HDR industrial cameras for high-contrast scenes

What is High Dynamic Range (HDR) in industrial cameras?
Use HDR easily with IDS instead of implementing it yourself
Three HDR modes for different requirements
In these applications, HDR makes the difference
Evaluating and integrating HDR with IDS peak

What is High Dynamic Range (HDR) in industrial cameras?

Dynamic range describes the brightness range that an image sensor can capture, from the darkest signal that is still discernible to the brightest image information that can still be recorded. If the contrast of a scene exceeds this range, information is lost: bright areas appear saturated, whilst details in dark areas may be lost in image noise.

HDR expands this usable range. Depending on the technique used, image information is captured with different amplification levels or exposure times and combined to produce an image with a higher dynamic range.

Advantages of HDR

1. Capture more detail: Structures in both dark and light areas of an image can be captured and analysed simultaneously.
2. Greater robustness: More robust image data, even in the presence of reflections, shadows and bright light sources in the field of view.
3. More reliable data: A better information base for inspection, identification, process monitoring and automated decision-making.

Use HDR easily with IDS instead of implementing it yourself

HDR is more than just a feature of the image sensor. It is only the combination of a suitable camera, appropriate data acquisition, image stitching and output that the enhanced image information becomes practically usable.

IDS supports various HDR technologies through a unified software approach. With IDS peak, users can configure HDR-capable cameras, capture raw data and process or visualise HDR results. This reduces the need for in-house developments specific to individual camera models and makes it easier to evaluate different solutions.

IDS advantages

1. Multiple HDR modes: Clear HDR, Quad HDR and Sequence HDR cater to different requirements in terms of movement, resolution and dynamic range.
2. Comprehensive support in IDS peak: Capture, merging and tone mapping are integrated into the IDS peak SDK. Users can access individual HDR exposures as well as calculated HDR and LDR results.
3. Evaluation without the need for custom programming: HDR results can be tested and visualised in the IDS peak Cockpit. Source code samples then facilitate integration into the user’s own application.
4. Suitable image data for different workflows: Depending on the application, users can work with raw data, HDR data or an image prepared for standard displays.

Clear HDR

Greater dynamic range from a single exposure

Clear HDR reads the image data from a pixel across two gain levels. This allows dark areas to be captured with greater sensitivity and bright areas to be rendered with a higher saturation reserve. The full spatial sensor resolution is retained.

Quad HDR

Multiple exposure settings within a single frame

Quad HDR uses groups of pixels with different exposure times, for example in the Sony IMX900. This provides several brightness values within a single frame. In conjunction with the global shutter sensor, this technique is particularly well-suited to dynamic scenes.

Sequence HDR

Flexible exposure sequences for maximum image detail

With Sequence HDR, the industrial camera captures several images with different exposure times and combines them to produce an HDR image. The number and gradation of the exposures can be adjusted to suit the required dynamic range and the desired image quality. This mode is available for virtually all IDS industrial cameras.

Quality assurance for reflective components

Metal surfaces, electronic components, solder joints, shiny casings or painted bodywork parts can exhibit both strong reflections and dark textures at the same time. HDR helps to make more of this information usable in a single image or sequence of images.

Logistics, OCR and barcode scanning

Glossy labels, foils, varying packaging materials and different orientations can cause localised reflections. HDR industrial cameras can help ensure that barcode, Data Matrix and text information remains readable under varying contrast conditions.

Medical technology and microscopy

Reflective materials and transparent structures can produce very different levels of intensity within a single image. For largely static samples, Sequence HDR can be particularly useful when resolution and a wide detectable brightness range are the main priorities.

Welding and process monitoring

Arcs, embers, sparks and dark areas of the workpiece create extreme differences in brightness. A motion-tolerant HDR method can provide more usable image information for process monitoring or downstream analysis.

Robotics and automation

Changing positions, varying surfaces and lighting conditions that cannot be fully controlled can make image capture difficult. HDR industrial cameras expand the scope for robust image data in detection, positioning and handling.

Transport and outdoor applications

Daylight, shadows, headlights, tunnels or changing weather conditions can create significant differences in brightness within a single scene. HDR is particularly relevant here for environmental detection and number plate recognition.

Evaluating and integrating HDR with IDS peak

The IDS peak software supports the entire workflow, from HDR capture through to further processing. In the IDS peak Cockpit, you can initially evaluate HDR functions and results without needing your own application. API functions, documentation and programming examples are available for integration.