Category: Tutorial

Industrial Imaging interfaces and camera sensors continue to become faster and more economical.  For the veterans in the industry, we’ve seen analog (RS-170), Fire-wire and USB2 interfaces phase in and and out as newer faster interfaces are developed.  We are now on the doorstep of several new interfaces, one being USB3.1

The consumer electronics market has given birth to this next generation with data rates up to 10 Gbit/s and power transfer of 100 watts.  


What benefits will USB3.1 provide?

USB3.1 opens up the doors for the new Sony Pregius and ON-Semiconductor Python image sensors and cameras.  The native sensors themselves are designed to run at much higher frame rates, but throttled back to fit within the USB3 bandwidth.  That being said, higher speed interfaces such as CameraLink and CoaXpress could be used, but comes with added cost and complexity.  

USB3.1 will open the doors to these sensors allowing them to run at their fully designed frame rates with ease of use.  

Additional power capabilities is also designed into USB3.1 ports providing 5 amps @ 20 volts.  We expect this may open the door to options which may include power for lighting and controllers. 


What connector and cables will be required?

USB type C plug connectors will be implemented onto the new cameras supporting USB3.1. In turn, cables will be needed that are Type C to Type A for industrial imaging applications.  

1stVision will have cables available later in 2016 to support this upcoming interface.  Stay tuned!  (See current USB3.0 cables including Active and Hybrid Active Optical USB3 cables)

What cameras are up and coming? 

IDS Imaging will debut their first USB3.1 camera in the fall of 2016 starting with engineering prototypes.  The focus will be on the new uEye LE series which will be small in size and be very cost effective with great sensors.  This has been designed ideally for OEM systems.

Camera features will include: 

• USB3.1 interface with Type C connector
• Various package options from full board level, board level with lens mounts to housed versions.  
• Multiple I/O for trigger and flash
• I2C Bus for controlling external devices

The first models will be the UI-3860LE with Sony STARVIS IMX290 rolling shutter providing 2MP (1936 x 1096) resolution at ~ 120 fps. This will be followed by the UI-3880LE using the Sony STARVIS IMX178 sensor providing 6 megapixel (3088 x 2076) resolution at up to 60 fps.  

Target applications are night surveillance & security, low light microscopy, machine vision, metrology, medical engineering and astronomy applications

What benefits do the Sony STARVIS image sensor provide? 

The STARVIS sensor is a back-illuminated pixel technology used in CMOS image sensors. It boasts extremely low light sensitivity with high picture quality in the visible light and near infrared light regions.  

See the key points of the Sony STARVIS Back-illuminated CMOS image sensors

With new releases coming on a regular basis, we know it can get confusing on what sensors are best for a given application.  1stVision has over 100 years of combined knowledge and can help you design in the best solution.  

The Calibir™ uncooled thermal imaging long wave infrared (LWIR) camera platform offers outstanding shutter-less imaging performance and great flexibility in a very compact package. With a frontal form factor of 29mm x 29mm the camera can be integrated in tight spaces for compact solutions. The microbolometer-based, ITAR free platform covers wavelengths from 8-14 µm and supports a variety of camera interfaces, lenses and state of the art on-board processing features.  This serves a wide range of today’s uncooled imaging applications with an architecture that offers more capabilities and possibilities for the future at an economical price.

What is Thermal Imaging and how does it work?

region, which is invisible radiant energy that we experience as heat but can not see.  At temperatures above absolute zero (-275.15 deg. C), everything emits thermal radiation. The warmer an object, the more radiation it emits making warm objects stand out against cooler backgrounds.  

Long wavelength Infrared cameras are one of the more commonly used IR cameras.  These cameras are based on microbolometer focal plane arrays which converts infrared energy into an electronic signal which is processed and then produces an image.

An example to the right shows a false-color thermal image taken with a microbolometer camera.  The image shows hotter (redder) and cooler (bluer) areas where temperatures vary by 10 °C, indicating increased blood flow caused by inflammation in a medical application. 

As size, weight and cost decline and performance increases, an ever widening range of applications is opening up.

 

Application examples include:   

• Medical Imaging  – Detect inflammation, cancer and other diseases
• Surveillance, Defense & Security – Identify heat sources (humans)
• Unmanned airborne and ground vehicles – Object avoidance, detection of wildlife
• General Machine Vision – Detect features not visible to standard cameras.

As an example, the video below reveals the difference between hot and cold liquids poured on the ground; it also shows the heat signatures of a motorcycle’s engine and tire.

Benefits of the Calibir LWIR camera

Unprecedented Ease of use – Using Teledyne Dalsa’s established SDK and control tool (CamExpert), installation to image capture can be accomplished in minutes!  Connect and Go!   Watch the video below demonstrating how quickly you can start capturing images.

Size & Weight – With a 29 x 29 mm frontal form factor @ 30 grams (w/out lens), this is ideal for drones to designing into compact spaces.

Shutterless Operation   

The Calibir camera requires no mechanical shutter for calibration, meaning instant image output and no interruption for recalibration.  The image output of the Calibir camera remains stable across time and temperature range, freeing your application the the inconvenience, size, and additional complexity of failure prone mechanical shutters.  

Adaptive Contrast Enhancement 

The Calibir series features advanced image processing algorithms that adapt to the image content, optimizing contrast to show the finest details regardless of conditions or intra-scene variations.  With no intervention, the Calibir delivers high quality images reliably.  

Flexible Output options – Supports GigE Vision, RGMII/CPI and Analog RS170

Wide Range of Lens options – supports 11 different lenses ranging from 7.5 to 100 mm focal lengths, supplied and calibrated with the camera over an operating range of -40 to 60 deg. C ambient temperatures.

Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  

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

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