AVT has released its new Stingray series of IEEE 1394b CCD cameras with good price-to-performance value and loads of functionality.
The Stingray CCD series has 6 compact models with resolutions ranging from VGA to 2MP and come in either colour or monochrome.
Some functions include its sequence mode, secure image signature (SIS), 2 to 8x binning and multiple-camera operability through its daisy chain.
The AVT Stingray CCD camera series uses a high-end Sony ICX CCD sensor with speeds of up to 84fps in the VGA model.
The AVT Stingray CCD camera series’ compact body of 73x44x29 mm weighs below 100g and comes with an angled head system adjusted to fit almost any space requirement shortening camera lengths by up to 9 centimeters.
Sequence mode
The Stingray firewire 1394b CCD camera series has a useful sequence mode that store up to 30 different parameters sets in advance with its 32MB onboard internal memory.
In sequence mode it is possible to upload pre-fabricated parameter sets into the camera in order to work with them as quickly as possible. This is only possible when these records are known in advance, as in any typical automation process.
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 also supports multiple camera operations with its sequence mode. The rear side of the Stingray firewire IEEE1394b camera has 2 firewire IEEE1394b connectors that can be used for a daisy chain.
Customers can choose between either a copper daisy chain connection or 1 x copper combined with 1 x GOF connector (2 x optical fiber on LCLC).
In multiple-camera operation this arrangement enables cable lengths to be reduced and costs to be saved on expensive accessories such as hubs or repeaters. Few components and shorter cables also increase the reliability of the whole image processing system.
GOF 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 affected by electromagnetic noise. It does not issue any electromagnetic waves and is not affected by any either - resulting in good secure data transmission
- GOF has the same effect as good electrical insulation because it consists of glass fibre and does not conduct electricity. There is no need for any complicated potential reconciliation
Secure Image Signature
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.
2 to 8x binning
The Stingray firewire IEEE1394b CCD camera is equipped with a 2 to 8x binning function that combines pixels both vertically and horizontally.
The Stingray firewire IEEE 1394b CCD camera range has been expanded to include 4x and 8x binning. That means that per axis 4 or 8 neighbouring pixels are added together. This results in high sensitivities and noise intervals being reached through binning. This would not be possible via a normal photographic mode.
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 optically enhance the image content and optimise 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 Stingray firewire IEEE 1394b CCD camera range is available from Adept Electronic Solutions.