STH-MDCS

The STH-MDCS-9CM is a revolutionary stereo head for machine vision tasks requiring high resolution: Low-noise, high-sensitivity CMOS imager. Color or monochrome. Uncompressed video at megapixel resolution (7.5 fps) or VGA (30 fps). Simple IEEE 1394 FireWire interface. Includes C/CS-mount lenses and SRI Small Vision System software for real-time stereo analysis. High performance and low power in a compact package.

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Features

Color and monochrome versions
Maximum resolution: 1280H x 960V pixels
Direct digital information from the imagers, bypasses analog noise and frame grabber jitter
Single-cable FireWire interface for power, data, and control
Accepts standard C/CS-mount lenses
Synced imagers expose corresponding pixels at exactly the same time
External synchronization: all STH-MDCS devices on the same IEEE 1394 bus are synchronized to capture images at the same time
Subsampling modes (decimation) for smaller frame sizes, faster frame rates, lower noise
Electronic gain and exposure
All modes fully under user control via the IEEE 1394 bus
Conforms to Digital Camera Specification version 1.30
Milled solid aluminum alloy body for extreme rigidity
Seamless interface to SVS™ stereo analysis software

Camera Kit

STH-MDCS stereo head
4.5 mm C-mount locking lenses standard; other lenses available as options
C-mount 5 mm lens adapters
Small Vision System stereo analysis software (one license for either MS Windows 2000 / XP / Vista* or Linux 2.4 / 2.6)
Tripod
2 meter IEEE 1394 6-pin to 6-pin cable
Hardware and Software Manuals (download)

Requirements

Pentium-compatible PC (Pentium PIII/clone or better) running MS Windows 2000 / XP / Vista* or Linux 2.4 / 2.6 kernel
IEEE 1394 PCI or PCMCIA card. IEEE 1394 card must supply 1.5W of power through the 6-pin cable. Most PCI cards do this; PCMCIA cards must have a separate transformer power input. Interface cards are available from Videre Design, see Accesssories

* Vista compatible for all cameras sold after 12/01/08.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Description
Imagers	½” format CMOS (Micron MT9M001) 1280 x 960 active area Progressive scan Color or monochrome
Digital Camera Specification	Version 1.30
Formats	1280 x 960, 640 x 480 Center zoom mode 8 bit monochrome or Bayer color pattern
Frame Rates	3.75, 7.5, 15, 30 Hz Max 7.5 Hz at 1280 x 960
Exposure	1 line time to full frame; rolling integration Manual and auto modes (auto mode controlled by host computer)
Gain	0 - 18dB
Sensitivity	2.1 V/lux-sec
S/N	>> 45 dB, no gain
Power	< 1 W
Synchronization	Internal: pixel-locked External: 60 us
Lens	4.5 mm F 1.4 C-mount, locking lenses included 3.5 mm and 6.0 mm lenses optional
Size	(1.725 in high x 5.2 in long x 1.3 in deep) excluding lenses Dimensional Drawings
Weight	309 g (10.9 oz) with C-mount lenses
Stereo Baseline	9 cm (3.5 in)
SVS™ software	Linux kernel 2.4, 2.6 MSW 2000, XP, Vista* * Vista compatible for all new cameras after 12/01/08. Not compatible with earlier cameras.
Environment	0 - 40° C (32 - 104° F), < 90% humidity (non-condensing)

Download STH-MDCS Data Sheet (PDF)

STH-MDCS Models

Part Number	Description
STH-MDCS-9CM-C-C/CS	9 cm baseline, color, 1280 x 960, C/CS lenses STH-MDCS System
STH-MDCS-9CM-M-C/CS	9 cm baseline, monochrome, 1280 x 960, C/CS lenses STH-MDCS System
STH-MDCS-OEM	STH-MDCS bare-board model for volume OEM applications STH-MDCS System

STH-MDCS Accessories

Videre Design offers a selection of lenses, cables, interface cards, and additional software licenses to meet your application needs.

Part Number	Description	Product Compatibility
LENS-CL-3.5-1/2 Data Sheet	3.5 mm, ½” format, high resolution fixed lens, F 1.4, C-mount with locking screws, 103° HFOV x 76° VFOV	All
LENS-CL-4.5-1/2 Data Sheet	4.5 mm, ½” format, high resolution fixed lens, F 1.4, C-mount with locking screws, 79° HFOV x 59° VFOV	All
LENS-CL-6.0-1/2 Data Sheet	6.0 mm, ½” format, high resolution fixed lens, F 1.4, C-mount with locking screws, 57° HFOV x 44° VFOV	All
LENS-CL-12.0-1/2 Data Sheet	12.0 mm, ½” format, high resolution fixed lens, F 1.4, C-mount with locking screws, 30° HFOV x 23° VFOV	All
LENS-CL-4.5-12.5 Data Sheet	4.5-12.5 mm: ½” format, variable focal length, F 1.2, manual iris and manual focus, CS-mount, 81° ~ 30° HFOV x 60° ~ 22° VFOV	All
1394-PCI	3-Ports FireWire IEEE 1394a PCI Controller Card	All
1394-CARDBUS-110	3-Ports FireWire IEEE 1394a PCMCIA Cardbus with 110v transformer	All
1394-CARDBUS-220	3-Ports FireWire IEEE 1394a PCMCIA Cardbus with 220v transformer	All
ADAPTER-110	110v Transformer: 9 VDC / 110 VAC 500ma P-5	All
ADAPTER-220	220v Transformer: 6W 12V 0.5A MULTI PLUG, 12VDC, 500mA, Positive Center, 2.5mm I.D. x 5.5mm O.D. x 9.5mm Female, 100 ~ 240VAC, Power output 6W	All
1394-CABLE-2.0	1394 FireWire 6 pin to 6 pin 2 meter cable	All
1394-CABLE-4.5	1394 FireWire 6 pin to 6 pin 4.5 meter cable	All
1394-CABLE-10.0	1394 FireWire 6 pin to 6 pin 10 meter cable	All
SVS-MSW	Additional license for SRI Small Vision System software – MSW version	All
SVS-LINUX	Additional license for SRI Small Vision System software – Linux version	All

Overview

SVS™ Stereo Analysis Software

Downloads

Manual

Small Vision System User's Manual - Version 4.x (PDF)

Manual

STH-MDCS Stereo Head User's Manual (PDF)

Data Sheet

STH-MDCS Data Sheet (PDF)

Worksheet and Overviews

Stereo Parameter Worksheet: Calculate lens focal length and stereo baseline for your application
Imager and Lens Characteristics
Monochrome, Color, and Infrared

STH-MDCS Case Studies for Stereo Camera Applications

	Dance with the Dinosaur: STH-MDCS Camera Application Alterface Creates an Ingenious, Interactive Dinosaur Display Alterface, an interactive multimedia developer, created a unique and imaginative interactive application for the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels. The objective was to bring a Pachycephalosaurus to life...more
	Roughing It: STH-MDCS Camera Application Advancing Robotic Exploration in Rough Terrain Using Vision-Based Methods of Localization Researchers at the University of Michigan used the Rover Dune, built at the University of Salento, equipped with a Videre Design stereo camera, to visually track the landscape and a monocular camera to track wheel slippage...more
	Follow That Sound!: STH-MDCS Camera Application Sound Localization and Separation for Tele-Operated Mobile Robots Researchers at AIST in Japan developed an impressive thirty-two microphone audio system combined with visual information from two STH-MDCS cameras to improve the effectiveness of a tele-operated robot...more
	Roboduck: STH-MDCS Camera Application Navigation and Guidance of an Autonomous Surface Vehicle Autonomous Surface Vehicles monitor the effects of harmful algal blooms on desalination facilities. The Roboduck II at the University of Southern California uses the STH-MDCS with SVS software to generate depth images...more
	Go Fish: STH-MDCS Camera Application SEAMAP Reef Fish Survey The Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) measures fish populations relative to topographic features in the Gulf of Mexico using sensors and four STH-MDCS cameras...more
	Robot Actor: STH-MDCS Camera Application Interactive Robot Theatre Researchers at the MIT Media Lab built an interactive robot theatre to study the social interactivity of robots. In the study, humans interact with a robot named Public Anemone, a robot lives on an intelligent stage...more