ICC - The "Intensifier-coupled CCD Camera"

In the Meteor Research Group, we use LLTV (low lightlevel TV) cameras, also called Image-intensified cameras, to oberve meteors in the night sky. We are using different camera types: The LCC series is a low-cost camera, the ICC is a state-of-the-art imaging system optimized for high quality astrometry, the LIC is optimized for a larger field of view.

Here, we describe the ICC. The figure shows a block diagram of the camera.

Block diagram of an ICC.

The ICC camera series consists of the following elements (ICC1 to ICC5):

• Baffle - To avoid stray light entering the objective lens, and to reduce the probability of fogging of the lens Objective lens
• Ultra-fast Rayxar lenses with different focal lengths: 50 mm f/0.75 90 mm f/? 65 mm f/1.0 Lens
• Heater - from Kendrick, operated on 12 V Image intensifier
• 2nd Generation MCP intensifiers with fiber input window from DEP, model no. XX1700DB. They operate on 3 V.
• Sony XC-77CE Video camera, 2/3" CCD (directly coupled via fiber taper to output of intensifier), 756 (H) x 581 (V) pixels, 50 dB (12 bit) dynamical resolution, operating on 12 V. Printed circuit board used as a fixture for cabling, also contains a 12 V to 3 V power regulator. Connector for +12 V, ground, video output signal, shield
• Mechanical housing (Aluminum, black anodized) For a technical (PDF) drawing of the ICC assembly click here.

Note that the CILBO system uses a newer version of the ICCs with a different mechanical setup and a different video camera.