SBIG ALUMA AC SERIES USER’S MANUAL
StackPro™
The Aluma AC Series scientific CMOS cameras features StackPro™,
a revolutionary feature that performs image stacking inside the
camera.
CMOS sensors often have more limited well depth and bit depth
than their CCD predecessors. At the same time, the modern CMOS
sensors have much lower read noise than the equivalent CCD. This
low read noise can be used to advantage, by stacking many shorter
exposures to achieve the same final result. This does however result
in a lot of extra disk usage and post-processing.
StackPro™ performs the stacking automatically, inside the
camera. It automatically subdivides your exposure into up to 16
individual subexposures, and stacks them inside the camera prior
to download. Stacking can also be used as an alternative to HDR
mode.
HDR Mode
The Aluma AC Series sensors are capable of operating in High
Dynamic Range (HDR) mode, where high-gain and low-gain images
are read out simultaneously. Our included MaxIm LT software
features an HDR merge feature, which greatly simplifies the process
of producing clean, highly-linear images.
Superior Cooling
Proven pin heatsink design shared with our industry leading STX
series cameras gets the heat out while producing very little
vibration. Our SmartCooling™ function provides intelligent two-
stage thermoelectric temperature regulation to 0.1 degrees C for
high calibration stability, enabling a 40oC below ambient
temperature delta.
For high ambient temperature environments, the liquid cooling
option enables even higher thermal reduction performance to
minimize dark current further.
User-rechargeable Desiccant
SBIG pioneered the incorporation of a high-tech user-replaceable
cartridge with ceramic filter and molecular sieve desiccant. Unlike
competing cameras, which require factory service when their
chamber desiccant eventually saturates out, the user can easily
recharge the desiccant. This eliminates the need for costly service –
not to mention the associated down-time and shipping costs. This
feature is especially important in high-humidity locations.
