Camera streams 30-frame/s SXGA video
The CS6910G Gigabit Ethernet industrial camera incorporates the Super CCD Honeycomb color sensor, making it appropriate for factory automation, high-speed inspection, machine vision, intelligent traffic systems, robotics, and other color-based applications. It delivers the bandwidth required to stream uncompressed, RGB, 24-bit color video at up to 30 frames/s at 1280 × 960-pixel resolution (SXGA) over cabling to a host PC positioned up to 300 ft away.
Toshiba Teli America, Irvine, CA, USA
www.toshiba-teli.com
Repeaters support 800-Mbit transmission
The FirePRO LDR (long-distance repeater) is designed for applications that require multiple IEEE 1394 devices to be extended beyond the standard 4.5-m cable length. Using a GigE physical layer to transport FireWire data using GigE signaling, the LDR can transmit and receive IEEE 1394b 800-Mbit/s data in real time over 100 m of standard Cat5e cable. The two-repeater system features one device at the camera side and another at the host system side.
Point Grey Research, Richmond, BC, Canada,
www.ptgrey.com
Machine-vision software expands filter library
EyeVision version 2.3 features revised contour correlation, revised reading performance of the DMC, and expanded filter library functions. The contour of the teach-in menu has been revised to simplify the teach-in process. “Intelligent image transmission” displays any live image results and also overlay displays on every PC or Web browser. An updated filter library includes morphologic and standard filters. Spline object definition allows the user to check AOIs that are formed at will. The editor has been extended and possesses modern syntax highlighting.
EVT Eye Vision Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany, www.evt-light.com
Camera Link family features three sensor options
The DiViiNA linescan industrial inspection camera family features 1024-, 2048-, and 4096-pixel sensors, running at 40 MHz and outputting 8 bits on Camera Link. The cameras have been designed for machine-vision system integrators looking for cost-effective components for mid-range applications but who need to maintain high-end CCD performance. The camera can be set through a flexible and easy serial control, operated with a two-tap Camera Link base configuration and triggered on free run and external trigger modes.
e2v, Chelmsford, UK
www.e2v.com
Offset sensor gives flexibility for camera positioning
For OEM applications with tight or angled installation space, a camera with an offset and freely positionable sensor is connected to the central unit by up to 50-cm-long flex-foil-cable with LVDS transmission. The sensor board is 28 × 19 mm. The 1/3-in. CMOS sensor with global shutter is capable of producing 69 images/s at a resolution of 754 × 482 pixels and 80 images/s at 640 × 480 pixels, which is suitable for capturing both still images and fast motion sequences. The camera is available in monochrome and color, as a board camera (VRmC-12eOEM) or equipped with standard M12 optics (VRmC-12eCOB). The central unit is 42 × 38 mm. A USB 2.0 interface allows data transfer to a PC without additional frame grabber hardware; power is supplied via USB cable. If an application uses several cameras, they can be triggered synchronously with the software trigger. The SDK offers an interface to ActiveVisionTools, Common Vision Blox, and Halcon.
VRmagic
Mannheim, Germany
www.vrmagic.com
Dual-CCD camera simultaneously captures two channels of video
The AD-081CL high dynamic range (HDR) camera, an addition to the Advanced tier of the C3 Camera Suite, features a two-CCD design with two standard ICX204AL 1/3-in., monochrome, progressive-scan sensors mounted to a custom-designed optical prism. The prism-based design enables the camera to simultaneously capture two channels of 30-frame/s video, with each channel having 1024 × 768-pixel resolution, 8- or 10-bit pixel depth, and precise alignment to the same optical axis. The shutter speed and/or gain for each channel can be calibrated independently, so one channel captures details in the brighter areas and the second captures the identical image, but with an emphasis on the details in the darker areas. The two images can then be analyzed separately or post-processed with an image fusion algorithm to produce a dynamic range nearly double the normal CCD response. This enables the camera to achieve dynamic range levels as high as 20 bits/pixel (~118 dB) without encountering the type of noise issues found in similar-performing CMOS HDR cameras.
JAI
Copenhagen, Denmark
www.jai.com
Camera incorporates preprocessing functions on FPGA
Built-in image-preprocessing hardware (FPGA) in the Camera Link Pixel Professor MV-D1024E-PP01-40-CL camera eliminates reliance on specialized frame grabbers or other hardware accelerators and also reduces load on the vision-system computer CPU. It is based on the MV-D1024E-40-CL camera and offers a wide dynamic range of 120 dB with LinLog, global shutter, ROI, multiple ROI, decimation, and other features. For users without FPGA programming experience, the Pixel Professor Lab GUI allows any user to set up image-preprocessing operators with a few mouse clicks. The Pixel Professor Lab is free of charge.
Photonfocus
Lachen, Switzerland
www.photonfocus.com
Video camera images up to 7500 frames/s
The Fastcam SA5 video camera provides 7500 frames/s at 1024 × 1000-pixel resolution. It features a 12-bit monochrome (36-bit RGB color) sensor with 20-µm2 pixels. The standalone, one-piece system with 1-µs global shuttering is available in three memory configurations: 8 Gbytes (up to 0.75 s record time at 7500 frames/s and full resolution); 16 Gbytes (up to 1.49 s at 7500 frames/s and full resolution); and 32 Gbytes (up to 2.98 s at 7500 frames, 1K × 1K pixels). The remote control keypad with RS-422 connection is included with the built-in, 5-in. LCD screen for computer-free operation. Photron’s Fastcam Viewer (PFV) freeware is included along with the SDK for users who wish to integrate camera control, replay, and download to their existing software.
Photron USA
San Diego, CA, USA
www.photron.com
Frame grabber acquires images from standard- and high-definition video
The HD-SDI Express video capture card is a frame grabber capable of acquiring images from any standard-definition (SD) or high-definition (HD) SDI video source and sending them to an ExpressCard/54-compliant notebook computer at more than 235 Mbytes/s for real-time viewing and storage. The card supports plug-and-play operation with live insertion and removal and incorporates lookup tables and histograms. The 75-Ω BNC coaxial connector can accept an analog SMPTE 292M serial signal operating at speeds to 1.486 Gbits/s, with 274M and 296M framing. It accepts SD and HD SDI video formats for 720p, 1080i, and 1080p resolution and saves images in 20-bit YCrCb 4:2:2 or 24-bit RGB formats. The card can capture single or multiple frames at full resolution, generate standard AVI clips, and stamp captured frames with date, time, and a user-defined message. Both normal and delay capture modes are available. In addition to raw data the card can output files in BMP, TIFF, or adjustable JPEG file formats.
Imperx
Boca Raton, FL, USA
www.imperx.com
Barcode readers come in high-res and long-range versions
The SR-500 (high-resolution model) and the SR-510 (long-range model) barcode readers each are equipped with 655-nm laser pointers (max. output 600 µW, pulse duration 200 µs). The focal distance and reading area can easily be checked. Up to eight parameters can be registered in the parameter bank. The SR-500 Series can read different codes without changing settings.
Keyence Corp. of America
Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA
www.keyence.com
Cameras offer 120 frames/s at full VGA resolution
Four new scout camera models are based on Sony’s new ICX618 sensor. The cameras feature a 29 × 44 × 73.7-mm housing and are equipped with a C- or CS-mount lens adapter. They are available in monochrome and color and with a Gigabit Ethernet or IEEE 1394b interface. The EMVA 1288 data for the new scout scA640-120gm camera shows the same total quantum efficiency and the same absolute sensitivity threshold as Sony’s ICX285 sensor. The new scout models offer an acquisition rate of 120 frames/s at full VGA resolution. The free pylon software package provides the drivers and the camera C++ API, a viewer tool, and comprehensive documentation and code samples.
Basler Vision Technologies
Ahrensburg, Germany
www.baslerweb.com
NIR cameras use photovoltaic electroluminescence
The iKon-M 934 BR-DD and the LucaEM R cameras have high quantum detection efficiency and sensitivity in the near-infrared (NIR) range, making them suitable for solar-cell quality control during manufacturing. Using induced photovoltaic electroluminescence, weak emissions in the 900-to-1100-nm wavelength range are used to detect typical faults such as shunts, crystalline defects, and broken-finger electrodes. The LucaEM R is an electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) camera for high-throughput in-line production inspection. It uses a monochrome megapixel frame-transfer EMCCD sensor, providing single-photon detection sensitivity and high NIR quantum efficiency (27% @ 900 nm) in a cooled, compact, USB 2.0 camera platform. The iKon-M 934 BRDD delivers ~70% QE at 900 nm. The megapixel CCD camera also benefits from thermoelectric cooling to -100°C, very low read noise, and a USB 2.0 interface.
Andor
Belfast, UK
www.andor.com
GigE camera runs 64 frames/s at 782 × 582 pixels
The GC780 camera incorporates a GigE Vision-compliant interface. The GigE interface allows cable lengths up to 100-m long using conventional Ethernet cabling (Cat5e) and even longer using fiberoptic cables. The 33 × 46 × 38-mm camera features the 1/2-in. Sony ICX415 progressive-scan CCD sensor and runs 64 frames/s at full resolution (782 × 582 pixels). The ICX415 features low dark current, high sensitivity, continuous variable-speed shutter, low smear, and high anti-blooming characteristics. The camera has a C-mount with adjustable back-focus and is available in monochrome and color models. Features include snapshot/global shutter, pixel binning, AOI readout, video-type auto-iris support, external trigger and sync I/O, RS-232 peripheral port, exposure, gain and offset controls, among others. It is appropriate for applications such as high-speed inspection, machine vision, optical character recognition, traffic imaging, robotics, and OEM applications.
Prosilica
Burnaby, BC, Canada
www.prosilica.com
Positioners provide precise motion for various applications
A line of nanopositioning products includes the NPX linear stages and NPO nanofocusing stages, NPA translators, and the PSM ultrafast piezo steering mirror. Available with high-resolution strain gauge position sensors for accurate and repeatable motion, the products can be applied in areas such as microscopy, imaging, lithography, interferometry, surface profilometry, laser tuning, and beam steering. The multiaxis XY and XYZ NPX linear stages utilize a parallel motion principle that ensures perfect parallel and straight motion, up to 400-µm travel. NPO stages allow up to 250-µm focusing range and are compatible with most microscopes and objectives. NPA translators can generate large forces up to 1000 N, which suitable for high load, dynamic applications. Equipped with a direct piezo actuation system without lever arm transmission, the PSM is suited for high-bandwidth laser beam steering, switching and stabilization, beam scanning, image stabilization, and laser cavity tuning.
Newport
Irvine, CA, USA
www.newport.com
Module offers nonlinear optimization for illumination system design
The optimization module OptiBelPro for the TracePro raytracing tool now offers nonlinear optimization. The module allows users to optimize the intensity and/or uniformity parameters of illumination systems. Its macro language approach gives the user the flexibility to modify the analysis functions according to any user’s requirements. Models are created by importing from a lens design program or a CAD program or by directly creating the solid geometry in TracePro. Source rays propagate through the model with portions of the flux of each ray allocated for absorption, specular reflection and transmission, fluorescence, and scattering.
IB/E Optics
Hutthurm, Germany
www.ibe-optics.com
PoCL frame grabber transfers data at up to 680 Mbytes/s
The PC_EYE/CL frame grabber has inputs for digital video data compliant with Camera Link standard Version 1.2 and delivers speeds up to 680 Mbytes/s. Each of two on-board Mini-Delta-Ribbon 26-pin connectors supports four ports for a total of eight ports (A-H) that can be used. This makes it possible to connect either two independent Base cameras, using ports A-C each, or one Medium (A-F), or one Full (A-H) camera. Each 8-bit-wide Camera Link port uses a 7:1 multiplexing scheme with a serial transmission rate of 2.36 Gbits/s. The DMA controller consists of two independent controllers, capable of transferring two video data streams into two independent memory regions. Image data is transmitted by DMA directly into the main memory or into the graphics card. A DRAM-based FIFO consisting of 1-Gbyte DDR2 RAMs is available for applications with higher bandwidth requirements. Firmware updates are controlled via the software. The system also supports power over Camera Link (PoCL). DLL format drivers for Windows XP/Vista and Linux are available as 32- and 64-bit versions as part of the Frame Grabber Basic Tools.
American ELTEC
Las Vegas, NV, USA
www.americaneltec.com