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Do you expect further performance improvements in EMCCD night vision?

Would you like to...

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Yes, we do. Additional sensor options and performance will be available for both FrogEye and SharkEye cameras.

Our camera systems feature a replaceable image sensor module. The FISM-1 image sensor module which is currently shipped with our cameras includes both a color CCD (Kodak KAI-1020) for day operations, and Texas Instruments TC-253 EMCCD for night and low light operations.

Yet, additional image sensor modules are in our development pipeline and will be available as an option for any existing or new FrogEye camera (sensor modules can be swapped in the factory, or with some fairly basic knowledge and equipment in your maintenace facility as well).

With respect to EMCCD night vision, our next target is Texas Instruments TC-246. That is a sensor with the same pixel count as the TC-253, but better sensitivity. It will be avauilable in both color and grayscale version. Color is always less sensitive than grayscale, and our initial tests found the color TC-246 to exhibit about the same sensitivity as the grayscale TC-253. The grayscale TC-246 should be about 5x to 10x more sensitive than the TC-253, yet we have not tested that. Due to its particular 'interline' architecture, the TC-246 will also be a better daytime performer, thus making it suitable for 24-hours operation.

Also in consideration is a sensor module using the TC-285. This part has a higher 1-Megapixel pixel count, and about the same sensitivity as the TC-246 in its grayscale version.

Here are some comparative performance pictures.

TC-253:

Currently available on FISM-1 sensor module for both FrogEye and SharkEye cameras.
Smallest physical size of package makes it suitable for dual-sensor implementation for optimized day and night performance.
Lowest cost EMCCD device, best economy.

TC-246:

Available in color and grayscale versions.
Color version is about the same sensitivity as TC-253.
Grayscale version is expected to be 5x to 10x more sensitive than TC-253.
Best for 24-hour observations due to 'interline architecture' (no smear or contrast reduction for very short exposure time day pictures).

TC-285:

Higher pixel count yields widest field of view of any Texas Instruments EMCCD device.
Highest sensitivity along with grayscale TC-246