New camera series uses 800-Mbit/s FireWire interface

March 8, 2010
The next-generation Flea3 series camera models incorporate an 800-Mbit/s 1394b (FireWire) interface.
The next-generation Flea3 series camera models incorporate an 800-Mbit/s 1394b (FireWire) interface and are based on mono and color versions of the Sony ICX618, a 1/4-in. EXview HAD CCD that runs at 120 frames/s, and ICX414, a 1/2-in. CCD that runs at 76 frames/s. The cameras measure 29 × 29 × 30 mm and offer new features such as opto-isolated GPIO for industrial triggering and strobe output, nonvolatile flash memory for user data storage, and on-camera frame buffer. Cameras are equipped with an industry-standard C-mount lens holder, removable optical window for sensor dust protection, and 12-bit analog-to-digital converter. Point Grey Research
Richmond, BC, Canada
www.ptgrey.com-- Posted by Carrie Meadows, Vision Systems DesignFind more information on FireWire Cameras

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PRESS RELEASE

Point Grey Research, Inc.
www.ptgrey.com
Main Office: T +1.604.242.9937
Europe: T +49.7141.488817-0

Point Grey Launches Ultra-Compact Flea3 Camera Series, Introduces New High-Speed VGA FireWire Models
Richmond, BC, Canada – Point Grey, a world leader of advanced imaging products, today announced the launch of the next-generation Flea3 series of ultra-compact IEEE 1394b and GigE Vision digital cameras.

The first available Flea3 models incorporate an 800 Mbit/s 1394b (FireWire) interface and are based on mono and color versions of the Sony ICX618, a 1/4-inch EXview HAD CCD that runs at 120 FPS, and ICX414, a 1/2-inch CCD that runs at 76 FPS. The Flea3 measures just 29 × 29 × 30 mm, and offers new features such as opto-isolated GPIO for industrial triggering and strobe output, non-volatile flash memory for user data storage, and on-camera frame buffer.

"We designed the Flea3 to build on the success of the Flea2," says Vladimir Tucakov, Director of Sales and Marketing at Point Grey. "It has the same form factor as many industry-standard analog cameras, adds new CCD image sensors, enhanced functionality, and even better imaging performance, making it ideal for applications in 2D and 3D metrology, electronics, semiconductor inspection, medical, and bioscience. The new models will also give users more alternatives. The Sony ICX618-based model offers an unbeatable price-to-performance ratio, while the ICX414 model, with its large pixels, boasts high sensitivity for high-precision imaging."

Every Flea3 camera is equipped with an industry-standard C-mount lens holder, removable optical window for sensor dust protection, and 12-bit analog-to-digital converter. Additional features include automatic control of most camera properties, such as gain, exposure, and white balance; user configuration sets for defining custom power-up settings; gamma and programmable lookup table; customizable region of interest settings; and pixel binning. The Flea3 also complies with the new IIDC v1.32 specification, which allows it to be used with many third-party software packages. Included with every camera is the FlyCapture SDK, a full software library that provides a common interface to control all Point Grey digital imaging products under both Windows and Linux.

"Point Grey's plan is to introduce sixteen Flea3 FireWire models, made up of 8 monochrome and color Sony CCD sensor options, by the end of Q3 2010," adds Mr. Tucakov. "We also plan to provide the first GigE Vision-compliant models this year, which at just over 1 cubic inch will make the Flea3 the smallest GigE camera in the world."

The FL3-FW-03S1 (1/4-inch VGA 120 FPS), list priced at USD $595, and the FL3-FW-03S3 (1/2-inch VGA 76 FPS), list priced at USD $845, are available to order now from Point Grey and its network of distributors. The first GigE Vision models are planned to be released to production and available to order by the end of Q2 2010.

About Point Grey
Point Grey Research, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the development of advanced digital camera technology products for machine vision, industrial imaging, and computer vision applications. Based in Richmond, BC, Canada, Point Grey designs, manufactures and distributes IEEE-1394 (FireWire) and USB 2.0 cameras that are known for their excellent quality, performance, and ease of use. A broad range of hardware, software and mechanical engineering skills has allowed Point Grey to successfully bring many innovative and ground-breaking products to market. This drive for innovation has led to many industry firsts, including the first and smallest 1394b digital camera.

Since its founding in January of 1997, the company’s approach to product pricing, quality control, and customer service has attracted thousands of customers worldwide, and its organic growth through product sales has enabled the company to expand significantly without any outside investment. Point Grey currently employs more than 90 people worldwide and has a wholly-owned German subsidiary that provides sales and support services to customers in Europe, Africa and Israel. The company also has a strong network of distributors in Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, and Taiwan. For more information, visit www.ptgrey.com

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