SWIR Electrophysics Micronviewer 7290A - User manual ?

[Fraser]

Lorraine is a lovely lady and if she can help you, she will. I was just about to upload the 7290A user manual for you 
There is not a great deal of information in the user manual as you will no doubt have seen.

I will upload the 7290A user manual and FAQ anyway in case it is of use to someone in the future.

Fraser
 

[_Wim_]

Great news!

I was looking to find an explanation for the BNC connectors at back. One of the BNC connectors was labelled as “hd or vs in”, so I searched exactly for that: “hd or vs in”. This gave only 2 hits, one of them was for an ad of a “Ikegami Television Camera Model ITC-510” camera.

Further investigating the Ikegami camera, I found to my surprise it looked identical to my 7290 camera (also based on a vidicon tube, but without special plate coating or SWIR viewing).

The best part is that Ikegami do make full service manuals available (see attached).

Currently looking on the Ikegami website (https://www.ikegami.com/old-products) for an equivalent of the 7290A

[Fraser]

Excellent investigative work 

I have seen Panasonic Vidicon CCTV cameras used by FJW for their SWIR cameras so it is no surprise that Electrophysics used a modified camera from a large CCTV camera manufacturer. Why reinvent the wheel 

FJW used the Panasonic WV1414 as the basis of their SWIR Find-R-Scope cameras. See the attached pictures 

Fraser

[_Wim_]

Why reinvent the wheel 

Indeed. Probably Electrophysics/FJW would have a hard time making an equal quality product, and cost wise it would be much more expensive due to the much smaller market.

So far I have not been able to find on which type the 7290A was based, but I would expect it would also be an Ikegami camera (but maybe an OEM version)

[Fraser]

I have been searching as well. I am suspecting a modified Ikegami PCB set with a custom/modified casing. I cannot find a likely candidate yet. I have taken a look at some pictures of the 7290A PCB's and there is a lot of post production modification which suggests to me that the camera was supplied configured for a standard Vidicon tube and then modified by Electrophysics. The many 'bodge wires' are not what I would expect of a production Ikegami camera.

Thanks to your discovery, I am now a step closer to discovering the origins of the PCB's within the 7290A  It is likely based on a later model of ITC series camera as they certainly fit the spec. There was also the CTC2xxx series that are described in that Ikegami table as colour, yet they use a monchrome Vidicon tube.

Having compared the 7290 circuits and its parts list with my 7290A PCB's, I believe I was correct in thinking that the 7290A was basically an update that used more IC's and a reduced discrete semiconductor count. Exactly what I saw in the Commercial CCTV  camera designs of the era.

Fraser

[Fraser]

I am working my way through the many Ikegami ITC camera user manuals as they contain the parts list and schematics. A case of trying to spot similarities with the 7290A PCB chipset. I have already looked at the ITC-47 aka CTC-4700 and I agree that the 7290A is very likely an Ikegami product. The later cameras have the higher chip count that I am looking for so just a case of seeing if I can find a match.

Fraser

[Fraser]

Well I downloaded all of the Ikegami ITC and CTC manuals that I could find and analysed the parts list and schematics. There is a definite pattern to the components used in different eras of camera and they do not match, or even come close to the design of the Electrophysics 7290A camera    The PCB component marking for IC's also differs to that used by Ikegami. The manufacturer of the 7290A has elected to use a somewhat unusual IC ID format. "UP1" for an IC1 being an example. Other examples are UB1, UE1, UG1, UN1, UO1. Not an IC label format I have seen in any of the Ikegami manuals.

_Wim_, I think you got very lucky with your camera and discovered the true OEM of it. Sadly I think the 7290A is going to be challenge. Why ? ... well the 7290A was likely designed after CCTV had moved to semiconductor sensors and Vidicon tube based cameras had become restricted to science and other specialist applications. As such, Electrophysics may have found that there was no 'modern' Ikegami tube camera to buy and modify. They would likely have been restricted to companies making tube cameras for science use, such as Hammamatsu, but that particular company is in direct competition with Electrophysics so such an alliance is unlikely. That would possibly lead to a contract being raised with some small specialist company that had designers experienced in working with Vidicon tube technology. The chances of discovering that companies identity are slim and even if discovered, the schematics would be limited circulation and likely only existing within the OEM and Electrophysics (Sofradir/Lynrad). The casing of the 7290A has been designed to take the filter cartridge and has not been modified to do so. that strongly suggests a custom build from scratch, at least for the case. The large number of PCB modifications (bodge wires) might also suggest a smaller company developed the 7290A and had to iron out some issues in the production cameras. There remains the possibility that the design has been based upon that of another commercial Vidicon camera and just adapted to a new PCB layout etc. Interestingly the 7290AX model has an additional PCB for power management. That optional PCB looks to be the same designer and manufacturer as the other PCB's. Such a PCB would not exist in a CCTV camera, adding weight to the custom design theory.   

Finally, I need to check my camera, but from the pictures I have, it would appear that the 7290A is fitted with a relatively large Atmel IC on one PCB plus what appears to be a battery management processor on the AX model additional PCB (it has its own Crystal oscillator). These are not components of the Ikegami (or any other manufacturers) Vidicon CCTV camera era !

All good fun but it is time for Bed now.... need some sleep !

Fraser

[Fraser]

In case anyone is interested, I will be selling my 'as new' 7290A soon. I will likely market it towards those clever people who use such cameras to check the quality of their amazing Laser systems ! I am open to offers if anyone has a burning desire to own a SWIR capable camera The camera is fitted with an original equipment electronic viewfinder, will come with its original Power Supply and a spare power connector, plus the two ND filters and C mount 'hood' for laser use. A very nice 25mm lens is also available for it The camera is very nice but I have no real use for the SWIR capability. I will ship internationally.

Fraser
UK

[_Wim_]

_Wim_, I think you got very lucky with your camera and discovered the true OEM of it. Sadly I think the 7290A is going to be challenge. Why ? ... well the 7290A was likely designed after CCTV had moved to semiconductor sensors and Vidicon tube based cameras had become restricted to science and other specialist applications. As such, Electrophysics may have found that there was no 'modern' Ikegami tube camera to buy and modify. They would likely have been restricted to companies making tube cameras for science use, such as Hammamatsu, but that particular company is in direct competition with Electrophysics so such an alliance is unlikely. That would possibly lead to a contract being raised with some small specialist company that had designers experienced in working with Vidicon tube technology. The chances of discovering that companies identity are slim and even if discovered, the schematics would be limited circulation and likely only existing within the OEM and Electrophysics (Sofradir/Lynrad). The casing of the 7290A has been designed to take the filter cartridge and has not been modified to do so. that strongly suggests a custom build from scratch, at least for the case. The large number of PCB modifications (bodge wires) might also suggest a smaller company developed the 7290A and had to iron out some issues in the production cameras. There remains the possibility that the design has been based upon that of another commercial Vidicon camera and just adapted to a new PCB layout etc. Interestingly the 7290AX model has an additional PCB for power management. That optional PCB looks to be the same designer and manufacturer as the other PCB's. Such a PCB would not exist in a CCTV camera, adding weight to the custom design theory.   

Sounds indeed like a very reasonable explanation. If I would get lucky again, I will for sure post it the 7290A schematics also here  .

[_Wim_]

In case anyone is interested, I will be selling my 'as new' 7290A soon. I will likely market it towards those clever people who use such cameras to check the quality of their amazing Laser systems ! I am open to offers if anyone has a burning desire to own a SWIR capable camera The camera is fitted with an original equipment electronic viewfinder, will come with its original Power Supply and a spare power connector, plus the two ND filters and C mount 'hood' for laser use. A very nice 25mm lens is also available for it The camera is very nice but I have no real use for the SWIR capability. I will ship internationally.

Fraser
UK

That is a very nice set! If I had not just bought the 7290 I would be very temped...

[_Wim_]

I was again contacted by Lorraine today, telling me she was unable to find the manual of the 7290. However, with the manual of the Ikegami and the manual of the 7290A posted by Fraser this is not really a problem, and I really appreciate she make the effort to look for it and spontaneously report back. 

[Fraser]

Lorraine is certainly a very helpful lady.

When I last spoke with her they were in the midst of relocating. Sadly when companies move location a lot of documentation can end up mislaid or dumped in order to reduce storage requirements. This is what had happened when I asked ISG about the early Pevicon based Talisman service manual..... it has been lost over the years.

As you say, with the 7290A manual and the Ikegami camera information, you are well set up on the information front One piece of information that would be very useful would be the Vidicon Tube recommended bias voltages. I do not think I have found the data sheet for the Hamamatsu N2606 and N2606-6 tubes used in these cameras.

http://alacron.com/clientuploads/directory/Cameras/HAMAMATSU/c2741-03-Datasheet.pdf

https://microwiki.org/wiki/index.php/Hamamatsu

https://dagemti.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/LSC70spec.pdf

Fraser

[Fraser]

This document does not contain the N2606 tube data but is still an interesting read and has a guide to setting biases.

https://frank.pocnet.net/other/Amperex/hafo/ampvid.pdf

Fraser

[_Wim_]

One piece of information that would be very useful would be the Vidicon Tube recommended bias voltages. I do not think I have found the data sheet for the Hamamatsu N2606 and N2606-6 tubes used in these cameras.

I have been looking for that datasheet also, but so far no luck. I also managed to find a catalog that mentions them, but no real useful information in that.

[_Wim_]

I did also find the price of the 7290/ITC510 in 1986 and the confirmation that in includes an Hamamatsu n2606-02

[Fraser]

A paper on development of the N2606 Vidicon, written by Hamamatsu, may be found here:

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2539(08)60475-8

Sci Hub reveals the papers content 

Fraser

[Fraser]

An IR Vidicon Patent

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/26/ba/0e/43fa07fdfbe542/US3892966.pdf

[_Wim_]

A paper on development of the N2606 Vidicon, written by Hamamatsu, may be found here:

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2539(08)60475-8

Sci Hub reveals the papers cont 

Fraser

Nice one!

[Fraser]

Interesting paper....

https://museumsbau.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/burmester_bayerer_1993.pdf

Fraser

[_Wim_]

Hi, I received the camera today and gave it a little test. Beam intensity was turned almost fully to max by the previous owner to get a usable image out of the camera, but this result in very slow updating (take more than 3 seconds when something is placed in the field of view to be fully visible). This means the vidicon is end of life, and replacements will be not easy to find I am afraid. It does still have sensitivity until al least 1525nm (highest laser wavelength I have), so it still might have some use for visualizing laser beams.

In case anyone would still doubt this camera is based on the Ikegami ITC-510, their is some strong "hint" on the pcb...

[_Wim_]

Some more internal pictures

[Fraser]

_Wim_

That camera looks to be in very nice internal condition 

Regarding the availability of spare IR vidicon tubes, with regret I must advise that Hamamatsu disposed of all of the stock to companies like Electrophysics so that they could continue production of their SWIR cameras. From memory there was a $7000 minimum order value from Hamamatsu so individuals could not buy spare tubes from them unless willing to pay over $7K !  Electrophysics had some limited spares stock but it was very expensive due to rarity. I do not know if they have any left but it would be much cheaper to source another camera on eBay that has a better tube fitted.

Electrophysics continued selling the tube based SWIR cameras for as long as stocks of the Vidicon tube permitted. Their cameras have a large customer base in laser labs so there was still demand for the cameras. This is also why these cameras still sell for serious money on eBay. Good ones are now rare and becoming scarce.

I do not know of a way to revitalise your tube but in CRT’s there was something called cathode poisoning and there were techniques to revitalise the cathode emission surface to extend the tubes useful life. Tubes that have not been used for a long time also needed ‘conditioning’ of the vacuum. It may be worth you looking into this.

Also be aware that over time the bias needs of the tube can change and adjustment of the various bias voltages may improve your cameras performance. Bill_W is the man to comment on that as he is very familiar with thermal camera Pevicon tubes that are basically a version of the a vidicon tube.

Thank you for the excellent pictures of your camera  Mine has no such helpful OEM identification on the PCB’s.

Fraser

[Fraser]

Some reading......

http://www.ke5fx.com/crt.html

And

http://www.thegleam.com/ke5fx/crt/sencrt.pdf

A Vidicon is similar to a CRT in that it uses an electron Gun with Cathode emission to an Anode target. Cathode poisoning may be an issue with old Vidicon tubes as well ?

Vidicon tubes in the 7290 cameras often get damaged by burn-in from abuse long before they ‘wear out’.

Fraser

[_Wim_]

Also be aware that over time the bias needs of the tube can change and adjustment of the various bias voltages may improve your cameras performance. Bill_W is the man to comment on that as he is very familiar with thermal camera Pevicon tubes that are basically a version of the a vidicon tube.

I will indeed try to bring all voltages and biases up to spec. Today was just a quick test. Visual inspection was indeed ok. No bulged caps or burned parts. Also checked with my E60, nothing gets extremely hot, so that also ok. Looks like this will be a fun project, and price was luckily not very high. I contacted Hamamatsu Belgium in the hope I could get a datasheet for the N2606. I will off course post it here also when I receive it.

[Fraser]

An interesting side comment, the Electrophysics 7290 and 7290A apparently have some military sensitivity dating back to when the N2606 tubes were used in military applications. Sadly such information restrictions can remain in place long after any real sensitivity has passed into history. This may be why the data sheet for the Hamamatsu N2606 vidicon cannot be found on the web ?. EBay will not let me list the Electrophysics 7290A in the U.K. and state that it is on the U.S. Military list and only allowed to be advertised in the U.S.A with no export permitted !