ADU with no sample error noise and very low read noise.
 
BSI
One benefit of the back-illuminated CMOS structure is improved full well capacity. This is particularly helpful for sensors with small pixels.In a typical front-illuminated sensor, photons from the target entering the photosensitive layer of the sensor must first pass through the metal wiring that is embedded just above the photosensitive layer. The wiring structure reflects some of the photons and reduces the efficiency of the sensor.
In the back- illuminated sensor the light is allowed to enter the photosensitive surface from the reverse side. In this case the sensor’s embedded wiring structure is below the photosensitive layer. As a result, more incoming photons strike the photosensitive layer and more electrons are generated and captured in the pixel well. This ratio of photon to electron production is called quantum efficiency. The higher the quantum efficiency the more efficient the sensor is at converting photons to electrons and hence the more sensitive the sensor is to capturing an image of something dim.
 
Zero Amplify Glow
This is also a zero amplifer glow camera.
 
TRUE RAW Data
In the DSLR implementation there is a RAW image output, but typically it is not completely RAW.  Some evidence of noise reduction and hot pixel removal is still visible on close inspection.  This can have a negative effect on the image for astronomy such as the “star eater” effect.  However,  QHY Cameras offer TRUE RAW IMAGE OUTPUT and produces an image comprised of the original signal only, thereby maintaining the maximum flexibility for post-acquisition astronomical image processing programs and other scientific imaging applications.
 
Anti-Dew Technology
Based on almost 20-year cooled camera design experience, The QHY cooled camera has implemented the fully dew control solutions. The optic window has built-in dew heater and the chamber is protected from internal humidity condensation. An electric heating board for the chamber window can prevent the formation of dew and the sensor itself is kept dry with our silicon gel tube socket design for control of humidity within the sensor chamber.
 
Cooling
In addition to dual stage TE cooling, QHYCCD implements proprietary technology in hardware to control the dark current noise.