New Products

Cameras are improved

Camelia M1 8M black-and-white and Camelia C1 8M color digital cameras provide 12-bit images at 8 Mpixels, as well as a digital camera head, a digital PCI frame grabber, and associated Windows software. Both cameras support the Camera Link interface and use a large-format (close to 35-mm film size) progressive-scan CCD featuring 2300 × 3500 pixels. The CCD sensor works in 1 × 1, 2 × 2, and 4 × 4 binning modes and in ROI mode and allows faster preview mode from 2.7 up to 9 frames/s. Programmable settings permit the selection of different integration times, gains, and offsets.
Atmel Corp.
San Jose, CA, USA
www.atmel.com

Motion control uses modules

Intelligent Servo Drive consists of hardware and software modules that can be integrated into a custom motion-control system. Available blocks include a servo driver with brushless motors of up to 750 W, variable frequency drives of up to 1 horsepower, and logic and I/O power supplies. Other modules provide 24-Vdc isolated I/O, analog I/O, 8051 microprocessor core with flash memory, and RS-232 and RS-485 serial buses. These modules direct communications, velocity, position, and torque controls, and operator display and keypad functions.
Industrial Indexing Systems
Victor, NY, USA
www.iis-servo.com

Nanofocus device adds features

P-721.CLQ Pifoc nanofocus piezo-driven, objective nanopositioner serves scanning microscopy, cell tracking, and surface-profiling applications. It can be mounted between the turret and objective of a microscope for fast and accurate focus control and is equipped with direct-measuring, two-plate capacitive position sensors. The sensors measure the position of the moving part, rather than the strain of the flexures or actuator. Long-base, frictionless, FEA-modeled flexures provide guiding precision and eliminate lateral motion of the focal point when the objective is scanned.
Polytec PI
Auburn, MA, USA
www.polytecpi.com

Computer board blazes

XPT single-board computer comes with dual Intel Xeon processors, Intel E7501 chipset, dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, 8 Gbytes of DDR memory, optional Ultra320 SCSI, support for ISA/PCI/PCI-X bus architectures, a 400/533-MHz system bus, dual 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet ports, and a 16-Mbyte video controller. It supports video resolutions from VGA (640 × 480 pixels) up to UXGA (1600 × 1200 pixels) with a color depth setting of up to 32-bit, 4 trillion colors. Bus architectures support devices operating from 16-bit/8-MHz to 64-bit/133-MHz. Features include hardware monitoring, two serial ports, dual USB ports, a bidirectional parallel port interface, and a watchdog timer.
Trenton Technology Inc.
Gainsville, GA, USA
www.TrentonProcessors.com

Camera runs Camera Link

TMC-1020-30 color camera provides a Bayer color filter array, 30 frames/s, 1k × 1k-pixel resolution, 1-in. progressive-scan interline-transfer CCD sensor, and a C-mount lens. Full-frame electronic shutter works to 1/16,000 s in nine steps. Patent-pending look-up table allows saturation level adjustment and maximum dynamic range control. Minimum illumination is 1 lux. Video output is available via an RS-644 (LVDS) or Camera Link output. Camera control functions can be externally directed over RS-232 or Camera Link.
Pulnix America Inc.
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
www.pulnix.com

Boards run Camera Link

Leonardo line of digital video-acquisition and processing boards are equipped with a Xilinx Virtex-E FPGA, which permits real-time preprocessing of the video data, such as contrast stretching, RGB mosaic color restoration, and random 2-D convolution filters. Maximum image resolution is 64k x 64k pixels. Common digital video interface is Camera Link compatible for Base, Medium, and Full configurations. Computer bus interface is electrically compatible with PCI 2.2 and mechanically compatible with standard PCI, Compact PCI, and PMC formats. Bus interface is 64 bits/66 MHz, resulting in transfer rates of up to 528 Mbytes/s.
Kane Computing Ltd.
Northwich, Cheshire, UK
www.kanecomputing.com

Appliance is task-specific

iGauge is the first of a line of task-specific vision appliances that perform precise optical measurements, including point positions, lines, angles, hole diameters, and roundness. It provides a point-and-click interface and a series of setup screens to start, load, or import a previous configuration; adjust sensor focus, brightness, and contrast; calibrate to coordinates; define gauging tasks; formulate decisions; record images; and configure inputs. Appliances can make up to 1800 measurements/min to within ±1/10 of a pixel on either fixed or rotationally oriented parts. They are available with either an integrated CMOS sensor or an external CCD interface that supports specific cameras.
ipd
Billerica, MA, USA
www.goipd.com

Frame grabber digitizes signals

Picolo Tetra PCI frame grabber can capture four real-time video analog streams simultaneously at 240 frames/s. Its PCI bus capability is 64 bits at 66 MHz at a peak data-transfer rate of 528 Mbytes/s using four buffered video outputs and 3- and 5-V signaling. A 16-pin header connector provides 13 general-purpose I/O TTL lines to trigger image capture or to interface to alarms.Three video-input expansion modules, each with four BNC connectors, can be added to connect as many as 16 cameras.
Euresys sa
Angleur, Belgium
www.euresys.com

Camera comes cooled

FCC-1 cooled industrial CCD camera features a 2/3-in. Sony Exview CCD ..chip with 1392 × 1040-pixel resolution in a 8.9 × 6.7-mm array and an image size of 8.98 × 6.7 mm. It achieves a peak quantum efficiency of approximately 65% at 540 nm and exceeds 50% at H alpha wavelengths. A built-in, regulated, constant-cooled supply comes with a single-stage, thermoelectric cooler that maintains a CCD temperature of approximately -30°C below ambient. The camera draws less than 1 A at 12 Vdc, and its USB 2.0 interface can download images in less than 4 s.
Framos Electronics
Basingstoke, UK
www.framos.co.uk

Camera offers double exposure

X-Stream Vision XS-3 camera CMOS sensor supports a patent-pending, triggered, double-exposure mode within 100 ns. It delivers monochrome or color (Bayer pattern) digital images with 1280 × 1024-pixel resolution, 10-bit depth, 59-dB dynamic range, and a rate of 628 frames/s. USB-2 digital interface provides a 480-Mbit/s plug-and-play installation to a desktop or notebook computer with a single cable. Software suite includes a stand-alone application, ActiveX control, and TWAIN and LabView drivers under Windows 2000/XP.
Integrated Design Tools Inc.
Tallahassee, FL, USA
www.idtpiv.com

Light shines remotely

DCR III remote light-source kit enables remote operation of the lamp head for energy-chain and robot-arm applications. It delivers dc-regulated performance of the DR III in a remote package. The Modulamp from a DCR III is used with this kit to operate the light head in harmful environments while the power supply is located at a safe distance. The kit includes a 10-ft shielded extension cord for use in dynamic applications where a fiberoptic bundle might fail in time.
Schott Fostec
Auburn, NY, USA
www.us.schott.com

Line of lenses shrinks

Redesigned TVR3314 CS-mount, 1/3-in., 3.3-8 varifocal line of lenses is approximately 30% smaller but maintains its minimum aperture of ƒ/1.4. It provides special lens coatings to enhance video imagery, metal barrel fabrication, and all glass color-corrected elements. All auto-iris versions stop down to ƒ/360. Ultracompact lenses are available in manual (TVR3314), video auto iris (TVR3314AI), dc auto iris (TVR3314DC), and fixed iris (TVR3314NI).
Tokina Industrial Inc.
Medford, NY, USA
www.tokina-usa.com

Strobes freeze motion

The X-Strobe Series for machine-vision illumination use a xenon flashlamp to produce intense pulses of radiant energy covering the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectrum. When coupled to a CCD/CID camera system, the strobe freezes object motion, which eliminates blur and enhances image quality. Model X-400 offers a 0- to 135-Hz maximum flash rate, a 0.3- to 0.7-J input energy per flash, a 2- to 10-µs light output flash duration, and a 4.2- to 12-lumen/s photometric light output. Model X-1200 delivers 0- to 45-Hz maximum flash rate, 1.0- to 2.2-J input energy per flash, 8- to 10-µs light output flash duration, and 8.5- to 31-lumen/s photometric light output.
Monarch Instrument
Amherst, NH, USA
www.monarchinstrument.com

Cameras run FireWire

KY-F75U 3 × 1/2-in. CCD camera offers 4.3 million pixels, and the KY-F1030U 1/2-in. CCD camera provides 1360 × 1024-pixel resolution. Both C-mount, progressive-scan, color cameras deliver a FireWire (IEEE 1394) output. The F1030U provides a live full-resolution color preview image that can be instantaneously grabbed via the FireWire or analog output. It runs at 7.5 frames/s and offers a sensitivity of 2000 lux at ƒ/8. The two cameras can be integrated to a desktop or notebook PC. Imaging-analysis software from several vendors is supported.
JVC Professional Products (UK) Ltd.
London, UK
www.jvcpro.co.uk

Signal processors boost execution

Three additional Blackfin processors extend range of series operation. ADSP-BF533 suits embedded video applications by providing performance to 600 MHz and 1200 MMACs with 148 kbytes of SRAM. ADSP-BF532 serves automated telematics by offering performance to 400 MHz and 800 MMACs with 84 kbytes of SRAM and 32 kbytes of ROM. ADSP-BF531 targets medical instrumentation and biometric applications by delivering performance to 400 MHz and 800 MMACs with 52 kbytes of SRAM and 32 kbytes of ROM. VisualDSP++ software aids application development.
Analog Devices
Norwood, MA, USA
www.analog.com

Imaging library expands

Matrox Imaging Library (MIL) 7.5 software-development toolkit has added the Edge Finder tool for feature extraction and analysis. It can be used for detecting defects, finding objects with deformities, or finding simple shapes. After extraction, edges can be measured, analyzed, and sorted in a manner that is independent or dependent on one another. The tool can also be used as a plug-in for the Geometric Model Finder. Enhancements that also have been added to the optical-character-recognition module, such as an interactive Windows utility for font definition and experimentation, a string locator, and support for OCRA, OCRB, and MICR fonts.
Matrox Imaging
Dorval, QC, Canada
www.matrox.com

Camera is rugged

CF 8/5 MX digital monochrome camera withstands harsh temperature, shock, and vibration conditions. It can be operated from a variable 9- to 36-Vdc supply. ..Key features include 12-bit signal processing, greater than 58 dB signal-to-noise ratio, RS-232 communications, and adjustable AIT, AGC, gamma, horizontal image mirror, and measuring windows. Other functions available involve integrated line generator, restart/reset, and self-testing.
Kappa Opto-electronics
Monrovia, CA , USA
www.kappa-vision.com

Camera sees ultraviolet

A CCD ultraviolet camera module targets IC inspection applications with sensitivity in the 157- to 351-nm excimer region. It provides 1024 × 1024-pixel resolution and runs at up to 100 frames/s. Key features include14-bit output, 100% fill factor, and back illumination.
Sarnoff Corp.
Princeton, NJ, USA
www.sarnoff.com

Computer board packs power

C269 Equinox hot-swappable industrial CPU board features dual 3.0-GHz Intel Xeon-LP Pentium 4 processors and ServerWorks' Hub-Link four-port controller for high-speed access to associated subsystems. First port connects to a 128-bit-wide memory bus; second port connects directly to a dual PCI-X controller; third port provides access to system I/O functions such as USB, video, and IDE mass storage; and fourth port connects to a 4-Gbyte/s SAM-III I/O expansion bus. Ultra Wide SCSI 160/320 interface supports transfer rates of up to 320 Mbytes/s in single-ended or differential modes. The board also provides two IDE DMA-133 ports, a 2.5-in. 100-Gbyte hard drive or an integrated 20-Mbyte flash drive, and two 10/100/1000 Base-Tx Gigabit Ethernet channels. Software support includes Windows 2000, Solaris x86, Linux, QNX, and VxWorks.
General Micro Systems Inc.
Cucamonga, CA, USA
www.gms4sbc.com

Lenses cover CCD cameras

Tevidon CCD lenses fit various 1/3-, 1/2-, 2/3-, and 1-in. image sensor formats. Mounted in rugged metal housings, they come in six and seven glass-element units. Their focal lengths run from 10 to 35 mm and speeds from ƒ/1.6 to ƒ/2.0. The lenses are color corrected for 400 to 1000 nm and include fixed or variable iris diaphragms with manual lockable or click-stop adjustment. Accessory extension tubes are available for magnification adjustment.
Docter Optics Inc.
Mesa, AZ, USA
www.docteroptics.com

Converter adds color

TCS230 programmable color light-to-frequency converter integrates red, green, and blue (RGB) filters on a single die. It delivers 10- to 12-bit resolution per color channel without the use of analog-to-digital converters. The device can respond to light over a 250,000:1 dynamic range, with a typical output frequency range of 2 Hz to 500 kHz. RGB sensing is achieved via a 64-photodiode grid that consists of 16 each red, green, blue, and clear types of parallel photodiodes. The photodiodes are interdigitated to minimize the nonuniformity of incidence radiation.
Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions
Plano, TX, USA
www.taosinc.com

Camera delivers 1 Mpixel

TELI CS3940 progressive-scan monochrome camera comes with a 3/4-in. CCD sensor and 1004 × 1004-pixel resolution. Its shutter covers 1/30 to 1/10,000 s, and an external asynchronous trigger directs camera timing and controls. Frame rate at full resolution is 30 frames/s, which can be doubled to 60 frames/s in partial scan modes by processing a 1/3 image. Analog or digital outputs pass through a 10-bit EIA644 interface.
New Electronic Technology GmbH
Finning, Germany
www.net-gmbh.com

Camera offers FireWire

F 02 HDRC FireWire imaging system contains an HDRC VGA CMOS sensor, an HDRC VGAF monochrome camera, and an HDRC FireWire interface. The sensor offers 640 × 480-pixel resolution, 40% fill factor, 120-dB dynamic range, and 10-MHz pixel rate. The camera uses an ƒ/1.4–ƒ/16 lens, 37-dB intraframe contrast resolution over four decades of luminance, 30-frame/s rate, and two FireWire ports. The imaging system implements Windows XP, a Pentium III processor running at 450 MHz, 128 Mbytes of RAM, and a FireWire adapter card for PCI bus compliance.
IMS Chips
Stuttgart, Germany
www.ims-vision.de

Software is upgraded

LightTools 4.0 3-D illumination design software now includes a new user-friendly interface, a Windows-based design environment, navigation windows, right-click menus, and context-sensitive help functions. All dialog boxes have been improved, and options have been reorganized for ease of use. Other changes include direct spreadsheet-style access to analysis results, source apodization, and spline data. This software provides optical properties, sources, and materials libraries.
Optical Research Associates
Pasadena, CA, USA
www.opticalres.com

CORRECTIONS

The correct model number for the Epix Camera Link product listed in the table on p. S7 (January 2003) is PIXCI CL1.

In March 2003, Camera uses three CCDs (p. 57), the correct company name is Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.