Ultra Low Light MIPI Camera
0.0004 lx min. illumination (B/W), 4 mm wide-FOV lens, 4-Lane MIPI CSI-2, ≤ 30 g embedded night vision module.
Wide-FOV Ultra Low Light MIPI Camera Module
What It Is
The XHC1602-L20M416 is an ultra low light MIPI CSI-2 camera module based on a back-side illuminated CMOS sensor, classified as a bare embedded OEM module intended for direct SoC and FPGA integration in drone payloads, robotics, and tactical surveillance systems requiring starlight-class imaging without active illumination.
Performance
The module achieves a minimum illumination of 0.0004 lux (B/W, 15fps) and 0.001 lux (colour, 30fps), with a default dynamic range of 72 dB upgradeable via multi-mode WDR. The 4 mm lens delivers a horizontal FOV of 78° at 1280 × 1024 resolution. Power consumption is 1.2 W at 25fps normal temperature, with a startup time of approximately 2 seconds.
Key Technical Features
- 4-Lane MIPI CSI-2 output in YUV422 8-bit format with internal and two external synchronisation modes for multi-camera systems.
- UART control interface at 115200 bps for ISP parameter tuning including exposure, gain, 3D noise reduction, and image flip.
- BSI CMOS sensor architecture with rolling shutter and automatic gain control optimised for sub-millilux sensitivity.
- M16 lens interface with 4 mm, 5 mm, and 8 mm focal length options for range-specific deployment.
Platform Compatibility
The XHC1602-L20M416 is designed for integration with SoC and FPGA platforms supporting MIPI CSI-2, including drone onboard vision systems, loitering munition observation modules, robotics and autonomous navigation platforms, multi-sensor fusion systems, and border or perimeter surveillance hosts requiring proper impedance-controlled PCB routing and external environmental housing.
BSI Ultra Low Light Sensor
The module uses a back-side illuminated CMOS sensor architecture that maximises photon collection efficiency at the pixel level. This yields sub-millilux sensitivity in B/W mode and colour night vision at natural starlight and moonlight levels without active illumination.
Multi-Rate Frame Control
Frame rate is software-selectable across six settings from 15 fps to 90 fps via UART, with exposure and gain adjusting automatically or under host control. Higher frame rates trade sensitivity for motion performance, allowing the host to optimise for scene conditions at runtime.
MIPI CSI-2 Multi-Camera Sync
The 4-Lane MIPI CSI-2 interface supports an internal sync mode and two external sync modes, enabling deterministic multi-camera array synchronisation on SoC and FPGA platforms. This eliminates inter-sensor latency in stereo vision, 360° array, or sensor fusion pipelines.
UART ISP Parameter Control
All ISP parameters — including exposure speed, gain, contrast, brightness, gamma, 3D noise reduction, WDR mode, and image flip/mirror — are accessible via UART at 115200 bps. This allows real-time tuning and calibration from the host processor without reprogramming the module firmware.
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-L20M416C/B |
| Product Series | XHC1602-L20M Series |
| Product Type | Ultra Low Light MIPI Camera Module |
| OPTICAL | |
| Sensor Type | CMOS (EO/Ultra Low Light) — XHI1302C/B BSI |
| Sensor Model | XHI1302C/B @ BSI |
| Resolution | 1280 × 1024 |
| Colour Mode | Colour / Monochrome (switchable) |
| Focal Length | 4 mm |
| Lens Interface | M16 |
| Aperture (F-number) | F1.0 |
| Exposure Mode | Rolling Shutter |
| FOV Horizontal | 78° |
| Gain Mode | Automatic |
| FOV Vertical | 62° |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| Min. Illumination (B/W) | 0.0004 lx B/W @ 15fps |
| Frame Rate | 15 / 25 / 30 / 50 / 60 / 90 fps |
| Dynamic Range | 72 dB (WDR upgradeable) |
| Shutter Type | Rolling Shutter |
| MECHANICAL | |
| Dimensions | 20 x 46 mm |
| Weight | ≤ 30 g |
| Lens Interface | M16 Lens Interface |
| ELECTRICAL | |
| Operating Voltage | DC 5V (4.8–5.2V) |
| Input Voltage Range | 4.8 V – 5.2 V |
| Power Consumption | 1.2 W @ 25fps |
| ENVIRONMENTAL | |
| Operating Temperature | −40 °C to +60 °C |
| Storage Temperature | −50 °C to +70 °C |
| FEATURES | |
| Wide Dynamic Range | Default 72 dB; multi-mode WDR upgradeable |
| Noise Reduction | 3D Noise Reduction |
| Image Flip / Mirror | Image Flip / Mirror supported |
| DRI | |
| DRI Test Condition | Clear weather; visibility ≥ 10 km; B/W version |
| DRI PERFORMANCE | |
| DRI Test Standard | Clear weather, visibility ≥ 10 km, US military NVESD standard |
| DRI Target Basis (Person) | 1.7 m × 0.5 m |
| DRI Target Basis (Vehicle/Tank) | 3 m × 9 m |
| Detection Range (Vehicle/Tank) | ≥ 4250 m |
| Recognition Range (Vehicle/Tank) | ≥ 1060 m |
| Identification Range (Vehicle/Tank) | ≥ 660 m |
| Detection Range (Person) | ≥ 800 m |
| Recognition Range (Person) | ≥ 200 m |
| Identification Range (Person) | ≥ 125 m |
| INTERFACE | |
| Output Format | 4-Lane MIPI CSI-2 YUV422 8-bit |
| Interface Type | MIPI CSI-2 (4-Lane) |
| Control Interface | UART 115200 bps |
| Synchronisation | Internal sync; 2 external sync modes |
| LOW-LIGHT PERFORMANCE | |
| Min Illumination (Colour) | 0.0008 lux (Colour @ 15fps) |
| Min Illumination (B/W @ 30fps) | 0.0006 lux (B/W @ 30fps) |
| Min Illumination (B/W @ 60fps) | 0.0008 lux (B/W @ 60fps) |
| Boot Time | ~2 s |
Designed for the Field
Drone and UAV Payload Integration
The wide 78° FOV and ultra-low-light sensitivity make the 416 variant the preferred choice for close-range airborne observation.
Border and Perimeter Surveillance
Embedded integration into fixed or mobile perimeter sensor nodes for night-time wide-area monitoring.
Robotics and Autonomous Systems OEM
SoC and FPGA platform integrators incorporate the module into autonomous ground vehicles, inspection robots, and multi-camera synchronisation rigs.
Drone Onboard Vision Systems
The XHC1602-L20M416 is designed as a primary EO payload sensor for drone and loitering munition platforms that require starlight-class imaging with minimal weight and power draw. The F1.0 aperture and BSI CMOS sensitivity deliver usable imagery at 0.0004 lux without active illumination, while the 1.2 W power consumption preserves flight endurance on battery-primary UAV platforms.
- Min. Illumination: 0.0004 lx B/W @ 15fps
- Power Consumption: 1.2 W @ 25fps
- Weight: ≤ 30 g
- Interface: 4-Lane MIPI CSI-2 YUV422 8-bit
Border and Perimeter Surveillance
Wide-FOV coverage from the 4 mm lens supports area-scan surveillance nodes at border crossings, perimeter fences, and critical infrastructure sites requiring passive night imaging. The 800 m person detection range and 78° horizontal field of view enable wide-area coverage from compact fixed or vehicle-mounted installations operating in low-light and no-light conditions.
- Detection Range (Person): ≥ 800 m
- Recognition Range (Person): ≥ 200 m
- FOV Horizontal: 78°
- Operating Temperature: −40 °C to +60 °C
Robotics and Autonomous Navigation OEM
The MIPI CSI-2 interface and external synchronisation capability make this module a direct fit for SoC and FPGA platforms in autonomous ground vehicles, inspection robots, and multi-camera synchronisation rigs. System integrators can implement deterministic multi-camera arrays using the two external sync modes and manage all ISP parameters at runtime via the UART control interface at 115200 bps.
- Output Format: 4-Lane MIPI CSI-2 YUV422 8-bit
- Sync Modes: Internal + 2 external sync modes
- Control: UART 115200 bps
- Resolution: 1280 × 1024 default
System Integration
Interface Architecture
The XHC1602-L20M416 provides a 4-Lane MIPI CSI-2 primary output with a UART secondary control interface, forming a two-bus integration architecture suited to embedded SoC and FPGA hosts.
Full pinout, electrical characteristics, and ISP register map are available to registered corporate integrators.
MIPI CSI-2 Interface
The module outputs 4-Lane MIPI CSI-2 YUV422 8-bit video to the host SoC or FPGA, supporting both internal and two external synchronisation modes for multi-camera deployments. Proper impedance-controlled PCB routing is required; the host must support MIPI CSI-2 D-PHY with 4-lane configuration.
Documentation & Downloads
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