G3M2210M User Manual
Version 1.0
Sept 2023
All materials related to this publication are subject to change without notice and its copyright totally belongs to ToupTek Photonics.
Please download the latest version from touptek-astro.com.
1 Description and Features
The G3M2210M camera possesses an exceptionally strong capability to capture infrared light (with a high QE value at 850nm). It also has a large full well capacity, high dynamic range, high sensitivity, and low readout noise among other advantages. This results in outstanding performance in planetary photography, as well as in solar and lunar photography.
The features of G3M2210M are listed below:
- SC 2210 Mono CMOS Sensor
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- 4 µm Square Pixels
- 1/1.8-inch Optical Format
- 12-bit ADC
- 512 Mbyte Memory
- G Sensitivity: 20100mv/lux*s
- Low Noise: 0.47 to 3.2e-
- Support High Frame Rate Mode (150 FPS at all Pixel Readout 8 bit)
- SNR Max: 39.3 dB
- Dynamic Range: 68.5 dB
2 G3M2210M Specifications and Performance
2.1 Camera Specifications
Table 1 G3M2210M Technique Specifications.
| Sensor | SmartSens SC2210 back illuminated sensor | |
| Diagonal | 8.81 mm | |
| Image Resolution | 2.1 mega pixels (1920*1080) | |
| Pixel Size | 4µm × 4µm | |
| Image Area | 7.68mm x 4.32mm | |
| Max FPS at Resolution (USB 3.0) | 12bit 92.8 FPS @ 1920*1080 113 FPS @ 960*540 |
8bit 150 FPS @ 1920*1080 184 FPS @ 960*540 |
| Max FPS at Resolution (USB 2.0) | 14bit 9.2 FPS @ 1920*1080 11.3 FPS @ 960*540 |
8bit 15 FPS @ 1920*1080 18.4 FPS @ 960*540 |
| Shutter Type | Rolling shutter | |
| Exposure Time | 0.1ms - 500s | |
| Gain | 1x - 150x | |
| SNR | 39.3 dB | |
| Dynamic Range | 68.5 dB | |
| Read Noise | 3.2 - 0.47 e- | |
| QE Peak | >92% | |
| Full Well | 8.5ke- | |
| ADC | 12bit | |
| DDR3 Buffer | 512MB (4Gb) | |
| Connection Port | USB3.0/USB2.0 | |
| Camera Adaptor | Standard 1.25" for telescope connection, and standard C adapter for industrial lens | |
| Protect Windows | IR-cut filter/AR-window | |
| Spectral Range | 380-690nm (with IR-cut filter) | |
| Capture/Control SDK | Windows/Linux/macOS/Android Multiple Platform SDK(Native C/C++, C#/VB.NET, Python, Java, DirectShow, Twain, etc.); | |
| Recording System | Still picture and movie | |
| Camera Dimensions | Diameter 37mm * height 72.4mm | |
| Camera Weight | 70 gram | |
| Back Focus Distance | 17.5mm with C adapter, 12.5 with CS adapter | |
| Cooling: | Passive cooling | |
| Supported OS | Microsoft® Windows® XP / Vista / 7 / 8 /10 (32 & 64 bit) OSX(Mac OS X) Linux |
|
2.2 SmartSens SC2210 Sensitivity
The sensor G Sensitivity of G3M2210M is 20100mv/lux*s. Its spectral sensitivity is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 describes the Spectral Sensitivity Characteristic of the SC2210 sensor. The graph plots QE (%) on the y-axis against Wavelength (nm) on the x-axis, showing a peak sensitivity in the green light spectrum (around 500-600 nm) and decreasing sensitivity towards the infrared spectrum (around 850 nm and beyond).
2.3 12bit ADC and ROI
The G3M2210M has a built-in 12bit ADC. It also supports a 12bit output mode for hardware binning and smaller resolution. The camera supports hardware ROI (Region of Interest), where a smaller ROI size results in a higher frame rate.
Table 2 shows the frame rate of the G3M2210M in 12/8bit mode, USB3.0 / USB2.0 data transfer interface at different resolutions:
| Resolution | 12bit ADC | 8bit ADC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB3.0 | USB2.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 2.0 | |
| 1920*1080 | 92.8 | 9.2 | 150 | 15 |
| 960*540 | 113 | 11.3 | 184 | 18.4 |
2.4 DDR3 Buffer
The G3M2210M camera features a 512MB (4Gb) DDR3 buffer. This buffer helps maintain the stability of data transmission and effectively reduces amp-glow by temporarily buffering image data before sending it to the receiver.
2.5 Binning
The G3M2210M supports digital binning from 1x1 to 8x8 (stacking or averaging methods) and hardware binning from 1x1 to 2x2 (averaging method). Hardware pixel binning is significantly faster than software binning.
2.6 Conversion Gain Switch
The G3M2210M does not support HCG (High Conversion Gain) or LCG (Low Conversion Gain) mode switching.
2.7 Power System
The camera operates via a USB 3.0 interface. Upon establishing a connection with the host system using the USB 3.0 cable, the device is ready for operation.
2.8 Camera Performance Analysis
Camera performance can be evaluated using metrics such as e-/ADU, Read Noise, Full Well capacity, and Dynamic Range.
e-/ADU: Sensors convert incoming photons into electrons. Gain is the conversion factor from electrons (e-) to digital counts (ADUs), expressed as electrons per ADU (e-/ADU).
Read Noise: A critical performance metric. Lower read noise generally indicates better Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and image quality. It originates from the camera electronics during the readout process, including analog-to-digital conversion, amplification, and processing.
Full Well: Represents the maximum number of electrons a pixel can hold before saturation. A larger full well capacity, under similar noise and ADC conditions, leads to a wider dynamic range. It is often proportional to the pixel's frontal area.
Dynamic Range: The ratio between the maximum output signal level and the noise floor at minimum signal amplification. It indicates the camera's ability to reproduce both the brightest and darkest portions of an image simultaneously. The noise floor includes sensor readout noise, processing noise, and dark current shot noise.
For the G3M series camera, the Gain Value is expressed in 'xxx%' mode, where 'xxx' represents the gain value on the x-axis for performance descriptions. The relationship is given by:
Rel Gain(dB) = 20 * log10[xxx(Gain Value)/100]
xxx(Gain Value) = 100 × 10(Rel Gain(dB)/20)
Lower read noise generally correlates with better SNR and image quality.
Camera settings used for performance analysis are:
- Full resolution
- RAW 12-bit mode
- LCG (Low Conversion Gain)
Figure 2 illustrates the camera analysis data presented in Table 3.
Figure 2 displays three plots: e/ADU vs. Gain, Read Noise vs. Gain, Full Well vs. Gain, and Dynamic Range vs. Gain. The x-axis represents Gain/Gain(dB), and the y-axes show the respective performance metrics.
| Gain Value | 100 | 1100 | 2100 | 3100 | 4100 | 5100 | 6100 | 7100 | 8100 | 9100 | 10100 | 11100 | 12100 | 13100 | 14100 | 15100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rel Gain (dB) | 0.00 | 2.87 | 4.99 | 7.48 | 9.93 | 11.85 | 13.48 | 15.61 | 18.04 | 20.5 | 22.43 | 25.32 | 27.48 | 29.93 | 32.44 | 34.19 |
| e-/ADU | 4.16 | 2.99 | 2.34 | 1.76 | 1.33 | 1.06 | 0.88 | 0.69 | 0.52 | 0.39 | 0.31 | 0.23 | 0.18 | 0.13 | 0.1 | 0.08 |
| Read Noise (e-) | 3.17 | 2.76 | 2.54 | 2.18 | 2.03 | 1.93 | 0.97 | 0.91 | 0.81 | 0.75 | 0.72 | 0.67 | 0.64 | 0.59 | 0.53 | 0.47 |
| Full Well (ke-) | 8.5 | 6.1 | 4.8 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Dynamic Range (stop) |
11 | 11 | 10.88 | 10.69 | 10.39 | 10.14 | 10.87 | 10.6 | 10.37 | 10.06 | 9.8 | 9.44 | 9.44 | 9.13 | 8.85 | 8.45 |
3 Product Package and Connections
3.1 Packing List
Figure 3 shows the packing information for the G3M2210M camera.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Carton L:50cm W:30cm H:30cm (20pcs, 12~17Kg/carton, 0.045m³), not shown in the photo |
| B | Gift box L:15cm W:15cm H:10cm (0.8~1.0Kg/box) |
| C | One G3M series USB3.0 camera with 1.25" interface(outer) and C-Mount(inner) |
| D | High-speed USB3.0 A male to B male gold-plated connectors cable /2.0m |
| E | 2.0m guide cable |
| F | 1.25-inch nosepiece |
| G | CD (Driver & utilities software, Ø12cm) |
| H (Optional Accessory) | CS-mount ring |
3.2 Camera Dimension and Its Mount
Figure 4 illustrates the dimensions and mounting options for the G3M2210M camera and its 1.25" extender.
The G3M series body is constructed from tough alloy, ensuring a heavy-duty, workhorse solution. The camera is designed with a high-quality IR-CUT or AR coating to protect the camera sensor and block IR reflection. It features no moving parts, ensuring a rugged, robust solution with an increased lifespan compared to other industrial camera solutions.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| 1 | Directly with 1.25" telescope; |
| 2 | G3M + 1.25" extender with 1.25" telescope |
| 3 | Standard C adapter connects to industrial C-mount adapter lens. |
3.3 Camera Outline and Interface
Figure 5 shows the camera outline and identifies its interfaces.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| 1 | A built-in ST4 auto guider port for the easy connection of the auto guider. |
| 2 | USB3.0 interface. |
4 G3M2210M and Its Software
4.1 Application Installation
For software, customers can visit the official website touptek-astro.com to download the latest ToupSky software. The G3M camera is also compatible with ASCOM and DirectShow SDKs. If third-party software supports these SDKs, drivers can be downloaded from the website and installed.
ToupSky is ToupTek's Windows application for astronomy cameras. It is a professional software integrating camera control, image capture & process, image browse, and analysis functions. ToupSky offers the following features:
Windows Requirements:
- x86: XP SP3 or above; CPU supports SSE2 instruction set or above
- x64: Win7 or above
Features:
- Full control of the camera
- Trigger mode and video mode support (raw format or RGB format)
- Automatic capture and quick record function
- Multi-language support
- Hardware ROI and digital binning function
- Extensive image processing functions, including image stitching, live stacking, flat field correction, dark field correction, etc.
Supported Camera:
- All ToupTek astronomy cameras
4.1.1 User-friendly UI Design
ToupSky features well-arranged menus and toolbars for quick operation. It has a unique design with three sidebars (Camera, Folders, Undo/Redo) for organized classification. Operation is convenient, utilizing double-click or right-click context menus where possible. A detailed help manual is also available.
Figure 6 shows the ToupSky interface and its video window, displaying camera controls and a preview of captured imagery.
Figure 7 displays the ToupSky browse window, used for viewing captured images.
4.1.2 Professional Camera Control Panel
The ToupSky software provides a comprehensive control panel with the following functions:
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Capture & Resolution | Set live and snap resolution; capture images or record video. |
| Exposure & Gain | Auto exposure (preset target) and manual exposure (inputtable time); up to 5x gain. |
| Color Balance | Advanced single-click white balance; manual adjustment of temperature and tint. |
| Color Adjustment | Hue, saturation, brightness, contrast, gamma initialization adjustment. |
| Frame Rate | Adjustable frame rate for different computer configurations. |
| Flip | Correct sample direction by selecting "horizontal" or "vertical". |
| Sampling | Bin mode for low noise video; Skip mode for sharper/smoother video. Supports video stream histogram extension, negative/positive switching, gray calibration, and clarity adjustment for focusing. |
| Bit Depth | Switch between 8-bit and 12-bit. 8-bit is standard Windows format; 12-bit offers higher image quality at moderate FPS. |
| ROI | Region of Interest. Set ROI on the video window using handles. Mouse adjustment of ROI size. Apply to set video to ROI size; Defaults returns to original size. |
| Dark Field Correction | Enable Dark Field Correction by capturing a dark field image first. The 'Enable' button becomes clickable after capture. Unchecking disables the correction. |
| Cooling | Set TE-Cooling target temperature and fan On/Off. |
| Parameters | Load, save, overwrite, import, export self-defined parameters (including calibration, exposure, and color settings). |
4.1.3 Practical Functions with Good Results
ToupSky offers practical functions for enhanced imaging:
| Function Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Video functions | Video broadcast, time lapse capture, video record, video stream grid, image stitch, video scale bar, date display, etc. |
| Image Processing and Enhancement | Denoise, sharpen, color toning, deinterlace, various filtering algorithms, mathematical morphology, range, binary, pseudo color, surface plot, and line profile adjustments. |
| Image Stacking | Utilizes advanced image matching technology. Stacks recorded video frames, correcting for shifting, rotation, and scaling to reduce image noise and improve fidelity. |
Figure 8 illustrates the concept of image stacking, where multiple input images are combined to produce a final stacked image.
4.1.4 Powerful Compatibility
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Video Interface | Supports Twain, DirectShow, SDK Package (Native C++, C#/VB.NET) |
| Operating System | Compatible with Microsoft® Windows® XP / Vista / 7 / 8 /10 (32 & 64 bit), macOS, Linux |
| Language Support | Unlimited language support, including Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Russian, German, French, Polish, and Turkish. |
4.1.5 Hardware Requirement
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core 2 2.8GHz or higher |
| Memory | 2GB or more |
| USB port | USB3.0/USB2.0 port |
| Display | 17" or larger |
| Other | CD-ROM |
4.2 G3M2210M and Dshow
The ToupTekDshowAstroSetup is available for download. DshowAstro is an interface driver that provides Dshow standard support for ToupTek USB astronomy cameras.
Supported OS: Windows:
- x86: XP SP3 or above; CPU supports SSE2 instruction set or above
- x64: Win7 or above
Supported Camera:
- All ToupTek astronomy cameras
4.3 G3M2210M and the 3rd Party Software
4.3.1 Support Software
| No. | Software | Version | WDM | ASCOM | Native |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PHD Guiding | 2.3.0(2014) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| 2 | Nebulosity | 3.2.2(2014) | ✔️ | ❌ | / |
| 3 | MaxIm DL | 5.23(2013) | ✔️ | ❌ | / |
| 4 | SharpCap | 2.1(2014) | ✔️ | ❌ | / |
| 5 | MetaGuide | 5.2.0(2014) | ✔️ | / | ✔️ |
| 6 | FireCapture | 2.4.05(2014) | ✔️ | / | ✔️ |
| 7 | Astroart | 5.0(2014) | ✔️ | ❌ | / |
4.3.2 ASCOM Platform
All AstroCam telescope camera drivers require the ASCOM platform, which is available for free. You can download the ASCOM package from: ascom-standards.org/Downloads/Index.htm.
4.3.3 PHD Guiding
A popular free guiding software. Visit openphdguiding.org for more information. ToupTek's telescope cameras support Native/ASCOM/WDM drivers for video operation.
4.3.4 Nebulosity
A popular cooled camera control and image processing software directly supported via ASCOM.
4.3.5 MetaGuide
Autoguiding software with a novel method to avoid atmospheric agitation. The latest version supports GCMOS01200KPB and the guide port. More information can be found at: astrogeeks.com/Bliss/MetaGuide/.
4.3.6 MAXIMDL
A famous, full-functional CCD Control/Image Process software, popular in the US.
4.3.7 AstroArt
A famous, full-functional CCD Control/Image Process software, popular in Europe.
4.3.8 FireCapture
Great free planetary capture software. Supports part of the AstroCam series telescope cameras.
4.3.9 SharpCAP
A nice free planetary capture software that supports WDM cameras, including the AstroCam series telescope cameras.
4.3.10 Registax
A popular free planetary stacking and processing software.
4.3.11 AstroStack
A planetary stacking and process software.
4.3.12 DeepSky Stacker
A free deep sky image stacking and processing software.
5 Service
For software upgrades, please refer to "Download" on the official website: https://touptek-astro.com/.
For customers purchasing cameras from a local dealer, please contact your dealer for more inquiries.
For technical support, please contact via email at: karas@Touptek-astro.com.
