November, 6, 2007 — Xenics has extended the wavelength areas of its proven high-detectivity and high-uniformity InSb detector cameras for the midwave infrared (MWIR) 3 to 5 μm area. New broadband versions now cover the extended area 1 to 5 μm. These crucial extensions are realized for both, the XMID-FPA-5.0-320 and -640. As before, both models continue to excel by their high flexibility in terms of frame rates and temperature ranges. The Xenics XMID Series supports numerous applications in all weather and night vision applications such as in advanced landing aids for aircraft.
With its state-of-the-art 2D InSb detector array and Stirling cooler, the affordable Xenics XMID Series offer a standard resolution of 320 x 256 pixels at a pixel pitch of 30 μm, or high resolution of 640 x 512 at a pixel pitch of 20 μm. The pixel operability level is better than 99.5%. An excellent NETD figure is listed at typical 25mK. It now covers the extended wavelength area of 1 to 5 μm. The Stirling cooler allows for a detector operating temperature of approximately 80K. The cameras deliver 14-bit total dynamic range images. Frame rates are 60, 100 or 350 Hz for the XMID-320 version, whereas the XMID-640 is available as 25 and 90 Hz.
Xenics’ new broadband XMID Series is laid out for highly stable, PC-driven thermal imaging applications which request stable and predictable performance, besides aircraft landing systems, this applies especially in R&D situations that demand reliable imaging performance below 3 μm. Camera control is done via USB 2.0, image acquisition goes via USB 2.0 or CameraLink. The fully flexible exposure times of these snapshot cameras begin at 1 microsecond and go up to several milliseconds.
Xenics’ X-Control software is used to operate the cameras, setting camera control parameters as well as image acquisition. Moreover, as with all other Xenics cameras, a software development kit is available for programming in LabView, C# and Visual Basic.
The optical interface for these cameras is the bayonet mount. For the broadband XMID cameras, a variety of lenses with 25, 50 or 100 mm focal length is available. These lenses transmit from the laser line at 1.5 μm through the mid infrared (1.5 to 5 μm).
Due to the non-condensing housing construction, ambient humidity conditions are not a critical parameter. The dimensions of the XMID camera housing are 115 x 145 x 225 mm³, weight including the power supply is at approximately 3.3 kg. XMID operates on a regular 12V/5A supply (XMID-320) or 28V/3.5A (XMID-640).
