Digital cameras provide a range of frame rates

A Sony Europe - Image Sensing Solutions product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 9, 2007

The Sony XCD-U100 B and W and XCD-100CR colour models feature 1600 x 1200 UXGA resolution from the 1/1.8 type progressive scan interline technology CCD sensor

Sony Europe's Image Sensing Solutions Division has released the XCD series of IEEE1394.b digital cameras.

The XCD-V60 is a black and white (B and W) VGA syste, with a resolution of 90 frames per second.

The XCD-U100CR is a colour UXGA, and is a 15 frames a second unit.

Six models have been introduced, each fitted with high-quality Sony Semiconductor CCD sensors using 10bit, EXview hole-accumulation-diode (HAD) or simple HAD technology.

With IEEE1394.b interface support, the units suit machine vision use such as detail measurement, gauging, surface inspection and object recognition.

They are also relevant for other high-speed, networked vision applications that require the study of fast moving objects, such as traffic control.

The Sony XCD-U100 B and W and XCD-100CR colour models feature 1600 x 1200 UXGA resolution from the 1/1.8 type progressive scan (PS) interline technology (IT) CCD sensor, delivering 15 frames a second.

The XCD-SX90 and XCD-SX90CR provides 1280 x 960 SXGA resolution at a frame rate of up to 30 frames a second.

Models XCD-V60 and XCD-V60CR, have 640 x 480 VGA resolution delivered at up to 90 frames a second.

Both the XCD-SX90 and XCD-V60 range use 1/3 type PS IT sensors.

The cameras are stable and reliable operating at the full IEEE1394.b data rate standard of 800Mbit/s.

The new XCD cameras are equipped with two IEEE1394.b digital interface ports.

This allows multiple cameras to be connected together in a daisy-chain configuration and controlled from a single PC.

By using the bus synchronisation feature, a single trigger can provide simultaneous image capture from multiple cameras.

This can assist in creating a 3D image for detailed inspection or simply allow multiple images to be viewed from different angles.

The bulk trigger mode facilities the rapid capture of up to 16 images by using either a software or hardware trigger.

The images may be captured at different shutter speeds and then combined into a composite image for detailed inspection without the need to change the lighting.

In addition, the broadcast delivery feature can provide a software trigger to multiple, daisy-chained cameras and also serves to change camera settings such as shutter speed, exposure, gain and white balance.

To aid ease of configuration, a hardware look up table (LUT) records image parameters such as gamma control.

A built-in, real-time 3 x 3 image pre-processing filter is also provided on the B and W models.

Their Wide D feature makes them suitable for use in a variety of high speed, nonmachine vision applications.

All these cameras could be updated and upgraded by IEEE1394 bus.

The cameras are housed in a robust, compact and lightweight case measuring 44 x 33 x 57.5mm and weighing 140g.

They have an operating temperature range of -5C to +45C.

Typical power consumption is 3.0W.