FireWire 1394b CCD camera range offers excellent value
AVT Stingray series
The AVT Stingray series of IEEE 1394b CCD cameras offer excellent price-to-performance value and loads of functionality. AVT have modelled the new Stingray series on their very successful world popular Marlin series, using the same sensors with improvements in performance, speed and cost and released them with 1394b.
The AVT Stingray CCD camera series has 12 compact models based on quality
Sony CCD sensors with resolutions ranging from VGA (640 x 480) to 2MP
(1600 x 1200) 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.
They are 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 offer all of the long list
of standard features from AVT but also a set of advanced features. The
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 while 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 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.
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The Stingray Firewire IEEE-1394b 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) 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 while reducing 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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