July 17, 2018 – JAI has introduced the SP-12401-PGE, a 12.4 megapixel camera in its Spark Series of high resolution area scan cameras. Two models are offered – a monochrome model (SP-12401M-PGE) and a color model (SP-12401C-PGE).
Both models are built around the Sony Pregius IMX304 CMOS imager, which features 3.45-micron pixels and a dark noise rating of less than 2.5 electrons for image quality under low light conditions.
The cameras are equipped with a standard GigE Vision interface capable of running at 9.3 frames per second for 8-bit monochrome or raw Bayer images at full resolution (4112 x 3008 for monochrome and 4088 x 3000 for color). The GigE Vision interface can accept power over the interface for a one-cable configuration, or power can be supplied via a separate 12-pin connector.
The SP-12401-PGE models are housed in a new “second generation” enclosure that is smaller than previous Spark Series cameras, while maintaining the shock and vibration ratings of the earlier models. Overall size is 44 x 44 x 54 mm – more than 50% smaller by volume than previous Spark Series cameras - with an 80 G shock rating and a 10 G vibration rating for durability in industrial environments.
Among the features are several color imaging capabilities in the SP-12401C-PGE which have traditionally been offered in JAI’s prism color cameras. These include 24-bit and 32-bit in-camera interpolation using a sophisticated 5 x 5 de-Bayering algorithm. The interpolated output can be provided in raw RGB format, or can utilize the built-in color space conversion capabilities of the SP-12401C-PGE to be converted to HSI, CIE XYZ, sRGB, Adobe RGB, or any user-defined custom RGB format, depending on the requirements of the application.
In addition, the SP-12401C-PGE features a color enhancement function that can be used to “boost” the intensity for any of 6 different primary/complementary colors (red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow). Each color can be enhanced up to 2X its normal intensity to make certain items “stand out”, such as the red color of blood vs. surrounding tissue in a life sciences application
The SP-12401-PGE models support the use of C-mount lenses with a 1.1-inch optical format. The size and lens format make the cameras suitable for a variety of applications ranging from life sciences to robotics.
