High Speed Digital Cameras

High speed digital cameras are basically designed to capture very fast images. They are prominently used in industrial and scientific applications where a process of their function is moving or changing rapidly. These high speed digital cameras have the ability to operate both in color and monochrome mode.

Monochrome basically refers to the projection of image in back or white, or in complete grayscale. On the other hand, the varying combinations of discrete colors generate the range of colors. One such prominent method is RGB or red, green and blue. The RGB technique senses the red, green and blue components and then conjoins these components to form an extensive spectrum of colors.

There are some major features which decide on the performance of a high speed digital cameras. These features are horizontal resolution, maximum frame rate and shutter speed. Horizontal resolution refers to the highest amount of individual photo elements which can be differentiated in one scanning line. This feature is very essential for characterizing correct horizontal video resolution for image aspect ratio. Moreover, it is also used to specify the resolution in the biggest circle which can fit in a rectangular image. Now for example an 800x600 image would be specified as 600 horizontal lines.

The maximum frame rate refers to the maximum number of frames that can be captured in the specific time period. It typically refers to the frames captured per second. The shutter speed refers to the time of light collection or exposure. Shutter speed can be set across a wide range, depending upon the subject and light conditions.

High speed digital cameras are available in two basic technologies. These are CCD and CMOS. CCD refers to charge coupled devices. The CCD is composed of a light sensitive silicon chip. As the light falls on the CCD, it starts converting light into electrons. A CCD carries these electrons across the chip where they are read at one corner of the array. Now with the help of an analog-to-digital converter, the amount of electrons at each photo site is measured and then they are converted into the binary form.

The CMOS refers to the complimentary metal oxide semiconductor. This technology is also used to convert light into electrons. A CMOS employs numerous transistors at every pixel to move and amplify the charge via traditional wires. The signals of CMOS don't require conversion into digital form as they are already digital. The CMOS image sensors consume low power as they operate at lower voltages than the CCDs.

The prominent choices for digital output interface for high speed digital cameras include Ethernet, RS232, DeviceNet, CANbus, USB, SCSI, modem and wireless. The choice for a number of pixels can vary from 8 bits to 16 bits. Even the color output can vary from composite, RGB or S-Video.

Some of the prominent physical features for the high speed digital cameras include radiation hardened, underwater rated, outdoor rated, gooseneck, board mount, pan or tilt and remote head.