Sony adds performance, flexibility and colour to its next-generation smart camera line-up
Sony introduced its second generation of smart cameras - the XCI Series - at the VISION 2008 show.
The four new camera modules, launched by Sony Europe's Image Sensing Solutions (ISS) division, process image data before transmitting the information to a PC, and combine a powerful CPU with an open field-programmable gate array (FPGA) - delivering a threefold performance improvement over the previous generation, says the company.
The camera modules in the new product family are available for VGA (XCI-V100) and SXGA (XCI-SX100) monitoring, with colour and black and white modules created for each.
The camera's FPGA provides pre-processing for real-time raw image data without any load placed on its 1-GHz CPU, reducing the camera's power consumption. To add flexibility, the function of the module's four inputs and eight outputs can be specified using the FPGA. Furthermore, the FPGA's open platform enables users to specify and design niche functions, giving a strong competitive advantage to Sony customers. The XCI-V100 records at 90 fps, whereas the XCI-SX100 records at 30 fps.
The addition of colour analysis in two of the four new system modules enables the smart cameras to be used in a diverse range of markets where hue is vital to data analysis. Initial beta-tests include machine-vision applications, airport security and traffic surveillance.
All cameras in the range measure 94 mm by 70 mm by 139.5 mm, support C-mounting and CS-mounting and come with 512 MB of SDRAM. To ensure system cabling is as simple as possible, the XCI series uses a shared trigger line.
Commenting on the launch, Arnaud Destruels of Sony's ISS division said: "This generation (of smart camera) uses the best possible hardware to maximise the number of applications for which it can be used and give more freedom to developers. The feedback from the beta testing is very strong indeed and, just as the first generation of smart cameras did, this launch should help to redefine the smart camera concept."
Contact:
Matthew Swinney
Sony Corporate Communications Europe
The Heights
Brooklands
Weybridge
Surrey KT13 0XW
UK
Phone: +44-1932-817402
Fax: +44-1932-816649
Email: matthew.swinney@eu.sony.com
Web: http://www.sonybiz.net/vision
The four new camera modules, launched by Sony Europe's Image Sensing Solutions (ISS) division, process image data before transmitting the information to a PC, and combine a powerful CPU with an open field-programmable gate array (FPGA) - delivering a threefold performance improvement over the previous generation, says the company.
The camera modules in the new product family are available for VGA (XCI-V100) and SXGA (XCI-SX100) monitoring, with colour and black and white modules created for each.
The camera's FPGA provides pre-processing for real-time raw image data without any load placed on its 1-GHz CPU, reducing the camera's power consumption. To add flexibility, the function of the module's four inputs and eight outputs can be specified using the FPGA. Furthermore, the FPGA's open platform enables users to specify and design niche functions, giving a strong competitive advantage to Sony customers. The XCI-V100 records at 90 fps, whereas the XCI-SX100 records at 30 fps.
The addition of colour analysis in two of the four new system modules enables the smart cameras to be used in a diverse range of markets where hue is vital to data analysis. Initial beta-tests include machine-vision applications, airport security and traffic surveillance.
All cameras in the range measure 94 mm by 70 mm by 139.5 mm, support C-mounting and CS-mounting and come with 512 MB of SDRAM. To ensure system cabling is as simple as possible, the XCI series uses a shared trigger line.
Commenting on the launch, Arnaud Destruels of Sony's ISS division said: "This generation (of smart camera) uses the best possible hardware to maximise the number of applications for which it can be used and give more freedom to developers. The feedback from the beta testing is very strong indeed and, just as the first generation of smart cameras did, this launch should help to redefine the smart camera concept."
Contact:
Matthew Swinney
Sony Corporate Communications Europe
The Heights
Brooklands
Weybridge
Surrey KT13 0XW
UK
Phone: +44-1932-817402
Fax: +44-1932-816649
Email: matthew.swinney@eu.sony.com
Web: http://www.sonybiz.net/vision
