LV-7500 (EIA), LV-8500 (CCIR)

Monochrome progressive scan CCD camera with a full frame shutter.

1. Outline

 
The LV-7500/8500 is a monochrome frame shutter camera, compatible to the SONY XC-7500/8500 models. The 1/2-inch square pixel progressive scan Hyper HAD IT CCD, high resolution and alternative shutter modes (synchronous and asynchronous) with shutter speeds up to 1/800 000 sec guarantees its high performance in various machine vision applications, where accurate measuring or random capturing of fast moving objects is needed. Extended version of the LV-7500/8500 cameras enables setup via RS 232C-Windows NT camera control. Camera LV-7500 works in accordance with EIA, the LV-8500 with CCIR video norm.
  • Square pixels
  • Frame shutter (up to 1/800 000 sec)
  • Fast asynchronous reset
  • Two output modes: dual-channel interlaced(1/60 sec EIA or 1/50 sec CCIR), single-channel progressive (1/30 or 1/25 sec)
  • Long time integration: 2 to 16 fields
  • High resolution: 659×494 (EIA), 782×582 (CCIR)
  • RS 232C-Windows NT camera control (in extended version)
  • Compact, lightweight: 40×50×80 mm, 245 g

2. Main features

One shutter progressive scan

The major disadvantage of conventional CCD image sensors, designed for interlaced scan video systems lies in their low vertical resolution. The output signal in each single line of an image field is mixed from two adjacent pixels vertically; it minimizes motion blur but causes lower vertical resolution as well (see Glossary of terms - Scanning). You can get higher resolution by using frame integration mode (see Glossary of terms - Charge accumulation types), but then you won't avoid to considerable motion blur.

The problem is solved by newly developed progressive scan CCD (employed by LV-7500/8500 or SONY XC-7500/8500 cameras). It provides signal from all pixels during a single exposure (every 1/50 or 1/60 sec). The camera module is equipped with two video outputs, each of them providing conventional interlaced image. While one works in ODD-EVEN-ODD sequence, the other outputs image fields in EVEN-ODD-EVEN sequence. These two interlaced field output images can thus be in a framegrabber mixed together to one full frame progressive image.

Output modes

The signal from above described progressive scan CCD can be output in two different modes.

Dual-channel mode
Both video output 1 and video output 2 provide conventional interlaced image signals - one in O-E-O, the other in E-O-E sequence. They can be mixed to a progressive scan image (see above).
Single-channel mode
The image signal is output just from video output 1 - the lines are sequenced in 1-2-3-4... manner. Because full frame noninterlaced image (525 or 625 lines) has to be transmitted in this mode, the double time (1/30 or 1/25 sec) is needed.

Electronic shutter modes

Various shutter modes allows to use the LV7500/8500 cameras in many situations.

Normal mode
Shutter off mode, compatible with XC-75/75CE camera. This mode is intended for capturing a still object.
Normal shutter
Normal frame shutter operation with shutter speeds selectable between 1/125 and 1/10 000 sec (7 steps); for capturing moving objects.
High speed shutter
This mode enables capturing fast moving objects, shutter speed can be selected in 8 steps up to 1/800 000 (EIA) or 1/917 000 sec (CCIR).
Long-time exposure
The exposure time can be set down to 16 FLD (1 FLD = 1/60 sec in EIA and 1/50 sec in CCIR). This mode is intended for shooting still dark scenes. Long-time exposure does not work in Random Trigger mode.
Random Trigger mode
For capturing new image at any time. Internal HD is synchronized by an external trigger pulse and selected shutter time starts. When charge integration is finished, the WEN (Write ENable) pulse indicates the beginning of the video read-out.

RS-232C Serial Control

An extended version of the LV-7500/8500 cameras is equipped with a digital setup function via RS-232C serial control. Camera features like gamma, gain, scan mode, trigger mode, shutter speed, etc. can be set-up using camera control software (Windows NT/95/3.x). Such special tool make it easy to control LV-7500/8500 cameras from a standard PC. Moreover as the Windows 95/NT versions include DLL files with documentation, the camera control can be easy integrated to the custom applications.

Square pixels

The camera employs a square pixel CCD (cell size 9.9×9.9 µm in LV-7500, 8.3×8.3 µm in LV-8500). The square pixels are needed in image processing systems and accurate measuring tasks, because the aspect ratio (the ratio width/height of an image) doesn't require adjustment. Picture elements are equally arrayed in both directions, and allow easy addressing. In case of rectangular pixels one have to maintain the aspect ratio when measuring objects, because the dimensions of stored frame aren't equal to true dimensions; resolutions along x and y axis aren't the same.

Internal/External synchronization

The camera can work using either internal or external synchronization.

Internal sync
Timing of the camera read-out process is controlled by internal electronics, the camera is self-synchronized.
HD/VD (horizontal drive/vertical drive) signals
External synchronizing signals provided from outside. The timing of the unit is adapted in accordance to these HD/VD pulses.

Output

Video signal (1.0 Vp-p/75 ohm), generated by the camera electronics, can be output either to two BNC connectors (see Output modes) or to a special 12-pin multiconnector. Using this 12-pin connector, internal sync signals of the camera (HD and VD) can be output as well.

The third (6-pin) connector serves for the RS-232C serial control setup, trigger input and Write Enable pulse output.

3. Comprehensive specifications

Note: The following table tries to describe all known features and parameters of the camera. When a times mark (×) is filled in a cell, it means that the camera doesn't employ accordant feature or specifying such parameter doesn't make any sense for this camera type.

  LV-7500 LV-8500
Signal system    
Video norm EIA (60 field) CCIR (50 field)
Color coding × ×
Scanning frequency (field) 59.94 Hz 50 Hz
Scanning frequency (vertical) 15.734 kHz 15.625 kHz
Scanning frequency (horizontal) 12.2727 MHz  
Sensor    
Pickup device 1/2-inch Hyper HAD IT CCD, progressive scan 1/2-inch Hyper HAD IT CCD, progressive scan
Total picture elements    
Effective picture elements 659×494 782×582
Elements in video out 648×486 767×575
Cell size 9.9×9.9 µm 8.3×8.3 µm
Sensing area 6.4×4.8 mm 6.4×4.8 mm
Chip dimensions 8.10×6.33 mm 8.10×6.33 mm
Optical black (H)    
Optical black (V)    
Dummy bits (H)    
Dummy bits (V)    
Operating modes    
Output modes 2-channel interlaced (1/60 sec),
single-channel noninterlaced (1/30 sec) 		2-channel interlaced (1/50 sec),
single-channel noninterlaced (1/25 sec)
Scan. system 2:1 interlaced 525 lines, 2 fields 625 lines, 2 fields
Scan. system noninterlaced 525 lines, 1 frame 625 lines, 1 frame
Charge accumulation progressive (no interline mixing) progressive (no interline mixing)
Serial control interface RS-232C RS-232C
Timing    
Shutter types normal - random trigger normal - random trigger
Normal shutter off, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000, 1/10 000 sec off, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000, 1/10 000 sec
Special shutter × ×
Donpisha × ×
Low speed shutter 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 FLD (FLD = 1/60 sec) 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 FLD (FLD = 1/50 sec)
High speed shutter 1/20 000, 1/40 000, 1/60 000, 1/80 000, 1/100 000, 1/200 000, 1/400 000, 1/800 000 sec 1/25 000, 1/50 000, 1/70 000, 1/90 000, 1/125 000, 1/250 000, 1/459 000, 1/917 000 sec
Trigger shutter up to 1/800 000 sec (no long time exposure) up to 1/917 000 sec (no long time exposure)
Synchronization internal X-tal. - external internal X-tal. - external
External sync system HD/VD or random trig HD/VD or random trig
Restart/Reset    
Optical parameters    
Sensitivity    
Minimum illumination 1 lux F1.4 1 lux F1.4
Signal/noise better than 56 dB (AGC OFF, gamma 1) better than 55 dB (AGC OFF, gamma 1)
Technical specifications    
General    
Video output composite VBS signal, 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohm composite VBS signal, 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohm
Dimensions 40×50×80 mm 40×50×80 mm
Weight 245 g 245 g
Power consumption 2.2 W
(2.5 W for the extended version with digital setup via RS-232C) 		2.2 W
(2.5 W for the extended version with digital setup via RS-232C)
Lens mount C-mount C-mount
Flange back length 17.526 mm 17.526 mm
Connectors 2×BNC for video out,
12-pin for video out, sync i/o, power in,
6-pin for trigger i/o and RS232C control i/o 		2×BNC for video out,
12-pin for video out, sync i/o, power in,
6-pin for trigger i/o and RS232C control i/o
In/Out requirements    
Power DC12 V ±10 %, 0.5 A DC12 V ±10 %, 0.5 A
Power voltage tolerance    
External sync allowable frequency    
External sync in 4 Vp-p, 75 ohm 4 Vp-p, 75 ohm
Internal sync out 4 Vp-p, 75 ohm 4 Vp-p, 75 ohm
Trigger in 4 Vp-p, 75 ohm 4 Vp-p, 75 ohm
Trigger in duration 2 µsec to 10 msec 2 µsec to 10 msec
Environment    
Vibrations resistance    
Shock resistance    
Temperature of guaranteed performance    
Operating temperature -10 to 50 °C -10 to 50 °C
Operating humidity 20 to 80 % 20 to 80 %
Storage temperature    
Storage humidity    
Controls and functions    
Gamma correction ON (0.45) - OFF (1.0) ON (0.45) - OFF (1.0)
Gain mode auto - fix - manual auto - fix - manual
Manual gain relative 0-255 relative 0-255
Field invert × ×

4. Complementary and related products

Best suited framegrabbers for use with LV-7500/8500

Leutron Vision offers complete, well-known line of framegrabbers, PicPort®. The best suited for work with LV-7500/8500 are:

PicPort®-Stereo-H4D
Specialized version of PicPort®-Stereo framegrabber with interface to dual-channel cameras. It operates in five sync modes or in asynchronous (triggered) mode.

Correspondent cables

Please choose all the necessary cables for connecting the camera to a framegrabber.

Camera accessories

Leutron Vision also provides a range of lenses and illumination products, as well as other camera accessories.

Related cameras

LV-1000
Megaresolution (1.3M pixels) progressive scanning camera.
SONY XC-55
Similar to LV-7500, but with a single output; remote head version is available.

5. Ordering information

Ordering number Product Description
15511 LV-7500 Basic model for EIA video norm
15541 LV-7500/AS LV-7500, asynchronous operation with PicPort® boards
15513 LV-7500/PSS LV-7500, pixel-synchronized slave operation
15515 LV-7500RS LV-7500, RS-232C interface
15543 LV-7500RS/AS LV-7500, RS-232C interface, asynchronous operation with PicPort® boards
15517 LV-7500RS/PSS LV-7500, RS-232C interface, pixel-synchronized slave operation
15510 LV-8500 Basic model for CCIR video norm
15540 LV-8500/AS LV-8500, asynchronous operation with PicPort® boards
15512 LV-8500/PSS LV-8500, pixel-synchronized slave operation
15514 LV-8500RS LV-8500, RS-232C interface
15542 LV-8500RS/AS LV-8500, RS-232C interface, asynchronous operation with PicPort® boards
15516 LV-8500RS/PSS LV-8500, RS-232C interface, pixel-synchronized slave operation
Complementary products
11022 PicPort®-Stereo-H4D PCI bus framegrabber
11025 PicPort®-Stereo-H4D CPCI CompactPCI bus framegrabber
110×× PicPort®-X PicPort® framegrabbers, all models
16028 LV-SDS Software developer's suite for PicPort® boards
14311 Cable H12m/H12f Camera cable, 2 m, 12-pin Hirose plugs at both ends
14314 Cable H12m/H12f Camera cable, 5 m, 12-pin Hirose plugs at both ends
14023 Cable HD15m/H12f Camera cable, 5 m, 15-pin HDsub to 2 × 12-pin Hirose; for dual-channel cameras
14××× Other cables All needed cables of various lengths
71××× Accessories Lenses, illumination, and other accessories
Specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.
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Copyright © by Leutron Vision.
Last update: May 1999.