AVT Dolphin
The high data rates of 400 Mbit/s, the
remarkable image quality and steadily fal-
ling prices of cameras and interface cards
make FireWire cameras a more and more
popular choice for industrial use.
Sensor
In this class of digital cameras, the
Dolphin F-145 uses one of the most high
performance 2/3 type sensors available on
the market and sets high standards regar-
ding professional criteria such as image
quality, resolution, contrast and low-noise
while at the same time offering high light-
sensitivity. The image rate of 15 full ima-
ges/s is unique in this class. The sensor
used in the Dolphin drastically reduces
blooming and smear and results in the
production of visibly better images.
12-bit A/D converter
A low-noise 12-bit A/D converter allows
the Dolphin to digitize the finest details of
the image sensor pixel-synchronously and
at a high level of quality. The IEEE 1394
interface allows the simple and even
image-synchronous changes to the analo-
gue parameters of the converter such as
gain, offset and white balance (color ver-
sion). The downstream look-up tables
additionally offer arbitrary image manipu-
lation without loss of quality such as the
choice of 10-bit or 8-bit domains, for
example.
Smart Features
The Dolphin's many integrated smart fea-
tures make numerous image processing
tasks possible on the fly, which can lessen
the load on a PC with downstream image
processing capability.
Look-up tables
Up to 63 different LUTs are programmable
in the internal cache of the Dolphin
camera and can be integrated into the
system as needed. LUTs can be created
with a PC (for example with a standard
program like Excel™) and then easily loa-
ded into the camera. The advantages of
the Dolphin's integrated look-up tables
become especially apparent during com-
plex image processing tasks such as the
creation of non-linear characteristic func-
tions for the accentuation of different
image levels (gamma LUT) or during image
or threshold operations.
Sequencing
The LUTs as well as the configuration of
the A/D converter and the image sizes
during partial scans can be switched pic-
ture-perfectly through the use of sequen-
cing. Multi-variable use in industrial
image processing thereby becomes possi-
ble, for example the compensation of
image quality as a consequence of diffe-
rent illuminational colors during complex
image inspection.
Image caching
The Dolphin can save up to 16 high-reso-
lution images to its memory (15 images F-
201). The taking of images and their sub-
sequent read-out is completely seperated
by the image cache and triggering. The
speed of the image read-out can be con-
trolled thus limiting the bus load. The easy
caching of images makes for a much finer
filtering of images.
Shading correction
A further smart feature of the Dolphin is
unique shading correction. Each pixel can
be corrected and the compensation of all
unequal lighting, lenses and more can
take place in the camera on the fly.
Seperate processing on the PC is unneces-
sary and saves time.
The AVT Dolphin Series
Many camera systems shine with impressi-
ve specifications. The differences, howe-
ver, lie in the concept. In the combination
of all components. In the development
know-how. In the precise production. The
Dolphin by Allied Vision Technologies is a
paradigm of innovative technology. Its
unique image data is delivered through
the perfect coordination of all compo-
nents. The Dolphin cameras are available
in b/w (B) and color (C) variations, with
1.4 MPixel and 2.01 MPixel:
●
AVT Dolphin F-145B
●
AVT Dolphin F-145C
●
AVT Dolphin F-201B
●
AVT Dolphin F-201C
The AVT Dolphin F-145, available both in
color and black/white, is a C-Mount
camera which is equipped with a 1.45
megapixel SONY 2/3 type progressive CCD
sensor. The AVT Dolphin F-201 uses a 2.01
megapixel 1/1.8 type progressive CCD sen-
sor. All Dolphin F-145 cameras operate
both in 8-bit or 10-bit mode (F-145B: 12-
bit), ensuring extremely high quality ima-
ges. All Dolphin F-201 cameras operate in
8-bit mode, ensuring the highest frame
rate in combination with extremely high
resolution images. The cameras are equip-
ped with an internal frame buffer - to
decouple frame-grabbing from transmis-
sions. A real-time shading correction and
up to 63 user-definable realtime look-up
tables are ideal for smart preprocessing.
With full frame rates up to 15 fps (full
resolution; 12.75 fps F-201B) the AVT
Dolphin family is ideal for high-demand
image processing and factory automation
tasks. With partial scan the frame rate
increases even higher or alternatively, the
bandwidth consumption decreases.
Color versions use sophisticated real-time
color conversion with color correction on
board, ensuring high color fidelity.
An option for RAW image transfers is also
available. This lowers the bandwidth and
increases the image quality when trans-
mitting at 10 bits per pixel.
Last but not least: The Dolphin cameras
are easy to integrate as a result of the AVT
FirePackage.
FireWire™ - the new standard in image
processing.
Introduced to the computer industry by
Apple as early as 1994, the digital connec-
tion technology known as IEEE 1394
(FireWire™ or i.Link™) has become a major
player in the field of industrial image pro-
cessing.
It makes simplest computer compatability
and bidirectional data transfer via plug &
play possible.
Sensor with smear:
Dolphin:
LUT 12-bit <-> 10 bit
Gamma LUT
