Invention:
AzCam is a control interface for scientific and industrial image acquisition hardware. This software package and data acquisition architecture is specifically designed for use at astronomical observatories, university labs, and companies with a wide range of cameras, detector configurations, and imaging characterization requirements. AzCam creates a common user interface and software tool set for both CCD and CMOS cameras.
Background:
This technology was developed in the Imaging Technology Laboratory (ITL) at the University of Arizona. The ITL serves as a research group within the Department of Astronomy and has established expertise in scientific and industrial electronic imaging research and technology development. While most data acquisition systems are specific to a particular hardware system, AzCam can adapt to a variety of cameras used for scientific or industrial imaging.
Applications:
- Scientific and industrial data acquisition for telescopes and laboratories
- Astronomical observatories
- University labs
- Companies requiring a wide range of cameras, detector configurations, and imaging characterization
- Software tool set for both CCD and CMOS cameras
- Ideal for detector characterization programs
Advantages:
- Adapts to a variety of cameras used for scientific or industrial imaging
- Standard client/server model
- Supports region of interest, loadable low level firmware code, detector mosaics, and multiple amplifiers with arbitrary orientation
- Simple commands provide easy debugging
- Employment of multiple commercial hardware interfaces via Windows OS
