webinar

Join Lumenera for a Free Presentation on Custom Cameras and Imaging Technology for Design Engineers and Researchers

Lumenera along with NASA Tech Briefs will present a 30 minute informational seminar on custom camera development. If you have a need for high-performance or unique imaging systems we invite you to join us on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 2:00 PM EST. Learn how you can leverage the imaging expertise behind Government lab and homeland security initiatives, as well as partnering for your next industrial, life science or medical instrumentation project.

To register for this free presentation please click here.

Product Spotlight

Lumenera's 16 Megapixel Camera for Large Field of View, High Dynamic Range, and Extremely High Sensitivity

The Lw16059 high resolution industrial USB 2.0 camera features 4872 x 3248 resolution, large dynamic range with up to 65dB, and a selectable 8 or 12-bit output. This camera series is ideal for challenging applications in which large fields of view, short exposure times, and high contrast capabilities are required.

Featuring a frame rate of 2fps at full resolution, bursting up to 3fps, a single Lw16059 can be implemented in a system where several cameras were previously required and produce the same image quality. Extremely high sensitivity makes it your best choice for applications with uncontrolled and poorly illuminated environments. The sensitivity improves dramatically when the camera is operated in binning mode.

The 16 megapixel camera series is available in both monochrome and colour versions, and comes standard with a Canon bayonet-style mount with auto focus and auto iris control. Similar to all Lumenera USB 2.0 cameras, the Lw16059 includes a complete Software Developer's Kit (SDK) to quickly integrate the camera's function into OEM applications.

For more information on the Lw16059 please click here.

Lumenera in the news

The Future of USB 3.0: Lumenera's Product Manager Darren Bessette explores the next generation of USB technology in his article for QUALITY MAGAZINE.

Lately there has been a lot of discussion surrounding the latest version of the USB specification. This new version, v3.0, is being promoted as the next best thing. From the inception of the PC, USB has and continues to be one of the most popular data bus interfaces for the modern computer.

IMAGING WITH USB 3.0
Many of the machine vision cameras currently on the market may not see an immediate boost in performance when they migrate to USB 3.0. This is due to the fact that the sensor, when running at its peak, cannot provide enough data to max out a standard transportation bus.

However, where one would benefit from a USB 3.0 platform is in the ability to now run up to 10 1.3 megapixel cameras at once on a single USB root hub. In the past, 10 separate root hubs were required, thus helping with budgets and space constraints. Additionally, in order to manage the full data from these 10 cameras on USB 2.0, one would need a powerful motherboard that could support 10 full USB root hubs with a very fast PCI bus. USB 3.0 will better manage the volumes of data coming from the cameras and other peripherals and will require less hardware in the process.

Another benefit gained with USB 3.0 is that the additional bandwidth allows camera manufacturers access to new larger, faster sensors. As more and more sensors are switching to an HD format of 1080p30 (1080 represents 1,080 lines of vertical resolution and p stands for progressive scan), 1080p60 or larger, the demand on bandwidth increases, particularly when transmitting raw, uncompressed data.

To read the full article on USB 3.0 click here.

Did you know?

Choosing to Remove the Infrared Cut Filter Glass Can Increase Camera Sensitivity

Lumenera offers the ability to remove the Infrared (IR) cut filter glass from any of our color or monochrome digital cameras. When ordering a camera this feature is referred to as WOIR.

A standard camera, with IR cut glass installed, has a sensitivity range between 350-640nM wavelengths. By removing the IR blocking filter the camera is now able to access wavelengths in the Near-infrared (NIR). This option is ideal for applications requiring more sensitivity in dark conditions. When used on images with visible color present the WOIR option may cause pictures to have a pink, red, or even purple hue when too much IR bleeds the normally balanced RGB channels. Users with monochrome or low light applications can benefit from the WOIR option's increased sensitivity, especially when used outdoors or with IR illuminators. Switching from IR to WOIR can increase overall sensitivity of a camera between 20-30% in a most applications.

WOIR Filter Glass Cameras are ideal for the following industries:

• Machine Vision - Solar Panel Inspection, Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage inline inspection that use a deep RED or intense invisible IR illumination
• Traffic and transportation applications- rely on 24-7 Active IR illumination for License Plate Recognition
• Military applications that read invisible IR reflective identifications on the battle field
• Security and Transportation applications can order a dual-mode “Day/Night” Network camera that uses an IR blocking filter during the day and switches to WOIR (clear glass) at twilight to increase nighttime image sensitivity
• Scientists take advantage of the entire visible and NIR color spectrum with the WOIR option
• Medical applications like Ophthalmology and Dermatology can use a variety of IR wavelengths to indentify different retinal and skin ailments
• Interactive digital display systems for the modern Arcade and Entertainment industries rely heavily on IR lighting with WOIR high-speed cameras to capture and feedback body motion without interfering with color overhead displays

Lumenera's CCD monochrome cameras come standard with WOIR. CMOS monochrome cameras come standard with IR cut filter. To find out if the WOIR filter glass option is right for you please contact industrialsales@lumenera.com.

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Case Study: L-Ray Selects Lumenera for the Next Generation of Tire Testing Equipment

Michigan based L-Ray designed the Differometric Digital Tire Test Machine, the next revolution in tire testing equipment. The Differometric was based on 30+ years of research and experience to produce a machine capable of safely and efficiently testing tires at high volumes and speeds.

L-Ray found themselves up against several challenges, including lengthy tire testing times, high production costs, space constraints, and difficult to understand results. To combat these challenges L-Ray required an imaging component capable of rapid motion imaging and easy-to-interpret precise pictures. For this intricate implementation they chose a Lumenera megapixel USB 2.0 camera with CCD sensor.

L-Ray has improved use of optics, light and reflection, using Lumenera's digital CCD camera. The camera is able to provide image results in “Real-Time” that can be interpreted by a technician.

Download the full case study by clicking here.

Corporate News

Lumenera Congratulates Our Own Greg Bell on Receiving the Ottawa Business Journal's Top Forty Under 40 Award

The OBJ award recognizes forty notable industry leaders under the age of 40 who excel both in business and community-based ventures. A panel of executives have selected the most promising and exciting nominees based on business achievements, professional expertise, and community involvement.

Greg was chosen as a recipient of this honour for his contributions to Ottawa's technology industry and the local community. In 2002 Greg bootstrapped Lumenera as a co-founder and is now responsible for corporate strategy and sales as VP Business Development. He has also dedicated hundreds of hours to community improvement as a big brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and is also a major-gift contributor to the United Way/Centraide Ottawa.

Lumenera would like to congratulate Greg on this prestigious award. To read the latest on the top forty under 40 please click here.

Lumenera Releases Financial Results for Q1 2010

Lumenera has released our Q1 results reporting a 15% quarter-over-quarter and 33% year-over-year growth in shipments. This success comes in spite of the macro-economic conditions of the past year. First quarter growth comes as a result of increased business with existing OEM customers and a surge in channel business across North America and Asia. Lumenera continued to deliver impressive business results, while helping customers meet imaging requirements through new product introductions, exceptional technical support, and an industry-leading product offering.

To read the full press release please click here.

We Want to Hear From You Contest Winner

In our March newsletter we held a contest asking for your feedback on Lumenera and our camera technology. We had great feedback and were happy to award one respondent with an Amazon Kindle DX. Our lucky winner was Armando Garcia from IDEA Electronic Systems who wrote "Image quality, easy to use libraries, power consumption, are among the main reasons to choose Lumenera."

Congratulations to Armando and thank-you to everyone who entered.

Here we grow again

Lumenera is seeking innovative and enthusiastic individuals to join our team who will help us drive next generation products and achieve corporate goals. Are you ready to make a difference in the world of digital imaging?

Buyer
Field Application Engineer - Sales and Support
Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Quality Control Inspector

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