Ximea xiSpec Hyperspectral Cameras, now equipped with high-speed with USB 3.0 interface.

Nanoelectronics research center imec, and machine vision producer XIMEA Corporation, have partnered to integrate imec’s Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) sensors with XIMEA’s xiQ USB3.0 camera line. Through this corroboration, the Ximea xiSpec Hyperspectral Cameras with USB3 Vision debuted in 2014. Hyperspectral sensors combined with the xiQ camera platform provide an extraordinary form factor, exclusive in hyperspectral imaging. Thanks to this, the recorded bands have fine wavelength resolution, and cover a range of wavelengths. Simply stated, hyperspectral imaging involves dividing light into thousands of small bands to gain detailed information. This specific CMOS sensor technology allows hyperspectral filters to be added at wafer-level on top of the pixel structure of the sensor.

XIMEA has accomplished this ultra-compact footprint with the use of a single planar rigid board construction as opposed to competing multi-board and multifold flexi-rigid PCB construction, allowing the xiQ easier to integrate into specialized equipment and OEM designs. With the technological evolution of the camera, the subject of what to ‘see’, has also changed. This new method of digital photography brings the ability to acquire information not just from the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, but the complete spectrum itself, i.e., hyperspectral imaging. The human eye sees color of visible light in typically three bands (red, green, and blue). However with hyperspectral imaging, images are divided into multiple additional bands, permitting the capture of images beyond visible frequencies. [caption id="attachment_7102" align="alignright" width="300"]Ximea xiSpec Hyperspectural Cameras Ximea xiSpec Hyperspectural Cameras[/caption] Ximea XiSpec Hyperspectral cameras with USB3 Vision are now a family of four miniature, 1.04 x 1.04 x 1.22 inches (26.4 x 26.4 x 31 mm) cameras many advanced applications. The models are MQ022HG-IM-LS100-NIR (Near InfraRed) model with a 2/3" CMOS, Hyperspectral 100+ bands Linescan sensor, that scans up to 1360 lines per second; the MQ022HG-IM-SM4X4-VIS (VISible), a 2/3" CMOS, Hyperspectral Snapshot Mosaic sensor, scanning up to 170 cubes per second with 16 bands; the MQ022HG-IM-SM5X5-NIR, a 2/3" CMOS, Hyperspectral Snapshot Mosaic sensor, scanning up to 170 cubes per second with 25 bands; and the newest addition, the MQ022HG-IM-LS150-VISNIR (VISible Near InfraRed), a 2/3" CMOS, Hyperspectral Line scan sensor, scanning up to 1020 lines per second with 150+ bands introduced in May 2016. Ximea xiSpec Hyperspectral Cameras's significance in technological advancement has allowed it to be cost effective, albeit absolutely at the forefront of camera progress. Being USB 3.0 Vision standard compliant, these SuperSpeed cameras (high speed/frame rate based on 170 frames per second at 2 Mpix resolution) will support Windows, Linux, Mac OSX, and ARM, and have the highest spatial and spectral resolution possible (5 Gigabytes per second interface), and are highly customizable. Applications for the Ximea xiSpec Hyperspectral Camera allow it to be multi-encompassing. In the medical field, it can be used for Medical Imaging (cancer cell inspection), Microscopy and Endoscopy, DNA sequencers/flow/cytometers, Fluorescence and Ophthalmology. It can analyze skin tones and aids in tissue analysis. In precision agriculture advances, the Ximea xiSpec Hyperspectral Camera can efficiently monitor crop health, has the ability to ‘see’ water and nutrient levels, and can clarify the presence of hard-to-spot diseases. It can differentiate real plants from fake ones - aerial video imagery would not be able to separate these. By examining the spectral content in the pixels, hyperspectral clarifications can detect chlorophyll or very small color-changes on foliage, useful in color delineation.They can be used in topographical analysis of mineral deposits on farms, military surveillance, medical tissue analysis and archeological mapping. Hyperspectral imaging provides a wealth of light and composition data from imaging sensors in the field, in the lab and even in space. Yes, space exploration - the Ximea xiSpec Hyperspectral Cameras can be utilized in area-constrained, mobile, or aerial imaging applications. At a mere 1.13 ounces (32 graams) in weight, UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), i.e., drones employ the Ximea xiSpec Hyperspectral Cameras to enable improved performance of robotic arms and gimbals, and consume only 1.8 W, lessening the power and thermal management design challenges of UAVs. Terrestrial and maritime earth observation are perfect candidates for these cameras, as are mining applications where they can detect industrial gas leaks and forensics. Environmental monitoring, as well as decisive optical sorting and food inspection for quality and grading, all are ideal candidates for Ximea xiSpec Hyperspectral Cameras, thanks to their ability to view what we can not. Aegis Electronic Group, Inc., a leading distributor of machine vision, robotics and UAV cameras,  takes camera technology expertise to the highest level.  From ordering, shipping, to consumer receipt, they coordinate every step with efficiency and unparalleled technical service.  Ximea xiSpec Hyperspectral Cameras are available from Aegis, and can be in your hands for your next application.