Night Vision USB Camera Module
0.0004 lx min. illumination, 800 m person detection, ≤ 28 g balanced-FOV USB night vision module.
Balanced Night Vision Range and Coverage
What It Is
The XHC1602-L20U516 is a USB Night Vision Camera Module — an ultra-low-light electro-optical imaging device based on a BSI CMOS sensor with a 5 mm M16 lens, providing a balanced combination of field of view and detection range for medium-range night observation in a bare-core OEM form factor.
Performance
The module achieves a minimum illumination of 0.0004 lx in B/W mode at 15fps and 0.001 lx in colour mode at 30fps. Against a 1.7 × 0.5 m person under clear weather (visibility ≥ 10 km, US NVESD standard), detection range is 800 m, recognition 200 m, and identification 125 m. Against a 3 × 9 m tank, detection reaches 4250 m. Dynamic range is 72 dB, power consumption is 0.92 W at 25fps, and the module weighs ≤ 28 g.
Key Technical Features
- BSI CMOS sensor (XHI1302C/B) with F1.0 aperture and 5 mm M16 optics balances FOV (78° × 62° at 1280 × 1024) and detection range for medium-range UAV surveillance missions.
- UVC-compliant USB output for zero-driver host integration on Windows and Linux, with V4L2 runtime control of resolution, frame rate, encoding, and gain parameters.
- H.264 / H.265 hardware encoding with adjustable bitrate (512 Kbps – 12 Mbps) supports efficient video links over USB in bandwidth-constrained drone communications architectures.
- Optional AI inference for face, human body, and vehicle detection provides on-device target cueing without host GPU in autonomous observation systems.
Platform Compatibility
The XHC1602-L20U516 is suited for medium-range UAV payloads, loitering munitions observation, counter-UAS platforms, portable tactical observation systems, perimeter surveillance cores, and search-and-rescue drone payloads requiring balanced wide-area and long-range night imaging capability at sub-30 g and sub-1.2 W.
Starlight BSI CMOS Sensor
The XHI1302C/B back-side illuminated CMOS sensor maximises photon collection per pixel by relocating readout circuitry behind the photodetector layer. This enables reliable colour and monochrome night imaging in moonlight and starlight without any active illumination source.
Verified Medium-Range DRI
Detection, recognition, and identification ranges are calculated to US military NVESD standard under clear weather with visibility ≥ 10 km. Against a 1.7 × 0.5 m person, the 516 achieves 800 m detection, 200 m recognition, and 125 m identification in B/W mode.
Balanced FOV and Range
The 5 mm lens provides a 78° × 62° horizontal and vertical field of view at 1280 × 1024, extending detection range versus the 4 mm variant while maintaining wide-area situational awareness for medium-altitude UAV and observation applications.
Optional AI Inference
Firmware-level AI functions detect and classify faces, human bodies, and vehicles on-device without a host GPU, enabling autonomous target cueing in drone payloads and embedded surveillance systems.
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 | XHC1602-L20U516 |
| Product Series | XHC1602-L20U Series |
| Product Type | Ultra Low Light USB Camera Module |
| OPTICAL | |
| Sensor Type | CMOS (EO/Ultra Low Light) — XHI1302C/B BSI |
| Resolution | 1280 × 1024 |
| Colour Mode | Colour / Black & White |
| Focal Length | 5 mm |
| Aperture (F-number) | F1.0 |
| FOV Horizontal | 78° (1280 × 1024) |
| FOV Vertical | 62° (1280 × 1024) |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| Min. Illumination | 0.0004 lx (B/W @ 15fps) |
| Frame Rate | 15 / 25 / 30 / 50 / 60 / 90 fps |
| Dynamic Range | 72 dB |
| Shutter Type | Rolling Shutter |
| MECHANICAL | |
| Dimensions | 20 x 46 mm |
| Weight | ≤ 28 g |
| Lens Mount | M16 Lens Interface |
| ELECTRICAL | |
| Operating Voltage | 5 V ± 0.5 V |
| Power Consumption | 0.92 W @ 25fps; 1.15 W @ 50fps |
| ENVIRONMENTAL | |
| Operating Temperature | −40 °C to +60 °C |
| Storage Temperature | −50 °C to +70 °C |
| FEATURES | |
| AI / SDK Support | AI detection: face, human, vehicle (optional firmware) |
| DRI PERFORMANCE | |
| DRI Test Standard | Clear weather, visibility ≥ 10 km; US military NVESD standard; B/W values; colour ≈ 70% |
| DRI Target — Person | 1.7 × 0.5 m body |
| DRI Target — Vehicle | 3 × 9 m Tank |
| Detection Range (Vehicle) | 4250 m |
| Recognition Range (Vehicle) | 1060 m |
| Identification Range (Vehicle) | 660 m |
| Detection Range (Person) | 800 m |
| Recognition Range (Person) | 200 m |
| Identification Range (Person) | 125 m |
| INTERFACE | |
| Output Format | UVC |
| Video Encoding | H.264 / H.265 |
| Interface Type | USB (UVC) |
| Connector Type | USB-1.25-5P |
| Control Protocol | V4L2 |
Designed for the Field
Medium-Range Drone Night Observation
The XHC1602-L20U516 provides a balanced FOV and range capability for UAV platforms conducting medium-range night observation, target detection, and area surveillance.
Tactical Perimeter and Area Surveillance
The module enables covert night surveillance at 800 m person detection for fixed and portable perimeter security systems without active illumination.
OEM Embedded Vision Integration
System integrators embed the XHC1602-L20U516 into custom enclosures for handheld observation devices, search-and-rescue instruments, and commercial night-imaging systems.
Medium-Range Drone Night Observation
The XHC1602-L20U516 balances field of view and detection range for UAV platforms conducting medium-range night surveillance and area monitoring. The 5 mm optics extend person detection to 800 m while retaining a 78° horizontal FOV. Vehicle detection at 4250 m enables drone operators to track large targets at extended standoff distances in starlight and moonlight conditions under US NVESD standard performance.
- Detection Range (Person): 800 m
- Detection Range (Vehicle): 4250 m
- FOV Horizontal: 78° at 1280 × 1024
- Min. Illumination: 0.0004 lx (B/W @ 15fps)
Tactical and Perimeter Surveillance
Fixed and portable ground surveillance systems use the XHC1602-L20U516 for covert night observation without active illuminators. The 5 mm lens narrows coverage relative to the 4 mm variant, increasing detection range against person and vehicle targets at perimeter distances. Person recognition at 200 m and identification at 125 m support access-control and threat-assessment workflows in perimeter security deployments.
- Recognition Range (Person): 200 m
- Identification Range (Person): 125 m
- Operating Temperature: −40 °C to +60 °C
- Power Consumption: 0.92 W @ 25fps
OEM Embedded Vision Integration
OEM developers integrate the XHC1602-L20U516 into custom housings for tactical handhelds, portable search-and-rescue instruments, and commercial night-imaging products. UVC output and V4L2 control make host-side software integration straightforward on Linux embedded platforms. H.264 / H.265 encoding with adjustable bitrate supports video link budgets from low-bandwidth tactical networks to high-throughput industrial capture systems.
- Encoding: H.264 / H.265
- Bitrate Range: 512 Kbps – 12 Mbps
- Weight: ≤ 28 g
- Lens Mount: M16
System Integration
Interface Architecture
The XHC1602-L20U516 exposes a single USB-1.25-5P connector carrying both power and UVC video output, with full parameter control via V4L2-compatible host software.
Full integration schematics, SDK access, and AI function configuration are available to registered corporate accounts.
USB UVC Interface
The camera outputs UVC-compliant video over a USB-1.25-5P connector, enumerating as a standard video device on Windows and Linux without custom drivers. V4L2-compatible applications configure resolution, frame rate, encoding, and exposure at runtime.
Documentation & Downloads
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