XC-999 (NTSC), XC-999P (PAL)

One-piece miniature color CCD camera module designed for machine vision.

1. Outline

The XC-999/999P is a miniaturized, one piece, cigar type 1/2-inch Hyper HAD IT CCD camera module. Its small size made possible by advances in SONY large scale integration technology together with no need for camera control nor connecting cable enhance flexibility in the placement of the camera. The unit provides a high quality, high resolution image from its sensitive Hyper HAD sensor. It is also adaptable to various, unique applications that couldn't have been possible with current cameras. Camera XC-999 (XC-999P) works in accordance with EIA (CCIR) video norm, using NTSC (PAL) color coding system.

High resolution: 768×493 (NTSC), 752×582 (PAL) Electronic shutter, CCD iris, auto iris Composite, Y/C (S-video) outputs; RGB out with adaptor External sync Auto Tracing White (ATW) and manual white balance Single-piece camera, no separate CCU Possible to extend the signal cable over 100 m Compact design: 22×22×120 mm, 99 g

2. Main features

Electronic shutter

Several electronic shutter modes, featured by the XC-999/999P cameras, allow user to control the exposure time according to the current working conditions.

Normal mode

Shutter off mode, intended for capturing still objects.

Normal shutter

A standard electronic shutter (1/1 000 sec).

Flickerless mode

For suppressing the flicker of light (illuminating the captured scene) produced depending upon the frequency of the power source. The shutter speed is 1/100 sec for thee 50 Hz area and 1/120 sec for the 60 Hz area.

CCD iris

The camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed according to the incident light. When used together with the CMA-999/999P RGB adaptor, this mode enables to set shutter speed manually within certain limits.

Color handling

The color separation is in the 1-chip XC-999/999P camera achieved by complementary color mosaic filter.

According to the lighting conditions the XC-999/999P may operate in three different white balance modes: fixed (3200 or 5600 K), ATW (auto tracing white balance) and manual (by adjusting red and blue colors).

Internal/External synchronization

In addition to internal sync, the camera can be synchronized by external device too. Possible external sync modes are:

VS/VBS mode

External synchronization is performed by means of a normal composite signal, VBS or VS (video, sync).

HD/VD mode

Camera is synchronized by HD/VD (horizontal drive/vertical drive) signals.

Scanning system (interlaced)

The camera operates in standard 2:1 interlace mode.

Interlace mode

Full frame image is split into two fields: odd (lines 1-3-5...) and even (2-4-6...). It enables higher image resolution, but two steps (2 · 1/60 = 1/30 sec or 2 · 1/50 = 1/25 sec for CCIR) are necessary to read out full frame data. Period of VD signal is V = (A + 1/2)H in this mode, Ais an integer.

Output

The XC-999/999P camera provides a 12-pin multi connector to output the generated video signal, VBS or Y/C, 1 Vp-p, 75 ohm (the connector serves also as power and sync input).

The other, 3-pin connector connects the auto iris lens.

Moreover, the camera can operate together with CMA-999/999P RGB adaptor, which provides RGB/SYNC D-sub 9-pin connector and 4-pin Y/C connector.

3. Comprehensive specifications

Note: The following table tries to describe all known features and parameters of the camera. When a times mark (×) is filled in a cell, it means that the camera doesn't employ accordant feature or specifying such parameter doesn't make any sense for this camera type.

	SONY XC-999	SONY XC-999P
Signal system
Video norm	EIA (60 field)	CCIR (50 field)
Color coding	NTSC	PAL
Scanning frequency (field)	59.94 Hz	50 Hz
Scanning frequency (vertical)	15.734 kHz	15.625 kHz
Scanning frequency (horizontal)
Sensor
Pickup device	1/2-inch Hyper HAD IT CCD	1/2-inch Hyper HAD IT CCD
Total picture elements
Effective picture elements	768×494	752×582
Elements in video out
Cell size
Sensing area	6.4×4.8 mm	6.4×4.8 mm
Chip dimensions
Optical black (H)
Optical black (V)
Dummy bits (H)
Dummy bits (V)
Operating modes
Output modes	2:1 interlaced	2:1 interlaced
Scan. system 2:1 interlaced	525 lines, 2 fields	525 lines, 2 fields
Scan. system noninterlaced
Charge accumulation
Serial control interface	×	×
Timing
Shutter types	normal - CCD iris	normal - CCD iris
Normal shutter	off, flickerless, 1/1000 sec	off, flickerless, 1/1000 sec
Special shutter
Donpisha
Low speed shutter
High speed shutter
Trigger shutter
Synchronization	internal - external	internal - external
External sync system	HD/VD, VBS (w/adaptor)	HD/VD, VBS (w/adaptor)
Restart/Reset
Optical parameters
Sensitivity	2000 lux F5.6 (AGC OFF)	2000 lux F5.6 (AGC OFF)
Minimum illumination	4.5 lux F1.2 (AGC ON)	4.5lux F1.2 (AGC ON)
Signal/noise	better than 48 dB (AGC OFF)	better than 46 dB (AGC OFF)
Technical specifications
General
Video output	composite VBS (1.0 Vp-p, sync negative, 75 ohm), Y/C (Y: 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohm, C: the level depends on composite out signal) RGB (with adaptor)	composite VBS (1.0 Vp-p, sync negative, 75 ohm), Y/C (Y: 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohm, C: the level depends on composite out signal) RGB (with adaptor)
Dimensions	22×22×120 mm	22×22×120 mm
Weight	99 g	99 g
Power consumption	3.5 W	3.5 W
Lens mount	special (C-mount with adaptor)	special (C-mount with adaptor)
Flange back length	12 mm	12 mm
Connectors	12-pin for video out, sync in, power in 3-pin lens connector	12-pin for video out, sync in, power in 3-pin lens connector
In/Out requirements
Power	DC 12 V ±10 %	DC 12 V ±10 %
Power voltage tolerance	10.5 to 15.0 V	10.5 to 15.0 V
External sync allowable frequency	±15 ppm	±15 ppm
External sync in
Internal sync out
Trigger in
Trigger in duration
Environment
Vibrations resistance
Shock resistance	70g	70g
Temperature of guaranteed performance
Operating temperature	0 to 40 °C	0 to 40 °C
Operating humidity	80 % (no condensation permissible)	80 % (no condensation permissible)
Storage temperature	-20 to 60 °C	-20 to 60 °C
Storage humidity	90 % (no condensation permissible)	90 % (no condensation permissible)
Controls and functions
Gamma correction	ON (0.45) - OFF (1.0)	ON (0.45) - OFF (1.0)
Gain mode	auto - fix (0 dB)	auto - fix (0 dB)