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Genesis CCD Camera
My Genesis Camera   Genesis Manual   The Parts Kit   The Lower Card  The Upper Card   Testing  Case Assembly   Case Assembly 2   First Light  Users LRGB Test

Welcome to My Genesis Camera Page.

Here I show the progress as I construct my Genesis Camera providing plenty of images and details as I go along.  At the point I have ordered the electronic components from Rick Smith the creator of the Genesis Camera.  Genesis is based on the Audine Camera developed in France by the AUDE group.

They produced an incredible camera, but one that was very difficult for Americans to construct because the some parts required were very hard to get.  Rick has made several design changes in Genesis compared to Audine, Of these the ones that stand out include the use of O-Rings to make the camera body air tight, separating the Digital and Analog ground planes to reduce noise are just a sample. Based on recent activity on the News List. Rick is working on a Water Cooled back, Working on Faster Data Transfers and  investigating a Ethernet Hookup. A few have been completed to date and the images are starting to appear.  Anyone wishing a place to post images who do not have a website can contact me and I would be willing to provide a area to post mages.

Genesis PDF Manual (Updated Manual for C12 fix)
The first thing available here on my web site is a PDF version of the construction procedures from the Genesis web site.  I have spent many hours working on converting the web site to a manual format that hopefully is easy to follow and use.  There are 2 version of the manual the first being the complete manual in a single download. This file is 7.8 Mb in size and is fully indexed, and linked.

There is also a easier to download version of the manual broken down in logical breaking points in the manual.  This consist of 5 files ranging in size from 700K to 2.5 Mb.

Click here to go to the Manual Download Page.

 

My Genesis CCD Technical Specifications
SN: 0041

CCD UPGRADED    Kodak KAF-1600L
Pixel Array 1536 x 1024 pixels, 13.8 x 9.2mm
Total Pixels 1,572,864
Pixel Size 9 x 9 microns
Shutter Electromechanical
A/D Converter 15 bits
Reading Time 37 seconds @ 1x1 binning,
 18 seconds @ 2 x 2 binning
Binning Modes 1 x 1, 2 x 2, 3 x 3, 4 x 4
Cooling - standard Single Stage Thermoelectric, Active Fan, -350 C from Ambient 
Power ±15 VDC at .5 amp, ±12 VDC at 0.1 amp, +5 VDC at 2.5 amp
Computer Interface Standard Parallel Port
Computer Compatibility PC -Windows 95/98/NT 

Physical Dimensions

Optical Head 3 1/8 x 3 1/8 inches Square 
3 7/8 inches Tall,
 ~ 1.44  pound / 654g
Mounting T-Thread, 1.25"  Nosepiece 

Optical Specifications (8" f/10)

Field of View 11.7 x 7.8 arcminutes
Pixel Coverage .9 x .9 arcseconds

Optical Specifications (8" f/6.3)

Field of View 18.5 x 12.4 arcminutes
Pixel Coverage 1.4 x 1.4 arcseconds

Optical Specifications (10" f/10)

Field of View 18.5 x 12.4 arcminutes
Pixel Coverage .73 x .73 arcseconds

Optical Specifications (10" f/6.3)

Field of View 29.66 x 19.77 arcminutes
Pixel Coverage 1.16 x 1.16 arcseconds

Software Support

Acquisition  Pisco, PRiSM, 
MaxIm DL/CCD, Astroart
Image Processing Iris, PRiSM, MaxIm DL, Astroart
Linux Support There are beta Linux Drivers available now on the web

 

 






Parts Kit Arrives

Lower Board

Upper board

 Testing 

Assembly
I receive the parts kit this week.  I have added a link to my first Construction page showing the Electronics Part Kit as it Arrived and how it was packaged.  Click the Above link or Click Here to View this first page. I have completed the lower Card and have taken pictures to post during assembly. If you go to this page it is allot of images so please be patient while it loads. Click Here to view this page The Upper card has been completed and some images posted showing my progress.
Click Here to directly to this pages		 Initial testing of the cards has been completed and passed with flying colors. To see the testing pages Click Here. I included my actual images taken with Genesis  It's time to put it all together.
I have posted 1 new page showing the first part of assembly which consist of the Heatsink, Cold finger, Darwin Standoff and the Peltier. Click Here to visit this page 

                 UPGRADED

                 Power Supply Finalized

  
I just completed upgrading Genesis to a KAF-1600 chip.  This effectively  double's the FOV of genesis as well as the image download time.  The upgrade was very easy to perform though it did require completely opening the camera to get to the P2 pot and adjusting the Reset Clock Voltage.  Here I found a problem in the with respect to the Correct Reset Clock Voltage.  The Datasheet appears to have an error on it for the KAF1600 only and I have emailed Kodak to clarify the error and intend on keeping Rick up on what they say. I have also been moving my Genesis power supply into a more permanent home.  It's sat in a open wood box to way to long.  It is now in a nice full enclosure with all the switches and indicators in the right spot.  my 5V line blew out though and I a waiting on UPS to deliver my new supply from MPJA.