New Firewire 1394b CCD camera range offers excellent value
AVT
Stingray series
AVT has released its new Stingray series of IEEE 1394b CCD cameras with
excellent price-to-performance value and loads of functionality. AVT have
modelled the new Stingray series on their very successful world popular
Marlin series, used the same sensors, improved their performance while
reducing their cost and released them with 1394b.
The Stingray CCD series has 12 compact models with resolutions ranging
from VGA to 2MP and come in either colour or monochrome. Some of their
advanced functions include sequence mode, secure image signature (SIS),
2x to 8x binning and multiple-camera operability through its daisy chain
feature.
The AVT Stingray CCD camera series uses quality Sony CCD sensors ranging
from 640x480 pixels up to 1600x1200 pixels in both colour and monochrome.
They're designed in a compact body 73x44x29mm which weighs below 100g.
They are also available with a 90 degree angled head and can be optioned
with a Fiber-Optic output for very long cable distances.
The Stingray firewire 1394b CCD camera series sequence mode allows the
cameras to store up to 30 different parameter sets within its 32MB onboard
internal memory. It allows fast switching between parameter sets so images
can be captured real time and sequentially using different parameters.
The exposure, gain, white balance and any other controllable parameter
can be different for each sequential image in a sequence. This is very
useful when for example lighting conditions cannot be predicted at the
time of capture and only one image frame is required. The best image can
be selected out of the 30 images captured with different parameter sets.
However there are also many applications in which the camera settings
have to be adapted to situations intuitively - from image to image. For
this kind of application AVT has added the "quick format change modes"
in which the new values transferred to the camera can always be activated
for the next image.
The Stingray firewire IEEE1394b camera range has two connectors where
cameras can be connected to one another in a daisy-chain and so be hooked
into the Firewire bus with no performance loss. In multiple-camera operations
this arrangement enables total cable lengths to be reduced and costs to
be lowered by eliminating accessories such as hubs or repeaters. Fewer
components and shorter cables also increase the reliability of the whole
image processing system.
The Fiber-Optic (GOF) option offers a number of useful advantages:
- Cable lengths of up to 500 meters can be achieved. GOF easily bridges
the distance between the camera and the PC.
- GOF is not susceptible to electromagnetic noise. It does not emanate
any electromagnetic interference and is not affected by it - resulting
in perfectly secure data transmission
- GOF has the same effect as perfect electrical insulation because it
consists of glass fiber and does not conduct electricity. There is no
need for any complicated potential reconciliation.
Secure Image Signature (SIS) function stamps the transferred image with
various important data and camera settings which were valid at the time
of exposure in a machine-readable form. Answers to various questions are
captured and engrained at the PC end onto the image allowing them to be
always available: The SIS function simplifies the control and handling
of large volumes of data monitoring the trigger modules of the vision
system and opening up new possibilities in the development and debugging
phase. SIS developers have the opportunity to get their system into an
error-free mass production status faster and reduce complexity and costs
at the same time.
The Stingray CCD cameras are equipped with a 2x to 8x binning function
that combines pixels both vertically and horizontally. Binning reduces
resolution by adding neighboring pixels but also increases sensitivity
proportionally.
The Stingray firewire 1394b CCD camera is equipped with a large number
of other intelligent features such as real time shading correction, LUT,
white balance, color correction, auto features, hue and saturation that
can enhance the image content and optimize it for later image processing
without increasing PC workload
The Stingray Firewire IEEE 1394b CCD camera series uses the plug &
play principle for its software and supports both still images (WIA/TWAIN)
and video stream (video capture and preview) as well as the integration
of the camera via its own API. AVT uses a software development kit (SDK)
together with a "viewer" that gives users access to all the
tools needed for customer-specific applications.
AVT's Stingray family of firewire IEEE 1394b CCD cameras presents a formidable
option for cameras of their class with advanced functionality and price-to-performance
value.
Adept Electronic Solutions are the machine vision and imaging specialist
providing expert advice and timely support. To find out more about the
AVT Stingray firewire IEEE 1394b CCD camera range or any model from AVT's
range of cameras please contact us or call us at Tel Perth (08) 92425411
/ Sydney (02) 99792599 / Melbourne (03) 95555621
For more information please contact
us.
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