Sony Europe’s Image Sensing Solutions has introduced the first in a new series of SXGA modules GS CMOS sensors - the Sony XCG-CG160.
The company has positioned the camera, which features a 1/3-type IMX273 sensor, as a low-disruption way to move to digital - being an ideal replacement for the highly-renowned ICX445.
The first modules to be announced use the GigE standard, running at 75 SXGA frames per second. Black/white modules are available immediately in mass production, colour modules will enter mass production in December.
A USB3 module - Sony ISS’s first - is also scheduled to enter mass production by Q1 2018. Details will follow.
The modules have been designed to lead the market in terms of image quality, and are targeted at a wide array of markets - from print, robotics and inspection to ITS, medical and logistics, as well as general imaging.
Sony has also highlighted they were created to simplify the move from CCD to digital GS CMOS modules, based on the same footprint and using the same command.
Matt Swinney commented: “These cameras again bring together Sony’s renowned module engineering with the best of Sony’s sensor technology, extracting the best possible image from the IMX-273. With it, we believe, we have set the industry standard for an SXGA module.”
Features
The XCG-CG160 delivers 70 8-bit colour or black/white frames per second and features include defect-pixel correction, shading correction with both peak and average detection, area gain to automatically adjust for the target object. Additionally the module supports 2x2 multi-region of interest, flip and binning.
Sony’s Firmware v1.1 is certified by Cognex VisionPro and GigE Version 2.0 compliant; allowing both hard and software triggering, with the module able to act as a both an IEEE1588 (PTP) master and slave. The firmware uniquely allows for up to 16 action cue commands, plus acquisition sequence scheduling and GPO control.
Additionally the firmware features burst trigger and new events modes, as well as a reduced jitter function with single frame acquisition. Furthermore, it asynchronous image transfer enables a memory shot and output on user demand, and its broadcast register write enables synchronised camera feature controls to be implemented.
Technical specifications
The series uses a 1/2.9-type Sony Pregius GS CMOS sensor, delivering 1440 x 1080 (1.6 MP) images. The b/w module has a minimum illumination of just 0.5 lx, the colour module requires just 12 lx and comes with a manual, auto and one-push white balance setting. Both modules have a sensitivity of F5.6, a gain of 0 to +18 dB, a shutter speed of 60 s to 1/10,000 s.
The C-mount modules uses a highly compatible GPIO with 1xISO IN, 1xISO OUT and 1xTTL IN/OUT. It measure 29 x 29 x 42 mm, and an operating temperature of -5oC to +45oC.
