Saving Our Soldiers Lives - The Hitachi KP-D20B

Oct. 14, 2010 - PRLog -- The Office of Naval Research has invested 10 years of science and technology into the Battle Simulation Center, a 32,000 square foot Infantry Immersion Trainer (IIT) Facility at Camp Pendleton, California, one of three such facilities in the country. Here, soldiers experience the authenticity of combat surroundings prior to their deployment to the Middle East. This environment is duplicated by means of innovative training programs for numerous experiences they may encounter in Iraq or Afghanistan. With approximately 10,000 Marines completing this training each year, significant advances in training and combat readiness is being accomplished.

The facility presents itself as a typical village in Afghanistan, with a marketplace, jail, fake animals and homes. Smells, trash, bloodstained alley ways, dirt and sand floor, all this is combined to make this area as identical as possible to the war-torn region they will face. Music and calls of prayer are piped in from speakers to mimic the sounds in this diverse environment. While dummy explosives release cork to let a Marine know if he has been hit or not, fake Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) explode. IEDs are said to be the number one cause of casualties for troops on the ground, which only strengthen the need for this training. Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) explodes around every corner; gun battles break out constantly.

The Infantry Immersion Trainers are confident that one of the key factors attributed to success of the center's teaching strategy, are dozens of video cameras mounted around the area, recording and tracking the soldier's every move. The Hitachi KP-D20B, a compact, high quality, multi-purpose color camera, is the recording device of choice for this unique installation.

FEATURES and SPECIFICATIONS

The Hitachi KP-D20B is super compact, high-resolution camera, at 1.73"(W) x 1.73"(H) x 1.93"(D), lightweight at a little over 4.6 ounces, and the best solution where space, multi-functions, and digital zoom are required. This ½" interline transfer CCD with micro lenses color camera is equipped with 768 x 494 pixels, and features a 50db signal to noise ratio. Included in its many functions is the ability to picture control parameters for adjustments with the aid of an on-screen menu system, thus enabling optimum adjustments to match the application. The digital zoom allows smooth enlargement of the image up to four times original size, permitting the user to concentrate on specific areas of interest. A high sensitivity F 1.2, AGC 31 dB, minimum illumination 1.0 1x and Y/C outposts and RS-232C remote control are provided. An Auto Electronic Shutter (AES), three choices for white balance (ATW, Auto, Manual), Backlight Correction, a 2 H enhancer for improving the sharpness of the picture, all increase the appeal of this camera. Featuring 480 TV lines of resolution horizontally, and more than 350 TV lines vertically, this camera is designed with a high quality path, making it ideal for use in high precision image processing systems. Having the ability to use either CS or C lens mount, allows easy interfacing with the optics of the vision system. This combination of features and the remote control capability makes the Hitachi KP-D20B camera ideal for machine vision applications.

Windows software is provided for this camera. A 12 VDC power supply power is required (45601-C1), and optional tripod adaptor (TA-D20AB) is available for camera mounting.

Gail De Salvo

Ages Electronic Group
http://www.aegis-elec.com/

# # #

Specializing in the distribution, integration & support of visible and Near IR cameras, components and modified integrated system solutions for industrial broadcasting, military, medical, remote monitoring/security and machine vision imaging applications.