Keep Cool
Ultra-High Resolution Cameras with Thermoelectric Cooling
Two new ultra-high-resolution models with 151MP and 101MP are added to Vieworks product line-up. Both models include Thermoelectric Cooling (TEC) using Peltier effect.
Image 1 | Pictures taken with the VC-151MP camera with the thermoelectric cooling (TEC) turned off (l.) and on (r.) with one second exposure time. (Bild: Vieworks Co., Ltd.)
The resolution of the VP-151M camera is 151MP and the VP-101M is 101MP. Both are based on the Sony CMOS image sensors IMX411 and IMX461 respectively. The VP-151M is available in monochrome and colour versions. This model has a slightly lower resolution and much slower frame rate than the VC-155 camera, based on Vieworks‘ proprietary 155MP sensor. However the dynamic range of the VP-151M is much higher with 78dB. The camera is perfect for customers who are interested in ultra-high resolution, but do not require highest image acquisition speed. The image sensor has a resolution of 14,192×10,640 pixels and a pixel pitch of 3.76µm. The size is large enough to have high sensitivity and to avoid the limitations of a camera system modulation transfer function (MTF). Even though the sensor size is 66.7mm diagonally, it is still smaller than Medium Format cameras and there are many M72 format lenses of manufacturers like Schneider, Zeiss, Qioptic or Opto Engineering which can be used with the camera.
Compact TEC modules
The interesting fact is that Vieworks introduced initially only a cooled model of the camera. The VP-151M camera uses Vieworks own TEC module. Thanks to this signature design, the temperature of the sensor can stay at constant temperature of 15 degrees below the ambient temperature. In addition, the module is capable of removing unwanted moisture which could cause condensation on the Peltier heat sink. Over the years, the company has perfected the design of TEC modules making them small enough to assure compact camera design. The camera will come only in CoaXPress interface allowing acquisition with up to 6.2fps at full resolution. As with all other camera models, the VC-151M will have all the basic camera features implemented, such as: different pixel depths (8/10/12bit), independent horizontal and vertical binning, analogue and digital gain, Lookup Table (LUT) etc. In addition, all of Viework’s image processing functions and correction techniques, have also been added. Some of the correction functions are for Flat Field, defective pixel (both dynamic and static), cluster defect, DSNU, PRNU hot pixel correction and others. Based on EMVA1288 standard measurements the dynamic range of the VP-151M is 78dB, the Dark Noise at maximum gain less than 7e-, DSNU less than 1.17e-, PNRU below 0.3 percent and linearity >1 percent. Mechanically the VC-151M is with 110x110x83mm compact despite including the TEC module.
