The camera, which features a 1/3-type IMX273 sensor, is a low-disruption way to move from CCD to GSCMOS – a replacement for cameras using Sony’s ICX445 CCD sensor.
The first modules to be announced use the GigE standard, running at 75 frames per second in SXGA resolution. Black/white modules are available immediately and colour modules will enter mass production in December 2017.
A USB 3.0 module – Sony’s first - is also scheduled to enter mass production by Q1 2018.
The modules are targeted at a wide array of markets from print, robotics and inspection to ITS, medical and logistics, as well as being suitable for general imaging.
The XCG-CG160 provides a simple migration path from CCD to GSCMOS without necessarily having to upgrade or change architecture. The IMX273 shares comparable sensor and pixel size characteristics with the Sony ICX445, but offers significant technological improvements in sensitivity, dynamic range, noise reduction and frame rate capability.
The XCG-CG160 is able to deliver 75 8-bit colour or black/white frames per second and features include defect-pixel correction, shading correction with both peak and average detection and area gain to automatically adjust for the target object. The module also supports 2x2 multi-region of interest, flip and binning.
Sony’s Firmware v1.1 is certified by Cognex VisionPro and is 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 allows for up to 16 action cue commands, plus acquisition sequence scheduling and GPO control.
In addition, the firmware features burst trigger and new event modes, as well as a reduced jitter function with single frame acquisition. Its asynchronous image transfer enables a memory shot and output upon user demand, and its broadcast register write function enables synchronised camera feature controls to be implemented.
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 0.5lx; the colour module requires just 12lx 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 use a highly compatible GPIO with 1xISO IN, 1xISO OUT and 1xTTL IN/OUT. It measures 29 x 29 x 42mm, with a weight of 65g and has an operating temperature of -5oC to +45oC.
