SPIE Photonics West
Critical Link
At booth 210 Critical Link will present five embedded imaging demonstrations.
The first is its latest Embedded Vision Development Kit (VDK), which integrates Basler’s dart Bcon camera with Critical Link’s processor board, interfaces, and onboard FPGA processing. In addition, Basler’s Pylon camera software suite completes the kit’s functionality.
Critical Link’s second demo highlights a new 48 megapixel imaging platform with on-board processing, which features the Ams/Cmosis CMV50000 high speed CMOS sensor, Critical Link’s Arria 10 SoC image processing board, HDMI, AIA U3V (USB3.0), Camera Link, and AIA GigE Vision interfaces. The platform’s out-of-the-box processing includes bad pixel replacement, two-point pixel correction, image cropping, and up/down scaling.
The company will also demonstrate a 2 megapixel ultra-low-noise embedded imaging platform with edge detectionthat features superior performance in low-light applications. The BAE/Fairchild Imaging CIS1910 is a 1,920 x 1,080, 6.5µm square pixel, low-noise sCMOS sensor with global and rolling shutter modes, and colour or mono imagery.
Highlighting some of the company’s design capabilities will be a small form factor sensor design, portable imaging device with HDMI and USB2.0 interfaces. It offers video playback and still image capture, including date and time stamps. The device also uses a low-cost Intel/Altera Cyclone V SoC processor and features an image sensor from OmniVision.
Finally, Critical Link will demonstrate MIPI real-time HD image transmission over extended distances featuring a Sony IMX219 8 megapixel CMOS colour image sensor. The design integrates MIPI, I2C, and HDMI interfaces, with MIPI transmission length of 30 feet. Onboard processing capabilities include functions such as image rotation, colour combining, white balance, auto gain control, defective pixel location and replacement, image overlay, and brightness and contrast, many of which will be demonstrated live.
Edmund Optics
Edmund Optics will be exhibiting its most popular imaging products. This includes its C-series family of fixed focal length lenses perfectly designed for factory automation and inspection applications; its UC-series family of competitvely priced, high performance ultra-compact fixed focal length lenses; and its Cr lenses, fixed focal length lenses for demanding applications involving shock and vibration.
Also at firm’s booth will be product expos on drone-based imaging for analysing the health of crops, a UV laser materials processing system, and well-plate inspection for advanced medical diagnostics. The company will also be at Bios, where it will present products specifically addressing the life science market.
Emberion
Emberion (booth 4365) will show new nanotechnology-based infrared detectors for the visible to shortwave infrared (VIS-SWIR) wavelength range. It will present a linear array for spectroscopy and a single pixel detector module with digital output.
The company is developing a VGA imager suitable for night and machine vision as well as hyperspectral imaging, and a linear array (1 x 512 pixels) detector for spectroscopy. These VIS-SWIR arrays have a competitive cost structure compared to existing products, thus enabling wider adoption of sensor and imaging technologies in existing and emerging application areas.
Additionally, Emberion is developing an ultra-sensitive uncooled bolometer array for thermal imaging, which has a competitive thermal resolution and sensitivity comparable to current cooled detector performance.
Emberion’s nanotechnology-based uncooled single-pixel VIS-SWIR detectors provide superior responsivity with low noise over a broad spectral range (initially 400-1,600nm) on a single detector chip. The sensors are suitable for various applications including chemical and gas sensing, portable material analysis solutions, and optical power meters.
Frankfurt Laser Company
The HAML-F series of laser diode modules for 3D vision systems, to be showcased by Frankfurt Laser Company, is compact, reliable and delivers a uniform and stable line output beam. It comes in visible and IR wavelengths with up to 100mW power output, and is graded at IP67 for industrial protection. Available with special features such as digital and analogue modulation, different beam shapes and power adjustments, the HAML-F can be used in a wide range of applications.
Jenoptik
Jenoptik will premiere a miniature diagnostic imaging platform called Syions. The platform can generate various types of image data from in-vitro diagnostic devices for use in scientific and clinical settings. It is designed for live cell imaging, flow cytometry and molecular diagnostics.
The modular system combines Jenoptik components such as LED illumination, optical elements, digital cameras and auto-focus, as well as X/Y scanners, electronics, and software. The system is built for easy integration into the software environment of medical or laboratory devices.
Moreover, with Jenoptik’s own modular software, work processes can be performed across various operating systems. For instance, the platform can help automate cell or tissue sample examination.
Jenoptik will be presenting the first version of its modular diagnostic imaging platform at SPIE Bios at stand 8513 and at SPIE Photonics West at stand 1023.
Jenoptik will also display its new 25mm f/2, 400-1,700nm hyperspectral lens, which maximises the performance of many popular shortwave infrared and hyperspectral cameras. A broad spectral range of 400-1,700nm combined with an adjustable diaphragm makes the new lens very versatile.
The standard product lens will enhance image processing across medicine, industrial inspection, surveillance, and law enforcement applications.
Laser Components
Laser Components will present a new generation of line laser modules for machine vision. The M18 threaded MV18 module is the latest addition to the MV series, while existing models like MVnano, MVpico and MVfemto have been re-engineered for better functionality and flexibility.
The models offer: a new focusing mechanism for stable beam positioning and low line positioning drift; new focusing options to match line thickness and depth of focus; COS4 correction for homogenous line performance in applications with a wide field of view; low-priced fixed focus variants; space-saving versions with separated optics and electronics; optics-only versions for integration in camera systems; and versions with integrated microcontrollers and a serial interface.
Lucid Vision
Exhibiting for the first time at SPIE Photonics West, Lucid Vision will showcase two new camera families: the Phoenix, a GigE PoE camera measuring 24 x 24mm, and the compact Triton IP67 GigE Vision camera.
The Phoenix camera features NF-mount and lens options to provide a small footprint, as well as an ix Industrial Ethernet connector which takes 70 per cent less space than RJ45 sockets. The Phoenix board layout has been folded into a stacked camera where it resembles a traditional cased camera shape. However, individual board stacks can be unfolded and used in a 90° or 180° angle orientation to allow for more flexibility in system design.
The Triton camera features a dust-proof and water-resistant camera enclosure and lens tube designed to be used in a variety of industrial environments where dust, dirt or water can be present. The Triton camera measures only 29 x 29mm and features threaded outer lens barrel for fitting an IP67 lens tube.
Photometrics
Photometrics is set to present its Prime BSI and Iris 15 scientific CMOS cameras at the show.
The Prime BSI delivers the perfect balance between high resolution imaging and sensitivity thanks to its optimised pixel design with 95 per cent quantum efficiency to maximise signal detection.
This 4.2-megapixel camera with 6.5μm pixels captures highly detailed images at frame rates of 47fps at 16 bits and 94fps at 12 bits. The Prime BSI also delivers a 100 per cent pixel fill factor and does not rely on micro-lensing technology to increase detection, resulting in a 30 per cent increase in sensitivity over previous sCMOS cameras. The camera also offers 1.1e- read noise, 45,000e- pixel full well and 41,000:1 dynamic range.
Primary applications of the Prime BSI include TIRF microscopy, light sheet microscopy, cell motility and ratiometric imaging.
The Iris 15 is designed with a large field of view for live cell microscopy applications. Its 15-megapixel sensor and 25mm field of view provide extremely high-resolution images over a large area. It also offers acquisition speeds over 30fps, ensuring dynamic cellular events are properly captured and documented.
The camera has a 4.25 x 4.25µm pixel area, which meets the requirements for Nyquist spatial sampling at 40 times magnification, as well as high sensitivity, with a 73 per cent quantum efficiency and low noise levels.
Primary applications of the Iris 15 include, among others, light sheet microscopy, multi-colour fluorescence, tissue and cellular imaging, and clinical diagnostics.
Photonfocus
In addition to its usual portfolio, Photonfocus will be presenting cameras with high full-well capacity for welding and measuring applications, SWIR cameras for infrared and spectral applications, 3D cameras for laser welding applications, hyperspectral cameras for spectral analysis, and a hyperspectral SDK to obtain calibrated hypercubes.
Photonis
Photonis plans to introduce the Cricket, a simple optical coupling device designed to enable any scientific camera to become an intensified camera. As a plug-and-play complete housing, the Cricket includes an image intensifier, power supply and optical coupling to preserve correct image alignment. Intensified images are ready to be captured after connecting the Cricket to an existing camera via C-mount connections, connecting the power supply and adjusting the focus.
The unit can be ordered with custom image intensifier configurations for your application, including phosphor screens, MCP configurations, Hi-QE photocathodes, fast gating (internal or external), and optics.
Ideal for physics, FLIM and plasma research, the Cricket supports 1µlux sensitivity or single photon counting with gating options down to 3ns.
Princeton Instruments
Princeton Instruments will introduce its Blaze spectroscopy CCD cameras, with new sensors that offer up to three times higher NIR sensitivity and low dark current, making it perfect for demanding applications such as Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence or photoluminescence.
Blaze offers spectral rates of up to thousands of spectra per second. For low light applications, it delivers true -100⁰C cooling for ultra-low dark current, ideal for long exposures.
ProPhotonix
ProPhotonix, a designer and manufacturer of LED illumination systems and laser diode modules, will exhibit its laser solutions at Photonics West booth 5137.
The company offers a wide range of wavelengths, stability, power options and form factors ideally suited to a range of applications such as laser lines for machine vision, industrial alignment applications, robot guidance, life science applications, scientific instrumentation, 3D measurement, spectroscopy and medical applications.
On display at the show will be a range of off-the-shelf laser diode modules suitable for applications such as patient alignment and 3D measurement, as well as examples of custom laser modules designed for specific customer applications.
With more than 20 years’ experience working with OEMs to deliver customised laser diode-based solutions, ProPhotonix has developed extensive expertise in the mechanical, optical and electronic engineering of laser solutions to address specific application requirements.
Sill Optics
Sill Optics’ telecentric lenses for applications beyond standard metrology setups will be on display.
Telecentric measurements provide high precision, constant magnification and low distortion, even for objects with a certain depth. Telecentric coaxial illumination through a lens also improves surface texture evaluation.
Telecentric lenses with integrated focus tuneable lenses enable a variable working distance and z-scan. Moreover, the telecentric imaging of a tilted object plane results in considerably lower distortion.
Sofradir
Sofradir, an expert in advanced infrared detectors for aerospace, defence and commercial markets, will exhibit its recently launched Snake SW Tecless at booth 1746, a small footprint VGA resolution shortwave infrared detector. Offering fast frame rates (300fps) and a high signal-to-noise ratio, the Snake SW Tecless is designed for use in high-volume industrial, scientific and surveillance applications, such as inspection, sorting, thermography and security monitoring tasks.
Snake SW Tecless is designed with the Sofradir’s InGaAs technology and is the first shortwave infrared detector without a cooler that the company has commercialised. The new uncooled package (2.73cm2) represents only one-fifth of the physical dimensions of other Sofradir Snake SW detector products.
Its compactness makes it highly suitable for in-line inspection and sorting, notably machine vision for semiconductors, agricultural, pharmaceutical or chemical products. It is also ideal for thermography, including hot process control in glass and metal industries, as well as for addressing size, weight, power consumption and cost reduction needs in surveillance applications, such as traffic monitoring and transport security.
Teledyne e2v
Teledyne e2v will be exhibiting its range of standard, semi-custom and fully custom imaging solutions, including the new Bora 1.3 megapixel 3D time-of-flight (ToF) CMOS image sensor.
The sensor is ideal for systems operating at short to medium distances and ranges. It features an optimised multi-integration mode, providing excellent performance in low light conditions, together with an electronic global shutter, while still maintaining the accuracy and frame rate performance of existing ToF systems.
TruTag Technologies
TruTag Technologies will be exhibiting its affordable, high-resolution, handheld autonomous hyperspectral camera. The camera is designed for medical imaging, machine vision and quality inspection.
TruTag Technologies Model 4100 is a rugged, handheld instrument with a built-in illumination source. Ideal for field and factory use, it captures a 2D snapshot image of an object, and the spectra at each pixel in the visible from 450nm to 850nm in up to 400 bands in 1nm steps. Users can pan and zoom the image via the colour touch screen display and even view a video of the entire hypercube.
TruTag’s hyperspectral imager is the first device to both capture and process a full multi-megapixel hyperspectral datacube without the need for external processing. It dramatically improves upon existing multispectral imagers, which trade off spectral resolution for spatial resolution. A visible-near IR (450nm to 1,100nm) version will be available shortly.
Vision Components
Vision Components will launch new embedded vision systems with Sony Pregius sensors. The latest generation CMOS sensors achieve high frame rates at high resolutions.
The VC line of smart cameras based on these powerful sensors now comprises two basic models in different configurations and will be further extended. The board-level cameras are available with an onboard or remote sensor head that, together with their compact design, facilitates integration into any application.
The latest new model uses an IMX273 sensor with a 1.6 megapixel resolution, which achieves frame rates up to 170fps at this resolution. A sister model with an IMX252, which was launched in 2017, features a 3.2 megapixel resolution. Both cameras employ global-shutter technology.
The manufacturer offers a full range of components for machine vision applications: interfaces, lighting, optics, enclosed standalone smart cameras, and an extensive software library. Embedded vision system integrators are also welcome to stop by the booth and find out more about an upcoming new 3D vision solution based on Vision Components’ Z platform.
Xenics
Now a finalist in the Prism Awards 2018 for the category of detectors and sensors, Xenics will be at booths 8512 (BiOS) and 1931 (Photonics West), exhibiting the new XLIN-FC detector series
The XLIN-FC is an InGaAs line array featuring low noise and a 400kHz line rate at 512, 1,024 or 2,048-pixel resolution. The detector uses flip-chip hybridisation and operates in low illumination conditions thanks to a highly sensitive read-out integrated circuit. Five gain settings allow the user to benefit from optimum performance either in high dynamic range mode, or high sensitivity mode.
Ximea
Ximea will present its digital cameras for industrial and scientific applications, specifically some of the smallest, lightest and fastest models available. Application areas that benefit from such cameras, in addition to the company’s software tools, include virtual reality, industrial, scientific, and embedded vision.
