Basler Launches Fastest Four Megapixel Camera Link Camera
Basler Vision Technologies is launching its new A406k camera, which is currently the fastest four megapixel camera with a Camera Link interface.
The new camera provides 209 frames per second at the full resolution of 2320 x 1726 pixels. It is available in monochrome and color and extends the portfolio of Basler A400k cameras. This camera series, which includes the A402k (24 fps), the A403k (48 fps), and the A404k (96 fps), is used very successfully in automated optical inspection systems to verify the position and soldering quality of devices on populated, soldered PCBs. When the camera is used with the supplied AOI (area-of-interest) list editor, it is possible to change the size, position, and exposure time of a series of AOIs extremely quickly. This is a significant advantage because the Camera Link serial communications channel normally used to change camera parameters is limited to only 115 kbaud and would be too slow to make these rapid changes to the AOI. This is especially true given the high frame rate of the A406k.
To achieve such high frame rates, the A400 family uses a CMOS sensor with a rolling shutter. With the help of a flash window that provides an output signal when all of the lines in the sensor are ready for exposure, a global shutter is simulated. The A400k is calibrated and corrected to achieve one of the best image qualities available. One correction takes care of any deviations in the camera's 2352 ADCs (analog-to digital converters). The fixed pattern noise (FPN) that is typical for a CMOS sensor is also corrected, as is the photo response non-uniformity (PRNU). The combined result is an image very close to CCD quality, even in a 10 bit mode. The data reading out of the sensor result in up to a 2.4 gigabyte per second data stream inside of the camera, which equates to nearly four full CDs of data per second.
The A406k can provide 209 frames per second (fps) at full resolution. This rate is only possible via a 10 tap, 85 MHz Camera Link configuration, transferring approximately 800 megabytes of data per second. This bandwidth limits the A406k to a maximum data depth of 8 bits. PCI Express-based frame grabbers with eight lanes (PCIe x8) are able to handle this large data volume in the PC.
The A406k is currently the fastest four megapixel Camera Link camera worldwide. This provides a significant advantage in throughput at the customer's site, and inspection of PCBs will be more precise with a higher throughput.
Basler Components designs and manufactures digital cameras for industrial, medical, and traffic system applications, and also for the video surveillance market. Products include color and monochrome line scan, area scan, and intelligent cameras as well as innovative and flexible IP cameras. Basler has more than 20 years of experience in image processing. We have designed and manufactured high quality digital cameras for over 10 years. Product designs are driven by industry requirements and offer easy interfacing, compact size, and a strong price/performance ratio.
For more information, visit: http://www.baslerweb.com.
SOURCE: Basler Vision Technologies