Teledyne Tetra 2.5 GbE line scan camera supports up to 8K resolution for machine vision applications

Teledyne DALSA has recently announced the Tetra line scan camera family with 2.5GbE networking, up to 8K resolution, a line rate of up to 150 kHz, and offered in monochrome or color versions.

Traditional cameras (aka scan camera) will capture a full frame, but line scan cameras will only capture one line at a time to scan an object or scene as it moves past the camera providing higher resolution image provided the speed of the scan and the motion of the object are syncrhonized, for instance, on a production line. Line scan cameras like the Tetra are typically used for quality control at the factory, document scanning, license plate scanning, and scientific research (e.g. satellite imaging).

Teledyne Tetra specifications:

Color cameras
- Tetra 2k Color – TL-GC-02K05T-00
  - Resolution – 2048 x 3
  - Pixel size – 14 μm
  - Max line rate – 50 kHz x 3
- Tetra 4k Color – TL-GC-04K02T-00
  - Resolution – 4096 x 3
  - Pixel size – 7 μm
  - Max line rate – 25 kHz x 3
- Data format – 8-bit
Monochrome cameras
- Tetra 2k Mono – TL-GM-02K15B-00
  - Resolution – 2048 x 2
  - Pixel size – 14 μm
  - Max line rate – 150 kHz
- Tetra 4k Mono – TL-GM-04K07B-00
  - Resolution – 4096 x 2
  - Pixel size – 7 μm
  - Max line rate – 75 kHz
- Tetra 8k Mono – TL-GM-08K07S-00
  - Resolution – 8192 x 1
  - Pixel Size – 3.5 μm
  - Max line rate – 75 kHz
- Data format – 8-bit or 10-bit
Networking – 2.5GbE RJ45 port
Dynamic Range – 70 dB
Full Well – 30 ke- (kilo electrons)
Read Noise – 9 electrons
Misc – M42 lens mount
Power Supply – 12 to 24V DC via Hirose-12 connector (some GPIO are exposed too) or PoE
Power Dissipation – Under 6 Watts
Dimensions – 62 x 62 x 50 mm
Weight – About 300 grams
Temperature Range – 0 to +55°C

The Tetra line scan camera family supports features such as multiple regions of interest, programmable coefficient sets, and power over Ethernet. All variants of the cameras can be used for electronics, packaging, wood inspection, print inspection, web inspection (conveyor belts or rolls of material), and general machine vision. The color models are also useful to inspect printed circuit boards and glass, while the mono variants may be better suited to handle optical sorting.

The Tetra cameras are at the pre-production stage. More details may be found on the product page, and the company is also showcasing the new line scan cameras at Vision China in Shanghai until March 28.

Thanks to TLS for the tip.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.