Point Grey, a world-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative, high-performance digital cameras, today announced a new addition to the Grasshopper3 camera family, which features the highest resolution, global shutter CCD sensors with a USB 3.0 interface currently available.
PointGrey Grasshopper3 Camera
The new Grasshopper3 GS3-U3-91S6 camera models are based on color and monochrome versions of Sony ICX814, a 1" CCD featuring 3.69 micron square pixels. The camera outputs 3376 x 2704 images at 9 fps using monochrome, raw or color interpolated pixel formats. The ICX814 is Sony's highest resolution CCD to date. This global shutter sensor uses EXview HAD CCD II™ technology—a further evolved version of the well-known EXview HAD CCD™ technology—to improve quantum efficiency, reduce smear, and increase sensitivity, including into the near infrared. The sensor is capable of single tap readout for extended shutter, high gain imaging and multi-tap readout to increase the maximum frame rate. The GS3-U3-91S6 camera allows users to toggle between single and dual tap sensor readout and address both imaging conditions.
Like all Point Grey USB 3.0 cameras, the Grasshopper3 uses a proprietary USB 3.0 link layer and frame buffer-based architecture for optimal performance and reliability. The Grasshopper3 uses an advanced image processing pipeline to enable color interpolation, look up table, gamma correction and pixel binning. Additional Grasshopper3 models featuring a 4.1 megapixel global shutter CMOS device will be released in Q3 2013.
"The GS3-U3-91S6 model is the highest resolution global shutter CCD with a USB 3.0 interface on the market" explains Michael Gibbons, Director of Sales and Marketing. "The camera offers a very compact mechanical design and competitive price point when compared to similar products with GigE or Camera Link interfaces. Excellent quantum efficiency, low temporal dark noise, and high dynamic range make this product suitable for a wide range of applications, including flat panel inspection, 3D measurement, ophthalmology, flow-scanning cytometry, and fluorescence imaging."
The Grasshopper3 GS3-U3-91S6 color and monochrome models are list priced at USD $3695 and EUR €2845 and are available to order now from Point Grey and its network of distributors.