Allied Vision is adding three fourth-generation Sony IMX sensors with Pregius S global shutter technology to its Alvium 1800 U camera series. With the new models Alvium 1800 U-511 (Sony IMX547), Alvium 1800 U-811 (Sony IMX546) and Alvium 1800 U-1242 (Sony IMX545), the Alvium camera series with USB3 interface now comprises 19 models. All cameras are available in different housing variants (closed housing, open housing, bareboard), as monochrome or color cameras, and with different lens mount options. The USB port can be located either on the back of the camera or on the left side (as seen from the sensor).
Large range of sensors for different requirements
The Alvium 1800 U-511 offers the Sony IMX547 sensor, a global shutter sensor with an optical format of 1/1.8''. This makes it the first 5.1 Megapixel global shutter sensor from Sony that is suitable for use with a compact S-mount lens from Allied Vision. At the same time, the sensor features the same aspect ratio as the IMX264 sensor with the same resolution, but at a much smaller size. Compared to the popular Sony IMX265 sensor (e.g. in the Alvium U-319 or Mako G-319), the sensor offers higher resolution with almost the same sensor size. The Alvium 1800 U-511 with the 4th generation Sony IMX547 sensor is an attractive alternative to existing camera models equipped with comparable second-generation Sony sensors.
TheAlvium 1800 U-811 is equipped with the square Sony IMX546 sensor offering a resolution of 8.1 Megapixels. This model is particularly suitable for use in inspection tasks involving round or square objects, as well as for applications related to microscopes.
The 12.4 MegapixelAlvium 1800 U-1242 features the Sony IMX545 sensor. Thanks to the smaller pixel size of 2.74 µm, it offers the same resolution with a smaller sensor compared to the second-generation Sony IMX304 sensor.
| Model | Alvium 1800 U-511 | Alvium 1800 U-811 | AAlvium 1800 U-1242 |
| Sensor | Sony IMX547 | Sony IMX546 | Sony IMX545 |
| Sensor type | CMOS Global shutter | CMOS Global shutter | CMOS Global shutter |
| Sensor size | Type 1/1.8 | Type 2/3 | Type 1/11 |
| Pixel size | 2.74 μm × 2.74 μm | 2.74 μm × 2.74 μm | 2.74 μm × 2.74 μm |
| Resolution | 5.1 MP 2464 × 2064 | 8.1 MP 2848 × 2848 | 12.4 MP 4128 × 3008 |
| Frame rate | 78 fps (@450MB/s) | 51 fps(@450MB/s) | 33 fps(@450MB/s) |
All models are available as monochrome and color cameras, as well as 1800 C models with CSI-2 interface.
New features for all 1800 USB cameras
In addition to the new sensors, the camera series also offers an expanded feature set. All Alvium 1800 U camera models now feature digital binning, both for monochrome and color images. Pixels can be binned vertically (along the y-axis), horizontally (along the x-axis), or both vertically and horizontally (binning factors: 1,2,4,8). Both an average value and the sum can be defined as the binning mode. Allied Vision is the only manufacturer to offer color binning as a standard feature of a camera.
Another new feature is the U3 power saving mode for USB3 camera models. When the power saving mode is activated, the camera reduces power consumption down to 16mA or 80mW between image acquisitions. The camera is ready to operate again in 1.5 seconds after power saving mode is disabled. This feature is especially valuable for battery-powered applications where there is a time gap between image acquisitions. This way, the overall operating time of the application can be extended.