How does a 3CCD camera improve color accuracy and spatial resolution versus standard Bayer color cameras?

In applications where high color accuracy and spatial resolution are required, there are distinct advantages of 3-CCD digital cameras versus Bayer mosaic color alternatives.  JAI cameras provide 3-CCD camera solutions to provide high color fidelity in various resolutions.





Models available (Click on model for specs)


Model #      Resolution          Interface

AT-140CL   1392 x 1040          Camera link
AT-140GE   1392 x 1040         GigE
AT-200CL    1625 x 1236         Camera link
AT-200GE   1625 x 1236         GigE
CV-M9CL     1039 x 744          Camera link
CV-M9GE     1039 x 744         GigE  

Contact us for a quote on 3-CCD cameras!

All 3-CCD digital cameras use dichroic prism optics to split incoming light into three distinct color channels for precise RGB values with full spatial resolution.

The diagram above shows the incoming light path being diverted to separate image sensors in turn having a RGB value co-site sampled.




Color Fidelity

Bayer mosaic color cameras use a pattern of color filters and an interpolation process to estimate the approximate RGB value of a give pixel. With a 3-CCD camera, a specific R, G and B value is captured for each pixel. This inherently produces higher color precision in the 3-CCD output.

The spectral curves resulting from the hard dichroic prism coating are much steeper than the curves from the soft polymer dyes used in Bayer filters. This enables the 3-CCD cameras to produce exceptional accurate color data without the uncertainty that comes with the overlap regions (Area in grey below in the illustration )



High Dynamic Range
In addition to reducing color precision, the overlap in the color filter response also results in part of each pixel’s well capacity filling with photons resulting from the cross-talk, thus decreasing the available well capacity. Precision responses from the dichroic coating enable each channel to efficiently use the full well capacity of the pixel, allowing the maximum possible dynamic range.

Color Space calibration
JAI’s 3-CCD digital cameras include a sophisticated linear color matrix circuit which enables color
matching between camera data and calibrated printers, monitors and other devices. Built in presets are provided to output the color information in the proper format for the sRGB or Adobe RGB industrial standard color space.  



The end Result
The two images below compare results from a 5-megapixel Bayer color camera (left) with the 2- megapixel JAI AT-200 camera (right). Despite having 2.5X the resolution, the 5 megapixel cameras soft polymer dye color filters and the interpolation process result in significant color contamination, less differentiation between similar colors, and reduced sharpness of the image.  


Additional images for comparison are below to demonstrate the fidelity of a 3-CCD camera vs Bayer cameras


Click on the video below now for a full presentation on detailing how 3-CCD cameras improve color accuracy

Need to discuss how a 3-CCD color camera will benefit your application?  1st Vision’s sales engineers all have 25+ years of experience in industrial imaging and can review this in detail. 

JAI also makes 2-CCD, 3-CMOS and 4-CCD line scan cameras. Click here now for more information (see multi-sensor tab)

Need to understand more about Bayer color cameras?  Download this white paper now
 Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  


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Battle of the 5 Megapixel Image Sensors – Sony IMX250 Vs Sony ICX625

Sony has continued expanding the Pregius image sensor portfolio providing higher resolutions for many camera applications. These camera sensors have excellent sensitivity, signal to noise ratios and dynamic range.

Sony has added the new 5MP, 2/3″ IMX250 image sensors to the portfolio which has proliferated into many industrial camera designs. Sensitivity on this camera sensor has even surpassed the popular Pregius 5.86um pixel formats by 1.1X with a smaller pixel allowing the format to be reduced to a 2/3″ format.
Compared to the 5MP, 2/3″ Sony ICX625 CCD image sensor, the new Pregius IMX250, 5MP image sensor boasts ~ 5X sensitivity improvement and dynamic range of 71 db vs 56 db and incredibly low dark noise.

We know this information can be baffling so we we have put the two sensors in the ring to battle out the specifications!

From the specification standpoint, the IMX250 knocks out the ICX625 in a few rounds. The key attributes are battled out below.

Specifications















Round 1  – Saturation Capacity and Dynamic Range
Saturation capacity (aka well depth) is the amount of charge in electrons a pixel can hold, whereas dynamic range relates to the signal to noise of the temporal dark noise.  Comparing saturation capacity and dynamic range, the IMX250 knocks out the ICX625 in one punch.

 Although the pixel sizes are the same, the new CMOS pixel wells have a saturation capacity of ~ 10.3K electrons compared to 5.9K for the ICX625.  This contributes to increased dynamic range allowing images to not saturate quickly, allowing more dark and bright areas to be viewed.  

In general, the more electrons in the pixel well along with low noise provides better signal to noise ratios.  As shown in the graphic, we ideally want a lot of signal electrons vs the noise electrons.



Round 2 – Temporal Dark noise

Temporal dark noise also known as read noise is measured in electrons, in which a lower temporal dark noise provides better images.  This noise is produced within the sensor electronics and show up in the pixel well as unwanted noisy electrons.  The new IMX250 has incredibly low dark noise with only 2.3 electronics compared to the older IMX625 CCD having approximately 9 electrons.  The IMX250 clearly wins this round providing better fidelity!

Round 3 – Sensitivity & Quantum Efficiency

Sensitivity can be measured looking at the number of photons required to have a signal equal to the noise level.  A lower number of electronics are better indicating higher sensitivity.  Quantum efficiency measures the percentage of photons converted to electronics at a given wavelength.  In comparing the sensitivity thresholds, it takes ~ 4 electrons to gain a signal versus 22 comparing the IMX250 vs ICX625 making it much more sensitive.  Reviewing the quantum efficiency at 525nm, further supports this with a higher percentage of photons being converted on the new CMOS sensor with 76% vs 57%.  Its a knockout in round 3!

.. And the winner is… the Sony IMX250 CMOS sensor!  This comparison shows excellent gains in technology with this 5MP sensor!   If you are using the ICX625 sensor, the IMX250 is a drop in replacement allowing you to keep the optics, gain better performance and drop the price of your camera substantially!

Several camera manufacturers have the new Sony Pregius IMX250 5MP sensor in their lineup and more on the horizon.  Links to the current cameras as follows listed by interface. 

As a note, the IMX250 is the faster sensor vs its counterpart, the IMX264.  Both of these sensors have essentially the same performance, but speed and price are lower with the IMX264.  In many cases, you will see both sensors within a camera product line, but the IMX264 sensor will be at a lower price.

Cameras in the current lineup are as follows:  

USB3

IDS  UI-3080CP   – IMX250
IDS UI-3280CP – IMX264


GigE Vision

Teledyne Dalsa Nano 2450 – IMX250
Teledyne Dalsa Nano 2420 – IMX264

JAI GO-5100 – IMX250
JAI GO-5101 – IMX264


This is the second of our sensor battles!  See our comparison and learn how the Sony IMX174 (and its counterpart the IMX249) compare against a CMOSIS 2MP sensor!

Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.   We are happy to discuss the differences along with pros and cons of the various sensors and cameras.

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USB3.0 for Machine Vision? Absolutely! Educate yourself with our white paper to learn some key tips.

For the past decade, Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) has been the preferred choice as a camera interface for machine vision applications. It started off slowly supplementing Firewire (A/400 & B/800) as the then current choice, but picked up steam as it became apparent that Firewire 1600 was not going to gain traction in the marketplace.

Today, USB3.0 is picking up steam and being molded into an excellent choice for machine vision applications.  
How is USB3.0 a good choice today?  

Read our white paper in which you will learn:

1)  What are the requirements for machine vision applications today?

2)  How do camera interfaces compare which including Firewire, GigE, USB2.0 and USB3.0  

3)  Why USB3.0 is a great alternative for today’s challenging Vision applications.  

The white paper also includes links to even more detailed detailed info on USB3.0 which provides specifics on CPU usage, cable lengths, USB controllers and multi-camera applications.  

Have an application to discuss using USB3 Vision?  1st Vision has extensive knowledge in industrial imaging and can help answer any questions.  We have over 100 years of combined knowledge and look forward to discussing your application.  

Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  

Ph:  978-474-0044
info@1stvision.com
www.1stvision.com  

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Everything you need to know about USB3.1 vision cameras and the new cost effective IDS LE camera series

Industrial Imaging interfaces and camera sensors continue to become faster and more economical.  For the veterans in the industry, we’ve seen analog (RS-170), Fire-wire and USB2 interfaces phase in and and out as newer faster interfaces are developed.  We are now on the doorstep of several new interfaces, one being USB3.1

The consumer electronics market has given birth to this next generation with data rates up to 10 Gbit/s and power transfer of 100 watts.  


What benefits will USB3.1 provide?

USB3.1 opens up the doors for the new Sony Pregius and ON-Semiconductor Python image sensors and cameras.  The native sensors themselves are designed to run at much higher frame rates, but throttled back to fit within the USB3 bandwidth.  That being said, higher speed interfaces such as CameraLink and CoaXpress could be used, but comes with added cost and complexity.  

USB3.1 will open the doors to these sensors allowing them to run at their fully designed frame rates with ease of use.  

Additional power capabilities is also designed into USB3.1 ports providing 5 amps @ 20 volts.  We expect this may open the door to options which may include power for lighting and controllers. 


What connector and cables will be required?

USB type C plug connectors will be implemented onto the new cameras supporting USB3.1. In turn, cables will be needed that are Type C to Type A for industrial imaging applications.  

1stVision will have cables available later in 2016 to support this upcoming interface.  Stay tuned!  (See current USB3.0 cables including Active and Hybrid Active Optical USB3 cables)

What cameras are up and coming? 

IDS Imaging will debut their first USB3.1 camera in the fall of 2016 starting with engineering prototypes.  The focus will be on the new uEye LE series which will be small in size and be very cost effective with great sensors.  This has been designed ideally for OEM systems.

Camera features will include: 

  • USB3.1 interface with Type C connector
  • Various package options from full board level, board level with lens mounts to housed versions.  
  • Multiple I/O for trigger and flash
  • I2C Bus for controlling external devices
The first models will be the UI-3860LE with Sony STARVIS IMX290 rolling shutter providing 2MP (1936 x 1096) resolution at ~ 120 fps. This will be followed by the UI-3880LE using the Sony STARVIS IMX178 sensor providing 6 megapixel (3088 x 2076) resolution at up to 60 fps.  

Target applications are night surveillance & security, low light microscopy, machine vision, metrology, medical engineering and astronomy applications
 


What benefits do the Sony STARVIS image sensor provide? 

The STARVIS sensor is a back-illuminated pixel technology used in CMOS image sensors. It boasts extremely low light sensitivity with high picture quality in the visible light and near infrared light regions.  

See the key points of the Sony STARVIS Back-illuminated CMOS image sensors

With new releases coming on a regular basis, we know it can get confusing on what sensors are best for a given application.  1stVision has over 100 years of combined knowledge and can help you design in the best solution.  

Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  
 
1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  

Ph:  978-474-0044info@1stvision.com
www.1stvision.com  

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