JAI has begun shipping the AT-140GE and the AT-200GE 3-CCD color camera series. The company had previously launched versions of these cameras with Camera Link digital interfaces. The new models feature the same 1.4-megapixel and 2-megapixel resolution as the Camera Link models, but come equipped with GigE Vision serial interfaces able to operate via standard Ethernet cabling and network hardware.  

The AT-140GE features three 1/2-inch progressive scan CCDs (Sony ICX267AL), each with a resolution of 1392 x 1040 pixels and an individual pixel size of 4.65 by 4.65 microns. The AT-200GE uses three 1/1.8-inch progressive scan CCDs (Sony ICX274AL) to provide a resolution of 1628 x 1236 pixels with an individual pixel size of 4.4 microns square.  

The CCDs are affixed to a prism block that splits the incoming light into red, green, and blue color channels. JAI’s patented alignment process ensures the three sensors are aligned to within 1/4-pixel accuracy, providing pixel-precise color values suitable for machine vision analysis, gauging, and processing. This is in contrast to 3CCD cameras that utilize “pixel offset” methods to increase perceived on-screen resolution, while sacrificing the precision of the digital output.  

With their 3-CCD technology, the cameras are particularly suitable for print inspection, paint matching, medical diagnostics, or other applications where extremely accurate color values are required. A sophisticated linear color matrix circuit enables precise color matching between camera data and calibrated printers, monitors, and other devices. Users can manually tune the RGB channels, or can choose from preset sRGB or Adobe RGB industry standard color space settings developed by HP, Microsoft, and Adobe.

A variety of other features are provided to optimize image quality for specific applications and lighting conditions. Included are three white balance modes (manual, one-push auto, and continuous auto), three gamma settings plus a Look-Up Table (LUT), automatic shading compensation, blemish compensation, and a knee function with individually adjustable RGB values.

The AT-140GE operates at 20 frames per second with full 3 x 1.4-megapixel output while the AT-200GE operates at 15 frames per second with full resolution. Users can select 24-bit RGB output, or 30-bit RGB output. Faster frame rates than the base rates can be achieved via the cameras’ partial scan and binning modes. Multiple trigger modes and programmable or pre-set shutter speeds as fast as 25 microseconds, make the AT-140GE and AT-200GE also suitable for a wide variety of machine vision applications.