AOS | X-TREME High Speed Camera

AOS Technologies are transforming milliseconds into meaningful insights with advanced imaging systems that capture motion invisible to the human eye. When we look at the impressive capabilities of modern high-speed cameras, the numbers speak for themselves – up to 3500+ frames per second with Full HD resolution and crystal-clear image quality that ensures every detail is precisely documented.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll examine how these sophisticated high speed digital video cameras work and provide a detailed high speed camera comparison across AOS Technologies' impressive lineup. From the J-PRI with its 2560 x 1920 pixel resolution capturing up to 2000 frames per second to the L-PRI reaching 3500 frames per second at 1920 x 1080 pixels, these imaging systems deliver exceptional performance. Additionally, we'll explore their rugged, MIL-certified options designed specifically for extreme conditions, including cameras compliant with MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461 standards.

Whether you're researching speed camera manufacturers for industrial applications, scientific research, or specialized aerospace deployment, this article will help you understand what sets AOS Technologies apart in the high-speed imaging market.

Established in 2002 in Baden, Switzerland, AOS Technologies has evolved into a dominant force in the specialized field of high-speed imaging solutions. As a one-stop shop for high-speed applications, the company has built its reputation through comprehensive service offerings ranging from feasibility studies to customized developments.

AOS Technologies has forged a formidable presence in the aerospace and defense sectors, where precision imaging under extreme conditions is paramount. The company's journey from its Swiss origins to global recognition reflects its commitment to advancing high-speed imaging technology. Furthermore, AOS secured a multi-million dollar contract to provide sophisticated imaging systems for a leading European aerospace manufacturer's structural testing programs, cementing its position as a trusted partner in aerospace development.

What truly distinguishes AOS in the marketplace is its comprehensive approach. Rather than simply manufacturing cameras, the company delivers complete solutions—from initial concept through implementation. Consequently, their products excel in precisely recording fast mechanical movements across industrial, automotive, and space industries.

Compliance with MIL-STD 810 and 461 standards

Military specification compliance represents a cornerstone of AOS Technologies' market differentiation. Their cameras undergo rigorous testing to meet MIL-STD 810 and MIL-STD 461 standards, ensuring exceptional durability against environmental stressors and electromagnetic interference. This certification is particularly significant because it verifies that their equipment can withstand extreme shock, vibration, temperature fluctuations, and electromagnetic conditions typical in military operations.

The N-EM camera exemplifies this commitment to military-grade quality, purpose-built for demanding applications such as test ranges and aircraft installations. Its compact yet rugged design makes it ideal for situations where traditional cameras would fail. In fact, throughout their product history, AOS has maintained this focus—their legacy X-EMA camera was specifically equipped for airborne store separation tests and continues to serve in defense system testing worldwide.

Breakdown of AOS High-Speed Camera Categories

AOS Technologies categorizes its high-speed imaging systems into four distinct product lines, each engineered for specific operating environments and capture requirements. These specialized cameras address varying needs across scientific research, automotive testing, defense applications, and industrial monitoring.

Non-High-G High Speed Cameras: J-PRI, L-PRI, M-PRI

Designed primarily for controlled laboratory environments, the Non-High-G camera lineup excels in research and industrial applications where motion blur must be minimized. The J-PRI stands out with its impressive 5-megapixel sensor, capturing details at 2060 fps at full 2560 x 1920 resolution. For those requiring Full HD capture, the L-PRI delivers exceptional performance with 3530 fps at 1920 x 1080 pixels. Meanwhile, the M-PRI pushes speed boundaries at 4000 fps with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. These cameras serve perfectly in scientific research, engineering applications, and off-board automotive crash tests.

High-G High Speed Cameras: L-VIT and M-VIT Series

Beyond standard environments, AOS offers High-G rated cameras rigorously tested to withstand shock resistance up to 150g/11ms with spikes reaching 200g. The L-VIT series features multiple variants: the flagship L-VIT Platinum and L-VIT 2500 both achieve 2500 fps at 1920 x 1080 resolution, while reaching 3740 fps at 1280 x 720. The L-VIT 1000 delivers 1000 fps at 1920 x 1080 pixels. At the higher end, M-VIT Platinum and M-VIT 4000 push performance to 3716 fps at 1280 x 864 and 4451 fps at 1280 x 720. A built-in g-sensor enables shock monitoring and can trigger recordings automatically, plus all High-G cameras include rescue flash technology to safeguard data during power loss.

MIL-Rated High Speed Cameras: Q-EM, S-EM, N-EM

For defense applications, AOS offers MIL-rated cameras certified to meet MIL-STD 810 environmental and MIL-STD 461 EMI specifications. The N-EM excels in the most demanding environments, providing 846 fps at 1920 x 1400 resolution, 1096 fps at 1920 x 1080, and 1530 fps at 1280 x 720. The Q-EM delivers 500 fps at 1696 x 1710 pixels and 1546 fps at 1280 x 720, whereas the S-EM achieves 500 fps at 1280 x 1024 and 718 fps at 1280 x 720. These systems have accumulated hours of in-flight use, continuing to operate reliably even 15+ years after deployment. Their compact design makes them ideal for airborne store separation tests and defense system evaluation.

Streaming High Speed Cameras: PROMON Series for continuous capture

To address continuous recording needs, the PROMON series eliminates traditional memory size limitations by streaming directly to non-volatile storage. The entry-level options include PROMON U750 and U800, which deliver 203-210 fps at 1280 x 1024 resolution. For higher performance, the PROMON U1000 captures 166 fps at 1920 x 1080 pixels. The flagship PROMON 2000 truly stands out, offering impressive 1000 fps at 1920 x 1080 resolution with direct streaming via 10 Gigabit Ethernet. This continuous capture capability makes these cameras ideal for production failure analysis, factory troubleshooting, and process optimization scenarios where critical events might otherwise be missed.

Technical Capabilities of AOS Imaging Systems

At the core of AOS Technologies' imaging systems lies exceptional technical performance that sets benchmarks in the high-speed camera industry. These cameras offer remarkable capabilities that allow users to capture fleeting moments with extraordinary precision and clarity.

Frame rate and resolution benchmarks across models

AOS camera models deliver impressive frame rates at various resolutions, establishing industry standards among high speed camera manufacturers. The J-PRI achieves up to 2000 fps at full 2560 x 1920 resolution, climbing to 2500 fps at 1500 x 1125 pixels. Moving to the L-PRI family, these cameras capture Full HD 1920 x 1080 at speeds ranging from 1000 fps to 3500 fps depending on the model variant. For applications requiring exceptional speed, the M-PRI series reaches 4000 fps at 1280 x 800 resolution.

The military-grade N-EM camera operates at 1000 fps while maintaining Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, essential for aerospace applications where detail is critical. Moreover, specialized streaming models like the PROMON 2000 achieve 1000 fps at Full HD resolution with continuous capture capabilities.

Internal memory and SSD storage configurations

Memory capacity significantly influences recording duration at high frame rates. AOS cameras offer flexible memory configurations ranging from 4GB to an impressive 128GB. For instance, with 128GB internal memory, the L-PRI 2800 model can record for 23.5 seconds at full resolution and maximum frame rate. Most camera models feature a circular buffer that can be configured via software.

Beyond internal memory, AOS incorporates built-in SSD options of 250GB, 500GB, or 1TB, enabling long-term storage without requiring immediate download to external systems. This dual-storage approach provides redundancy for critical test data—notably, models like the N-EM include built-in non-volatile flash memory that automatically saves a copy of each recording.

Triggering modes: internal, external, IRIG-B sync

The cameras support various triggering configurations to capture precisely the moments that matter. Users can select from internal triggering with pre- and post-recording settings adjustable in single-frame increments. External triggering responds to falling edge signals or switch closures, ideal for synchronizing with test events.

For timing-critical applications, numerous models support IRIG-B synchronization, ensuring frame-accurate timing across multiple cameras or with external data acquisition systems. This capability proves essential in aerospace testing where correlating visual data with telemetry is mandatory. The N-EM, Q-EM, and other MIL-rated cameras specifically include IRIG-B compatibility as standard.

Environmental durability: shock, vibration, temperature

Exceptional durability distinguishes AOS cameras in the marketplace. The High-G camera series undergoes rigorous testing, with models like the L-VIT and M-VIT certified to withstand shock up to 150g with 200g spikes. This robust construction enables reliable operation during automotive crash testing and similar high-impact scenarios.

The MIL-rated cameras demonstrate even greater resilience, having passed official testing according to MIL-810 standards for environmental factors and MIL-461 for electromagnetic interference. Operating temperature ranges typically span from -5°C to 35°C, with storage temperatures extending from -40°C to +70°C. This environmental tolerance makes these cameras suitable for deployment in extreme conditions, from desert test ranges to high-altitude aircraft testing.

The N-EM's ultra-robust design enables applications where conventional cameras would fail, such as airborne store separation tests. Similarly, the H-EM 501 is specifically engineered to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of flight, offering immunity to shock, vibration, temperature changes, and moisture.

Software and Integration with Imaging Studio v4

Every AOS Technologies camera comes equipped with Imaging Studio v4 (AISv4), a comprehensive software suite that enhances the camera's capabilities through intuitive control and powerful analysis tools.

Recording parameter control and playback tools

Imaging Studio v4 serves as the command center for AOS high-speed cameras, offering users complete control over all recording parameters. The software incorporates a Multi Buffer feature that enables an unlimited number of buffers, each with distinct recording settings. This allows operators to prepare multiple capture configurations for different test scenarios. Users can precisely adjust region of interest with full control over X and Y offsets, maximizing frame rates by capturing only essential areas.

Auto exposure functionality provides automatic brightness control, essential when lighting conditions fluctuate during tests. For extended applications, the software supports 24/7 recording through its auto-store function, directing continuous capture directly to PC storage. Indeed, for PROMON series users, this creates a camcorder-like experience with direct streaming to hard disk for minutes or hours of recording.

Point-and-click measurement and editing features

Among the most valuable capabilities of Imaging Studio v4 is its intuitive point-and-click measurement tool that enables immediate on-the-spot analysis of recorded sequences. These measurement tools allow users to overlay data directly onto footage, hence eliminating the need for separate analysis software. The Job Manager feature automates the export process by scheduling conversions to various formats including RAW4 and AVI, thus streamlining post-processing workflows.

Telemetry integration for in-flight data transfer

The software's External Data Service feature allows integration of external data sources such as GPS or IRIG-B directly into recordings. For aerospace applications, HD-SDI video output compatibility provides live view over long-distance links and integrates easily into telemetry systems for air-to-ground transfer of both live views and recorded sequences.

AOS offers specialized solutions for specific applications, including custom data transfer via telemetry systems to ground stations, complete with in-camera data processing and bandwidth management. This capability makes real-time analysis possible either after missions or through interfacing with onboard telemetry links.

Support for IRIG-106 and GigE Vision standards

AOS cameras comply with industry-standard protocols that ensure interoperability. The systems support GigE Vision standards, enabling hardware and software from different vendors to work together seamlessly over GigE connections. This standardization offers several benefits, primarily high bandwidth (125 MB/s) transfers of large images in real-time.

Additionally, AOS cameras conform to IRIG-106 Chapter 10 data format specifications, a standard that makes them easier to support and certify under ISO 9000 calibration procedures. The cameras also comply with the Airborne Network Camera Standard (ANCS) developed by the Range Commanders Council Optical Systems Group, facilitating integration in military and aerospace applications.

Modularity and Customization Options for Specialized Use

Modularity serves as a cornerstone of AOS Technologies' design philosophy, allowing their cameras to adapt to virtually any deployment scenario through customizable components and configurations.

Custom housing for airborne and defense applications

AOS offers specialized housing modifications tailored for aerospace environments. Their cameras come in two design variants with connections positioned either on the front or side, allowing users to select the optimal configuration based on space constraints. Beyond standard options, AOS provides custom housing adaptations manufactured specifically for individual aircraft and testing programs. These housings enable secure mounting in instrumentation bins or direct attachment to aircraft structures while maintaining operational integrity.

Battery packs and flash card interfaces

Power autonomy remains essential for field deployment. AOS cameras feature built-in rechargeable NiMH batteries providing 15-30 minutes of independent operation. For extended missions, optional external battery packs increase operation time to 2-3 hours without external power. Complementing this power autonomy, built-in Compact Flash interfaces accept CF cards for non-volatile data storage, creating redundancy that preserves crucial test data even during unexpected power loss.

Chillbox and compact enclosures for extreme conditions

Operating in harsh environments demands extraordinary protection. AOS cameras function reliably between -45°C and +49°C (-49°F to 120°F), with storage capability from -55°C to +80°C (-67°F to 176°F). Their MIL-rated designs withstand severe shock up to 100G for 15ms across three axes, primarily through internal stabilization systems that minimize vibration effects from engines, machinery, or road conditions.

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