2.5K Overwatch USB Camera Module
0.001 lux @ 30fps starlight colour, 2260 m human detection, 16mm 2.5K Overwatch USB module.
System Detail
What It Is
The XHC1604SU16C-OW is a 2.5K Overwatch USB Camera Module built on the XHI5001C large-pixel CMOS sensor with a 16 mm F1.2 fixed lens, supporting resolution switching up to 2560 × 2048 for maximum detection fidelity, and delivering FHD full-colour night vision via a standard UVC interface for integration into large UAV ISR payloads, VTOL surveillance platforms, vehicle-mounted observation systems, and long-range border monitoring installations.
Performance
The module achieves a minimum illumination of 0.001 lux at 30fps (IRE50 standard), with 0.0008 lux achievable at 15fps. Against a 1.7 × 0.5 m human target measured to US military NVESD/NIIRS standards, detection range is 2260 m, recognition range 560 m, and identification range 350 m. Against a 3 × 9 m vehicle, detection extends to 12000 m and recognition to 3000 m. Overwatch resolution 2560 × 2048 is available with horizontal field of view unchanged from the 1920 × 1440 default; resolution switching requires a restart. Power consumption at 2560 × 2048 / 30fps is 1.5 W.
Key Technical Features
- USB 2.0 UVC output with V4L2 protocol support, driverless on Linux, Windows, and Android hosts at all supported resolutions
- Overwatch resolution mode at 2560 × 2048 with unchanged horizontal FOV, switchable via software restart for enhanced target detail at range
- Internal storage from 32 GB default up to 128 GB maximum with H.264/H.265 encoding at 512 Kbps to 12 Mbps
- C-mount lens interface with F1.2 aperture on 16 mm focal length for maximum light throughput at extended standoff
Platform Compatibility
The XHC1604SU16C-OW is rated highly suitable for large and heavy-lift multirotor UAVs, VTOL ISR platforms, and fixed-wing long-range surveillance UAVs, as well as vehicle-mounted surveillance systems and ground-based border and perimeter ISR installations requiring maximum detection range and resolution.
Overwatch 2.5K Resolution
The XHC1604SU16C-OW supports resolution switching to 2560 × 2048 with the horizontal field of view unchanged from the 1920 × 1440 default, providing increased pixel density for target identification at range. Resolution switching is performed via software with a device restart required.
Highest DRI in XHC1604 Series
Detection, recognition, and identification ranges are measured to US military NVESD/NIIRS standards. Human detection at 2260 m and vehicle detection at 12000 m represent the maximum performance in the XHC1604 product family, enabling persistent surveillance of wide areas from a single sensor installation.
Driverless UVC Integration
The UVC output with V4L2 protocol operates without proprietary drivers on Linux, Windows, and Android hosts across all resolution modes including Overwatch 2.5K. This eliminates BSP development overhead and allows payload integration using standard OS camera APIs.
Ultra-Low Power at 2.5K
The Overwatch module draws only 1.5 W at 2560 × 2048 / 30fps from a standard 5V USB rail, maintaining ultra-low power classification even at maximum resolution. This enables battery-powered UAV and ground sensor deployment without a dedicated power supply.
Our technical team provides pre-sales support for system integration planning, field testing, and deployment assessment.
Contact Technical TeamFull Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| GENERAL | |
| Model Number | XHC1604SU16C-OW |
| Product Series | XHC1604 |
| Product Type | 2.5K Overwatch Low-Light USB Camera Module |
| OPTICAL | |
| Sensor Type | USB 2.0 CMOS Camera Module — XHI5001C |
| Resolution | 2560 × 2048 (Overwatch); 1920 × 1440 default; 1280 × 1024 / 1280 × 960 |
| Pixel Size | 5.5 μm |
| Color Mode | All Day Colour |
| Focal Length | 16 mm |
| Aperture (F-number) | F1.2 |
| FOV Horizontal | 50° |
| FOV Vertical | 37.2° |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| Min. Illumination | 0.001 lux @ 30fps (IRE50); 0.0008 lux @ 15fps |
| Frame Rate | 15 / 25 / 30 / 50 / 60 fps |
| Dynamic Range | 72 dB |
| Shutter Type | Rolling Shutter |
| MECHANICAL | |
| Weight | ≤ 245 g (whole); ≤ 210 g (no back cover) |
| Mount Type | C Mount |
| ELECTRICAL | |
| Operating Voltage | 5 V ± 0.5 V |
| Power Consumption | 1.5 W @ 2560 × 2048 / 30fps |
| ENVIRONMENTAL | |
| Operating Temperature | −40 °C to +60 °C |
| Storage Temperature | −50 °C to +70 °C |
| FEATURES | |
| Wide Dynamic Range | Supported (≤ 1920 × 1440) |
| SDK Support | NHUSB1.5 or above |
| DRI PERFORMANCE | |
| DRI Test Standard | US Military NVESD / NIIRS Standard |
| DRI Target — Person | 1.7 m × 0.5 m |
| DRI Target — Vehicle | 3 m × 9 m |
| Detection Range (Vehicle) | 12000 m |
| Recognition Range (Vehicle) | 3000 m |
| Identification Range (Vehicle) | 1870 m |
| Detection Range (Person) | 2260 m |
| Recognition Range (Person) | 560 m |
| Identification Range (Person) | 350 m |
| INTERFACE | |
| Output Format | UVC |
| Interface Type | USB 2.0 |
| Connector Type | USB-1.25-4P |
| Network Protocol | V4L2 |
Designed for the Field
Large UAV ISR Payload
The XHC1604SU16C-OW delivers the highest detection range in the XHC1604 series for large UAV and VTOL ISR missions requiring maximum colour night vision standoff.
Vehicle-Mounted & Ground ISR
The module integrates into vehicle-mounted observation and ground-based ISR systems requiring 12000 m vehicle detection and 2260 m human detection under starlight conditions.
OEM Border Surveillance Integration
System integrators adopt the XHC1604SU16C-OW as the primary sensor core for border surveillance and perimeter monitoring platforms where 2.5K resolution and extended DRI performance are specified.
Large UAV & VTOL ISR Payload
The XHC1604SU16C-OW is rated highly suitable for large and heavy-lift multirotor UAVs and VTOL ISR platforms requiring maximum colour night vision detection range in a single payload. Human detection at 2260 m and vehicle detection at 12000 m cover wide-area surveillance requirements from high-altitude orbits. The 2560 × 2048 Overwatch resolution mode provides additional target detail for recognition and identification without changing the camera optical configuration, enabling post-capture analysis at full sensor resolution.
- Human Detection: 2260 m (NVESD standard)
- Vehicle Detection: 12000 m
- Resolution (Overwatch): 2560 × 2048
- Weight: ≤ 245 g (whole)
Border & Perimeter Surveillance
The XHC1604SU16C-OW serves ground-based border and perimeter surveillance installations where maximum vehicle detection range across open terrain is the primary requirement. Vehicle detection at 12000 m against a 3 × 9 m target and human detection at 2260 m provide the widest coverage in the XHC1604 series. Bus-powered 5V USB supply at 1.5 W eliminates power infrastructure requirements at remote surveillance posts, and the −40 °C to +60 °C operating range supports all-climate deployment.
- Vehicle Detection: 12000 m
- Human Detection: 2260 m
- Power Consumption: 1.5 W @ 2560 × 2048 / 30fps
- Operating Temperature: −40 °C to +60 °C
OEM Long-Range Vision Integration
System integrators adopt the XHC1604SU16C-OW as the highest-performance USB camera core in the XHC1604 family for custom ISR, border surveillance, and fixed-wing UAV payload designs where 2.5K resolution and 12000 m vehicle detection are specified. V4L2 and UVC compatibility enable integration on any Linux, Windows, or Android host platform without custom driver development. Internal storage up to 128 GB and H.264/H.265 encoding at configurable bit rates support standalone edge recording within the UAV or ground sensor payload.
- Interface: USB 2.0 UVC / V4L2
- Encoding: H.264 / H.265, 512 Kbps – 12 Mbps
- Internal Storage: 32 GB default; 128 GB maximum
- Focal Length / Aperture: 16 mm / F1.2
System Integration
Interface Architecture
The XHC1604SU16C-OW exposes a single USB-1.25-4P connector carrying both 5V power and UVC video, enabling one-cable integration at all resolutions including the 2560 × 2048 Overwatch mode.
Full pin-out diagrams, Overwatch resolution configuration sequences, and integration SDK documentation are available to registered corporate accounts.
USB UVC Interface
The module outputs UVC-compliant video at all resolutions including Overwatch 2560 × 2048 over the USB-1.25-4P connector, compatible with V4L2 Linux hosts, Windows DirectShow, and Android UVC without additional drivers. Power and video share the single connector at 5V ±0.5V.
Documentation & Downloads
All documents require a registered account. Export-controlled documents require verified end-user certification.
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