Point Grey Research has added USB 2.0 models to its Firefly MV digital camera family.
The Firefly MV line offers a total of 10 different combinations of form factor and interface that are designed to address a wide variety of applications in industrial and non-industrial imaging, such as object and gesture tracking, optical character recognition (OCR), augmented reality, and multi-touch interface technology. The USB 2.0 models use the same CMOS sensor as the existing IEEE 1394 (FireWire) versions, support 480Mb/s data transfer rates, and can be connected to any computer system with high-speed USB ports.
The camera uses a 1/3-inch wide-VGA CMOS sensor with global shutter to deliver high quality 752(W) x 480(H) monochrome or raw Bayer colour images at 60fps, and offers a 2 x 2 binning mode for frame rates up to 135fps. Configuration options include a choice of IEEE 1394 or high-speed USB digital interface, board-level or housed form factor, and M12 microlens or C/CS lens mount. The USB 2.0 models are equipped with a CS-mount lens holder with removable glass/IR filter system and housed in a small and lightweight 44 x 24 x 34mm plastic case. A board-level option, which is the same size as its FireWire counterpart at just 40 x 25mm, is available for qualified OEMs. A 7-pin general purpose I/O connector can be used to synchronise the camera to external devices, such as an external trigger or light source, and its 5-pin Mini-B USB 2.0 connector enables the USB 2.0 cable (included in the Development Accessory Kit) to transfer both data and power.
Like all Point Grey cameras, the Firefly MV complies with the IIDC v1.31 specification. Existing Point Grey camera users will benefit from the seamless software integration that is available using the FlyCapture Software Development Kit (SDK). The SDK is compatible with both FireWire and USB 2.0 cameras using the same API, and includes support for ActiveX, Twain and DirectShow.
