Phantom S991 Machine Vision High-Speed Camera Provides Extreme Throughput With Fiber Technology

Delivers up to 9 Gpx/sec, which translates to more than 900 fps at a full 9 Mpx resolution of 4,096 x 2,304

Published: Thursday, February 3, 2022 - 12:59

(Vision Research: Wayne, NJ) -- Vision Research, a leading manufacturer of digital high-speed imaging systems, brings extreme throughput to machine vision applications with the introduction of the Phantom S991 machine vision camera. The Phantom S991 employs CoaXPress-over-Fiber technology to deliver up to 9 Gpx/sec (70 Gbps). This throughput translates to more than 900 frames per second (fps) at a full 9 Mpx resolution of 4,096 x 2,304, and more than 52,000 fps at lower resolutions, including 2,304 x 16.

The Phantom S991 offers users high quality and detailed images. The 9 Mpx sensor in the S991 is the same sensor used in Vision Research’s high-speed media camera, the Phantom Flex 4K. The sensor has 12-bit imaging and provides both rolling and global shutters to meet a variety of applications. Also, its 6.75 mm pixel is larger than many high-resolution machine vision cameras, translating into higher light sensitivity, with a daylight ISO rating of 1,600 for monochrome and 400 for color in global shutter.

Additionally, the Phantom S991 is designed to achieve high frame rates and throughput by using CoaXPress-over-Fiber (CXPoF), the latest innovative machine-vision protocol. CXPoF uses CXP12 and optical fiber, eliminating the need for multiple CXP 6 copper cables. The Phantom S991 requires just two fiber cables, as opposed to the 16 copper cables required by its predecessor, the Phantom S990. The Phantom S991 has an 8-bit output option to provide higher frame rates in the larger resolutions and reduce data throughput, and it has resolution increments of 128 horizontal x 8 vertical, allowing the user to maximize the resolution for the required frame rate.

“The Phantom S991 with CXP-over-Fiber technology brings significant benefits to machine vision applications,” explains Dan Hafen, director of business development for machine vision at Vision Research. “It leverages Vision Research’s industry leadership by offering high-quality images at extreme frame rates in a simple, user-friendly package. Furthermore, the CXP-over-Fiber technology provides many benefits to support extremely high throughput. It has a high bandwidth, low latency, manages link integration, and is poised for future bandwidth increases, all while using common, low-cost components.”

The Phantom S991 has other user-friendly enhancements, including a mechanical black shutter for remote black references and an EOS mount option to accommodate remote focus.

Key specifications of the Phantom S991
• CXP12-over-Fiber
• 9-Mpx sensor (4096 x 2304)
• Throughput: 9 Gpx/sec (70 Gbps)
• Maximum frame rate at 4096 x 2304: 937 fps
• Maximum frame rate at reduced resolutions: 52,080 fps
• 5 µs minimum exposure
• Rolling and global shutter
• ISO–daylight (global shutter): 1,600 (mono), 400 (color)

EVMA data:
QE @ 532 nm (%): 59.5 (G); 57 (R)
Dark noise (e-): 30.04 (G); 10.02 (R)
Dynamic range (dB): 55.8 (G); 68.6 (R)

About Vision Research

Vision Research is a leading manufacturer of high-speed digital imaging systems that are indispensable across a wide variety of applications, including medical research, industrial manufacturing, packaging, inspection, defense, automotive, engineering, science, and digital cinematography.

The Wayne, New Jersey.-based company designs and manufactures the most comprehensive range of digital high-speed cameras available today, all of which deliver unsurpassed light-sensitivity, image resolution, acquisition speed, and image quality.

During the course of its 60+ year history, Vision Research has earned numerous awards in recognition of its innovations in high-speed digital camera technology and sensor design, including a technical Emmy and an Academy Award.

Vision Research digital high-speed cameras add a new dimension to the sense of sight, allowing the user to see details of an event when it’s too fast to see, and too important not to.

Vision Research is a business unit of the Materials Analysis Division of AMETEK, a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with annualized sales of approximately $5.5 billion.

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