Cognex introduces new frame grabbers
JUNE 17--Cognex Corporation (Natick, MA; www.cognex.com) has unveiled the MVS-8500 Series of frame grabbers designed to support next-generation high-speed analog cameras that use the latest progressive-scan CCD sensor technology. The Cognex MVS-8504, the first model available in the new series, offers four completely independent channels supporting up to four cameras. To help engineers meet a wide range of high-performance acquisition requirements, the highly flexible MVS-8504 is designed to handle asynchronous, synchronous, and dual tap image acquisition. Additionally, the MVS-8504 provides users with the capability to mix-and-match camera formats, clock rates, partial and full scans, as well as color and monochrome acquisition on a single frame grabber, which eliminates the need for multiple frame grabbers for different camera types. The next model in the MVS-8500 Series to be released later this year will be a high performance, single channel, four-camera frame grabber called the MVS-8501.
Designed to support high-bandwidth requirements, the MVS-8500 Series half-slot PCI frame grabbers are PCI 2.31 compliant. The MVS-8504 has 16-MB FIFO for reliable image transfer and employs a high-speed 32 bit/66-MHz bus architecture that is compatible with standard PCI 32 bit/33 MHz, as well as higher-speed 64-bit/66-MHz and PCI-X buses. General availability for the MVS-8504 is scheduled for September. The MVS-8501 will accommodate up to four multiplexed high-speed analog cameras and offer a 32-bit/33-MHz bus architecture when it is released later this year.
All MVS-8500 Series frame grabbers provide real-time image transfer over the PCI bus to system memory for analysis. Independent direct memory access on each acquisition channel eliminates delays by allowing captured images to be processed at the same time other images are being captured. Moreover, the frame grabbers come equipped with machine-vision software tools, including Cognex's PatMax technology for locating objects despite changes in angle, scale, and appearance.