Small housings and powerful sensors didn’t used to appear together. But thanks to ever more compact electronics, and good engineering, one can have both. IDS has expanded its portfolio by integrating the Sony Pregius IMX900 sensor into selected models of the compact USB3 uEye XCP, XLS and GigEuEye LE series.
uEye low cost cameras with Sony Pregius IMX900 sensor – Courtesy IDS
The photo above provides an at-a-glance overview of the various board-level, housing, and lens-mount options, each of which is classified as low cost and very compact.
If you prefer a tabular view like the following, with clickable links to specs and the option to request a quote, go to 1stVision’s cameras page, and scroll down to the selector page with drop-down filters, at https://www.1stvision.com/cameras/industrialCameras
The image below is an annotated screenshot, where the manufacturer (IDS) and the sensor (Sony IMX900) bring you to the 10 distinct camera models utilizing this sensor.
Sony’s Pregius sensor evolution
Sony is an industry leader with its Pregious sensor series, on which we’ve written previously with an overview. The Sony IMX900 is in the Pregious S 4th generation, extraordinarily sensitive thanks to Sony innovations including the back-illuminated stacked architecture.
Back-illumination improves sensor quantum efficiency – Courtesy IDS and Sony
VIS plus NIR sensitivity
We won’t bother showing VIS images in monochrome or color but of course they look great. But calling out a special capability of the Sony IMX900 – it’s also very sensitive to near infrared (NIR). Besides being part of the Pregious group, the IMX900 utilized STARVIS 2 technology, yielding NIR performance.
Yet another Sony IMX900 feature: Quad HDR
While high dynamic range (HDR) features aren’t new per se, Quad HDR on the Sony IMX900 takes HDR to another level. Getting the dark sections sufficiently saturated while not oversaturating the brighter regions is really evident with Quad HDR below.
Quad HDR generates a balanced image – Courtesy IDS
The feature list goes on and on
Call us at 978-474-4000 to learn more about this remarkable sensor and the range of IDS uEye cameras into which the sensor has been designed.
About you: We want to hear from you! We’ve built our brand on our know-how and like to educate the marketplace on imaging technology topics… What would you like to hear about?… Drop a line to info@1stvision.com with what topics you’d like to know more about.
While we humans can only see what we’ve named to be visible light, bees can see UV light! Some camera sensors register IR wavelengths! Some cameras can sense both visible light and on through NIR and SWIR.
In this piece we focus on applications that benefit from combined VIS-SWIR solutions, from 400 nm through 2.5 nm.
Deconstructing the electromagnetic spectrum into it’s commonly known constituent regions
Example applications
Just to whet the appetite, consider the 4 sets of image pairs below. In each case, the leftmost image was captured with visible wavelengths, while the righthand image utilized SWIR portions of the spectrum. These pairs were chosen to highlight the compelling power of SWIR to identify features that are not apparent in the visible portion of the spectrum.
VIS-SWIR image pairs – Courtesy Allied Vision – a TKH company
For certain applications, one wouldn’t need the human-visible images, of course, as with machine vision the whole point is to automate the image processing and corresponding actions. So for counterfeit banknote detection, bottle fill level monitoring, materials identification, or crop monitoring, one might just design for the SWIR portion of the spectrum and ignore the VIS.
Vein imaging application overlays SWIR image of veins into visible image of patient forearm –Image courtesy TAMRON
But some applications might benefit from both the VIS and the SWIR images. For example, the vein imaging application might require a VIS reference image as well as a SWIR-specific image, for patient education and/or medical records.
Monitor moisture levels in crops from airborne drone – Image courtesy TAMRON
For the crop monitoring application above, the VIS spectrum clearly orients trees, hills, buildings, and roadways. Meanwhile pseudo-color-mapping shows the varied moisture levels as sensed in the SWIR portion of the spectrum.
The range of potential applications combining VIS and SWIR is staggering. One can improved on one’s own or a competitor’s previous application. Or innovate something altogether new.
Sensors that register both VIS and SWIR wavelengths
Sony’s IMX992 and IMX993 sensors utilize Sony’s SenSWIR technology, such that a single sensor and camera may be deployed across the combined VIS and SWIR portions of the spectrum. Without such sensors, a VIS SWIR solution would require at least two separate cameras – one each for VIS and SWIR, respectively. That would add unnecessary expense, takes up more space, and require camera and image synchronization.
Now there are cameras, such as several in Allied Vision’s Alvium series, in which Sony’s SenSWIR sensors are embedded. With several interface options, including mipi, USB3 Vision, and 5GigE Vision:
Mipi, USB3 Vision, and 5GigE Vision interface options – Courtesy Allied Vision – a TKH Company
Lens manufacturers doing their part
One of the beauties of the free-market system, together with agreements on standards for interfaces and lens mounts, is that each innovator and manufacturer can focus on what he does best. Sensor manufacturers bring out new sensors. Camera designers embed those sensors and provide programming controls, communications interfaces, and lens mounts. And optics professionals design and produce lenses. The benefits from a range of choices, performance options, and price points.
Navitar VIS-SWIR lenses
Navitar’s ZOOM 7000-2 macro lens imaging system delivers superb optical performance and image quality for visible and SWIR imaging. Their robust design ensures reliability even in harsh environments. ZOOM 7000-2 macro lenses are ideal for applications, such as machine vision, scientific and medical imaging applications.
ZOOM 7000-2 VIS-SWIR lens – Courtesy Navitar
In fact there are three models in the series:
Each model has its application – but only the middle one is designed explicitly for VIS-SWIR – Courtesy Navitar
Kowa FC24M multispectral lenses
Kowa’s FC24M C-mount lens series are manufactured with wide-band multi-coating. That minimizes flare and ghosting from VIS through NIR. These lenses are also compelling for a number of other reasons, including wide working range (as close as 15 cm MOD), durable construction, and a unique close distance aberration compensation mechanism.
FC24M C-mount lens series – Courtesy Kowa
That “floating feature” creates stable optical performance at various working distances. Internal lens groups move independently of each other, which optimizes alignment compared to traditional lens design.
Tamron Wide-band SWIR lenses
Other lensing options include Tamron’s Wide-band SWIR lenses. While the name says SWIR, in fact they are VIS-SWIR. Designed for compatibility with Sony’s IMX990 and IMX991 SenSWIR sensors, you have even more lens choices. Call us at 978-474-0044 if you’d like us to help you navigate to best-fit components in cameras, lensing, and lighting, for your particular application.
About you: We want to hear from you! We’ve built our brand on our know-how and like to educate the marketplace on imaging technology topics… What would you like to hear about?… Drop a line to info@1stvision.com with what topics you’d like to know more about.
Kowa HC-V 1″ C-mount industrial lenses feature a patented design that ensures dependable performance, and consistently clear, crisp images with uniform brightness across the entire image, including the corners. These ruggedized lenses are built for use in harsh environments to withstand strong vibrations and impacts.
Interchangeable iris plates and a two-way reversible nut enable precise focus adjustments, and glued inner glass elements ensure stability. HC-V lenses are compatible with 1″ format sensors including Sony IMX174, CMOSIS CMV4000, and Sony IMX249 sensors. Designed for sensors with a pixel size as small as 5.0μm.
Or for expert assistance just call us at 978-474-0044.
Interchangeable iris plates
The HC-V patented design includes interchangeable iris plates. Secured by a lock nut, this insures precise focus that’s vibration resistant. Ideal for rugged industrial environments.
HC-V ruggedized lens series overview – Courtesy Kowa
How to change the iris plates
How to change the iris plates – Courtesy Kowa
Happy to help
We’re pleased to distribute Kowa lenses, and to advise customers on all aspects of machine vision component selection. Whether for sensor, camera, lens, lighting, software, or other components, tell us about your application, and we’ll be happy to guide you to optimal choices. By phone we’re at 978-474-0044, or key in a few application notes below and we’ll reach out to you at your convenience.
About you: We want to hear from you! We’ve built our brand on our know-how and like to educate the marketplace on imaging technology topics… What would you like to hear about?… Drop a line to info@1stvision.com with what topics you’d like to know more about.
Event-based vision (EBV) is really taking off. We provide an overview of the concepts and applications, as well as Prophesee products for EBV. So here’s a reminder diagram and short video for context, then we’ll dig into using Prophesee EBV kits with Raspberry Pi.
Event-based vision is a new paradigm – Courtesy Prophesee
Frame-based vs. Event-based approach to eye tracking – for example:
So I want to try a Prophesee Metavision Evaluation Kit!
1st vision is the official partner for Prophesee in the US, so start with a quote and purchase a Raspberry Pi 5 CSI modules with the 320×320 pixel GenX320 sensor. Or the GenX320 Raspberry Pi 5 Module.
The main difference between the two are that the M12 lens mount allows for changing lenses yourself, but if you prefer the M6 lens version, you receive a smaller front of the camera and a wider field of view. You can see the variations here: https://www.1stvision.com/cameras/GenX320-Starter-Kit-for-Rasberry-Pi-5
You’ll need to purchase the Raspberry Pi elsewhere, as 1st vision does not sell them.
Prophesee recommends the 8gb vision at a minimum, with the 16 recommended for on board vision computation.
Prophesee also recommends getting the active cooler, 27 W Power supply and NVME adapter.
A further note, the Metavision 5 SDK will not run on the Raspberry Pi 5, as the CPU power is insufficient for that computational load. You’ll need to use the Metavision 4 OpenEB SDK. So to be clear, the SDK choices are:
SDK for Raspberry Pi
SDK for PC
Metavision 4 OpenEB (no cost)
Metavision 5 SDK (bundled offer or standalone purchase)
Metavision SDK options by processor preference
If you would like to talk it through, just call us at 978-474-0044. Or use the link below to request we get back to you by either e-mail or phone.
About you: We want to hear from you! We’ve built our brand on our know-how and like to educate the marketplace on imaging technology topics… What would you like to hear about?… Drop a line to info@1stvision.com with what topics you’d like to know more about.
