Startup image issue with ASI2600MC

frankcesco

Dear All, I already wrote an official mail to ZWO but I'm posting here my issue for shared documentation, hope that it will help other people experiencing the same issue.

I recently bought a brand new ASI2600MC pro camera and I already tried some night shots successfully. The camera runs smoothly however, in some infrequent occasions, I'm experiencing a weird image pattern (attached the overall frame and detail) right after the startup of the camera and I have to power cycle to come back to normal operation. If the camera works well after the initial connection with the PC (and first image), it continues to operate well for the full session without any issues.

I notice that this is more frequent if I connect the camera to the USB before the external DC adapter.
Just for your info, I'm using an high quality 12V 5A regulator. I also tried a second one but I was able to reproduce the problem at the same way.

If this issue happens, I have no other options than disconnecting the DC adapter and reconnect it again, otherwise the problem does not solve, even if I just disconnect/reconnect the USB only.

I'm an electronic engineer and form my experience I suspect that this is related to the logic reset sequence in some way. Probably it is the reset sequence of the FPGA itself which messes up with CMOS frame synchronisation, but this is just speculation.

I hope that ZWO can solve it with a firmware upgrade. My own firmware version is 50 and FPGA ver: 1.0.5.0.

How should I behave in this case? Honestly I would like to avoid a replacement of the piece since it will cost me a lot of time. However, I will go in that way if there are not other available options.

Kevin_A

Have you tried replacing the usb data cable and another power supply to verify it is not those?

frankcesco

Kevin_A Dear Kevin. I tried two USB 3.0 cables and one USB 2.0 one but I often have the same problem. Concerning the PSU, I tried two high quality MeanWell GST60A12 and it is the same.

Actually, If this issue is related to reset sequence of the camera It would also be worth trying with a smoother ramp power supply. I will eventually try a professional bench top supplier. In fact, good quality suppliers as those mentioned could force a quite fast voltage ramp which makes the issue worse. However this is just a supposition, since of course we don’t have access to the camera electronic design. The good thing is that, if my theory is right, zwo can solve the problem with an a FPGA firmware update.

frankcesco

Kevin_A
By the way, in my opinion the probability that this issue is related to data cables is close to zero. It must be a synchronisation problem between the FPGA and the CMOS sensor IO or it’s own clocking structure.

Kevin_A

frankcesco i know that zwo cameras have issues with their usb ports and their supplied cables. For your application I think you are on the right track.

Tech@ZWO

frankcesco How often does this problem occur?
I don't recall receiving a report like this, could you check the color of the mainboard and daughterboard? black or green.
And what is the SN of your camera? thanks.

frankcesco

Dear Tech@ZWO ,

I cannot verify the PCB colours at the moment, I will inform you subsequently about this. I attached the serial number.

The problem occurs about once every 10 startups, so it is quite sporadic. As I described, when the camera acquires the first image correctly, then it continues to work fine. Otherwise, I’m forced to power cycle it.

I could provide you any other info required.

Best regards.

Francesco

Tech@ZWO

frankcesco My colleague received your email, and she replied to you. thanks.

frankcesco

Thank you, we remain in contact by email.