What's New at Cohu

Cohu awarded $2.3M contract for BAVU project

Cohu Inc. Electronics Division, - Poway Ca. (June 26, 2009):  Working with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Caltrans on a joint implementation of the BAVU (Bay Area Video Upgrade) project, Cohu has been awarded a $2.3 million contract for the replacement of 450 cameras and camera controllers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Selection was based on stringent technical performance specifications and requirements in a competitive bidding process. These cameras are owned by 15 separate agencies located within the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

The network of Cohu 3960 series NTCIP enabled cameras and Cohu 9300 series Local Controllers are linked to and monitored by the Caltrans District 4 Regional Transportation Management Center (TMC). The Caltrans District 4 TMC is a regional operations center that boasts one of the most technologically advanced centers in the nation.

MTC, in partnership with Caltrans, had initiated the Bay Area Video Upgrade (BAVU) project to replace 450 antiquated camera sites and upgrade the video surveillance system.

The upgrade will also facilitate the capturing, digitizing and distributing video coverage on the 1,400 miles of State Highway, spanning nine counties. The plan will allow Caltrans as well as local agencies to view the camera video feeds.

Completion of this project will enhance the region’s ability to increasing the efficiency of response to the large volume of well over 2,400 routine roadway incidents per day as well as monitor and detect any security threats to the region's highway system.

The project has been in the planning and testing phases for over 4 years. Republic ITS will complete installation and integration of the 450 cameras by May of 2010.

We've Moved!

On November 14, 2008 Cohu Inc., Electronics Division moved from its current manufacturing headquarters in San Diego, California to its new location in Poway, California.  Cohu joins its sister divisions, Delta Design and Broadcast Microwave Services, in the same modern facility located in Poway just 15 miles from its current location.

Cohu’s new address is:
Cohu, Inc. Electronics Division
12367 Crosthwaite Circle
Poway, CA 92064

Cohu’s phone and fax numbers are not changed:
Tel: 1-858-277-6700
Fax: 1-858-277-0221

More details about the move here. 

Two new economical day/night cameras with integrated lens for fixed-position installs

(February 2008)  Here are two great new Cohu video cameras at really competitive prices! Cohu Electronics has introduced a new line of outdoor cameras that has essential features and performance specifications, integrated lens, and a choice of IP-66 or IP-67 rating. The difference is that the the 3200 Series is designed for outdoor surveillance, access control, or process monitoring applications where full-feature and possitioning charicteristics are not needed.

"This line of video cameras supports customers who need reliable, but basic, imaging with the dependability of Cohu Electronics," said Product Manager, Kirk Leikam. "Both cameras have been designed and priced to be true 'set it and forget it' video solutions," he added.

The Cohu 3230 Series is a high performance, day/night color camera with integrated zoom lens enclosed in a sturdy IP66-rated enclosure that comes complete with a sunshield and wallmount bracket.

The Cohu 3230 Series features the same video and optical specifications, but is enclosed in a legendary Cohu sealed and pressurized IP67-rated enclosure. This model is for installations subject to extreme weather.

 Find out more about the Cohu 3220 and 3230 here.

Cohu develops exterior dome camera line with IP-encoding and high-speed positioner

(November 2007)  Cohu Electronics has begun production of an IP-enabled camera with integrated high-speed positioner enclosed in the company’s distinctive sealed and pressurized dome.  It is designed to be a more reliable and significantly higher performing CCTV camera than conventional dome cameras.

The i-dome.net is an evolution of Cohu’s popular i-dome camera line, but with upgraded camera and lens specifications and MPEG4 control and output signal compression.  The camera module and compression technology provide additional features and options, including electronic image stabilization, increased optical zoom, and polygon masking.

The addition of an IP encoder, located inside the dome, enables the convergence of all its video and data streams on to one cable.  The MPEG4 encoding provides the best quality video with the most efficient bandwidth utilization.  The user settings (data mode, frame rate, and resolution) further allow the operator to achieve maximum video streaming within the network environment. 

Several design enhancements further improve its reliability. First, the i-dome.net power supply is rated NEMA TS2, which enables the system to operate in “dirty” power conditions.  It also meets rigid specifications for superior shock and vibration tolerance.

The comprehensive range of features, options, and configurations make the Cohu Model 3940 the professional’s choice for infrastructure security, access control, high-value and at-risk facility surveillance, and process monitoring.

  Find out more about the Cohu model 3940 here.

New Riverside (CA) TMC opens. Example of Cohu's customer-first attitude.

(June 2007) The new City of Riverside (California) Traffic Management Center opened with great fanfare in June, and received a lot of positive publicity for its sophistication and quality. And what's up front? Cohu i-view cameras and i-linx IP management products, of course. The video system is operated by a non-Cohu protocol, because it had to integrate with the TMC's existing network, and includes new Cohu i-view cameras and Cohu i-linx^II encoders. This is a good example of how Cohu helps customer, from start to finish, expand and upgrade a legacy system. As we say: people who know traffic video call Cohu "first." Just follow the links to see the coverage.
Fox 11 News shows the cameras and TMC
Riverside Press Enterprise has a basic overview of the system

3960 Series i-View^II holds up to tough scrutiny by independent reviewer

(2007) "Hey, good looking" was how Britain's Security Installer magazine introduced its review of the Cohu 3960 camera/positioner system. We had no editorial input in the review process, and what you read here is how the review was published. We think you'll appreciate (find refreshing?) an unbiased opinion of what we've been saying all along about Cohu quality and performance. (Note: the control software issues reported in the review ARE available, but our control software is really designed to be integrated into the customer's system, so the reviewer just wasn't able to control them properly.)