Optical Systems Group Meeting

Ben is attending the Optical Systems Group (OSG) meeting this week in Yuma, Arizona. He’s been going for several years now to the exclusive invitation only meetings.

He will be demonstrating the IO Industries’ DVR Express Core capabilities using Imperx cameras and there will be discussions on how the new technology can assist the military in their endeavors.

About Optical Systems Group (OSG)

OSG is the RCC's Center of Expertise for optical imaging systems employed on Major Range and Test Facility Bases (MRTFBs), Tactical Training Ranges, and at National Laboratories. The OSG serves as a technical resource for the government's Test and Evaluation community.

Key functions associated with this group include the acquisition, processing, post processing, analysis, archiving, and distribution of imagery from both engineering sequential and Time Space Position Information (TSPI) optical systems for missions on land, in the air, underwater, and in space.

The focus on imaging within the OSG extends from the ultraviolet to the long wave infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The group provides a forum for its members to expand their knowledge base, initiate cooperative research projects, and improve individual mission performance via semi-annual technical interchange meetings, task assignments, and ad hoc committees.

These meetings facilitate the evaluation of new imaging technology, the development of optics related standards, the identification of areas for tri-service standardization, the promotion of common range architectures and the engineering of technical solutions for optical problems.

DVR Express Core - New Additions

New DVR Express Cores from IO Industries are joining the current popular line of digital video recorders. IO Industries has released a Standalone version and a Camera Link VIVO.


The DVR Express Core Camera Link models can now be ordered as a Standalone configuration that can be operated independent of a laptop or desktop. A control shuttle and small screen is attached to the DVR Express Core to access and view recordings on the hard drives.

The Camera Link VIVO – Video In Video Out – provides yet another option for recording from various sources.
Both are available now. I will post more information as I receive it.

DVR Express Core Camera Link model

on the left with the Standalone version on the right

Fleet Week Sails Away

The Navy ships in San Francisco departed yesterday as Fleet Week came to an end. An estimated one million visitors flocked to the San Francisco waterfront to tour the ships and watch the air shows. It was the biggest Fleet Week in 20 years.

I toured three of the nine ships: the USS Curts (FFG 38) a Guided Missile Frigate, the USS Pinckney (DDG 91) a Guided Missile Destroyer and the USS Pioneer (MCM 14) a Mine Countermeasures ship.

It was interesting to see up close some of the weapons that use machine vision imaging technology for targeting and mini submarines that search for mines. The mini submarines on the USS Pioneer use mounted cameras to help the navigator locate the mines remotely. Some of the guns on the USS Pinckney had cameras that could be switched between color, monochrome, infrared thermal imaging depending upon the conditions.

It was a pleasure to meet the sailors, marines and coasties who welcomed us into their floating homes and gave us a tour.

The Blue Angels ended Fleet Week with a roar that was heard and felt standing there on the waterfront and across San Francisco no doubt! Looking forward to next year’s Fleet Week already.

Guided Missile System - Remote control center. Images from the

cameras mounted in the weaponry are viewed on these screens.

Legacy Products

There are many reasons why legacy products are still in circulation – they are in older systems that are still functioning or it’s too expensive to replace them without changing or redesigning the system.

An example of a legacy product is the Dalsa CT-P1-1024W-ECEW camera. This Line scan camera, Piranha CT-P1, dates back to 2001. Even by today’s standards the camera has excellent features but it should not be used in new applications. The camera specifications boast resolutions of 1024 / 2048 / 4096.

As time goes by it becomes more and more difficult to find replacement parts or cameras for these legacy products but a little digging around and a few phone calls later sometimes these little treasures can be found.

Call or email me if you need help finding legacy products for machine vision systems. You never know what might be hiding behind all the boxes!