SONY Introduces XCG Series Cameras With GigE Vision Interface For Package and Print Inspection Applications

Sony Electronics will exhibit its new XCG series of vision cameras using the GigE Vision® interface at the 2009 PACK EXPO show.

These four new cameras address a range of vision applications, including a new model that offers ultra-high 5-megapixel resolution and another that provides outstanding image quality in extreme low-light conditions.

The GigE interface incorporated in the XCG series supports large-scale systems that require high-bandwidth data capabilities over long distances of up to 100 meters, such as long cable runs from host computers to cameras.  Typical applications include manufacturing environments where cameras are suspended over a shop floor and “clean room” settings where cameras must be situated at great lengths from a PC.

“The new XCG lineup highlights Sony’s responsiveness to the marketplace, embracing the GigE interface while building on the proven foundation of Sony’s XCD series cameras,” said Ken LaMarca, vice president of the visual imaging and security systems business at Sony Electronics. “The XCG series gives VARs, system integrators and OEMs confidence in the longevity of this new standard backed by Sony’s industry expertise.”

SONY XCG Series of GigE Cameras

LaMarca added that the GigE interface is based on industry-standard Gigabit Ethernet (GigE Vision®) technology specifically designed for vision applications. This widely accepted standard allows for integrating camera components and peripheral devices, and lowering overall vision system costs. XCG series cameras also leverage GigE technology’s packet resend mechanism for secure data transmission.

The XCG series consists of four models designed to offer a full range of resolutions and frame rates to match a variety of machine vision and security applications. The new cameras include:

• XCG-V60E – 1/3-inch imager in VGA resolution at 90 fps
  
• XCG-SX97E – 2/3-inch imager in SXGA resolution at 16 fps
  
• XCG-U100E – 1/1.8-inch imager in UXGA resolution at 15 fps
  
• XCG-5005E – 2/3-inch imager in 5-megapixel resolution at 15 fps.

Each incorporates features that are familiar to users of Sony’s popular XCD series cameras including bulk and sequential trigger modes, and a partial scanning function. All use Sony’s latest PS-type CCDs with high-performance, low-noise characteristics.

The new XCG-V60E camera is suitable for bottle, pharmaceutical, and electronics inspection. The XCG-SX97E model’s ability to deliver extreme low-light sensitivity is ideal for security, ITS, and UAV applications. Typical applications for the XCG-U100E camera include print inspection, packaging, and metallurgy, while the XCG-5005E produces high-resolution 5-megapixel images that are a fit for capturing very fine details for print inspection, microscopy, and semiconductor wafer inspection.

The Sony XCG series cameras are available now through Sony authorized distributors and system integrators.

*****

(2009) SONY INTRODUCES XCG SERIES CAMERAS WITH GIGE VISION INTERFACE FOR PACKAGE AND PRINT INSPECTION APPLICATION. Retrieved on September 22, 2009 from http://my.packexpo.com/pelv2009nn/public/Booth.aspx?IndexInList=304&FromPage=nz_ALPressReleases.aspx&BoothID=100861&Task=PressReleaseDetails&PRID=308

Sony Goes After Competition with Release of New GigE Camera Line ~ The XCG Series Unveils 4 Different Resolutions

At the heels of the competition, Sony Visual Imaging has finally jumped into the GigE camera game with the release of preliminary specifications* for their new XCG GigE Camera series.  With so many manufacturers offering GigE cameras already available for purchase in the marketplace, it’s a wonder why they waited so long to compete…especially given the high quality and long established reputation Sony industrial cameras have.

Whatever the rhyme or reason for their late entry into market, the cameras should in no way be a disappointment.  Offered in FOUR (4) different resolutions, VGA, SXGA, UXGA and 5 Mega pixel, these monochrome cameras incorporate a GigE Vision interface enabling the cameras to transfer a large amount of data over long distances.

Sony XCG GigE Camera Series

For those unfamiliar with GigE Vision, it is an interface specifically standardized for machine vision applications based on Gigabit Ethernet technology.  The use of an Ethernet cable and availability of a wide variety of peripheral devices contribute to significant cost-cutting benefits when designing a complete vision system.  Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) cameras can transmit uncompressed image data at 1000 Mbps over distances of 100 meters.

These C-mounted cameras measure 44 x 33 x 67.5mm, deliver a resolution depth of up to 12 bits per pixel with a shutter speed of 1/100,000s and enable 0-18dB of gain control with 0-6dB of digital gain. Ideal for a wide range of machine vision and quality control applications.

KEY FEATURES include:

• Progressive Scan CCD
• Monochrome / Color Options (Coming soon)
• Variety of Trigger Modes
• Two Connectors
  • RJ-45 (Locking – 20mm pitch)
  • EIAJ – 12 pin. (Power, Trigger-in, Strobe-Out, Isolated Digital I/O)
• VGA, SXGA, UXGA and 5 MP camera models available
• GigE Vision Compliance (Ver 1.0)
• Power on LED Settings
• Compact / Lightweight
  • 44 x 33 x 67.5mm / 145g
• Sony Image Filter Dedicated Driver
• XML File (GenICam compliance)

CAMREA MODELS by resolution:

1. XCG-V60E

• 1/3-type Progressive Scan CCD
• VGA
• 90 fps

2. XCG-SX97E

• 2/3-type Progressive Scan CCD
• SXGA
• 16 fps
  

3. XCG-U100E

• 1/1.8-type Progressive Scan CCD
• UXGA
• 15 fps
  

4. XCG-5005E

• 2/3-type Progressive Scan CCD
• 5 Mega Pixel (5MP)
• 15 fps

According to Sony, an official press release for the XCG GigE camera series is planned for June in conjunction with the Robotics & Vision Show.  There is no further information available at this time, as always, once I know…you will!  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

*All information is preliminary, courtesy of Sony Electronics, Inc. and is subject to change without notice.

Toshiba-Teli CS6910G Series Cameras come in Gigabit, FireWire and Camera Link Interfaces

Continuing to drive innovation in the machine vision industry,

Toshiba-Teli CS6910 series Camera

Toshiba Teli America, Inc. is now offering its popular CS6910 Series cameras in all major interfaces – Gigabit, Camera Link and FireWire – to assure the most versatile imaging solution for systems integrators.

The CS6910 platform employs the Fuji® honeycomb-style 1/4″ CCD sensor, which when compared to traditional CCDs, provides superior color fidelity and greater sensitivity. This translates into lower error rates and high speeds in full frame output mode across a wide range of vision applications.

The CS6910 Series cameras include 3 models: CS6910G, CS6910CL, and CS6910F. AIA GigE Vision protocol confirmed CS6910G delivers up to 30 frames/sec at 1,280 x 960 resolution (SXGA) over Ethernet cabling to host PC positioned up to 300 ft away. Measuring 54 x 43 x 59 mm, CS6910CL produces digital output images in RGB or YUV mode. Model CS6910F includes random trigger shutter, electronic shutter (1/15,000 to 8 sec), and multiple video formats.

• GIGABIT ETHERNET (GigE): The Toshiba Teli CS6910G is the world’s only Gigabit Ethernet camera to incorporate the Honeycomb color sensor. Because it conforms to the AIA GigE Vision protocol, the CS6910G is compatible with standard Gigabit Ethernet hardware, ports and cables, eliminating the expense of specialized interface cards or frame grabbers. More importantly, it delivers the huge bandwidth required to stream non-compressed RGB 24-bit color video at up to 30 frames-per-second at 1280 x 960 resolution (SXGA) over Ethernet cabling to a host PC positioned up to 300 feet away. The CS6910G provides a rich feature set including progressive scanning, random trigger, electronic shutter (1/15000 to 8s), and external trigger. All of this performance is available in a 54(W) x 43(H) x 44.5(D) mm casing that weighs just 200g.

• CAMERALINK (CL): The CS6910CL Camera Link(TM) interface allows it to digitally output images in RGB or YUV mode, while also offering the convenience of standardization for fast, cost-effective integration into new or existing vision systems. Further enhancing this simplified integration is the camera’s compact dimensions (54mm x 43mm x 59mm) and use of universal C-Mount lenses.

• FIREWIRE (Ieee.1394): The CS6910F is a next generation FireWire digital camera with an extensive feature set that includes random trigger shutter, electronic shutter (1/15000 to 8 sec), and multiple video formats. Ruggedly built for industrial environments, it sports compact dimensions (44mm x 29mm x 65mm), minimal weight (160g), and the use of universal C-Mount lenses.

About Toshiba Teli Corporation

Toshiba Teli America, Inc. is the North American subsidiary of Toshiba Teli Corporation, a world-leading manufacturer of CCD and CMOS cameras. Toshiba Teli Corporation has 400 employees and has a primary operation in Hino-City, Tokyo, and sales offices in Tokyo, Kobe, Nagoya and Fukuoka. In addition to cameras, Toshiba Teli Corporation manufacturers a wide range of equipment, including surveillance camera systems including DVR recorders, LCD inspection equipment, multi-value image measurement and manufacturing equipment, and RF amplifiers.

Toshiba-Teli Corporation (2009). Cameras come in Gigabit, FireWire and Camera Link Interfaces.  ThomasNet.com Retrieved on March 18, 2009 from http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/825461?WT.mc_t=PNA&WT.mc_n=alert_story&channel=email

Toshiba-Teli CSGS15BC23 GigE Camera inspects in challenging lighting conditions

Integrating at 500 ms and exhibiting a response range of 230 to 1050 nm, Toshiba-Teli’s GiantDragon CSGS15BC23 has sensitivity in the visible, UV, and NIR portions of the light spectrum, allowing it to inspect products for blemishes, surface artifacts, or defects not observable in standard lighting conditions, as well as where there is changing light intensity or on reflective surfaces that produce high levels of visible-spectrum noise making plastic film, glass, coating, or other UV-blocking materials irrelevant and unnecessary.

TTAI’s latest GiantDragon GigE industrial camera provides 1280 x 1024 resolution at 15 fps, features a 2/3″monochrome, progressive-scan CCD with anti-blooming capability. Its global shutter and external trigger also permit synchronization in machine-vision applications.

The camera supports the AIA GigE Vision open standard, enabling real-time delivery of high-bandwidth, uncompressed imaging data to host PCs over standard Ethernet cables at up to 100 m without specialized interface hardware or frame grabbers. An added bonus with this camera is that an application programming interface (API) is also included in the free SDK.

Toshiba-Teli GiantDragon CCD GigE Cameras ideal for high speed OEM/Integration applications

Toshiba-Teli’s new GiantDragon(TM) Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) machine vision cameras are gaining in popularity because each camera in the series is geared to meet the many different needs found among system integrators and OEMs in the machine vision industry.

High performance, high speed machine vision applications including inspection and factory automation require cameras that are flexible and easily integratable which is where the strength of this camera lies.

Ranging from VGA to UXGA resolution, the GiantDragon cameras series come in nine color and monochrome models, uses C-mount lenses (allowing for easy integration and interchanges) and features:

• Progressive scan,
• Region of Interest readout (partial scan),
• Shock/vibration resistance,
• Random shutter mode, and
• RoHS compliance
• Transfer rate of 1 Gbps, 10bit and noncompressed image data at speeds up to 90 frames per second
• Gigabit Ethernet interface
• 100 meter max distance (using CAT-5e or CAT 6 cables)
• One flexible, compact housing that fits any of the camerasin the series (44mm x 29mm x 70mm (W X H x D)

TOSHIBA-TELI GIANTDRAGON MODELS:

• MONOCHROME / B&W
  • CSGV90BC3 – 1/3″, VGA @ 90FPS
  • CSGX36BC3 – 1/3″, XGA @ 36 FPS
  • CSGS20BC2 – 1/2″, SXGA @ 20FPS
  • CSGU15BC18 – 1/1.18, UXGA @ 15 FPS
  • CSGS30BC23 – 2/3″, SXGA @ 30 FPS
• COLOR
  • CSGV90CC3 – 1/3″, VGA @ 90FPS
  • CSGX36CC3 – 1/3″, XGA @ 36 FPS
  • CSGS20CC2 – 1/2″, SXGA @ 20FPS
  • CSGU15CC18 – 1/1.18, UXGA @ 15 FPS

For More Information or to request a copy of the free color data sheet

Sony unveils new GigE Industrial Camera line at Vision 2008

Although the information released is very preliminary, Sony’s new line of Gigabit Ethernet cameras are anticipated to include the following:

Available in output modes including: five-megapixel and UXGA for high resolution; SXGA for high sensitivity; and VGA, which delivers 90 frames per second, Sony’s first GigE industrial camera module can transmit uncompressed image data at 1000Mbps over distances of 100m.

• The module is capable of recognition, measurement and pattern matching.
• Alignment is also possible in VGA mode.
• ITS for high end security is enabled in 2/3 SXGA mode.
• It comes with a choice of Windows Filter Driver or high performance driver software and a GenICam compliant XML file to provide XML to applications when the camera is booted.
• The module supports GVCP, GVSP, UDP / OPv4, DHCP client and LLA client protocols.
• A colour module will soon be available.

The C mounted camera measures 44 x 33 x 67.5mm, delivers a resolution depth of up to 12 bits per pixel, has a shutter speed of 1/100,000s and enables 0 18dB of gain control with 0-6dB of digital gain.

These image processing capabilities, combined with high resolution, make it suitable for applications in the aerospace, robotics, pharmaceutical and automotive industries.

Availability of the new Sony Industrial Gigabit Ethernet Cameras has not been revealed. I will update you as soon as I receive that information!

*********

WHAT IS GigE??

Gigabit Ethernet, (also called GigE or GigE Vision), is an industrial camera interface standard developed using the Gigabit Ethernet communication protocol. GigE is the first standard to allow fast transfers (1000 Mbps) of data using standard low cost cables over long lengths of up to 100 meters. An industrial GigE camera ultimately gives users increased data transfer speeds and cable lengths compared to FireWire® Industrial Cameras.

*********

Sony offers extensive lines of Industrial and Machine Vision cameras including:

• Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) Cameras
  • Pan/tilt/zoom cameras are video cameras with built-in pan/tilt mechanisms enabling the video camera to follow moving objects. Ideal applications include: videoconferencing, distance learning, telemedicine, web/internet, surveillance and board room/conference room applications.
• Security Cameras/Surveillance Cameras
  
  • CCTV products including new SuperExwave CCTV cameras and our wide selection of selecable MPEG4 or JPEG compression based IP Video cameras for remote monitoring and surveillance.
• Smart Cameras
  • Self-contained, stand alone machine vision system with built-in image sensor in the housing of an industrial video camera.
• FireWire (IEEE1394) Cameras
  • By utilizing the industry standard IEEE 1394 technology (a digital networked serial interface for high speed data transmission), a camera becomes a plug-and-play computer peripheral. Sony integrates the IEEE 1394 interface into its digital cameras – bringing forth a new dimension to its industrial imaging technology.
• 3 Chip (3CCD) Color Cameras
  • Sony offers a variety of industrial color cameras for video, inspection, automation and computer applications. These professional cameras have industry accepted mounts that can be used with lenses as well as microscopes. For computer applications, built-in camera control interfaces are available on several key models
• Color Cameras
  • Sony offers an extensive line of industrial color CCD cameras having a wide variety of features, performance levels and packaging styles for use in diverse industrial imaging applications.
• CameraLink Cameras (CL)
  • Offering added simplicity and convenience to machine-vision system integration, Sony new XCL series of industrial high resolution digital cameras conform to the Camera Link® industry-standard digital video interface. Designed for a wide range of industrial imaging applications, including machine vision and biotechnology environments, the XCL series offers a range of Camera Link-compatible C-mount cameras with a variety of resolutions and sensitivity for system integrators
• Progressive Scan Cameras
  • Sony offers an extensive line of B/W Progressive Scan Cameras cameras having a wide variety of features, performance levels and packaging styles for use in diverse industrial imaging applications.
    • In depth description of Sony’s Progressive Scan Cameras here
• Analog Cameras
  • Sony offers an extensive line of Analog cameras having a wide variety of features, performance levels and packaging styles for use in diverse industrial imaging applications.
• Block Cameras
  • Sony block video cameras are unfinished camcorder blocks which include built-in zoom/auto focus/auto iris lens. They exclude: VCRs, viewfinders, housing and batteries. Block video cameras are ideal for integration into systems such as: videoconferencing, dome security and other customized industrial imaging solutions.
    • Description of Sony’s Industrial Block Cameras here

(2008, November 5). Sony to showcase GigE standard at Vision 2008.  Engineeringtalk.com.  Retrieved on November 12, 2008 from http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/sny/sny141.html