Ruggedized CMOS Cameras for
High-Speed Motion Analysis

Airbag deployment appears as a mere blur to the naked eye, but freezes in the lens of a Redlake MotionXtra camera system. A preferred choice among many automotive manufacturers for vehicle impact testing and component safety testing, the MotionXtra series of cameras offers the durability, quality, and performance required for high-speed motion analysis.

MotionXtra systems are rugged cameras that can withstand violent forces up to 100 G. They come equipped with an internal battery for memory backup, and feature a synchronization scheme via a hub that has become the standard among many automotive manufacturers.

MotionXtra camera designs are ideal for Range, Aerospace, and Ballistics applications due to their rugged build, and their ability to perform in a wide range of environments. Accurate phase synchronization between cameras is easy using GPS signals, even when the cameras are miles apart.

The unique ability to process images via look-up tables (LUTs) on the fly allows the system to acquire and download 10 bit dynamic range images at the same fast rate as downloading 8 bit images. Custom LUTs can also be created for the specific needs of any application.

Six MotionXtra camera systems are currently available with a variety of specialized features, including:

MotionXtra HG-XR and HG-XL

Ideal for Range, Aerospace, and Ballistics, the MotionXtra HG-XR camera design offers fresh new features. The HG-XR’s onboard IRIG decoder provides precise phase synchronization among cameras and other data instrumentation. Its integrated onboard GPS decoder (time information only) provides the same functionality without the infrastructure required for IRIG.

The MotionXtra HG-XL is the ideal choice for long record times such as automotive roll-over safety tests, where 20 second recordings can be achieved. As part of the MotionXtra family of cameras, the HG-XR and HG-XL integrate perfectly in the same networks as all other MotionXtra cameras, including legacy HG cameras.

Features include:

• 1,000 frames per second at full 1504x1128 resolution
• Frame rates from 25 to 100,000 frames-per-second
• Record time of 20 seconds at full resolution
• Global shutter variable down to 5µsec
• Temperature-dependant calibration ensures high quality images in a wide range of
  operating environments
• Software and network compatibility with all MotionXtra systems including legacy HG cameras
• 1000BASE-T (Gigabit) Ethernet communication for multi-camera LAN integration
• Variable frame rate during a single recording event
• Download of uncompressed file formats (including TIFF and raw Type-2 Bayer)
• Very fast high-quality JPEG downloading
• AVI files with popular codecs (compressed or uncompressed) produced in tandem with
  any image download
• 10 Bit dynamic range images can be downloaded in 8 bit format for very fast downloading

MotionXtra HG-100K and HG-LE

The MotionXtra HG-100K delivers frame rates between 1,000 (full resolution) and 100,000 frames per second (reduced resolution), with a maximum resolution of 1504x1128 (color or mono). The MotionXtra HG-LE offers the same frame rates at a maximum resolution of 752x1128. Their ultra-rugged design, precise synchronization scheme, and proven reliability make them excellent candidates for vehicle impact testing and automotive component safety testing.

Higher frame rates can be achieved at reduced resolutions, making the HG-100K and HG-LE ideal candidates for Research and Testing Laboratory applications. High quality images can be produced at many different frame rates, including 2,000 fps (1056x792), 5,000 fps (640x480) and 10,000 fps (416x320).

Features include:

• Redlake exclusive 1.7 megapixel CMOS sensor (HG-100K only)
• Fast 5µsec global electronic shutter for motion blur elimination
• Tablet PC style Display Control Unit (DCU), for quick and easy setup of
  remotely located cameras (optional)
• Up to 2.4 seconds of record time at full resolution
• Fully compatible with legacy HG cameras
• Backup battery to prevent data loss
  

MotionXtra HG-TH and HG-CH

These systems deliver between 1,000 and 50,000 frames per second at a maximum resolution of 752x564 (color or mono). As many as four heads can be tethered to a single controller. MotionXtra HG-TH and HG-CH systems, connected to the camera controller via tether cables, can be networked together with up to 250 cameras and multiple PCs for control and download through a 1000BASE-T LAN. The HG-CH camera head delivers excellent versatility with thin, lightweight camera heads that can fit into snug spaces and attach to low-mass mounting surfaces. Each system allows users to choose from one to four camera heads and from 4 GB to 8 GB of memory per controller. Multiple HG-TH and HG-CH camera heads can be combined for multi-view angles. Both systems are compatible with Redlake’s MotionXtra HG-100K, HG-LE, HG-2000, CR-2000, and HG-TX camera systems.

The MotionXtra HG-TH and HG-CH camera systems contain an Ethernet interface which permits control of remotely located cameras and fast 1000BASE-T transfer of uncompressed file formats, including TIFF and raw Type-2 Bayer. High quality JPEGs can be downloaded at a very fast speed with excellent image quality at a fraction of the file size. AVI files using popular codecs (compressed or uncompressed) may be produced in tandem with any image download.

Features include:

• Camera controller with expandable memory and mutiple camera ports
• Up to 19.2 seconds of record time
• Fast 5 µsec global electronic shutter to eliminate motion blur
• Compact camera heads rated at 100 G in any axis
• Easy viewing in NTSC/PAL and digital output
• Optional high-G Hub Sync Unit (HSU) provides power distribution and networking connectivity to networks of up to 250 cameras while maintaining phase synchronization accuracy within +/-2.5 µsecs
• MotionCentral Software for camera control, image downloading, and viewing, capable of supporting all MotionXtra cameras in a network (including legacy HG cameras)