How e-con Systems' 5PM Global Shutter Camera equips ALPR applications with new-age vision capabilities

10 Apr 2024

Embedded vision has dramatically transformed factory automation. Initially, its role was limited as early systems were bulky, costly, and offered limited processing power. Fast forward to today, and the landscape of embedded vision in factory automation has evolved. Advances in sensor technology, processing power, and AI have made embedded vision systems more compact, affordable, and a lot smarter.

Hence, it is integral to different aspects of factory automation, including quality control, predictive maintenance, etc. In this blog, you’ll discover the key features of e-CAM56_CUOAGX, e-con Systems’ latest camera, which is perfect for factory automation.

But first, let’s understand this camera a little better.

Introducing e-CAM56_CUOAGX by e-con Systems

e-CAM56_CUOAGX is a 5 MP MIPI CSI-2 multi-camera solution, utilizing a 1/1.8″ Sony Pregius S IMX568 back-side illuminated sensor for high-quality image capture. It is designed for easy integration with the NVIDIA® Jetson AGX Orin™ development kit, thereby offering exceptional image quality in uncompressed YUV format. It also features fixed focus functionality with high sensitivity.

Watch e-CAM56_CUOAGX introduction video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t7n3QEXtrI

e-CAM56_CUOAGX ensures that factory automation systems can capture sharp, distortion-free images of objects in motion, making it perfect for manufacturing use cases. Its capability to link up to six camera modules, along with a standard M12 lens holder that allows for custom optics or lenses, further enhances its performance.

Know more about e-CAM56_CUOAGX

Key camera features of e-CAM56_CUOAGX that empower factory automation

Sony Pregius S IMX568 sensor 

e-CAM56_CUOAGX is powered by the Sony Pregius S IMX568 sensor with its back-side illuminated image sensor that boosts light collection capabilities. This ensures accurate performance in varying lighting conditions. Its superior quantum efficiency also allows for capturing higher quality images, crucial for accurate material identification and categorization in automated processes.

Also, the sensor’s smaller pixel size reduces noise, enabling higher gain across the entire light spectrum and improving camera performance in different lighting environments. This combination of advanced features enables more accurate visual inspections, reduces downtime, and increases productivity in automated factories.

Multi-ROI capture with a high frame rate

e-con Systems’ e-CAM56_CUOAGX comes with a multi-region of interest (ROI) capture feature, as well as a high frame rate. It helps achieve a maximum frame rate of up to 1164 frames per second (fps), making it uniquely suited for the high-speed demands of factory automation applications.

It enables simultaneous monitoring of multiple areas within a single frame, thereby improving the ability to detect anomalies, ensure quality control, and monitor critical processes in real time.

Global shutter 

e-CAM56_CUOAGX’s global shutter feature is instrumental in high-speed manufacturing processes where accurate, real-time data capture plays a big role in quality control. Traditional rolling shutters, which read sensor data line by line, potentially cause distortion or wobble in fast-moving images. In comparison, this global shutter camera captures the entire image simultaneously so that every part of the image is captured at the same moment. It results in eliminating motion blur, providing crystal-clear images even under very short exposures.

Additionally, e-CAM56_CUOAGX’s global shutter technology offers high frame rates and excellent noise characteristics, even in poor lighting conditions, alongside a broad dynamic range. It helps factory automation systems with accurate image analysis for tasks like defect detection, part identification, and guidance for robotic systems. This can optimize production lines for speed, accuracy, and minimal downtime.

High resolution 

e-CAM56_CUOAGX’s high resolution feature significantly enhances factory automation by providing detailed images that enable real-time monitoring and analysis of manufacturing processes. With higher pixel counts, this camera can help capture finer details (important for identifying defects), read small text or codes, and ensure robotic systems perform accurately.

Such a level of detail supports quality control by detecting minute imperfections that might be missed by lower-resolution cameras, leading to improved product quality. As a high-resolution camera, e-CAM56_CUOAGX also provides the flexibility to monitor larger areas without losing detail, reducing the number of cameras needed and simplifying system complexity.

High sensitivity 

e-CAM56_CUOAGX’s high sensitivity equips factory automation systems to operate effectively in low light conditions or when capturing images of fast-moving objects. As you may know, cameras with high sensitivity can produce clearer, more accurate images without the need for additional lighting.

High sensitivity is also important for continuous, around-the-clock operations where natural light varies. It allows for faster shutter speeds, capturing sharp images of objects in motion without blur. Hence, e-CAM56_CUOAGX boosts the flexibility of automated factory systems by supporting tasks like identification and sorting of materials, monitoring of production lines, and more.

NVIDIA® Internal Image Signal Processor (ISP)

e-CAM56_CUOAGX leverages NVIDIA® Jetson Image Signal Processors (ISP), which are designed to handle complex image processing tasks, such as noise reduction, color correction, and dynamic range enhancement, in real time. This capability ensures that camera systems deliver clear and accurate images. Backed by NVIDIA’s advanced processing power, e-CAM56_CUOAGX can analyze high-resolution images faster, driving real-time decision-making. So, the factory automation systems can continuously improve their accuracy and functionality over time.

e-con Systems offers a range of Sony Pregius cameras

e-con Systems has 20+ years of experience in designing, developing, and manufacturing OEM cameras. Over the years, we have helped many customers in integrating our cameras into their factory automation systems.

We also offer several cameras based on the latest Sony Pregius sensors. As you may know, these sensors are reputed for superior image quality, high sensitivity, and low noise levels. e-con Systems also provides software tools and SDKs to help you get started quickly and easily.

Explore our Sony Pregius cameras

You can also visit our Camera Selector page to browse our full product portfolio.