MAY 4--Atmel Corporation (Grenoble, France) has introduced a new area-scan CMOS camera family dedicated to industrial machine-vision applications. The ATMOS is a fast CMOS area-scan camera that can work in 8, 10, or 12 bits and that offers an excellent signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). Specific CommCam software, also developed by Atmel, makes camera configuration easy.
ATMOS 1M30 and 1M60 are the first two members of a complete CMOS matrix camera family. They are composed of a 1.3 million-pixel CMOS sensor, featuring high sensitivity even at maximal speed. The region of interest allows the end user to implement infinite resolutions and to increase frame rate: with a fast 48-frame/s full resolution at 1.3M, 60 frames/s at 1M, and 180 franmes/s in VGA format for the 1M60 model (half-speed for the 1M30). Furthermore, the CMOS camera with its Camera Link interface is suitable for those wanting to upgrade from analog to digital modes. The camera can be uploaded remotely. Other Camera Link interfaces will be added with the next ATMOS models.
The two ATMOS cameras are delivered in a 44-mm square section design with a C-mount adapter, among the smallest in the market. The performance and versatility and adaptability of the compact mechanical body gives OEM and integrators an optimum solution to space-saving in systems. It also allows an implementation into multiple configurations.
"With all its features, ATMOS 1M series offers an exciting alternative to current available products," said Christophe Robinet, camera marketing manager of Atmel's Professional Imaging. "They offer excellent price to quality. Our plan is to release higher-resolution versions shortly." ATMOS features various timing modes: free-run, triggered mode, ITC with very fine setting of the shutter signal (0 to 655 ms by steps of 10 μm). The signal-to-noise ratio S/N of this camera (63 dB) is equivalent to the one typically achieved with CCD sensors. The benefit of the S/N, with the offset and gain fine tuning, is detection of slight differences of gray levels even in low contrast images. These features are particularly suited for inspection (glass, flat panel display, PCB), robot-guidance, metrology, as well as various applications such as microscopy and surveillance applications.
ATMOS 1M30 and 1M60 provide an easy-to-use, user-friendly Camera Link configuration interface with advanced function features such as contrast expansion, fixed pattern noise correction FPN, and look-up table. ATMOS features five banks of settings: one for factory settings (read only), three for user settings (write/read), and one additional setting that can be locked by the system manufacturer once the system is calibrated. With CommCam software, the end user gains easy access to all of the cameras' features such as fine gain and offset tuning and synchronization mode.
Atmel is a leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory, and radio-frequency components.
More information on the ATMOS 1M30 is available at atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=3648.
Information on the ATMOS 1M60 is available at atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=3649 .
