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Introduction of the uEye Camera Family |
uEye Camera Manual Version 3.80
Introduction of the uEye Camera Family
uEye stands for a range of compact and cost-effective cameras for professional use in industrial, security and non-industrial applications. Equipped with the widely used USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet ports, they can easily be interfaced with a vast variety of systems. The images are digitized in the camera and transmitted digitally to the PC. An additional frame grabber is not required.
uEye cameras have state-of-the-art CMOS and CCD sensors. The CMOS models use either the global or the rolling shutter method; the CCD models use only the global shutter method. uEye camera resolutions range from 640 x 480 pixels (VGA) to 2560 x 1920 pixels (QSXGA), depending on the sensor. Further sensor modules will continuously expand the product portfolio. Depending on the individual model, the uEye cameras are available either as monochrome and color versions, or as color versions only.
The Models Comparison chapter shows the most important features of every series at a glance.
USB uEye Cameras
USB uEye SE “Standard Edition”
The USB uEye SE series features a robust metal housing with a standard mini-B USB 2.0 connector. Connection is additionally possible via a lockable micro D-sub connector which also carries the opto-isolated I/O signals. A USB uEye SE version with C-mount front flange has been developed for OEMs. The camera can also be supplied as PCB stack for special applications. The USB 2.0 interface is meanwhile available in every standard PC and notebook/laptop and provides a gross bandwidth of 480 Mbps. The camera is connected and powered through the USB port by just a single cable. |
![]() Figure 1: USB uEye SE |
![]() Figure 2: USB uEye ME |
The USB uEye ME features a right-angle rugged metal housing that makes it very compact. With its right-angle and low-profile design, this camera fits into the tightest spaces and is thus ideal for machine integration. Six mounting holes in the housing allow front-mounting the camera onto otherwise hard to reach places when using typical mounting methods. The USB port of the USB uEye ME supports both standard mini-B connectors and lockable connectors. The camera's digital I/Os are interfaced using a lockable Hirose connector designed for use in demanding industrial environments. |
USB uEye RE “Rough Environment Edition”
The RE versions of the uEye cameras are extremely rugged and thus offer an extended area of application. In conjunction with the optional lens tubes, these models meet the requirements of protection classes IP 65 and IP 67. The USB 2.0 and the I/O signals are connected via two ports of the same protection class. The USB uEye RE is therefore particularly suited for harsh environments. |
![]() Figure 3: USB uEye RE |
![]() Figure 4: USB uEye LE versions |
The USB uEye LE series features extremely compact cameras with high-speed CMOS sensors. The LE models are designed for professional use in non-industrial applications. Through the use of the widespread USB 2.0 technology, the cameras can easily be interfaced with a vast variety of systems. USB uEye LE cameras are available with a plastic housing with CS-mount lens adapter, as a board-level version with M12 or M14 lens holder, or without a lens holder. |
The magnesium housing of the USB uEye XS is less than one cubic inch, but packed with a full set of smart features from face tracking to image preprocessing. The built-in Auto Focus system will sharply focus as close as 10 cm and can be tracked even during live image acquisition. The CMOS sensor of the uEye XS records videos in the widely used HDTV format 720p (1280 x 720 pixels 15 fps). Single frames can be captured at up to the full 8-megapixel resolution. The camera's DSP provides powerful functionality including electronic image stabilization, color calculation, face tracking, and much more. |
![]() Figure 5: USB uEye XS |
GigE uEye Cameras
GigE uEye CP „Compact Power-over-Ethernet"
![]() Figure 6: GigE uEye CP |
The GigE uEye CP features an extremely compact housing with a size of only 29 x 29 x 41 mm. Yet it offers all the benefits of Gigabit Ethernet technology. In addition, this camera can be operated with Power-over-GigE (PoE) or an external power supply. Besides the lockable RJ45 port for GigE, the camera comes with a 6-pin Hirose connector for optional power supply (12-24V), trigger and strobe connections. The GigE uEye CP comes in several versions with modern CMOS sensors. The functionality and performance data are the same as for the GigE uEye SE. |
GigE uEye SE “Standard Edition”
The GigE uEye SE is a highly compact Gigabit Ethernet camera. With a housing barely larger than that of the USB uEye models, the GigE uEye SE offers all the benefits of Gigabit Ethernet technology: High bandwidth, cable lengths up to 100 m, and widespread use of this interface. Images can be output at up to 12 bits per channel. Besides the lockable Gigabit Ethernet port, the camera provides a 6-pin Hirose connector that carries the power supply as well as the trigger and flash signals. |
![]() Figure 7: GigE uEye SE |
GigE uEye RE “Rough Environment Edition"
![]() Figure 8: GigE uEye RE |
The RE version of the GigE uEye cameras features the same rugged design and extended application options as the equivalent USB based model. In conjunction with the optional lens tubes, the RE models meet the requirements of protection classes IP 65 and IP 67. The GigE interface and the I/O signals are connected via two lockable connectors that are also dustproof and protected against splash water. The GigE uEye RE is therefore particularly suited for harsh environments. The functionality and performance data are the same as for the GigE uEye SE. |
GigE uEye HE “High-End Edition”
The GigE uEye HE offers a rich set of additional features and functions compared to the other uEye models. Images can be output at up to 12 bits per channel. The integrated FPGA allows calculating color images in the camera, and various multi-channel LUT curves can be applied to the images. An integrated 64 MB image memory and two independent processor cores ensure fast and reliable data transfer. Many of the GigE uEye HE's sensors can be operated at increased frame rates. Additional programmable I/Os and a serial RS232 interface in the camera open up new possibilities for camera integration. The Gigabit Ethernet interface provides further advantages: More than twice the bandwidth of USB 2.0, cable lengths up to 100 m, and widespread use of this interface. The Gigabit Ethernet interface is meanwhile available in every standard PC and notebook/laptop and provides a gross bandwidth of 1000 Mbps. |
![]() Figure 9: GigE uEye HE (standard and right-angle versions) |
uEye Software
For every uEye camera, a comprehensive software package is available as a free download. In addition to the drivers, this software package features the uEye Camera Manager, the uEye Demo application and a Software Development Kit (SDK) for creating your own uEye programs under Windows and Linux. Numerous demo applications make it easy for you to get started with uEye programming. The latest uEye software is available for download from our website at <%ADRESS_WWW2%>. |
![]() Figure 10: uEye Camera Manager |