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Status and notification
QSI 600 Series cameras utilize a variety of methods to inform the operator of the cameras
operation, status and other events. A built-in LED Status Indicator and audible Beeper provide
notification at the camera. In the event of a serious internal error, the camera will also pass a
descriptive error code back to the controlling application which then reports it to the user.
Camera status indication
There is a small tri-state LED indicator on the camera back just above the connector panel. The
LED indicates the current status of the camera and any operation that is underway.
The LED can display green, yellow or red and flash at various rates.
Camera operational state indication
Green solid
- In Idle state, not Busy. Ready to accept commands.
Green flashing
-
USB cable not connected. Not ready to accept commands. This only indicates
that the USB cable is not physically connected between the camera and computer or hub.
Yellow solid
- Busy with internal operation. Not ready to accept commands. This state is seen
while the camera is performing power-up initialization, moving the filter wheel or shutter, or
when uploading an image to the computer
Yellow flashing
-
Upgrading firmware. The indicator will flash rapidly while downloading the
camera firmware and then more slowly as it is validated.
Red slow flashing
- Exposing an image. Flashes once every 4 seconds. The camera can still
respond to commands (such as abort image or read CCD temperature) while in this state.
Note:
The Status Indicator can be disabled for the normal camera states described above.
This may be desirable during long exposures where the light from the Status indicator may be
reflected into the telescope. See Advanced Setup dialog.
Camera error indication
Camera error conditions are indicated by a more elaborate sequence of Red and Yellow flashes
of the Status Indicator. Errors are classified as Soft errors or Hard errors. Soft errors are those
that the camera can mitigate, but typically need operator action to resolve. Soft errors always
begin with one Red flash followed by a number of Yellow flashes.
