Nikon Corporation has announced the launching of a compact infrared (IR) CCD camera,
the Nikon Thermal Vision LAIRD-S270 as of Sep. 1998, that provides excellent
image quality and a wide range of advanced features in an ultra-compact body.
Weighing just 2.5 kg (5.5lbs.) (body only) and measuring a mere 100 (W) ¡¿ 120 (H) ¡¿ 165
(D) mm (4.0 ¡¿ 4.8 ¡¿ 6.5 in.) (not including protrusions), this camera provides virtually
the same outstanding image quality as the Nikon Thermal Vision LAIRD3A
Series.
On top of that, it can be used indoors or out, thanks to an optional battery pack, and
offers an LCD monitor, memory cards, and other optional features.
In addition, it's available at an amazingly atractive price.
The LAIRD-S270 is expected to find use in a wide variety of applications including
those where monitoring was difficult with conventional cameras, for example, monitoring
and searching for defects and abnormalities in manufacturing plants, electric transformer
stations, and other industrial facilities; implementing quality control (QC) programs and
performing heat analyses in the manufacturing of automobiles, electronics products and
other consumer goods; searching for signs of aging or paint faults in the facades of
buildings.
Background of Development
Nikon Corporation succeeded in developing a charge-coupled device (CCD) in May 1992
that featured the highest number of pixels possible for an infrared ray receiving device
compatible with today's television (NTSC) systems.
Since then, Nikon has continued to develop high-performance infrared (IR) CCD
cameras, combining the latest microelectronics technology with Nikon 's advanced
optical technologies developed through huge amount of experience in optical and precision
engineering.
Unlike visible ray, infrared ray is not dependent on sunlight or artificial light sources,
making it possible to monitor the thermal energy radiated from any object in question.
In recent years, the demand has grown for monitoring systems that can be used at night or
in smoky or foggy environments where it is otherwise impossible to ensure sufficient
visibility, and for systems that can detect signs of aging or determine the extent of fire
damage in buildings and other structures.
The market has been waiting for a camera that not only provides excellent resolution but
also high precision in the measurement of heat and temperatures.
To meet this demand, in March of 1995 Nikon released the Thermal Vision LAIRD3
Series infrared CCD camera, with a 410,000-pixel CCD, the highest in the world, and since
then, this camera has been used in a variety of different fields.
The new Nikon Thermal Vision LAIRD-S270 ultra-compact infrared CCD camera
provides advanced and superb image quality, while offering portability and exceptional
cost performance.
Main Features
- Ultra-Compact Body Provides High-Quality Images
Measuring 100 (W) ¡¿ 120 (H) ¡¿ 165 (D) mm (not including protrusions) and weighing only
2.5 kg (body only), the LAIRD-S270 is the world's first portable infrared camera
incorporating a striking 270,000-pixel CCD developed by Nikon.
It covers all the necessary features required of a video camera, making it ideal for use
outdoors, where portability is essential.
- Exceptional Cost Performance
Although this camera provides excellent image quality and a wide range of advanced
features such as the ability to measure thermal radiation, its price is quite reasonable.
- A Wide Variety of Options
The Nikon Thermal Vision LAIRD-S270 is available with a number of useful
options including :
1) A battery pack designed to provide extra convenience and portability during outdoor
use, plus an LCD monitor for viewing images while shooting.
2) Memory card (Flash ATA Type I / II) drive for use in storing and transferring data.
3) PC card interface (with card bus) allows connection to PCs for high-speed capturing of
infrared images.
4) Wide variety of new software packages and add-ons designed to measure temperature
levels in infrared images.
Specifications
| Detector type |
PtSi Schottky-Barrier IRCCD |
| Detection wavelength |
3 to 5 um |
| Total number of pixels |
537 (H) ¡¿ 505 (V) pixels (Approx. 270,000 pixels) |
| Effective number of pixels |
475 (H) ¡¿ 442 (V) pixels (Approx. 210,000 pixels) |
| Temperature range |
-20 to +250 ¡ÆC |
| NETD |
0.2 ¡ÆC |
| Cooling system |
Stirling Cycle Cryocooler |
| Display output |
Color : 256 / 16,
Black & White : 256 |
| Field of View (w / 21mm f/2 standard lens) |
19.4 ¡Æ (H) ¡¿ 14.5 ¡Æ (V) |
| Focusing (w / 21mm f/2 standard lens) |
0.5 m (1.7 ft.) to infinity |
| Frame rate |
1 / 60sec. (30Hz) |
| Interface |
Video out : BNC connector (NTSC TV system),
Digital control : RS-232C |
| Function |
Gain adjustment, Level adjustment,
Motorized lens control,
Freeze mode, Image enhancement mode,
Time and / or date display, Point temperature display (5points), Color bar temperature
display, Pseudo color display |
| Power supply |
12V DC |
| Power consumption |
50W |
| Dimensions (W ¡¿ D ¡¿ H) and Weight (body only)(approx.) |
100 ¡¿ 120 ¡¿ 165 mm (4.0 ¡¿ 4.8 ¡¿ 6.5 in.) ; 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs.) |
| Operating environment |
0 to 40 ¡ÆC, 30 to 85 %RH |
| Options |
Interchangeable lenses :
f=45mm (9.6 ¡Æ (H) ¡¿ 6.9 ¡Æ (V)) lense and
f=14mm (29.9 ¡Æ (H) ¡¿ 21.3 ¡Æ (V)) lense ,
Close-up attachment lens,
LCD monitor,
Handy battery pack, Memory card drive,
Temperature measurement analysis system,
Carrying case |
These products are strategic products subject to Japanese / International export
control regime.
They should not be exported without authorization from the appropriate governmental
authorities.
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