Add data points to Sensor Analysis

[AstroNikko]

Is there a way to add gain values or increase the number of data points to evaluate with the Sensor Analysis tool?

I'm mostly interested in seeing where the HCG Mode kicks in for the Player One Neptune-C II (IMX464). According to the product page, it should be at gain values >80. Does it matter whether or not this value is found for the Smart Histogram to work best?

When running the Sensor Analysis tool on the Neptune-C II, I noticed it was only evaluating gain at increments of 50. Whereas when I tested my ZWO ASI290MM Mini there were additional data points around 60 and 120 gain. I don't fully understand how these data points are set. Is the gain selection automated in response to the results of the analysis, or is it pre-established with some set of specific gain values in some profile, either by camera model or manufacturer?

Results for Neptune-C II (IMX464)


Result for ZWO ASI290MM Mini


Light source used in this analysis was an LED panel under several sheets of paper to reach the target brightness.


Thanks in advance,

Nikko

[AstroNikko]

Had the opportunity to graph out the results of the sensor analysis. Visually, it's a bit more obvious now that the graphs for Read Noise and Dynamic Range are missing a couple data points around 80 gain for the Neptune-C II.

Graphs of results for Neptune-C II (IMX464)


Graphs of results for ASI290MM Mini

[AstroNikko]

Was thinking, if this isn't something we have access to as users, can we make this a feature request?

• Add an option to set the gain interval (currently 50, default)
• Add an option to evaluate specific gain values (ex.: 59, 61, 79, 81, 119, 121)

Thanks in advance,

Nikko

[admin]

Hi Nikko,

yes, you are quite correct that there is currently no way to add extra 'gain values of interest' to the analysis. SharpCap knows about the typical LCG/HCG switchover points for ZWO and Altair cameras and adds extra measurement points, but nothing for P1 cameras yet.

Would you be happy with an option to add these via the Python scripting language? Something like

Code: Select all

SharpCap.SelectedCamera.SetGainsOfInterestForSensorAnalysis([79,80,81])

That would need to be executed before the analysis...

cheers.

Robin

[AstroNikko]

Excellent! Thank you so much. That’s exactly what I needed.

One more question, is there a similar method call for setting the gain increment value as well? Such as setting it to 30 instead of the default value of 50? And possibly max gain option as well?

Thanks again,

Nikko

[AstroNikko]

Sorry, I misunderstood your message at first. I thought that the method you shared was already available in the current release. Just had a chance to poke around in the console, and realized you were presenting it as suggested solution. It looks good to me.

Thanks, Robin!

Nikko

[admin]

Hi,

that's good - I have now implemented the change and it will be in next week's update. Note that setting gains of interest only applies to the current camera and they will be forgotten when you restart SharpCap or if you disconnect and reconnect the camera hardware.

cheers,

Robin

[AstroNikko]

Sounds good! Thanks again, Robin. I appreciate it.

[AstroNikko]

I just downloaded the latest (4.0.8244.0), and see this function is now available. Thank you!

[AstroNikko]

Happy New Year, Robin!

I hope the holidays afforded you plenty of time for rest and relaxation.

I wanted to follow up on this issue after finally having the opportunity to run the Sensor Analysis tool again. I'm using it with a new camera this time, the QHY268C. I tried using the SetGainValuesOfInterestForSensorAnalysis() function, but the Sensor Analysis tool doesn't seem to be using the set values. I was able to verify the values were set by printing the return value of GetGainsOfInterest(). I also repeated this for each read mode to verify the values were still set.







To make sure this wasn't simply an anomaly with the display of results in the Sensor Analysis panel, I also checked the JSON files stored under %APPDATA%\SharpCap\SensorCharactaristics. Those files were also missing the set gain values of interest.

Lastly, I used GetGainsOfInterest() to check for set values after first disconnecting and reconnecting the camera. The values were still set from before. From what I understand of our earlier conversation, these values are supposed to be cleared when the camera is disconnected.

I hope this is helpful to you. Please let me know if you need any further info.

Thanks in advance,

Nikko