Emberion VS20 offers a full camera functionality with implementations for sensor readout and control, analog-to-digital signal conversion, calibration, image pre-processing, thermal control, power management and standard digital camera interface. The camera core circuit boards are supplemented by an optional mechanics and housing designed for efficient thermal management and protection against dust and water. A stable performance over a wide environmental temperature range is ensured with a thermo-electric cooling (TEC) element built in the image sensor package. Potential applications of the image sensor and camera lie in multiple domains, e.g. monochromatic machine vision and enabling multispectral and hyperspectral imaging.
Emberion VS20 cameras are available with two interface options: Camera Link (Emberion VS20 CL) or with GigE Vision (Emberion VS20 GigE).
Product variants
Emberion VS20 VIS-SWIR imagers of VGA resolution provide superior responsivity with very low noise over a broad spectral range from visible (400 nm) to short-wave infrared (SWIR, 2000 nm) wavelengths in room temperature operation. The dynamic range of the detectors is very large, owing to the low noise and a response that does not saturate. The Camera works at 86 fps with Camera Link interface.
Wide, tunable spectral range covered with a single sensor array , from visible 400 nm (VIS) light to short-wave infrared 2000 nm (SWIR).
Large inherent dynamic operation range, enabling High-Dynamic-Range (HDR) imaging.
Cost-efficient sensor manufacturing process, providing affordable camera solutions for a wide range of imaging applications.
In house designed CMOS ROIC supporting lower noise.
Our variant Emberion VS20 GigE VIS-SWIR camera consists of VGA resolution which provides superior responsivity with very low noise over a broad spectral range from visible (400 nm) to short-wave infrared (SWIR, 2000 nm) wavelengths in room temperature operation. The dynamic range of the detectors is very large, owing to the low noise and a response that does not saturate. The camera enables 400 fps with GigE interface.
Wide, tunable spectral range covered with a single sensor array, from visible 400 nm (VIS) light to short-wave infrared 2000 nm (SWIR).
Large inherent dynamic operation range, enabling High-Dynamic-Range (HDR) imaging.
Cost-efficient sensor manufacturing process, providing affordable camera solutions for a wide range of imaging applications.
In house designed state of the art CMOS ROIC supporting lower noise.
Our newest release VS20 VIS-SWIR Compact is lightweight and consists of VGA resolution which provides superior responsivity with very low noise over a broad spectral range from visible (400 nm) to short-wave infrared (SWIR, 2000 nm) wavelengths in room temperature operation. The dynamic range of the detectors is very large, owing to the low noise and a response that does not saturate. The camera enables 400 fps with GigE interface.
Wide, tunable spectral range covered with a single sensor array, from visible 400 nm (VIS) light to short-wave infrared 2000 nm (SWIR).
Large inherent dynamic operation range, enabling High-Dynamic-Range (HDR) imaging.
Cost-efficient sensor manufacturing process, providing affordable camera solutions for a wide range of imaging applications.
In house designed state of the art CMOS ROIC supporting lower noise.
Applications
Semiconductor Imaging
A: Visible Image of a semiconductor wafer
B: Swir Image of semiconductor wafer : SWIR allows see through wafer cabability for inspection and alignment
Defence & Surveillance: Adverse Weather
A: Emberion VS20 Image (no filter): broadband image
B: SWIR image with backlight demonstrating see through smoke for adverse condition: surveillance application.
(Note: Long pass filter >1000nm used for SWIR imaging only)
- SWIR can offer better contrast than VIS: camouflaged targets
- Target recognition based on spectral finger prints
- Covert active imaging with SWIR light >1500 nm
- Temporal and spatial alignment of VIS and SWIR image information: head-worn vision systems (system complexity, user experience)
- Better light transmission, enhanced vision in limited visibility conditions: smoke, dust, fog, haze & low-light
Quality inspection
Food and Pharmaceutical Industry Packaging
A: Visible Image (Visual features dominate)
B: SWIR image seeing through the opaque package.
IR image shows the vials very clearly underneath the opaque package. Some of the printed package labels are not visible in IR light. However, the printings on the left-most vial are visible. The fill-up level of the transparent liquid in the vial is very visible due to the water’s high light absorption factor at 1550 nm
See through Food Packaging
A: Visible Image of plastic food pakcaging.
B: SWIR image of plastic packaging allowing see through inspection.
See through plastic packaging
A: Visible Image
B: SWIR Image showing the ingridnets inside the packaging
A: Visible Image
B: SWIR Image
Food detection & quality inspection
A: Visible Image of Potato Starch (left), Baking Soda, Sugar, Table Salt, Coconut Oil & Water
B: SWIR Image showing different contrast level of ingredients depending on their moleucular struture & moisture content. The higher the moisture content the darker the object
Optical sorting (food sorting, plastic sorting and recycling)
A: Visible image showing rice grains and plastic contaminants
B: SWIR Image: Rice grains apprearing very dark compared to visible picture taken by mobile camera.
SWIR image showing white plastic contaminants clearly visible when using the SWIR camera. The rice apprears very dark while in contrast the plastic contaminants are white in colour.
Counterfeit & Security
Product features
High Dynamic Range
High Dynamic Range (HDR) : High dynamic range sensor incorporated in VS20 camera. Emberion’s HDR with 80dB performance is ideal for large variations in brightness level with a single exposure. The pictures are showing SWIR images (A) from a standard InGaAs and SWIR image B from Emberion VS20
- Can handle large variations in irradiance level: operation in day and night conditions, better contrast
- Bright spots do not obscure neighbouring dark objects: headlights in low-light conditions
Better contrast in SWIR than in VIS light: camouflage materials designed for VIS and human eyes.
Beyond 1700nm Extended Range
Emberion’s camera extends beyond 1700nm compared to incumbent technologies, up to 2000nm. Applications such as PVC detection in waste recycling can be hugely beneficial using 1700nm peak for plastic sorting or detection of the strong water peak at 1920nm. This can be clearly demonstrated using the camera.
The images show that using 1920nm narrowband pass filter and halogen lamps the VS20 can be used to detect moisture absorption. It shows water is very strongly absorbed in that region and can be used for identifying water ingress , food quality, moisture in wood and paper (pulp).
Water absorption detection at various wavelengths using Emberion VS20
Compare product variants
Emberion VS20 CL
- Wide, tunable spectral range
- High-Dynamic-Range (HDR)
- Camera Link interface
- 86 fps
- Cost-efficient and affordable
- Evaluation kit available
Emberion VS20 GigE
- Wide, tunable spectral range
- HDR
- Optimised ROIC for lower noise performance
- GigE interface
- 400 fps
Emberion VS20 Compact
- Lightweight
- Wide, tunable spectral range
- HDR
- Optimised ROIC for lower noise performance
- GigE interface
- 400 fps
Product variant specifications
| Image sensor specifications | Emberion VS20 CL | Emberion VS20 GigE | Emberion VS20 Compact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image sensor type | Emberion colloidal quantum dot (CQD) photodiode | ||
| Spectral range | 400 to 2000 nm | ||
| Pixel pitch | 20.0 μm x 20.0 μm | ||
| Resolution in pixels | 640 x 512 | ||
| Image size | 12.8 mm x 10.24 mm | ||
| Image diameter | 16.39 mm | ||
| Fill factor | 90 % | ||
| Operable pixels | > 99.9% | ||
| Shutter | Global, built-in electronic | ||
| Cooling | Build-in 2-stage thermoelectric cooler (TEC) | ||
| Camera specifications | Emberion VS20 CL | Emberion VS20 GigE | Emberion VS20 Compact |
| Ambient operating temperature | -40 to +55 °C | -40 to +55 °C | -20 to +40 °C |
| A/D conversion | 14 bits | ||
| Image processing | Non-uniformity correction, linearisation, defect pixel correction | ||
| Exposure time | Min 0.5 ms, adjustable with 1 μs resolution | Min 0.5 ms, adjustable with 1 μs resolution | Min 0.1 ms, adjustable with 1 μs resolution |
| Supply voltage | 11 to 13 Vdc (DC power jack) | 11 to 13 Vdc (DC power jack) | |
| Power consumption | 8 W (typical) | To be confirmed | |
| Interfaces and mechanics | Emberion VS20 CL | Emberion VS20 GigE | Emberion VS20 Compact |
| Lens mount | C-mount, flange back distance: 17.526 mm | C-mount, flange back distance: 17.526 mm | C-mount with full thread |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) without the lens mount | 168.7 mm x 102.0 mm x 111.5 mm | 168.7 mm x 102.0 mm x 111.5 mm | 98.8 mm x 50.0 mm x 50.0 mm |
| Weight | 1.35 kg | 1.35 kg | 450 g |
| Trigger | 5V TTL input or output (configurable) | SMA & Precision Time Protocol (IEEE 1588) | |
| Interface options | Emberion VS20 CL | Emberion VS20 GigE | Emberion VS20 Compact |
| Image data | Camera Link Base configuration, SDR connector | GigE configuration, RJ45 connector | GigE Vision, RJ45 connector |
| Communications | Camera Link serial communications at (9600 baud) | Packet-based, GeniICam compatible | GeniICam compatible |
| Max frame rate (full VGA) | 86 fps | 400 fps | 400 fps |
| Trigger | SMA connector for trigger input/output, 3.3/5V | SMA connector and IEEE 1588 supported | 2 HW triggers (Opto-isolated and non-isolated), Trigger over Ethernet (IEEE 1588 PTP) |
| Powering | 24V DC input | 24V DC, Power over Ethernet not supported | 12 VDC |