Category: Cameras

Posted on

Low cost, entry level camera, but full featured! Learn about the new VGA, 138 fps, USB3, global shutter camera from IDS priced below $400

Low cost imaging just got redefined with the new IDS UI-3130 LE USB3.1 model cameras.  Typical entry level cameras previously had very few features, until now.

IDS Imaging has released the UI-3130LE USB3.1 camera with the 1/4″ ON-SEMI Python 480 global shutter sensor.  Providing 138 fps at full resolution and 420 fps with the 2X sub-sampling feature, the new series provides a great low cost entry level camera at 0.5MP resolution, and packed with many features


The new IDS UI-3130LE cameras are available in board level, board level with S-mount or fully housed configurations with monochrome and color sensors.  The ON-SEMI Python 480 with 4.8um pixels is one of the latest image sensors providing low noise, high Quantum Efficiency and great sensitivity. 

Feature Highlights

Even with at a entry level cost, the UI-3130LE is packed with features such as 4X Multi Area Of Interest (AOI), long exposure settings to 5 seconds and Type C USB3.1 allowing external power output.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is included in the UI-3130CP model to address difficult imaging scenes where its desired to see the darks and brights without saturating or being too dim.

Example:  Image to the right uses various “kneepoints” allowing HDR to be achieved


The HDR mode utilizes kneepoints, where the exposure time is divided into sections. After each section, excessively light pixel values are reduced to a limit value and briefly post exposed. This prevents overexposure and increases the dynamic range.

The uEye LE USB 3.1 Gen 1 is the first USB 3.1 Gen 1 industrial camera with a pioneering, reversible USB Type-C connector which supports USB Power Delivery for the first time. The board-level versions also has a 10-pin I/O SMD connector for GPIO, trigger and flash. Via USB Power Delivery, it is possible to provide a variable peripheral power supply to the camera’s I/O connector.

The new LE’s will also soon support liquid lens technology for OptoTune and Varioptics lenses.. Contact us to learn more about this upcoming feature.

 



Related Posts

Everything you need to know about USB3.1

USB3.0 for Machine Vision?  Absolutely – White Paper 

Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  We have over 100 years of combined experience we can put to work for you!


Ph:  978-474-0044
info@1stvision.com
www.1stvision.com  


Posted on

Battle of the 2 Megapixel Image sensors – Sony Pregius IMX174 vs Starvis IMX290

Sony has continued to improve image sensors, first with the debut of the Pregius sensors and now with the low light sensitive Starvis sensors. The Starvis sensors are slowly being released by camera manufacturers and IDS Imaging is the first to release them in the new LE USB3.1 models.

These new camera sensors are being released at an astonishing rate, which is great for the imaging market, but making it harder to make decisions in identifying the best sensor for an application.

1stVision is continuing to compare Sony image sensors to help make these decisions easier!

We have put two more sensors into the boxing ring to battle it out and see how they fair in various categorizes. In this contest, we put the Sony Pregius IMX174 (and essentially its sibling, the IMX249) and the new Sony Starvis series, specifically the 2.1MP IMX290 in the ring.  

The Sony Starvis has become very interesting in applications that require very low light sensitivity and are attractive due to the back side illuminated architecture. As seen in the diagram below, the metal wiring has been set behind the photodiode and decreasing the distance light has to travel. This new pixel design lends itself to improved sensitivity.






















Diagram courtesy of Sony

The chart below compares some key attributes of the Sony Pregius IMX174 & IMX249 image sensors 

Sensor Comparison Chart



Round 1 –  Sensitivity:  Absolute sensitivity is a great way to identify low light performance.  Using the “Absolute sensitivity” figures above, we see that the IMX290 sensor takes less photons to register the smallest detectable amount of light.  In this round, we see that the IMX290 has a lower value of 8.5 vs 12.1 (less photon’s needed) lending itself to the winner in this round for best low light sensitivity.   In essence, we can start to form an image in lower light with the IMX290.  

Round 2 – Quantum efficiency (QE):  QE is the ability to turn photon’s into electrons at given wavelengths.  In this round, we see that the IMX290 has a better efficiency of 65.9% vs 59.2% in converting photons into a charge again winning the round.  This means more signal is provided for that given wavelength, creating a brighter image.  

Round 3 – Saturation Capacity:  This value is essentially the size of the pixel well measured in electrons.  The larger the well, the better is can drown out noise and not saturate quickly.  The IMX174 excelled in this round.   In turn, you see the dynamic range is higher at 73% vs 66%.  In cases where you would like to see the brights and the darks in a scene, higher dynamic range is desired.  

Conclusion:  In the end, its really a draw between the two sensors.  In the 2MP range of these sensors, it really depends on your application!

If you need low light sensativity, the Sony Starvis family of sensors excel due to the pixel architecture.  You’ll find the Sony Starvis currently in the IDS LE3.1 model cameras in the following cameras with 2 and 6 MP resolutions with more on the roadmap.

2MP – UI-3860LE
6MP – UI-3880LE  

If you need more dynamic range, the Sony Pregius IMX174 and IMX249 are the best CMOS sensors on the market today.  (As a note, the IMX174 and IMX249 are identical, but the IMX174 being a faster version and a bit more costly than the IMX249).  You’ll find these sensors in the several camera lines hosting the Sony Pregius sensors.


Interested in other sensor comparison?  Click below!

IMX174 vs CMOSIS CMV2000 – CMOS battle between 2MP Sony Pregius and CMOSIS

IMX250 vs ICX 625 – 5MP’s sensor battle between Sony’s older CCD vs new CMOS model

Interested in the EMVA1288 Data?  IDS can provide this data upon request, email me (jonc@1stvision.com) if you are interested in receiving the data for one of the cameras.  


Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  We have over 100 years of combined experience we can put to work for you!


Ph:  978-474-0044
info@1stvision.com
www.1stvision.com  

               

Posted on

How do you get the most pixels for your money? Check out the new Dalsa Nano C4900 camera!


Teledyne Dalsa has continued expanding its Genie Nano GigE vision camera series. Introducing the Nano C4900 GigE camera based on the ON Semiconductor AR1820HS 18 Megapixel Back Side Illuminated (BSI) image sensor with a resolution of 4912 x 3684.

Attractively priced below $600, this just may be the most pixels for your money!

Furthermore, Teledyne DALSA’s “Burst Acquisition” feature provides frame rates of 13 fps @ 18MP pixels resolution while maintaining superb image quality!





 

If the attractive price for 18 MP is not enough to get you excited, there are a few other aspects of this camera worth discussing further.  

 

  • Back Side Illuminated Technology (BSI):  If we were to look at this sensor 5 years ago and see a pixel size of 1.25um, we’d assume that is not light sensitive.  On the contrary as ON Semiconductor flipped the pixel upside down!  Traditional image sensors were front illuminated where the photo detectors were towards the back of the pixel stack.  In turn, there was loss in this method as it interfered with overall light reaching the detector.  Back side illuminated sensors have the same elements, but the photo detector was moved forward to not have as much loss due to internal wiring and reflections.  BSI technology improves the change of photons being captured from 60 to 90% on average providing high sensitivity even in small pixels!
  • Burst Acquisition mode:  The Nano C4900 has 200 MB of internal memory allowing image capture at higher rates exceeding the GigE bandwidth for periods of time.  This mode is very useful for applications needing a rapid series of images at intervals.  
  • Rolling Shutter with Global Reset:  Rolling shutter image sensors have the benefit of lower cost typically, but are limited to stationary objects due to image distortion. However, thanks to a the global reset feature, distortion is minimized by allowing all the lines to be exposed with read out of the lines there after.  
  • Extended Operating Temperature range:  Nano cameras have an operating case range of -20 to 60 deg. C.  This provides higher temperatures versus the competition. 
  • 1 / 2.3″ Image Format: High resolution cameras typically have relatively large formats which increases the cost of lenses.  As the pixels are relatively small, the image format is only 1/2.3 allowing lower cost lenses to be used.  


18 Megapixels, 13 frame/sec, high sensitivity, overall low cost creates possibilities!  

Applications may include: 

  • Low light, high magnification medical applicications
  • Industrial Metrology
  • Intelligent traffic solutions (ITS)
  • Microscope applications
  • Unmanned Aerial

Need high resolution, global shutter cameras still in a compact format?   Dalsa is now shipping the following new high resolution cameras: 

Dalsa Nano M4020 (IMX304) – 12MP,  4112 x 3008, 20 fps

Dalsa Nano M4030 (IMX267) – 9MP, 4112 x 2176, 30 fps

See the complete Teledyne Nano camera line here

As the old saying goes, “A system is only as strong as its weakest link”.  As a reminder, do not let your cables be your weak link!  

Be sure to use our new industrial GigE Cables – Click here NOW!

Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  We have over 100 years of combined experience we can put to work for you.  

Ph:  978-474-0044
info@1stvision.com
www.1stvision.com  

BSI Image courtesy of Solid State Technology Magazine

Follow us on Social Media!

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/1st-Vision/944658058935262?fref=ts           

Posted on

How to select the best SWIR camera for my application and understand applications it can solve.

Allied Vision has built up a strong portfolio of Short Wave Infra-Red cameras including new low cost models.  With 7 models to choose from, it can be difficult to understand which model is best for a given application.

1stVision has made it a bit easier by breaking down the problem by reviewing several considerations which are identified below.  


If you are unsure what a SWIR camera can do for you, read this previous blog.  

The following considerations will help identify the models available

Resolution:  The first consideration is resolution which is available in VGA (640 x 480) or QVGA (320 x 256).  QVGA is only available in the low cost G-008 model and provides the highest frame rates.  

Pixel Pitch:  If attributes such as dynamic range, signal to noise ratios (SNR) and saturation capacity are main factors, larger pixels are better.  The G-008 with 30um pixels provide the highest values in these attributes.  Read our previous blog to learn more about these attributes

Cooling:  Cooled models employ an additional Thermal Electric Cooler (TEC) and fan which substantially reduces the the dark current and increases overall signal to noise ratios. If this is a factor, then the G-032 TEC2 Cool model is a good choice.  The chart below provides the thermal constant of the camera noted as DeltaTmax.  This is the temperature difference from the case to the sensor. In turn, any additional heat sinking will further reduce the temperature of the internal sensor and noise.    

Frame Rate:  Rates up to 344 fps can be achieved with the G/CL-008 QVGA model.  The faster G/CL-033 will still achieve 301 fps with VGA resolution, but at a higher price.  At a minimum, we can still achieve 100 fps with VGA in the G-032 models.  (refer to chart below) For the highest frame rates, use the G/CL-033 in QVGA modes which will provide close to 1000 fps!  

 
Model comparisons by a glance

 

 


Interface:  GigE Vision along with Camera Link interfaces are available, however the TEC2 cool version is only available in GigE.  Camera link should be used if you need to be deterministic or if the full frame rate is needed at higher bit depths.    

GoldEye G-033 – GigE


The charts to the left indicate the achievable frame rates in 8, 12 and 14 bit modes using either GigE or camera link interfaces.




Goldeye CL-033  – Camera Link

As camera link provides a higher bandwidth, the full frame rate can be achieved in 12 bit mode versus a reduced rate using a GigE interface.




Sensitivity: The sensitivity chart below provides a good comparison between various models with the -033 model having the highest sensitivity. This is being driven by the image sensor in which the G/CL-033 has the highest quantum efficiency.    



Cost:  The -008 model is the most economical by a substantial amount providing an excellent entry point for SWIR camera vs G/CL-032 and G-CL-033 models.  The G/CL-033 is slightly less than G/CL-032 models in general. Contact us for pricing

Please do not hesitate to Contact us to discuss your SWIR applications.   1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  We have over 100 years of combined experience we can put to work for you!

Ph:  978-474-0044
info@1stvision.com
www.1stvision.com  


Follow us on Social Media!

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/1st-Vision/944658058935262?fref=ts