Transcript
Using the TimeBox for precise timing of astronomical phenomena using digital video devices Cesar VALENCIA GALLARDO, Ph.D. TimeBox General Manager Rencontres Ciel et Espace 2016. Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, Paris.
UTC time in astronomy Get the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) from GPS satellites with great precision (200nSec UTCOP, 1PPS). Astronomy • Astrometry. • PHEMU’s. • Occultations (Asteroid, TNO, Planets and Moon) • Pulsar timing. PC time synchronization.
SYRTE (CNRS, Observatoire de Paris) Atomic Clock tests.
UTC precision timing using Digital video devices Amateur CCD and CMOS Cameras are digital Planetary imaging, Autoguiding, Occultations, etc…
Basler
TIS (DMK)
IDS
ZWO
New CMOS image sensors and Cameras arriving in the market! Digital
Raptor Kite EMCCD Professional CCD, EMCCD and sCMOS digital
Andor Neo 5.5 sCMOS Photonics Evolve EMCCD
Windows and Mac Genika (Windows) OSX ~90.5% Windows ~7.72% Mac OS X ~1.74% Linux ~1.37% Others
[8] https://www.netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=10&qpcustomd=0&qpsp=201&qpnp=1&qptimeframe=M
TimeBox: Precise timing of astronomical phenomena using digital video devices
TimeBox is a device designed to date a PC/Server time and digital video recordings with the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The TimeBox was primarily designed for precise timing of astronomic phenomena.
LED firing Use the timeBOX LED to insert the UTC time on any video recording: Features:
Low delay (<1mSec) from UTC. Time-controlled pulse. Disable the 59th second firing (optional).
LED firing
Computer time synchronization Use the timeBOX to synchronize the PC time with the UTC. Features: One-click synchronization of the PC clock.
Precise (± 2 milliseconds UTC). Serial latency estimation to correct the conversion and transmission delay. PC time drift measured over time.
Computer time synchronization
Computer time synchronization
The reading of the PC time in Windows system is affected by system interrupts, with random variations in the reported time.
For an accurate reading of the PC time in Windows systems, timing software needs to filter out these random variations to extract a stable and accurate time base.
<1msec UTC precision Genika + TimeBox computer mode
<1msec UTC precision Genika + TimeBox computer mode Values inside 95% Interval of Confidence (2xSTD): -3.3 ≥ 0.74 ≤ 4.8
Camera Jitter at 300 fps = 3.33 milliseconds
<1msec UTC precision Genika + TimeBox computer mode Values inside 95% Interval of Confidence (2xSTD): -4 ≥ 0.25 ≤ 3
Camera Jitter at 300 fps = 3.33 milliseconds
Example: PHEMU 04 mars 2015 Europe eclipse IO Duration 6.8 min and Dmag 0.849
Newtonian Skywatcher 150mm (f/5) with Eq3-2 mount + Camera Basler 640-100gm (1/4” CCD).
TimeBox (Computer mode) + Genika Astro in free run. 10 fps, 40msec exposure and Gain 500 (max 3500).
Triggering (PRO and Trigger PLUS, only) Use the timeBOX to trigger UTC-phased frames of selected CCD/CMOS cameras. Features: Logic square pulses: 611v. Low delay (<4mSec UTC), Low jitter (<50mSec UTC). Phase constant pulses.
Wide range frequency: 0.1-1 Hz and 7-60 Hz.
Triggering
Frame timing using the LOG file: Genika to microsecond precision
Image stream (SER) Genika SER ToolBox (Synchronization)
LOG file
Easy determination of each frame UTC time HH:mm:sss.mmm.mmm
Benchtest: Watec 910HX/GPS inserter (analogic) vs Raptor KITE EMCCD/Genika/TimeBox Trigger mode (digital)
The general average is +0.2 millisecond. The extremes are -42 ms (i4) and 32 ms (e4) , the order of the duration of a video image.
No systematic difference between the two time frames is detected (up to 6msec at 95% confidence). Jean Lecacheux (LESIA, Observatoire de Paris) and François Colas (IMCCE, Observatoire de Paris). La Blaque FRANCE, 10 juin 2015.
TimeBOX PRO: All in one for professional users and advanced amateurs Features: Integrated Trigger PLUS for triggering between 6-11v at a given current (12-120mAmp).
GPS antenna
Low and High frequency triggering with a single switch.
Trigger BNC
Low/High triggering Frequencies (0.1-60Hz).
Support for Professional applications and Cameras (Basler, IDS, Raptor, among others) with Genika Astro.
USB
TimeBox Standard and TimeBox Pro
• TimeBox Standard + USB cable, GPS antenna and Software (LED firing and Computer Synchronization) + Optional: Trigger Plus module (+Trigger mode): 250 € TTC
450€ TTC:
• TimeBox Pro + USB cable, GPS antenna and and Software (LED firing, Computer Synchronization and Trigger mode)
650€ TTC:
Occultation Kit ProAM: TimeBox PRO + Basler Camera 1920-40 + Genika Astro • Camera BASLER 1902-40um (Sony IMX249, 1920 x 1200 pixels, 5,86μm square pixel, 40 fps in full resolution and USB3) + power cable. • TimeBox Standard/Pro + USB cable, GPS antenna and Software. • Genika Astro free run/trigger acquisition mode. The license allows to support up to 2 cameras in addition (among the supported manufacturers). • Pelican suitcase transportation.
IM2050
compatible
with
aircraft
cabin
With Timebox Standard 1474.80€ TTC With Timebox Pro 1764.80€ TTC
Occultation Kit PRO: TimeBox PRO + Raptor EMCCD Kite + Genika Astro Pro • Camera EMCCD Kite Raptor Photonics (TI TC247 ½ ‘’ 658*496 pixels 10x10mm, 50 fps) + power cable. • Frame grabber CameraLink EPIX for Express Card 34/54mm. • A 5m cable CameraLink SDR-MDR. • TimeBox Pro + USB cable, GPS antenna and BNC cable for triggering and Software. • Genika Astro Pro free run/trigger mode. The license allows to support up to 2 cameras in addition (among the supported manufacturers). • A portable workstation type 15 '' (Dell , Lenovo or HP to availability) with an Express card slot , 8GB of memory, a iCore processor and a 180 GB SSD to a minimum • Pelican suitcase transportation.
1495
compatible
with
aircraft
cabin
11700€ HT:
Thanks for your attention
http://www.timeBOXutc.com
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