The PL-B742G is a high performance 1.3 mega pixel color camera designed for a broad range of industrial imaging applications. This camera is based on the Cypress IBIS5 CMOS global progressive scan sensor with a 2/3” optical format and 27 fps output. Multi-slope dynamic range controls enable balanced exposures in images with large scene dynamic range (100+ dB) making the camera well suited for traffic monitoring and welding inspection applications. Factory calibrated Digital Pixel Correction and on-board Flat Field Correction (FFC) provides image quality similar to high-end CCD cameras.

The Gigabit Ethernet interface provides high-speed data transfer (1000 Mbps) over low cost CAT5E or CAT6 cables for plug-and-play operation with the host computer. Cable lengths up to 100 meters are supported for point-to-point connection and this distance may be increased with the use of networking equipment.

External triggering and 2 general-purpose outputs provide users the flexibility to synchronize the camera with their processes and illumination.

This camera is well suited to machine vision applications which require excellent image quality such as automated inspection, PCB inspection, container inspection, factory automation and manufacturing quality control.

The PL-B742G has a rich set of features and capabilities all controllable through software. A global shutter and external trigger allows for synchronization in demanding machine vision applications. In video mode, the camera can deliver 33 fps at 1k x 1k resolution, 105 fps at VGA resolution (640 x 480) and 4400 fps at 24 x 24, all with an 8 pixel user-definable region of interest (ROI). Full field-of-view images can be decimated for high-speed transmission. The CMOS sensor architecture provides excellent anti-blooming capability.

Multi-slope dynamic range controls enable a balanced exposure in images with large scene dynamic range (low light areas to direct sunlight). This "logarithmic shutter" capability allows the camera to image scenes with 100+dB dynamic range making the camera well suited for traffic monitoring and welding inspection applications. Other typical applications for this camera are PCB and electronics inspection, food and beverage inspection, parts inspection, container inspection and quality control.

The camera has a user-selectable 8 or 10-bit output. Access to external triggering and the 2 general-purpose is supplied via the 9-pin micro D connector. Expensive frame grabbers are not required.

External power is supplied via a 2.1mm coaxial power jack with the center pin positive. The power supply should be regulated 9 VDC – 24 VDC with a minimum 7.5 Watt capacity. PixeLINK offers an optional power supply, part number PL-GIGE-12V-POWER SUPPLY.

For OEM customers, PixeLINK believes the integration of imaging products with software should be a quick and painless endeavor. That’s why our industry leading Software Developer’s Kit (SDK) uses a common API for all of our cameras regardless of the customer’s chosen interface. Software code developed for one camera model is easily transferred to other PixeLINK camera models saving you time and money. With the SDK, PixeLINK supplies an extensive Application Programming Interface (API) and camera control Graphical User Interface (GUI) for fast and easy application development. The SDK also includes wrappers for National Instruments LabVIEW versions 7.1, 8.0 and 8.2.

The camera’s functionality includes several triggering and GPIO modes for quick and easy integration with strobed illumination and motion controllers. Included is an on-board user-programmable lookup table (LUT) applied in real time and on-board non-volatile memory for camera configuration. Some of the other user controllable camera settings are: gain, offset, frame rate, auto exposure, gamma, color balance and saturation. All of these features, plus many more, are available in PixeLINK’s free demonstration GUI, PixeLINK Capture OEM located under the camera’s Downloads tab.