MLX Ultra-High Sensitivity Color Camera System from NAC Image Technology. January 2005 from NAC Image Technology Page 1 of 13

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2 Overview The MLX Ultra High-Sensitivity Color Camera System from NAC Image Technology is a completely new camera system using the most advanced technology. The MLX uses an advanced CCD sensor technology, which multiplies charges (i.e. secondary electrons) directly in the charge domain before conversion to voltage. This is a completely different camera system from low light cameras that use image intensifiers. As a result, there is no more concern about reliability issues associated with burn-in, spectrum, and degradation of image intensifiers. The MLX camera system consists of a camera head and control unit, and the system allows for control of shutter speed, multiplication factor (amplitude), lens iris as well as several other commands from the control unit. The recorded images are digitally processed. Frame memory is installed and noise can be reduced using the stored frames. Real time video capture, high resolution and high sensitivity are all available by a single system, the NAC MLX Ultra High-Sensitivity Color Camera System. Advantages - Camera sensitivity can be varied from Normal to Ultra High. This allows the MLX to cover a single location, shooting all day in all lighting conditions, from morning to night (under moon light). A single camera MLX is therefore capable of performing the work of two cameras (i.e. replacing a combined CCTV and IR camera system). - It is no problem to use the MLX system outside on a fine day in summer as there are no spectrum and no geometric distortions on images. It is difficult to use an intensified camera using an image intensifier under such conditions, as the strong sunlight damages the image intensifier tube. - The MLX provides superior cost performance when compared with cameras using three image intensifier tubes or three HARPICON. In addition to the reasonable price of the system, the ownership cost of the MLX (i.e. the operating cost) will be much lower than that of camera systems employing image intensifier tubes or similar devices. Ongoing support costs for the MLX will be comparable to that of other CCD cameras because maintenance and support costs will be very low. - In its Normal operation mode, the MLX is able to achieve high light sensitivity without using any frame storage techniques. Because the MLX Page 2 of 13

3 doesn t make use of frame storage technology in its Normal operation mode, there is no spectrum and no motion blur when taking images of a moving subject. - The MLX camera is operates in both monochrome and color modes. - In order to reduce the effect of shot noise when operating in its Ultra High Sensitivity mode, the MLX uses its frame storage mode with built-in frame memory. - The MLX camera system has a compact camera head and is compatible with a variety of standard lenses, including B4 and C-Mount lenses. The tethered camera head is small and it comes standard with a C-mount, although a bayonet lens mount (B4 mount) is available as an option. Therefore, a variety of commercially available lenses can be used with the camera. - The MLX camera system s optional controller provides remote control capabilities for both the camera and the lens. Page 3 of 13

4 What is frame storage type (additive technique) high sensitive camera? Many low light cameras (i.e. light sensitive camera systems) available in the market use this technique. In order to create a bright enough picture, multiple fields (frames) are added together to form one picture. The following example shows this idea creating a single picture from four fields (frames). In this case, the made-up picture is four times brighter than the original single picture. It is not a problem when a still-life image is taken in this fashion, but when taking images of a moving subject, the resultant images will be blurred. Generally speaking, fields (frames) are required to create a picture, which is as bright as pictures taken by NAC s MLX Ultra High Sensitivity Color Camera System. Common high sensitive camera (superimpose type/storage technique) Field 1 Field 2 Field 3 Field 4 Field 5 Field 6 Field 7 Field 8 Field 9 Fields 4 to 1 are superimposed to make a picture. Fields 1 to 4 are superimposed to make a picture. Fields 5 to 8 are superimposed to make a picture. Page 4 of 13

5 NAC s MLX Ultra High Sensitivity Color Camera System Frame Creation Technique Field 1 Field 2 Field 3 Field 4 Field 5 Field 6 Field 7 Field 8 Field 9 Field 1 Field 2 Field 3 Field 4 Field 5 Field 6 Field 7 Field 8 Field 9 Page 5 of 13

6 Sample Images (partially magnified images) NAC Ultra High-Sensitive Color Camera Brightness: 0.1Lx Noise Reduction: OFF * It takes moving subject without blur. Common sensitive camera Brightness: 0.1Lx (12frames make a picture) * It is made up from 12 frames. A subject is blurred, because it moved between the 1 st and 12 th frame. NAC Ultra High-Sensitive Color Camera Brightness: 0.005Lx Noise Reduction: ON * The noise reduction caused some blur (it is made up from 2 images). Common sensitive camera Brightness: 0.005Lx (32frames make an image) * It is made up from 32 frames, and is difficult to identify the subject. Page 6 of 13

7 Comparison among EB-CCD, MCP and NAC MLX EB-CCD MCP NAC MLX Photon Photon Photon Photocathode Photocathode Photoelectron accelerate EB-CCD MCP Phosphor Screen Optical Electron Impact Ionization CCD Fiber CCD EB-CCD MCP NAC MLX Multiplication Method Photoelectron Acceleration Micro Channel Plate Charge Multiplier Multiplication Factor some thousands times 10,000times 1,000times Multiplication Voltage 10,000V 1,000V 20V Spectrum O X O Burn-in X X O Color Image X O O Resolution O X O Shot Noise O O Compensated with image processor Page 7 of 13

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9 NAC MLX Ultra High-Sensitive Color Camera Specifications Camera Head: Sensor: 1/2inch color CCD Resolution: 640x480pixels Pixel Size: 10(H) x 10(V) um Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Color Filter: RGB Lens Mount: C mount (or B4 Bayonet on request) Cable Length: 3m (Standard), max 50m (Optional) Mode: Color or B/W selectable Sensitivity: Less than 2,000Lux, F4, 30fps, Amplitude x 1 Maximum Sensitivity: 0.005Lux w/o IR cut filter (F1.4, 30fps, max Amplitude) 0.01Lux with IR cut filter (F1.4, 30fps, max Amplitude) Operating Temperature: -10 to +30 degree Celsius Storage Temperature: -40 to +55 degree Celsius Dimension: 74(W) x 74(H) x 125(D)mm Weight: 700g (without lens) Power: Supplied from Control Unit Page 9 of 13

10 Control Unit: Horizontal Resolution: Approx. 360 scan lines Video Output: NTSC Composite Frame Rate: 30fps (frames/sec), 10fps, 5fps, 2fps, 1fps Synchronization: Internal / External AGC: ON or OFF Gamma: OFF, LOW, or Normal Knee: OFF or ON White Balance: AUTO or Manual Gain (Amplitude): x1 to more than x500 Detail: OFF or ON Electronic Shutter: OPEN, 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000sec Chroma Level: 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200% Noise Reduction: OFF, LOW or HIGH Lens Iris Control: AUTO or Manual Dimension: 210(W) x 80(H) x 300(D)mm Weight: 3.3kg Power: VAC (or 12VDC on request) Page 10 of 13

11 System Configurations MLX Ultra-High Sensitivity Color Camera System from NAC Image Technology Page 11 of 13

12 Dimensions (C-Mount Camera Head) Page 12 of 13

13 Control Unit Page 13 of 13