FHD Low-Light USB Camera Module
0.001 lux @ 30fps starlight colour, 1650 m human detection, 12mm F1.0 USB UAV camera module.
System Detail
What It Is
The XHC1604U12C is a compact USB Camera Module built on the XHI5001C large-pixel CMOS sensor with a 12 mm F1.0 fixed lens, delivering FHD full-colour low-light night vision via a standard UVC interface for integration into professional UAV ISR payloads, vehicle-mounted observation systems, and ground-based surveillance platforms requiring extended standoff capability.
Performance
The module achieves a minimum illumination of 0.001 lux at 30fps (IRE50 standard), enabling true starlight colour imaging without active illumination. Against a 1.7 × 0.5 m human target measured to US military NVESD/NIIRS standards, detection range is 1650 m, recognition range 410 m, and identification range 260 m. Against a 3 × 9 m vehicle, detection extends to 8760 m and recognition to 2190 m. Default resolution is 1920 × 1440 at up to 60fps, with 72 dB dynamic range and 8× digital zoom.
Key Technical Features
- USB 2.0 UVC output with V4L2 protocol support, compatible with Linux, Windows, and Android host systems without custom drivers
- Rolling shutter CMOS with automatic gain control and configurable H.264/H.265 encoding at 512 Kbps to 12 Mbps
- Internal storage from 32 GB default up to 128 GB maximum for standalone edge recording
- C-mount lens interface enabling field-swappable optics across the XHC1604 series
Platform Compatibility
The XHC1604U12C is rated suitable for medium multirotor UAV professional payload integration and vehicle-mounted surveillance systems, and is recommended for ground-based ISR and border surveillance platforms where the 52° horizontal FOV and 12 mm focal length provide increased standoff capability over the wide-angle 07C variant.
Starlight Colour Imaging
The XHI5001C sensor with 5.5 μm pixel pitch and F1.0 aperture captures true full-colour video at 0.001 lux or lower without active illumination. This enables covert night operations across the full detection range without IR signature.
Extended Standoff DRI Performance
Detection, recognition, and identification ranges are measured to US military NVESD/NIIRS standards. The 12mm focal length delivers human detection at 1650 m and vehicle detection at 8760 m, extending usable standoff compared to the wide-angle variant.
Driverless UVC Integration
The UVC output with V4L2 protocol operates without proprietary drivers on Linux, Windows, and Android hosts. This eliminates BSP development overhead and accelerates payload certification timelines.
Ultra-Low Power USB Supply
The module draws 1.35 W at 1920 × 1440 / 30fps from a standard 5V USB rail, requiring no dedicated power regulator. This is directly compatible with UAV flight controller USB ports and lightweight embedded platforms.
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 | XHC1604U12C |
| Product Series | XHC1604 |
| Product Type | FHD Low-Light USB Camera Module |
| OPTICAL | |
| Sensor Type | USB 2.0 CMOS Camera Module — XHI5001C |
| Resolution | 1920 × 1440 (default); 1280 × 1024 / 1280 × 960 optional |
| Pixel Size | 5.5 μm |
| Color Mode | All Day Colour |
| Focal Length | 12 mm |
| Aperture (F-number) | F1.0 |
| FOV Horizontal | 52° |
| FOV Vertical | 39° |
| 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 | ≤ 155 g (whole); ≤ 120 g (no back cover) |
| Mount Type | C Mount |
| ELECTRICAL | |
| Operating Voltage | 5 V ± 0.5 V |
| Power Consumption | 1.35 W @ 1920 × 1440 / 30fps; 0.9 W @ 1280 × 960 / 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) | 8760 m |
| Recognition Range (Vehicle) | 2190 m |
| Identification Range (Vehicle) | 1370 m |
| Detection Range (Person) | 1650 m |
| Recognition Range (Person) | 410 m |
| Identification Range (Person) | 260 m |
| INTERFACE | |
| Output Format | UVC |
| Interface Type | USB 2.0 |
| Connector Type | USB-1.25-4P |
| Network Protocol | V4L2 |
Designed for the Field
UAV ISR Payload Integration
The XHC1604U12C delivers extended-standoff colour night vision for UAV-borne ISR missions where greater detection range is required than wide-angle configurations allow.
Ground-Based Observation Systems
The module integrates into vehicle-mounted and ground-based observation systems requiring starlight-class colour imaging with narrower FOV for target isolation at medium range.
OEM Embedded Vision
System integrators adopt the XHC1604U12C as a plug-and-play USB vision core for custom ISR, border surveillance, and perimeter monitoring where 12mm optics are specified.
UAV ISR Payload
The XHC1604U12C delivers extended standoff colour night vision for UAV ISR missions requiring detection and recognition beyond the capability of wide-angle configurations. The 52° horizontal FOV and 1650 m human detection range suit medium to large multirotor and VTOL UAV platforms. The USB UVC interface and 0.001 lux sensitivity allow covert operation at altitude without active illumination, reducing UAV IR signature during nocturnal surveillance tasks.
- Human Detection: 1650 m (NVESD standard)
- FOV Horizontal: 52°
- Min. Illumination: 0.001 lux @ 30fps (IRE50)
- Weight: ≤ 155 g (whole)
Border & Perimeter Surveillance
The 12 mm focal length and 8760 m vehicle detection range make the XHC1604U12C effective for border monitoring and perimeter surveillance installations where long-range detection of vehicles across open terrain is required. The 72 dB dynamic range maintains image quality across mixed lighting transitions at dawn and dusk. Bus-powered 5V USB operation eliminates the need for separate power infrastructure at remote surveillance installations.
- Vehicle Detection: 8760 m (NVESD standard)
- Dynamic Range: 72 dB
- Operating Temperature: −40 °C to +60 °C
- Power Consumption: 1.35 W @ 1920 × 1440 / 30fps
OEM Embedded Vision Integration
System integrators embed the XHC1604U12C as a driverless UVC vision core for ISR, vehicle observation, and border surveillance platforms where the 12 mm optic provides a balance of FOV and standoff. V4L2 protocol compatibility accelerates software integration on Linux-based embedded platforms. Internal storage up to 128 GB and configurable H.264/H.265 encoding enable standalone edge recording without an external recorder.
- Interface: USB 2.0 UVC / V4L2
- Encoding: H.264 / H.265, 512 Kbps – 12 Mbps
- Internal Storage: 32 GB default; 128 GB maximum
- Lens Interface: C Mount
System Integration
Interface Architecture
The XHC1604U12C exposes a single USB-1.25-4P connector carrying both 5V power and UVC video, enabling one-cable integration into host systems without additional power rails.
Full pin-out diagrams, configuration register maps, and integration SDK documentation are available to registered corporate accounts.
USB UVC Interface
The module outputs UVC-compliant video over the USB-1.25-4P connector, compatible with any V4L2-capable Linux host, Windows DirectShow, or Android UVC stack without additional drivers. Power and video share the single connector at 5V ±0.5V.
Request a Quote or Demo Unit
Our technical sales team can arrange a field demonstration, provide deployment planning, and prepare a formal quotation for your procurement requirements.
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