Any Speed, Any Resolution, Any Cable Length, Any Sensor, Any Application

Speeds like 10GigE, 25GigE, and 100GigE are a must have in many applications. However, as we launch our new Eros 5GigE cameras in 2024, we will be leveraging our deep experience in performance applications to reliably support 5GigE and lower speeds in 1 or many camera per server applications with a wide variety of performance processing options in the same zero copy / zero loss sense.

With such a broad range of products we find it helpful to chart out the various resolutions and frame rates provided.

At 10GigE, the products range from 0.5MP @ 1500fps up to 50MP @ 23fps.

At 25GigE, the products range from 0.5MP @ 1600fps up to 127MP @ 17fps.

For line scan, the products range from 4K @ 172KHz up to 16K @ 400KHz with a special nod to 9K TDI @ 600KHz.

as we launch our new Eros 5GigE line of cameras in 2024, we will introduce many of the same sensors we already support but now in lower speed, lower cost, and much smaller size options. While SWIR is coming to 10GigE soon, we will also include SWIR in the Eros product line.

As seen here, the sensors Emergent supports vary greatly in size, pixel count, pixel size, and data rate. We include a wide variety of both area scan and line scan sensors from the premier suppliers Sony and GPixel.

RJ45 is familiar to most and is there to support up to 10GigE speeds but not beyond. This uses CAT6A cabling typically and supports up to 100m. PoE is an option here but adds approximately 1W of power which either creates a block heater out of small cameras or requires a larger camera enclosure to dissipate the heat. We note that these cable options also include a PHY chip in the camera which can consume 2-3W which also add to the heat dissipation requirements of the camera.

SFP+ and SFP28 share the same formfactor and are used for 10Gige and 25GigE speeds respectively. Noting again that these standards do not support PoE. Cable options include, Direct Attach, MMF, and SMF. Direct Attach cable is a single piece passive cable designed to drive shorter lengths of cable. AOC is also a single piece cable but has transceivers and fiber integrated in a fixed length cable. Typically this is a MMF cable used in medium length cable runs. SMF and MMF are also constructed in 3 piece configurations made up of 1 fiber and 2 transceivers(one at each end of the fiber). The fiber connects into the transceivers most commonly with the LC-LC fiber connectors.

QSFP28 is used for 100GigE speeds. Noting again that this standard does not support PoE. The cable options are the same as for SFP+ and SFP28 options.

Most are familiar with typical visible sensor technology and their applications which indeed easily form the majority of camera deployments. Visible sensors have sensitivity in wavelengths between 400nm and 1000nm.

Sony’s new IMX487 8MP ultraviolet (UV) sensor, capable of 200fps, has UV sensitivity in wavelengths down to 200nm.
The ever-expanding scope of UV applications includes:

• using the scattering nature of UV light for detecting fine scratches on semiconductors.
• using the high optical resolution of UV light for detecting smaller features on semiconductors.
• using UV transmittance variance by materials for more diverse range of inspections.
• using the differences in UV absorption rate among organisms for expanding types of observations.
• using the UV emission characteristics for UV luminescence applications such as power grid degradation inspection.

Sony’s IMX990 1.3MP and IMX991 0.3MP SWIR sensors are capable of 135fps and 260fps respectively.

Sony’s IMX990, IMX991, IMX992 and IMX993 SWIR sensors range from 1.3MP up to 5.3MP at 260fps to 130fps respectively.
SWIR sensors have sensitivity in wavelengths up to 1800nm. The ever-expanding scope of SWIR applications includes:

• At 1450nm, water absorbs light at this wavelength which allows water detection in objects.
• Different materials absorb and reflect light at different wavelengths to aid in material analysis.
• SWIR penetrates certain materials which is useful in semiconductor inspection for example.
• SWIR can observe heat over 250°C for temperature analysis.

Sony’s IMX253 12MP and IMX250 5MP polarized sensors are capable of 80fps and 163fps respectively. Polarized sensors have sensitivity in wavelengths between 400nm and 1000nm. The ever-expanding scope of Polarized applications includes

• Reflection removal in ITS applications
• Direction of polarization and Degree of polarization for Surface inspection applications looking for scratches, dust, stress, and strain.

The common factor in many applications Emergent supports is performance. The most demanding applications are in VR where we have deployed a 500 camera setup with 40 x 25GigE cameras per server. These same benchmarks are used to deploy systems in transport inspection, food inspection, and biomechanics applications. The other factor not to be outdone is in the quality of the images and cameras as a whole which is critical in pharmaceutical and AOI applications where FDA and 24/7 operation is required.