PHOTONIS Introduces Digital Extreme Low-Light CMOS Camera

NOCTURN Enables Day-to-Night Vision with < 4e- read noise at 100 fps

PHOTONIS USA, the world-leading expert in night vision innovation, introduces NOCTURN, a brand new digital extreme low-light CMOS camera. The NOCTURN camera is especially designed for high performance under both daylight and low-light level conditions. NOCTURN perfectly fits applications where high-resolution detection and ultra-high sensitivity are required under 24/7 conditions. Its small size, weight and power (SWaP) makes this camera module ideal for integration into aerial, mobile and hand-held surveillance systems.

PHOTONIS’ CEO Goossen Boers said “We are absolutely excited to see the great response from the market as PHOTONIS remains committed to meet the demand for a higher standard CMOS camera. The NOCTURN family is the perfect example of leveraging our leadership and expertise in the field of night vision into another innovative product. That expertise is supporting fully our growth strategy expanding our offering to markets and applications such as Surveillance Systems, Machine Vision and Process Monitoring, Life Science Systems as well as 3D imaging or license plate recognition”.

The NOCTURN is a rugged low-light camera module that features high-definition resolution, high sensitivity and high dynamic range with low power consumption. It provides monochrome real-time imaging capabilities - from daylight to bright starlight - in the visible and near infrared spectrum.

NOCTURN is powered by the PHOTONIS Lynx CMOS sensor. The sensor enables the camera to provide a consistent read noise below 4e- at rates up to its full 100 fps, with superior signal-to-noise performance due to its large 9.7μm2 pixels and high fill factor. The Lynx CMOS is a solid state sensor with full SXGA resolution (1280 x 1024) that operates in both daylight and low-light levels as low as bright starlight.

The NOCTURN digital extreme low-light CMOS camera provides a broad range of spectral responses, from 400nm to Near-IR (1100nm). With a power consumption under 200mW (10 times lower than current Industry standards) providing a direct digital output, the NOCTURN camera is ideal for man-portable systems and unmanned remote posts where 24/7 CCTV image availability is required. It can also be used for machine vision and scientific imaging applications requiring the combination of high speed, high resolution and low light sensitivity.

NOCTURN family of cameras starts its offering with two versions: the XS model, which provides the basic module for custom system integration, and the XL, which provides full connectivity via USB, NTSC/PAL or a CameraLink compatible platform. Additionally, the camera is equipped with a range of on-board image correction features to optimize the image as required. Specifications and videos can be found at www.nocturncamera.com.

The Nocturn Camera is the latest in the PHOTONIS line of low-light imaging sensors and cameras. In 2012 PHOTONIS announced the Lynx Digital CMOS Sensor, and in 2011, PHOTONIS released a digital scientific camera, the xSCELL, with its exclusive InXite sensor to support extremely demanding scientific imaging applications.

About PHOTONIS
PHOTONIS is a multinational high-technology group, with more than 40 years experience in manufacture, sales and innovation, specializing in photo sensor technology. The Group operates internationally in the Night Vision, Industrial, Scientific and Medical Imaging markets and celebrated its 75 anniversary in 2012. PHOTONIS USA designs and manufactures a wide range of custom and standard components and assemblies for mass spectroscopy as well as other medical, bio-medical and scientific instruments and holds several patents in these fields. For more information, visit www.photonis.com.