Touptek GPM462C Color Guide Camera (IMX462C)
Touptek GPM462C Color Guide Camera (IMX462C)
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Touptek GPM462C Color Guide Camera (IMX462C)
Touptek GPM462C Color Guide Camera (IMX462C)
A professional color guide camera featuring Sony IMX462 back-illuminated CMOS sensor, offering exceptionally strong infrared light capture capability with high QE value at 500nm, large full well capacity, high dynamic range, high sensitivity, and low readout noise for outstanding performance in planetary, solar, and lunar photography.
Function Description
The GPM462C camera possesses an exceptionally strong capability to capture infrared light with high QE values at 500nm. It features a large full well capacity, high dynamic range, high sensitivity, and low readout noise among other advantages. Equipped with HCG/LCG dual gain mode switching, the minimum read noise can reach 0.76e⁻. This results in outstanding performance in planetary photography, as well as in solar and lunar photography.
GPM462C Key Features:
- IMX462 Color CMOS Sensor
- Resolution: 2.1 Megapixels (1920×1080)
- 2.9 micron square pixels
- 1/2.8-inch optical format
- 12-bit ADC
- Built-in frame buffer
- HCG/LCG dual gain modes
- G Sensitivity: 2376 mv, 1/30s
- Low Noise: 0.76 to 2.4e⁻
- 18 FPS at all pixel readout 8-bit
- Maximum SNR: 40.8 dB
- Dynamic Range: 74.1 dB
- Built-in ST4 autoguider interface
- Peak Quantum Efficiency: >89%
Core Features
Technical Advantages
Sony IMX462 Color Sensor Technology
The GPM462C features Sony's IMX462 color back-illuminated sensor with exceptional infrared sensitivity. With read noise as low as 0.76e⁻, full well capacity of 12.7ke⁻, and dynamic range reaching 74.1dB, the GPM462C delivers outstanding performance for astronomical applications. The color sensor provides natural color reproduction while maintaining excellent sensitivity across the visible spectrum.
Sony IMX462 Spectral Sensitivity
The GPM462C sensor has a G sensitivity of 2376mv at 1/30s. Its spectral response range covers 380-690nm (with IR cut window), delivering excellent sensitivity across the visible spectrum. The sensitivity is measured with a testing standard lens with CM500S (t = 1.0mm) as an IR-cut filter and image at
HCG/LCG Dual Gain Modes
The GPM462C supports switching between HCG (High Conversion Gain) and LCG (Low Conversion Gain) modes, providing optimized performance for different imaging scenarios:
HCG High Conversion Gain Mode
- Ultra-Low Read Noise: As low as 0.70e⁻
- Application Scenarios: Faint star guiding, deep sky object guiding
- Full Well Capacity: 4.8ke⁻
- Advantages: Provides best signal-to-noise ratio in low light conditions
LCG Low Conversion Gain Mode
- Full Well Capacity: 12.1ke⁻
- Application Scenarios: Bright star guiding, planetary and solar imaging
- Read Noise: 2.4e⁻
- Advantages: Wide dynamic range, prevents overexposure
Smart Frame Buffer Technology
Understanding Frame Buffer Technology
The GPM462C camera has a built-in frame buffer, which helps maintain the stability of data transmission and effectively reduce the amp-glow caused because image data can be temporarily buffered without being sent hastily to the receiver.
How Frame Buffer Works:
Frame buffer is a dedicated high-speed memory component integrated directly into the camera hardware. When the camera sensor captures an image, the data is first written to the frame buffer memory at extremely high speeds. From there, it's transmitted to your computer at the rate supported by your USB connection.
Key Benefits of Frame Buffer:
- Maintains Data Transmission Stability:The frame buffer acts as an intelligent data staging area between the sensor and computer. If your USB connection experiences temporary slowdowns or your computer is busy processing other tasks, the frame buffer continues collecting sensor data without interruption, preventing dropped frames during critical capture moments.
- Reduces Amp Glow Phenomenon:By efficiently managing data transfer and allowing image data to be temporarily buffered rather than being sent hastily to the receiver, the frame buffer minimizes the time electronics remain active near the sensor, effectively reducing amplifier glow that can appear as unwanted brightness in image corners.
- Ensures Maximum Frame Rate with Multiple Cameras:When operating multiple cameras simultaneously, each camera can still achieve its maximum frame rate. The frame buffer operates independently for each device, ensuring no data bottlenecks or interference between cameras during simultaneous operation.
- Improves System Compatibility:Frame buffer technology allows the GPM462C to work reliably even with older USB 2.0 connections or lower-specification computers, making it an excellent choice for field setups where cutting-edge computing power may not be available.
In practical terms: The frame buffer ensures smooth, reliable image capture regardless of momentary system hiccups or resource constraints, which is particularly valuable during long imaging sessions where data integrity and consistency are paramount.
12-bit ADC and Intelligent ROI
The GPM462C features native 12-bit ADC, providing 4096 gray levels for capturing subtle tonal gradations and color information. The camera supports hardware ROI (Region of Interest) functionality - smaller ROI sizes achieve higher frame rates, which is particularly useful in guiding applications where only a small area containing the guide star needs high-speed acquisition.
Frame Rates at Different Resolutions/Bit Depths/Data Transfer Interfaces
| Resolution | Bit Depth Mode | |
|---|---|---|
| 12-bit ADC | 8-bit ADC | |
| 1920 × 1080 | 8.9 | 17.8 |
Unit: Frames per second (FPS) - USB 2.0 interface
Flexible Pixel Binning
The GPM462C supports digital pixel binning from 1×1 to 8×8 in either stacking or averaging method. Pixel binning technology can improve signal-to-noise ratio, particularly useful in faint guiding conditions by combining adjacent pixels to enhance guide star signals while reducing read noise impact.
Built-in ST4 Autoguider Interface
The GPM462C features a built-in standard ST4 autoguider port for easy connection to the autoguider. This design simplifies guiding system configuration, reduces cable connections, and improves system reliability. Compatible with mainstream guiding software like PHD Guiding, MetaGuide, Nebulosity, MaxIm DL, and others for precise autoguiding control.
Comprehensive Connection Options
The GPM series cameras offer versatile connection options designed for seamless integration with various telescope setups and guiding systems. The diagram below illustrates the complete connection architecture, showing how the camera interfaces with your mount, computer, and other astronomical equipment for optimal guiding performance.
Connection Features:
- USB 2.0 Type-C interface for both data transfer and power supply
- ST4 autoguider port for direct mount connection
- Compatible with all major guiding software platforms
- No external power supply required - powered entirely through USB
Broad Software Compatibility
The GPM462C supports multiple driver interfaces including Native, ASCOM, and WDM, compatible with mainstream astronomy software such as PHD Guiding, Nebulosity, MaxIm DL, SharpCap, MetaGuide, FireCapture, and AstroArt. Provides multi-platform SDK support for Windows, Linux, macOS, including development interfaces for Native C/C++, C#/VB.NET, Python, Java, DirectShow, and Twain.
Convenient Power System
The camera operates via USB 2.0 interface. Upon establishing a connection with the host system using the USB 2.0 cable, the device is primed for operation. This design is particularly suitable for field observations, reducing power cable complexity.
Technical Specifications
Core Performance Parameters
| Maximum Frame Rate (USB 2.0) | 12-bit: 8.9 FPS @ 1920×1080 8-bit: 17.8 FPS @ 1920×1080 |
|---|---|
| Read Noise | HCG: 0.70-1.08e⁻ | LCG: 1.48-2.4e⁻ |
| Full Well Capacity | HCG: 4.8ke⁻ | LCG: 12.7ke⁻ |
| Peak Quantum Efficiency | >89% |
| Dynamic Range | 74.1 dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 40.8 dB |
| Exposure Time Range | 0.1ms - 1000s |
| Gain Range | 1× - 500× |
Basic Technical Specifications
| Sensor | Sony IMX462 Color Back-illuminated CMOS |
|---|---|
| Image Resolution | 2.1 Megapixels (1920×1080) |
| Pixel Size | 2.9μm × 2.9μm |
| Sensor Size | 1/2.8-inch (diagonal 6.39mm) |
| Imaging Area | 5.57mm × 3.13mm |
| Shutter Type | Rolling Shutter |
| ADC Bit Depth | 12-bit |
| Frame Buffer | Built-in |
| Gain Modes | HCG/LCG dual mode switching |
| Spectral Response Range | 380-690nm (with IR cut window) |
Interface and Physical Specifications
| Data Interface | USB 2.0 Type-C |
|---|---|
| Guide Interface | Built-in ST4 autoguider port |
| Camera Adapter | Standard 1.25-inch for telescope connection Standard C adapter for industrial lens |
| Back Focal Distance | 8.5mm (17.5mm with C-mount, 12.5mm with CS-mount) |
| Protective Window | IR-cut filter/AR-window |
| External Dimensions | Diameter 37mm × Height 72.4mm |
| Weight | 70 grams |
| Cooling Method | Passive cooling |
| Supported Systems | Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 (32 & 64 bit) Mac OS X, Linux |
| SDK Support | Native C/C++, C#/VB.NET, Python Java, DirectShow, Twain, etc. |
The GPM462C provides HCG and LCG gain modes that can be flexibly switched according to different imaging requirements, delivering excellent performance under various conditions.
LCG Low Conversion Gain Mode Performance
Camera Settings: Full resolution, RAW 12-bit mode, LCG mode
LCG mode provides full well capacity of 12.1ke⁻, offering good headroom for bright targets. This mode maintains good signal-to-noise ratio while providing wide dynamic range (74.1dB), preventing overexposure on bright targets, particularly suitable for solar, lunar photography and bright planetary imaging.
HCG High Conversion Gain Mode Performance
Camera Settings: Full resolution, RAW 12-bit mode, HCG mode
HCG mode is optimized for low-light guiding, providing low read noise (minimum 0.70e⁻). At high gain settings, read noise remains at low levels, making it ideal for capturing faint guide stars, with good performance in deep sky object photography.
In the Box
Warranty
Touptek 2-Years Warranty
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