Machine Vision

 

100% measurement of key image quality parameters now in place

Basler now has implemented its automatic measurement of key image quality for the complete pilot camera series. These measurements are automatically performed and stored during Basler’s production process, and the results are available to the public.

Basler measures the image quality of all scout and pilot cameras after production with a unique final quality check tool: Basler’s “Camera Test Tool”. The data can be used to qualify a camera for the customer’s application because all relevant data for defining a good image are stated inside the measurement result protocols.

The measurement itself is standardized and is widely accepted within the machine vision industry and was developed by leading companies from that industry.

Hosted by the EMVA the standard was established in 2006 and since its finalization it is well known as EMVA 1288 standard. Since then, Basler has been qualifying cameras according to that standard and offers all available measurement results for download on the company’s website.

One of the main parameters that are measured is dark noise, which indicates the noise that is created by the camera itself. That value shows how well a camera is designed. Basler cameras regularly show extremely low noise values due to the fact that a low noise level is always a design goal in Basler’s camera development process and is part of the final design review before the start of series production. Because of this design, Basler cameras like the A102f or the scout scA1400-17fm or scA1400-17gm have already replaced high-priced cooled cameras that had comparable value.

In addition to the noise parameter, the EMVA 1288 standard defines different measurements including dynamic range, the maximum signal-to-noise ratio and quantum efficiency that are extremely helpful for customers designing a system with specific camera requirements. Another aspect of measurement is an FFT analysis, which easily identifies possible artefacts inside an image. Basler uses the measurement to eliminate artefacts during development of a camera before it can go into series production. This process provides a big advantage compared to competitive cameras that often show suspicious behaviour in that test and normally exhibit artefacts.

Basler is also starting to offer this data for the 10 pilot camera models that have resolutions from VGA to 5 megapixels with up to 210 fps. This following table shows typical results:

		piA640-210gm	piA1000-48gm	piA1600-35gm	piA1900-32gm	piA2400-12gm
	Resolution	648 x 488	1004 x 1004	1608 x 1208	1920 x 1084	2448 x 2050
	Frame Rate (fps)	210	48	35	32	12
	Interface	GigE (GigE Vision compliant)	GigE (GigE Vision compliant)	GigE (GigE Vision compliant)	GigE (GigE Vision compliant)	GigE (GigE Vision compliant)
	Sensor	Kodak KAI-0340	Kodak KAI-1020	Kodak KAI-2020	Kodak KAI-2093	Sony ICX625
	Total Quantum Efficiency at 545 nm (%)	45	36	47	39	41
	Temporal Dark Noise (e-)	26	45	26	42	16
	Saturation capacity (e-)	14000	22000	20000	25000	3000
	Dynamic Range (dB)	54,18	54,18	57,79	55,38	46,35
	Maximum SNR (dB)	41,3	43,5	43	44	35,2

all values are typical and subject to change without notice


Detailed measurement data will be available for download from the Basler website in August 2008.


For more information, please contact us at +49 4102 463-500 or e-mail us at bc.sales.europe@baslerweb.com.