ALLIED Vision Technologies Bigeye G-1100 Cool x900,x908

AVT GigE Cameras

Allied Vision Technologies GmbH
Taschenweg 2a
D-07646 Stadtroda, Germany

Installation Manual

AVT GigE Vision Cameras

V1.0.0

4 July 2013

Legal notice

Trademarks

Microsoft, Windows, and Windows 7 are either registered trademarks or trade­marks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Unless stated otherwise, all trademarks appearing in this document of Allied
Vision Technologies are brands protected by law.

Warranty

The information provided by Allied Vision Technologies is supplied without any
guarantees or warranty whatsoever, be it specific or implicit. Also, excluded are
all implicit warranties concerning the negotiability, the suitability for specific
applications or the non-breaking of laws and patents. Even if we assume that
the information supplied to us is accurate, errors and inaccuracy may still occur.

Copyright

All texts, pictures and graphics are protected by copyright and other laws pro­tecting intellectual property. It is not permitted to copy or modify them for
trade use or transfer, nor may they be used on websites.

Allied Vision Technologies GmbH 07/2013

All rights reserved.
Managing Director: Mr. Frank Grube
Tax ID: DE 184383113

Headquarters:

Taschenweg 2a
D-07646 Stadtroda, Germany
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Contents

Contacting Allied Vision Technologies ................................................... 5

Introduction ............................................................................................................ 6

Document history............................................................................................................ 6

Conventions used in this manual ........................................................................................ 7

Styles ....................................................................................................................... 7

Symbols.................................................................................................................... 7

Additional information..................................................................................................... 8

AVT accessories .......................................................................................................... 8

AVT software .............................................................................................................. 8

Safety instructions ............................................................................................10

General safety instructions.............................................................................................. 10

Sensor safety instructions............................................................................................... 10

Changing filters safety instructions................................................................................... 11

Safety instructions for board level cameras (only Manta and Prosilica GB) ................................ 12

Getting started.....................................................................................................14

GigE Vision camera.................................................................................................... 14

Optics..................................................................................................................... 14

GigE Vision software .................................................................................................. 15

Overview of installation.................................................................................................. 15

Installing hardware............................................................................................16

Installing Gigabit Ethernet network card............................................................................ 16

Ethernet adapter configuration........................................................................................ 17

Installation of Ethernet adapter driver .......................................................................... 17

Modify Ethernet adapter IP address .............................................................................. 17

Ethernet adapter optimization..................................................................................... 19

Installing camera software...........................................................................22

Overview of software installation...................................................................................... 22

Download camera drivers ................................................................................................ 22

Install VIMBA Viewer...................................................................................................... 23

Install GigE Sample Viewer .............................................................................................. 24

Starting the camera ..........................................................................................25

Power up ..................................................................................................................... 25

Connect to host application............................................................................................. 25

Using the AVT viewer applications ..........................................................26

Using VIMBA Viewer....................................................................................................... 26

Launch the application .............................................................................................. 26

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Open live view: Viewer toolbar..................................................................................... 27

Adjust camera controls: Controller window .................................................................... 28

Camera information: Information window ...................................................................... 28

Live histogram ......................................................................................................... 29

Using the GigE Sample Viewer .......................................................................................... 30

Launch the application .............................................................................................. 30

Open live view .......................................................................................................... 30

Adjust camera controls .............................................................................................. 31

Live histogram ......................................................................................................... 31

Camera information................................................................................................... 31

Event channel .......................................................................................................... 32

RS232 serial interface................................................................................................ 33

Seek camera ............................................................................................................ 33

Export camera settings............................................................................................... 34

Modifying camera IP address ....................................................................35

For VIMBA users ............................................................................................................ 35

For PvAPI users ............................................................................................................. 36

Using multiple cameras..................................................................................38

Single Ethernet port .................................................................................................. 39

Multiple Ethernet ports .............................................................................................. 40

Implementing link aggregation ..................................................................42

When is LAG needed? ..................................................................................................... 42

Configuring Link Aggregation .......................................................................................... 43

Multicasting configuration............................................................................46

Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................47

Is the camera getting power? ...................................................................................... 47

Is the camera powered, but not detected in viewer? ......................................................... 47

Is the camera listed in Viewer but can't acquire images? ................................................... 49

Troubleshooting for Bigeye G cameras only (IOD mode) .................................................... 50

Appendix..................................................................................................................51

AVT camera cleaning instructions ..................................................................................... 51

Warranty ................................................................................................................. 51

Avoiding the necessity of camera cleaning ..................................................................... 52

Is it an impurity? – Identifying impurities ...................................................................... 52

Where is the impurity? – Locating impurities .................................................................. 53

Cleaning Instructions ................................................................................................ 53

Additional references ......................................................................................56

Index...........................................................................................................................57

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Contacting Allied Vision Technologies

Contacting Allied Vision Technologies

Info



• Technical information:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com

• Support:

[e-mail]

Allied Vision Technologies GmbH (Headquarters)

Taschenweg 2a
07646 Stadtroda, Germany
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

Allied Vision Technologies Canada Inc.

101-3750 North Fraser Way
Burnaby, BC, V5J 5E9, Canada
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

Allied Vision Technologies Inc.

38 Washington Street
Newburyport, MA 01950, USA
Toll Free number +1 877-USA-1394
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

Allied Vision Technologies Asia Pte. Ltd.

82 Playfair Road
#07-02 D’Lithium, Singapore 368001
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

Allied Vision Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.

2-2109 Hongwell International Plaza
1602# ZhongShanXi Road, Shanghai 200235, China
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Introduction

Introduction

This AVT GigE Installation Manual provides instructions for first time use of AVT
GigE Vision cameras. Powering up the camera, installing AVT drivers and related
software, and enabling users to get the camera up and running are the focus of
this document.

For information on camera dimensions, feature overview, I/O definition, trigger
timing waveforms, frame rate performance, please refer to the AVT Technical
Manuals unique for each camera family.

For detailed information on camera features and controls specific to the AVT
GigE cameras refer to the AVT GigE Camera and Driver Attributes and AVT GigE

Camera and Driver Features documents.

www



Document history

Version Date Remarks

V1.0.0 2013-Jul-04 New Manual – RELEASE Status

AVT product literature:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/support/downloads/
product-literature.html

Table 1: Document history

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Introduction

Conventions used in this manual

To give this manual an easily understood layout and to emphasize important
information, the following typographical styles and symbols are used:

Styles

Style Function Example

Bold Programs, inputs, or

highlighting important
information

Courier Code listings etc. Input

Upper case Register REGISTER

Italics Modes, fields Mode

Parentheses and/or blue Links (Link)

Table 2: Styles

bold

Symbols

Note

This symbol highlights important information.



Caution

This symbol highlights important instructions.
You have to follow these instructions to avoid
malfunctions.



www



This symbol highlights URLs for further information.
The URL itself is shown in blue.

Example:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Introduction

Additional information

This section provides information on AVT accessories and available AVT
software for AVT GigE Vision cameras.

AVT accessories

Note



www



Allied Vision Technologies offers a wide range of accessories
for the use of AVT GigE cameras and the easy integration in
already existing applications.

• Gigabit Ethernet accessories including standard GigE

components as well as PoE capable GigE components.

• Lenses for corresponding sensor sizes and resolutions.

(Contact AVT Support for further information.)

To order accessories online (by clicking the article and send­ing an inquiry) visit:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/emea/products/
accessories.html

For more information on third-party hardware components
tested with AVT GigE cameras, read:

Application Note: Hardware Selection for AVT GigE Cameras:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/fileadmin/content/PDF/
Support/Application_Notes/
Hardware_Selection_for_AVT_GigE_Cameras.pdf

For more information on lenses go to:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/emea/products/
accessories/lenses.html

AVT software

All software packages provided by AVT are free of charge and contain the fol­lowing components:

•Drivers

• Software Development Kit (SDK) for camera control and image acquisition

• Examples based on the provided APIs of the SDK

• Documentation and release notes

• Viewer application to operate/configure the cameras

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Introduction

www



Third-party software

In addition to the software provided by AVT, there are numerous GigE Vision
Standard compliant third-party software options available. In general, third­party software provides increased functionality such as image processing and
video recording.

www

All software packages (including documentation and release
notes) provided by AVT can be downloaded at:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/emea/support/downloads/
software.html

For a list of compliant third-party software see:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/emea/products/software/
third-party-software.html



AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Safety instructions

Safety instructions

This chapter describes safety instructions/cautions valid for AVT GigE cameras
and special safety instructions/cautions depending on the camera model used.

General safety instructions

Note



Note



• There are no switches or parts inside the camera that
require adjustment. The guarantee becomes void upon
opening the camera casing.

• If the product is disassembled, reworked or repaired by
anyone other than a recommended service person, AVT or
its suppliers are not responsible for the subsequent
performance or quality of the camera.

•The camera does not generate dangerous voltages inter­nally.

• All color models are equipped with an optical filter to
eliminate the influence of infrared light hitting the sen­sor. Please be advised that, as a side effect, this filter
reduces sensitivity in the visible spectrum. The optical fil­ter is part of the back focus ring, which is threaded into
the C-Mount.

Sensor safety instructions

Caution



Sensor may be damaged

Light intensity or exposure time exceeding the saturation of
the sensor may damage the sensor irreparably.

This may occur in the following situations:

• Laser light hitting the sensor directly

• Bright light sources (e.g. sunlight) hitting the sensor
directly

• Camera is exposed to X-rays

Damages may be caused by:

• Overheating of color filters, microlenses or pixel struc­tures

• Accelerated aging of color filters or pixel structures

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Safety instructions

Caution



To avoid sensor damage

• Use light source with lower intensity

• Use external shutter

• Use optical filters

• Use lens cap (when camera not in use)

• Vary local light spot / laser spot on sensor

•X-rays:
– Keep camera out of X-ray path. Guide light source via

mirrors to the sensor
– Use lead glass to protect lens and sensor
– Use lead jacket for the body of the camera

The warranty does not cover damaged cameras caused by
X-ray applications or too much light/laser light.

Changing filters safety instructions

Caution



• Mount/dismount lenses and filters in a dust-free envi­ronment, and do not use compressed air (which can push

dust into cameras and lenses).

•Use only optical quality tissue/cloth if you must clean a
lens or filter.

Ask your dealer if you are not familiar with these procedures.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Safety instructions

Safety instructions for board level cameras (only Manta and Prosilica GB)

Note



Caution-ESD Board level cameras: ESD warnings

Read the Manta / Prosilica GB Technical Manual and these
safety instructions before use.

Abuse or misapplication of the camera may result in limited
warranty or cancellation of warranty.

• Board level cameras are delivered without housing.
Handle the sensor board and main board with care. Do
not bend the boards. Do not touch the components or
contacts on a board. Hold a board by its edges.

• Sensor board and main board are sensitive to
electrostatic discharge. To avoid possible damage, handle
all static-sensitive boards and components in a static­safe work area. Follow the procedures below.

• ESD (electrostatic discharge): Static electricity can
damage the sensor board or the main board of your board
level cameras. To prevent static damage, discharge static
electricity from your body before you touch any of your
broad level camera’s electronic components, such as
sensor board or main board. To do so, use a static-safe
work area with static-dissipative mat and wear a static­dissipative wrist strap. Do not hold any components of
your board level cameras against your clothing. Even if
you are wearing a wrist strap, your body is grounded but
your clothes are not.

• Do not remove the sensor board and main board from its
anti-static packaging unless your body is grounded.

• ESD shielding: To protect the boards from radiation of
other modules or devices use a special ESD protective
housing.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Safety instructions

Caution



Caution



Board level cameras: General warnings

• Be sure that all power to your board level camera is
switched off before mounting the sensor board or making
connections to the camera.

• Do not connect or disconnect any cables during an
electrical storm.

• Do not use your board level cameras during an electrical
storm.

• To help avoid possible damage to the sensor board or
main board, wait 5 seconds after power is switched off,
before connecting or disconnecting any cable to the
board level cameras.

• Keep your board level cameras away from radiators and
heat sources.

• Avoid contact of board level cameras with liquids.

Board level cameras: Loading

• Avoid any mechanical forces to the board level cameras,
the boards and its components, especially torsional, ten­sile and compressive forces.

• To avoid damages of the boards, provide cables with an
external pull relief so that no force is applied to the con­nectors itself.

Caution



Board level cameras: Dirty environments

• Always use clean boards.

• To protect the board level cameras from debris always use
in a clean environment or a protective housing.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Getting started

Getting started

This chapter describes the components required for your camera system:

GigE Vision camera

AVT offers the following GigE Vision camera families:

•Bigeye G

•Mako G

•Manta

•Prosilica GB

•Prosilica GC

•Prosilica GE

•Prosilica GS

•Prosilica GT

•Prosilica GX

Optics

This guide can be applied to all of these families. Follow the links below to learn
more about GigE Vision cameras from AVT.

www

Follow this link to learn about GigE Vision cameras from AVT.

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/cameras/
gigabit-ethernet/



AVT GigE cameras offer various mechanical interfaces for installing a lens
including C-Mount, CS-Mount, F-Mount, M12-Mount, M42-Mount, M58-Mount,
and Canon EF-Mount. Lenses can be purchased directly from AVT or from an AVT
distributor. Users need to select the desired focal length and appropriate opti­cal format for the target camera model.

www



See AVT Modular Concept for more information on mechanical
interface options for specific AVT GigE cameras:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/support/downloads/
product-literature/avt-modular-concept.html

www



AVT offers a number of lenses to choose from:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/accessories/
lenses.html

For assistance in choosing a suitable lens for your AVT GigE
camera, please contact [e-mail].

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Getting started

GigE Vision software

AVT provides several software packages that support AVT GigE Vision cameras.
The user can target the following operating systems and a variety of CPU archi­tectures:

• Windows, Linux (supported by both AVT VIMBA and PvAPI SDKs)

• QNX or OSX (supported by PvAPI SDK only)

www



www



AVT GigE Vision cameras are GigE Vision v1.2 compliant. This means they are
compatible with third-party software which offers a GigE Vision driver.

www

VIMBA is AVT's future-proof SDK for all current and upcoming
AVT cameras with GigE Vision, FireWire (IEEE 1394) and USB
Vision interfaces. Visit the link below for more information.

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/software/
vimba-sdk.html

AVT PvAPI SDK supports all GigE Vision cameras from AVT on
various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, OSX and
QNX. Visit the link below for more information.

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/software/avt­pvapi-sdk.html

For a list of compliant third-party software see:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/emea/products/software/
third-party-software.html



Overview of installation

This is an overview of the installation process: follow the hyperlinks to read the
step-by-step instructions.

• Install Gigabit Ethernet network card and configure network card (Jumbo
Frames, Receive Descriptors, Performance Options and IP address set­tings):
See chapter Installing hardware on page 16.

• Install AVT SDKs plus corresponding Viewers:
See chapter Installing camera software on page 22.

• Connect camera to PC or laptop and ensure that the camera is powered:
See chapter Starting the camera on page 25.

•Acquiring your first image with VIMBA Viewer and GigE Sample Viewer:
Read chapter Using the AVT viewer applications on page 26.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Installing hardware

Installing hardware

This chapter describes the hardware installation and configuration of Gigabit
Ethernet network cards (PC or laptop) for optimum system performance when
using a GigE Vision camera.

Installing Gigabit Ethernet network card

GigE Vision cameras can operate on 10/100, or Gigabit speed Ethernet adapt­ers. In order to take advantage of maximum camera frame rates, a Gigabit speed
adapter is required.

If your host computer has an available Ethernet port, this can be used with AVT
GigE Vision cameras. We recommend that your camera system uses a dedicated
Ethernet port not shared with internet or local area networks. If more ports are
needed, or your existing Ethernet adapter isn’t able to operate at Gigabit Ether­net speeds, installing additional hardware may be required.

For desktop systems Use a PCI Express bus Ethernet adapter.

For laptops Use an expansion slot via an ExpressCard.

Note

Verify that there is an available and compatible interface slot
on the host computer before purchasing the desired Ethernet
adapter card.



www



www



Caution



For a list of Ethernet adapters available for purchase From AVT
refer to:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/accessories/
gige-accessories.html

A list of AVT recommended Ethernet adapters is available on
the AVT website.

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/fileadmin/content/PDF/
Support/Application_Notes/
Hardware_Selection_for_AVT_GigE_Cameras.pdf

AVT recommends Category 6 or higher rated Ethernet cables. A
different rating may not sustain peak interface bandwidth;
leading to lost connectivity or image data coming from the
camera.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Installing hardware

Figure 1: Adapter properties, driver tab,

Windows 7

Ethernet adapter configuration

1. PC: Install the (second) Gigabit Ethernet network card in your host computer

according to the instructions you got from your network card manufacturer.
Laptop: Insert the Gigabit Ethernet ExpressCard into your laptop.

2. Cancel the Found new Hardware Wizard window that may appear when Win-

dows detects your network card.

Installation of Ethernet adapter driver

3. Install the network card driver from your network card manufacturer. This
manual references the Intel Gigabit CT series, an equivalent can be found from
other manufacturers.

www

Follow the link below to download the latest dr ivers
for Intel adapters.

http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect



Run installation application provided by driver manufacturer. If no installation
application is provided, update the driver manually:

[Windows 7]

– Start
– Control Panel
– Hardware and Sound
– Device Manager
–Expand Network Adapter
– Right-click Adapter device name
– Properties
– Driver tab
– Update driver
– Install from specific location

(identify installation directory)

Modify Ethernet adapter IP address

4. After initial Ethernet adapter hardware installation, connect the Ethernet
adapter directly to the camera. The default configuration assigns an IP address
automatically using the Link-Local Address range of 169.254.xxx.xxx or an
address defined the by the DHCP server, if present.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

17

Installing hardware

Figure 2: Windows - Fixed IP address,

Auto IP range

Figure 3: Interfaces file for static IP,

Linux Ubuntu 10.04

Users can fix the adapter address to minimize the time required for a camera to
be recognized by the host application. Systems that employ multiple Ethernet
adapters connected to multiple cameras will also be required to fix the address
of the Ethernet adapter.

[Windows 7]

– Start, Control Panel
– Network and Internet
– View network status and tasks
– Change adapter settings
– Right-click Network Connection
– Properties
– Select Internet Protocol Version

4 and click Properties

– Select Use the following IP

address:

IP Address: 169.254.100.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0
Default gateway: blank

[Linux]

– Terminal: ifconfig
– Note eth# of NIC connected to

camera

– Terminal: sudo gedit /etc/net-

work/interfaces

– Add/edit:

auto eth6
iface eth6 inet static
address 169.254.100.1
netmask 255.255.0.0

Where, eth6 is name of NIC con­nected to camera.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Installing hardware

Figure 4: Interfaces file for static IP,

Linux Ubuntu 10.04

[OSX] (PvAPI only)

– System Preferences
–Network

– Select Ethernet, click Advanced
– TCP/IP tab:

Configure IPv4: Manually
IPv4 Address: 169.254.100.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
Router: Blank

Ethernet adapter optimization

5. The Ethernet adapter should be adjusted to improve system performance when
using a GigE Vision camera. This performance is related to minimizing CPU
usage and dropped or resent packets.

Edit the Ethernet adapter driver properties according to the values in the table
below. The names and availability of the properties listed may vary depending
on adapter manufacturer and model.

Properties Value

Packet size (MTU) 8228 or larger
Interrupt Moderate Rate Extreme
Transmit buffers 256 bytes
Receive buffers Max setting available

Table 3: Ethernet adapter performance settings

Default AVT GigE Vision camera factory settings configure the camera packet
size to 8228. The host adapter needs to support a packet size of equal or larger
size to stream from the camera.

Note



If adapter packet size support is limited to 1500 bytes, as on
10/100 speed NICs, the camera packet size can be reduced
using VIMBA Viewer / GigE Sample Viewer and saved to an on
board camera power up config file.

PvAPI users: See ConfigFile in the AVT GigE Camera and Driver

Attributes document.

VIMBA users: See SavedUserSets in the AVT GigE Camera and

Driver Features document.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Installing hardware

Figure 5: Setting jumbo packets

Adjust camera packet size

[Windows 7, Intel Gigabit CT]

– Start, Control Panel
– Hardware and Sound
– Device Manager
– Network Adapter
– Right-click Adapter device name

–Properties

– Advanced tab
– Settings: Jumbo Packet - Value:

9014 Bytes

Note



[Linux]

– Terminal: sudo gedit /etc/network/interfaces
– Add: mtu 8228 to appropriate interface.
– Or, to temporarily increase packet size:

Terminal: sudo ifconfig eth0 mtu 8228, where eth0 is the camera NIC.

The settings list in the advanced adapter settings may be dif­ferent between different types/brands of Gigabit Ethernet net­work cards. Common expressions are Jumbo Frames or Jumbo
Packet.

If Jumbo Frames or Jumbo Packet does not appear in this list,
your network card may not support it. Without this capability,
you may not be able to achieve the full performance of the
camera.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Installing hardware

Figure 6: Ethernet settings OSX Snow

Leopard

Figure 7: Intel adapter performance

options. Windows 7, Intel Gigabit CT

[OSX] (PvAPI only)

– System Preferences
–Network

– Select Ethernet, click Advanced
– Ethernet tab:

Configure: Manually
Speed: 1000baseT
Duplex: full-duplex
MTU: Jumbo (9000)

Adjust buffers and moderation rate

[Windows 7, Intel Gigabit CT]

– Start, Control Panel
– Hardware and Sound
– Device Manager
– Network Adapter
– Right-click Adapter device name

–Properties
– Advanced tab
–Performance Options
– Settings: Interrupt Moderation Rate

Value: Extreme

– Settings: Transmit Buffers

Value: 256 bytes

– Settings: Receive Buffers

Value: Max allowable

[Linux, QNX, OSX]

Support for buffer size control and moderation rate settings varies greatly
between network card driver providers.

www



Follow the link below for a detailed guide to using the Linux
e1000 Base Driver for the Intel PRO/1000 family of adapters:

http://www.intel.com/support/network/adapter/pro100/sb/CS-

032516.htm?wapkw=e1000+linux+base+driver+for+the+intel+pr
o%2f1000

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Installing camera software

Installing camera software

This chapter presents instructions for software installation specific to Windows

7. AVT GigE Vision cameras can be operated under earlier versions of Windows
including XP. Suggestions specific to Linux, QNX and OSX are also offered when
applicable. AVT offers two main SDKs for its GigE Vision cameras—VIMBA and
PvAPI.

Overview of software installation

This is an overview for the software installation: follow the hyperlinks to read
the step-by-step instructions.

• Install AVT VIMBA SDK plus corresponding VIMBA Viewer:

Read Install VIMBA Viewer on page 23.

• Install AVT PvAPI SDK and corresponding GigE Sample Viewer:

Read Install GigE Sample Viewer on page 24.

Download camera drivers

AVT GigE cameras work with any or all of the following software options:

www

AVT VIMBA Viewer or VIMBA SDK:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/software/
vimba-sdk.html



www

GigE Sample Viewer or PvAPI SDK:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/software/avt­pvapi-sdk.html



www



Recommended third-party GigE Vision compliant software
packages:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/software/3rd­party-solutions.html

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Installing camera software

Install VIMBA Viewer

[Windows 7]

• Go to install directory.

•Click AVTVimba.exe.

• Select an installation level suitable for your needs. For first time users,

installation level Camera Demonstration is recommended.

•Click Start.

[Linux]

Necessary runtime libraries for executing VIMBA Viewer are available with AVT
VIMBA SDK package.

• AVT VIMBA ships as a tarball. Uncompress the archive with the command

tar -xf ./AVTVimba.tgz to a directory you have writing privileges for. This
creates a directory named AVTVimba.

• Navigate to AVTVimba/AVTGigETL and execute the shell script Install.sh
with root privileges (e.g. sudo ./Install.sh).

• VIMBA Viewer is now ready to use and it can be found in Vimba/Viewer/Bin.

Note



VIMBA Viewer must be run with root privileges (e.g.
sudo -E ./VimbaViewer) if you want to change the IP
configuration of a camera in a foreign subnet. Running
it as root user instead of using sudo -E requires you to
set the environment variables manually.

Figure 8: VIMBA Viewer, Linux Ubuntu 12.04

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Installing camera software

Install GigE Sample Viewer

First time users may want to install the GigE Sample Viewer which offers an
excellent introduction to using the camera. Advanced users wishing to develop
their own software should download PvAPI SDK. Source code for the GigE Sam­ple Viewer is provided in the examples directory. A filter driver installation exe­cutable is also provided with the SDK.

[Windows 7]

• Go to install directory.

•Click Allied_Vision_Technologies_GigE_Viewer_Installer.exe.

• A message appears indicating the publisher could not be verified, select
Run to continue.

• Follow the prompts as requested, when asked “Would you like to install
the Filter driver?” select Yes .

Note



[Linux]

• Precompiled versions of GigE Sample Viewer are available in the AVT GigE
SDK/bin-pc directory.

• Run as root, e.g. “sudo ./SampleViewer”, allowing the OS to boost the pri-
ority of the AVT driver thread, the driver to bind directly to the NIC
adapter, and minimize dropped packets. Users who feel running as root
compromises their system security may find the following implementation
satisfactory:

– Set the executable owner as root.
– Set the “setuid” permission bit on the executable.
– In code, when application starts, use capset() to release all but these

privileges: CAP_SYS_NICE, CAP_NET_ADMIN, CAP_NET_BROADCAST,
CAP_NET_RAW.

The application starts with all root privileges, but it drops them immediately
after startup.

The AVT Filter miniport driver works alongside the
native Ethernet adapter driver to optimize CPU usage,
and minimize dropped packets. It is available only on
Windows.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

24

Starting the camera

Starting the camera

Power up

A camera power adapter for each GigE camera is available from AVT. Please con­sult the camera technical manual for connector definition and voltage specifi­cations.

www

AVT Product literature

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/support/downloads/
product-literature.html



Caution



Caution



Connect to host application

For AVT Prosilica, Mako G, and Manta cameras

• Use only DC power supplies with insulated cases.

• Mako G, Manta, and Prosilica GT PoE models can source
power from:

– 802.3af (100 MBit/s and 1000 MBit/s), and
– 802.3at compliant PSE devices (Power Sourcing Equip-

ment): such as switches injectors or NICs

Bigeye G cameras

Operate Bigeye G cameras at 12 V (+ 5 %). The current is lim­ited to max. 3.0 A. Operating Bigeye G cameras outside these
specifications may cause damage.

Use a Category 6 or higher rated Ethernet cable to connect the camera to the
host adapter. Crossover cabling is not required, but works—the camera has cir­cuitry to determine if a crossover cable is being used.

www

For more information on accessories go to:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/emea/products/
accessories.html



AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

25

Using the AVT viewer applications

Using the AVT viewer applications

This chapter describes the use of two viewer applications offered by AVT—VIMBA
Viewer and GigE Sample Viewer. The viewer applications are used to stream live
view images from the camera, adjust the camera parameters and test function­ality.

www



www



Using VIMBA Viewer

This section describes main features of the VIMBA Viewer.

Launch the application

1. Launch the VIMBA Viewer application. Wait for the camera to appear in the
“Detected Cameras” list. This may take up to one minute in network card
“Obtain an IP address automatically” mode.

The AVT VIMBA Viewer can be downloaded from the AVT web­site:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/software/
vimba-sdk.html

The GigE Sample Viewer can be downloaded from the AVT web­site:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/software/avt­pvapi-sdk.html

Figure 9: VIMBA Viewer window

If a camera does not appear after some time, try the following:

• Confirm the camera is powered.

• Confirm the Ethernet cable is connected to the host PC.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

26

Using the AVT viewer applications

Viewer toolbar

Camera stats

Controller
window

Information
window

• Confirm that camera IP and Ethernet adapter are on the same subnet. For

2. Select the desired camera from “Detected Cameras” list.

3. A new camera window appears, as shown in figure 10. This camera window con­sists of the following components:

more information refer to Modifying camera IP address on page 35.

– Viewer toolbar: controls to customize the live camera view
– Controller window: shows camera controls
– Information window: displays camera and event information
– Histogram window

Figure 10: Camera window in VIMBA Viewer

The camera window supports a fully dockable layout that allows user to custom­ize their workspace.

Note



If any of the above components of the camera window is miss­ing, then:

– Right-click on menu or toolbar
– Select the missing component

Open live view: Viewer toolbar

Press freerun button in the viewer toolbar, shown left. This starts con­tinuous acquisition from the camera using default camera settings. It

can be confirmed by stats at the bottom of camera window, as shown in
figure 10. “Running” means continuous acquisition, whereas, “Ready” means
camera is ready to acquire images. The freerun button is used to start/stop the
live view.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

27

Using the AVT viewer applications

If the images are too dark, point the camera directly at a light source to ensure
images are not being dropped. If no images appear proceed to chapter Trouble-

shooting on page 47.

Adjust camera controls: Controller window

The controller window, as shown in figure 10, is used to configure the camera
frame rate, exposure time, color balance, imaging mode, strobe functionality,
pixel format, and much more.

www



A detailed explanation of camera controls can be found in AVT
GigE Camera and Driver Features document:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/fileadmin/content/PDF/
Software/Prosilica_software/Prosilica_firmware/
AVT_GigE_Camera_and_Driver_Features.pdf

Camera information: Information window

The information window, as shown in figure 11, consists of the following func­tionalities.

Click the logging icon, shown left. The logging window opens. It pro-

vides camera identifying information including the serial and ID num-

ber.

Click the event viewer icon, shown left. The events viewer window

opens. This is a tool used to monitor in-camera events such as EventAc-

quisitionEnd, EventAcquisitionStart, EventExposureEnd, etc. The factory
default settings disable all event notifications. Use the camera controls to
select which events to monitor.

Figure 11: VIMBA Viewer events and controls

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

28

Using the AVT viewer applications

Live histogram

digital number value on the horizontal axis.

Start live view from the camera by selecting freerun button. Click the

histogram icon in the viewer toolbar, shown left. This launches a live

histogram. A histogram graphs number of pixels on the vertical axis and

Figure 12: Live histogram in VIMBA Viewer

Note



Histogram is ONLY supported for the following pixel formats:

•Mono8

•RGB8

•BGR8

•YUV444

• BayerRG12Packed

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

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Using the AVT viewer applications

Figure 13: camera window

Using the GigE Sample Viewer

This section describes main features of GigE Sample Viewer.

Launch the application

Start the GigE Sample Viewer appli­cation. Wait for the camera to
appear under Host.

If a camera does not appear after
some time, try the following:

• Confirm the camera is powered.

• Confirm the Ethernet cable is
connected to the host PC.

• Modify the Ethernet adapter
and/or Camera IP such that
they are on the same subnet.
For more information refer to

Modifying camera IP address

on page 35.

Open live view

If the camera still does not appear, proceed to chapter Troubleshooting on page

47.

Select the desired camera from the cameras window of the GigE Sample
Viewer. Click the eyeball icon. This opens a new view window. Using
default camera settings, this starts continuous acquisition from the

camera using freerun trigger mode.

If the images are too dark, point the camera directly at a light source to ensure
images are not being dropped. If no images appear proceed to Troubleshooting
on page 47.

Figure 14: GigE Sample Viewer live view

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

30

Using the AVT viewer applications

Adjust camera controls

Select the desired camera from the cameras window of the GigE Sample
Viewer. Click the wrench icon to open controls window. The controls
window is used to configure the camera frame rate, exposure time, color

balance, imaging mode, strobe functionality, pixel format, and much more.

Figure 15: GigE Sample Viewer controls window

A detailed explanation of camera controls can be found in the AVT GigE Camera
and Driver Attributes Document.

www



Live histogram

value on the horizontal axis.

Camera information

part number.

AVT GigE Camera and Driver Attributes download link:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/fileadmin/content/PDF/
Software/Prosilica_software/Prosilica_firmware/
AVT_Camera_and_Driver_Attributes.pdf

Start live view from the camera by selecting the eyeball icon. Click the
histogram icon, shown left. This launches an 8-bit live histogram. A his­togram graphs number of pixels on the vertical axis and digital number

Select the desired camera from the cameras window of the GigE Sample
Viewer. Click the information icon, shown left. The information window
provides camera identify information including the serial number and

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

31

Using the AVT viewer applications

Figure 16: GigE Sample Viewer information and histogram windows

Event channel

Select the desired camera from the cameras window of the GigE Sample
Viewer. Click the film icon, shown left, to open the events window. This
is a tool used to monitor in-camera events such as AcquisitionEnd, Expo-

sureStart, ExposureEnd, etc. The factory default settings disable all event noti­fications. Use the camera controls to select which events to monitor. View the
EventID to understand the display format in the Events window.

Figure 17: GigE Sample Viewer events and controls

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

32

Using the AVT viewer applications

RS232 serial interface

Select the desired camera from the cameras window of the GigE Sample
Viewer. Click the serial icon, shown left, to open the serialIO window.

This tool controls the camera’s RS232 port which communicates across
the RXD and TXD pins on the camera IO port. All AVT GigE Vision cameras except
Mako G offer an RS232 port.

Seek camera

Figure 18: GigE Sample Viewer serialIO window

RS232 communication can be used for interfacing the camera to motorized
lenses, temperature and pressure sensors, camera position motors, and other
applications.

Select the desired camera from the cameras window of the GigE Sample

Viewer. Click the seek icon, shown left. The seek camera window

appears. This is used when camera UDP discover broadcast packets are
either disabled, or blocked by hardware or network administrator preventing
the camera from being recognized by the GigE Sample Viewer. Enter the cam­era’s IP address into the window shown below.

Figure 19: GigE Sample Viewer seek camera

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

33

Using the AVT viewer applications

Export camera settings

Select the desired camera from the cameras window of the GigE Sample

Viewer. Click the floppy disk icon, shown left.

A file explorer window appears requesting a download location for the
camera setup file. This file captures the current camera settings and creates a
simple text file. This file can be uploaded to other cameras allowing both units
to utilize the same camera settings.

www



Figure 20: GigE Sample Viewer exporting camera setup

Load camera settings to other cameras using the CamSetup
example code found in PvAPI SDK from AVT. See the application
note:

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/fileadmin/content/PDF/
Support/Application_Notes/AppNote_-_PvAPI_­_Saving_and_Loading_Camera_Attributes_with_Text_File.pdf

Figure 21: Camera settings text file exported from the camera

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

34

Modifying camera IP address

Modifying camera IP address

AVT GigE Vision cameras support a number of IP addressing modes. Cameras
shipped from the factory are configured to DHCP. If a DHCP server is not present,
the camera uses the LLL / Auto IP configuration mode.

Configuration Mode Description

VIMBA: DHCP
PvAPI: DHCP
VIMBA: LLL
PvAPI: Auto IP
VIMBA: Persistent
PvAPI: Fixed

The camera IP address can be fixed by changing the configuration mode and
defining the desired address.

For VIMBA users

The camera may not be detected by the viewer if the IP address of the adapter is
not on the same subnet as the camera. In this case, start by configuring the
adapter to Auto IP mode.

1. Ensuring that the adapter is in Auto IP configuration, launch the VIMBA Viewer
application.

2. Wait for the camera to be listed in the “Detected Cameras” list.

Obtain an IP address automatically using DHCP
(Fallback to LLL/Auto IP)

Obtain an IP address automatically
(169.254.xxx.xxx)

IP address is assigned by the user

Table 4: Camera IP configuration modes

3. Right-click the desired camera and select Open CONFIG.

Figure 22: Example - Opening camera in configuration mode using VIMBA Viewer (Windows OS)

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

35

Modifying camera IP address

4. A new window opens. In the controller window, go to GigE/Persistent and pro-

vide the desired values.

5. Go to GigE/Configuration/IP Configuration Mode. Set IP Configuration Mode =
Persistent; and execute IP Configuration Apply command.

Figure 23: Example - Setting fixed camera IP address in VIMBA viewer (Windows OS)

For PvAPI users

[Windows 7]

With the camera(s) connected to the host, run the IPConfig program. This
application is packaged with the GigE Sample Viewer download.

– Select the camera(s) you wish to alter, select Change.
– Select Use the following IP address.
– Enter desired IP address, subnet mask, and gateway.

Figure 24: Setting fixed camera IP address using AVT IPConfig application

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

36

Modifying camera IP address

[Linux, OSX, QNX]

With the camera(s) connect to the host, run the CLipConfig program included
in the AVT GigE SDK/bin-pc directory. Source code is included in the examples.

Figure 25: AVT CLipConfig application command line options

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

37

Using multiple cameras

Using multiple cameras

There is a number of different methods for configuring a multiple camera sys­tem. Most of these can be differentiated into two architectures: Single Ethernet
port and Multiple Ethernet port. In order to determine which architecture is
needed, start by calculating the amount of bandwidth required from the cam­eras based on the desired resolution, pixel format, frame rate and number of
cameras.

Bandwidth = Width x Height x Bytes Per Pixel x Frame Rate x Number of Cameras

= Value in MBps (Megabytes per second)

Example 1:

Three GC1020 cameras, full resolution, Mono8 pixel format (1 byte per pixel),
at 30 fps.

Bandwidth usage = 1024 x 768 x 1 x 30 x 3 = 70.8 MBps

Percentage of single port GigE bandwidth = 57%. Single port architecture is suf­ficient.

Example 2:

Three GC650 cameras, full resolution, Mono16 pixel format (2 bytes per pixel),
at 90 fps.

Bandwidth usage = 659 x 493 x 2 x 90 x 3= 175.4 MBps

Percentage of single port GigE bandwidth =140%. Multiple port architecture is
needed.

Example 3:

Three GC1380C cameras, full resolution, Bayer16 pixel format (2 bytes per
pixel), 20 fps.

Bandwidth usage = 1360 x 1024 x 2 x 20 x 3 = 167.1 MBps

Percentage of single port GigE bandwidth = 134%. Multiple port architecture is
needed.

Gigabit Ethernet bandwidth is 1 Gbps (Gigabit per second) ~ 125 MBps (Mega­bytes per second). Example 1 can be accommodated using a single Ethernet
port, whereas, example 2 and 3 require multiple Ethernet ports in order to
increase the available bandwidth.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

38

Using multiple cameras

www



Single Ethernet port

Multiple cameras are connected to a switch. The switch is connected to a single
Ethernet port. This is the simplest multiple camera installation. The cameras
can be managed using Auto IP, no additional configuration on the switch is nec­essary.

For more information on StreamBytesPerSecond and camera
pixel format, see:

PvAPI users: AVT GigE Camera and Driver Attributes document

VIMBA users: AVT GigE Camera and Driver Features document

Figure 26: Multi-camera network configuration using a switch and single Ethernet port

This architecture combines bandwidth coming from each camera onto a single
cable connected to the host. To prevent packet collision, resulting in dropped
packets, the user is required the reduce StreamBytesPerSecond feature on each
camera, such that the sum doesn’t exceed 125,000,000 Bps.

Example:

Camera 1: GE1900, full resolution, Mono8 pixel format, at 15 fps
Bandwidth usage = 1920 x 1080 x 1 x 15 = 31,104,000 Bps
Set StreamBytesPerSecond = 31,104,000 Bps.

Camera 2: GE1650C, full resolution, Bayer GB8 / Bayer 8 pixel format, at 5 fps
Bandwidth usage = 1600 x 1200 x 1 x 5 = 9,600,000 Bps
Set StreamBytesPerSecond = 9,600,000 Bps.

Camera 3: GC2450, full resolution, Mono8 pixel format, at 5 fps
Bandwidth usage = 2448 x 2050 x 1 x 5 = 25,092,000 Bps
Set StreamBytesPerSecond = 25,092,000 Bps.

Total bandwidth consumed = 31,104,000 + 9,600,000 + 25,092,000 =
65,796,000 Bps

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

39

Using multiple cameras

Adapter 1

169.254.100.1

255.255.255.0

Adapter 2

169.254.200.1

255.255.255.0

Camera 1

169.254.100.2

255.255.255.0

Camera 2

169.254.200.2

255.255.255.0

Figure 27: GigE Sample Viewer window, controls window showing StreamBytesPerSecond feature

Multiple Ethernet ports

Each camera is connected directly to an Ethernet port. No switch is used. This
configuration is more complex and requires the user to manage host and cam­era IP addressing; however, it allows each camera to use the entire Gigabit
interface bandwidth.

Figure 28: Multi-camera network configuration using multiple Ethernet ports

Camera and adapter IP addresses are managed with fixed IP addressing, as the
IP address of each adapter needs to be on a unique subnet. A subnet is that part
of the IP address that overlaps with the binary 1’s (decimal 255 in following
example) of the Subnet mask.

Figure 29: Camera and adapter IP address example

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

40

Using multiple cameras

Figure 30: IP configuration window for

Adapter 1

Figure 31: AVT IPConfig camera IP address

configuration window

The following steps are required to configure a multiple Ethernet port camera
system:

• Fix host adapter IP address

• Fix camera IP address

Note



The host can be configured using multiple single
port adapter cards, multiple dual port, quad port
and so on. The same IP addressing model can be
scaled to larger network configurations.

Fix host adapter IP address

– Refer to Modify Ethernet adapter

IP address on page 17.

– Select Use the following IP

address:

Adapter1 IP Address: 169.254.100.1

Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

Adapter2 IP Address: 169.254.200.1

Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

Camera1 IP Address: 169.254.100.2

Adapter1 IP Address: 169.254.200.2

Fix camera IP address

– Refer to Modifying camera IP

address on page 35.

– Set the following IP addresses:

Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

41

Implementing link aggregation

Implementing link aggregation

The Prosilica GX series cameras offer two Gigabit Ethernet ports for image data
transfer and control. Users can connect one or both ports on the Prosilica GX to
Ethernet adapter ports on a host computer. The dual port approach requires the
host computer to configure a Link Aggregate Group (LAG). A LAG configuration
combines multiple Ethernet ports into a single data channel.

Figure 32: Prosilica GX camera network configuration using multiple Ethernet ports

When is LAG needed?

Connecting both ports increases the available bandwidth to 240 MB/sec. This is
beneficial for the following cases.

• Need to use high(> 8 bits) bit depth pixel formats.

• Highest frame rate is needed.

www



www



The following examples show how to determine bandwidth consumption. If the
value is greater than 125 MB, LAG is required.

See AVT Prosilica GX Technical Manual for resolution and ROI
frame rate performance.

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/support/downloads/
product-literature/prosilica-gx.html

For more information on camera pixel format, see:

PvAPI users: AVT GigE Camera and Driver Attributes document

VIMBA users: AVT GigE Camera and Driver Features document

Example 1:

GX1050 camera using Mono8 pixel format and outputting 100 fps

Bandwidth usage = Resolution x Pixel format x Frame rate

= 1024 x 1024 x 1 (1 byte for Mono8) x 100
~ 105 MBps

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

42

Implementing link aggregation

Figure 33: Intel adapter properties

teaming tab

Percentage of single port GigE bandwidth ~ 84%, LAG is not required to operate
the GX1050 camera at 100 fps in Mono8.

Example 2:

GX1050C using YUV422 pixel format and outputting 100 fps

Bandwidth usage = 1024 x 1024 x 2 (2 byte for YUV422) x 100

~ 210 MBps

Percentage of single port GigE bandwidth ~ 168%, LAG is required to operate
the GX1050C at 100 fps using YUV422.

Configuring Link Aggregation

The GX camera connected to host using LAG requires two host Ethernet adapter
ports. Configure and optimize each Ethernet adapter port using steps outlined
in Ethernet adapter configuration on page 17. The following steps describe the
setup of a link aggregate group.

[Windows 7, Intel PT]

– Start, Control Panel
– Hardware and Sound
– Device Manager
– Network Adapter
– Right-click Adapter device name
– Properties
– Teaming tab
– Select Team the adapter with other

adapters

–Click New Team
– The New Team Wizard window opens,

choose a team name and click Next

– Select the desired adapters corre-

sponding to the ports to be used by
the Prosilica GX camera, click Next

Figure 34: Team wizard adapter selection

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

43

Implementing link aggregation

Figure 36: Interfaces file for bonding

– Select team type: Static Link Aggregation

This configures the team and a new adapter appears in the Network Connections
window.

click Next

Figure 35: Team wizard team type selection

Note



The newly formed team adapter can be managed
using automatic IP configuration or fixed IP using
instructions provided in Modify Ethernet adapter IP

address on page 17.

[Linux]

Link Aggregation is referred to as bonding in Linux. The following instructions
are for Ubuntu Linux 10.04 or newer.

www

For full installation instructions on Ubuntu, see:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UbuntuBonding
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LinkAggregation



– Download ifenslave module
– Terminal: sudo apt-get install

ifenslave

– Terminal: ifconfig
– Note eth#'s of NICs to be bonded
– Terminal:

sudo gedit /etc/network/interfaces

– Add/edit:

auto bond0
iface bond0 inet static
address 169.254.100.101
netmask 255.255.0.0
bond-slaves eth6 eth7
bond_mode 0
mtu 8228

where, eth6 and eth7 are the
NICs to be bonded.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

44

Implementing link aggregation

[OSX] (PvAPI only)

www



Note

For full installation instructions on OSX, see:

http://docs.info.apple.com/
article.html?path=ServerAdmin/10.6/en/
asa7873dc0.html

These instructions are for OSX server, but apply to
OSX also.



– System Preferences
– Network
– Select Ethernet, click gear icon, Manage Virtual Interfaces
–Click the Add (+) button, and select New Link Aggregate
– Select the ports to bond from the list, click Create, Done.

Figure 37: Manage Virtual Interfaces. OSX

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

45

Multicasting configuration

Multicasting configuration

Multicasting allows multiple hosts on the same network to receive camera
image data. One host acts as master/controller, and the others act as monitor.
Most network hardware only supports multicasting at maximum packet size

1500.

www



For enabling/disabling multicasting, see:

PvAPI users: AVT GigE Camera and Driver Attributes document

VIMBA users: AVT GigE Camera and Driver Features document

[Windows]

Ensure camera packet size is 1500. No additional setup is required.

[Linux]

Multicasting only works if the application is run as root. Additionally, you may
have to add manually a route:

> sudo route -n add -net 224.0.0.0 netmask 240.0.0.0 dev eth0

where, eth0 is the adapter used for camera.

[OSX] (PvAPI only)

Multicasting is not supported on Mac OS X.

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

46

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

Is the camera getting power?

The RJ45 Ethernet connector on the back for the camera contains LEDs, one of
which illuminates when the camera is powered. If unlit, check the power
adapter. If possible, test the adapter with a working camera to verify its opera­tion. If using a custom power adapter, be sure the adapter and wire gauge is
rated to 200–500 mA.

Is the camera powered, but not detected in viewer?

Damaged or poor quality Ethernet cabling can result in no cameras found,
dropped packets, decreased bandwidth, and other problems. Use Category 6 or
better rated Ethernet cabling.

Return to Modify Ethernet adapter IP address on page 17, which describes how
to adjust the IP address of the host adapter. There should be no gateway on your
NIC. Connect a single camera directly to your NIC, no hub/switch.

Ensure that IP address of the adapter is on the same subnet as the camera. If
not, return the adapter address to the Auto IP configuration. A sample IP con­figuration for the camera and adapter is shown below.

IP address: 169.254.23.2 169.254.43.3
Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0 255.255.0.0

PvAPI users only [Windows 7]

Run the IpConfig application installed with the GigE Sample Viewer. You may
need to wait up to one minute for the camera to appear.

Adapter Camera

Figure 38: GigEIpConfig

[Linux, OSX, QNX]

In AVT GigE SDK/bin-pc/<correct architecture>/ directory:

Terminal: sudo ./CLiPConfig -l

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

47

Troubleshooting

If you are still having problems, type: ipconfig /all in a command prompt [win­dows]; ifconfig -a in terminal [Linux, OSX, QNX]. Send resulting screenshot to

[e-mail].

Figure 39: ipconfig /all. Windows

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

48

Troubleshooting

Figure 40: VIMBA Viewer - Stats

Is the camera listed in Viewer but can't acquire images?

Reset your camera settings to factory default.

VIMBA Viewer In controller window, set UserSetDefaultSelector = Default, and click the

UserSetLoad button.

GigE Sample Viewer In controls window, set ConfigFileIndex = Factory, click ConfigFileLoad button.

While streaming, check the camera Stats.

StatFramesDelivered / StatPacketsReceived = 0

• Likely a firewall is blocking incoming
traffic. Disable your firewall on Ether­net adapter connected to camera.
Ensure that:

– For VIMBA Viewer:

TriggerSelector = FrameStart
TriggerSource = Freerun or FixedRate

– For GigE Sample Viewer:

FrameStartTriggerMode = Freerun or
FixedRate.

Other trigger modes require a trigger
event to capture frames.

StatFramesDropped ≠ 0

• Packets are incoming, but all dropping.
Be sure you have jumbo frames enabled
on your adapter, see Ethernet adapter

optimization on page 19. Alternatively,

reduce camera packet size value to
1500 using the viewer.

StatFramesDelivered is increasing but black image

• Be sure your scene is sufficiently lit.

• Increase exposure value.
– For VIMBA Viewer: ExposureTimeAbs
– For GigE Sample Viewer: ExposureValue

• Ensure the camera lens is properly installed and the lens cap has been
removed.

Note



If you are still having problems, email to

[e-mail].

AVT GigE Cameras Installation Manual V1.0.0

49

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting for Bigeye G cameras only (IOD mode)

If the camera can be detected but no images can be grabbed:

Verify the camera operation mode: Make sure the camera operates in
continuous mode, and not in IOD mode.

General description:

• Continuous mode: The camera generates the images with a constant
exposure time autonomously.

• Image on Demand (IOD): the camera produces no image until a trigger
impulse is generated.

Controls 
IODMode

Continuous Off/Manual Freerun Camera generates images with a con-

Continuous Off/Manual LineX/SyncInX Camera waits for an impulse at the

IOD Off/Manual Freerun Camera produces images autonomously.

IOD Off/Manual LineX/SyncInX Camera produces a single image for

IOD Other/External LineX/SyncInX Camera produces a single image for

Controls  Exposure 
ExposureAuto/ExposureMode

Table 5: Comparison of IOD modes and trigger modes

Trigger mode Description

stant exposure time autonomously. The
exposure time cannot be adjusted.

selected trigger input pin to start a
continuous image output.

The exposure time can be adjusted.

every impulse at the selected trigger
input pin. The exposure time is defined
by ExposureTimeAbs/ExposureValue.

every impulse at the selected trigger
input pin. The pulse width defines the
exposure time.

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Appendix

Appendix

AVT camera cleaning instructions

This chapter describes safety instructions/cautions valid for all AVT GigE camera
families in case of cleaning lenses, optical filters/protection glass or sensors.

Warranty

Caution



Note



Caution



Bigeye G cameras have the sensor in a vacuum housing. This
vacuum housing is dust-free.

Therefore there is no need to clean the sensor.

• Do not open the vacuum housing.

• Please read these instructions before you contact your
AVT camera dealer for assistance.

• Ask your AVT camera dealer if you are not familiar with
the procedures described below.

Warranty precautions

• To ensure your warranty remains in effect:
– Do not open the camera housing.
– Follow instructions described below.
– Use only optical quality tissue/cloth if you must clean

a lens or filter.

– Use only optics cleaner (60% ethyl alcohol, 40%

ether). Never use aggressive cleaners like benzine or
spirit. Such cleaners may destroy the surface.

– Do not use compressed air which can push dust

into camera and lens.

• AVT does not warranty against any physical damage to
the sensor/filter/protection glass or lenses caused by
the user during the cleaning process.

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Appendix

Avoiding the necessity of camera cleaning

When screwing/unscrewing the camera lens or dust cap, hold the camera with
the C-Mount / F-Mount opening towards the floor as shown in figure 41. This
minimizes the possibility of any contaminants falling on the glass surface.
Always store cameras and lenses with dust-caps installed.

Figure 41: Camera orientation when removing lens or dust cap

Is it an impurity? – Identifying impurities

If you observe any image artefacts in your video preview of your AVT camera you
may have impurities either on the lens, filter/protection glass or, on the sensor
protection glass. Every AVT camera gets cleaned prior to sealing and shipment;
however, impurities may develop due to handling or unclean environments.

As shown in figure 42, impurities (dust, particles or fluids) on the sensor or
optical components appear as a dark area, patch or spot on the image and
remain fixed in the preview window while you rotate the camera over the target.

Do not confuse this with a pixel defect which appears as a distinct point. Parti­cles can either rest loosely or can be more or less stuck to the optical surface.

Figure 42: Image with tiny dust on the filter (left) and dust on the sensor (right)

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Appendix

Where is the impurity? – Locating impurities

Before you dismount the lens you should find out if the impurity is on the filter,
lens or sensor. Therefore, you should capture a uniform image (e.g. a white
sheet of paper) with the camera. The affected optical surface is identified when
a suspected optical component is moved and the dirt follows this movement.

1. If you move only the lens (not the camera) and the impurity moves as
well, the impurity is on the lens.

2. If you move the IR cut filter/protection glass window and the impurity
moves as well:

Please carefully remove the filter/protection glass and clean it on both
sides using the techniques explained below.

Note



Figure 43: Removing IR cut filter/protection glass using special tool (E9020001)

3. If the impurity is neither on the lens nor the IR cut filter/protection glass,
it is probably on the sensor.

Cleaning Instructions

• Taking out the filter requires special care.

• Ask your dealer to help you if you are not
confident with the procedure.

Note

Bigeye G cameras have the sensor in a vacuum housing. This

vacuum housing is dust-free.

Therefore there is no need to clean the sensor.



• Do not open the vacuum housing.

Perform all cleaning operations (lenses, filter/protection glass, and sensor) in
a dust-free clean-room. The optical components are very fragile so it is import­ant to avoid touching them with your fingers or any hard material.

1. Unplug the camera from any power supply before cleaning.

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Appendix

Figure 45: Sensor cleaning

Figure 46: Don’t use compressed air

2. Apply a small amount of optics cleaner (60% ethyl alcohol, 40% ether) to
a clean, new lens cleaning tissue.

Acceptable material includes medical-grade sterile optical cotton, or lens
tissue that is chemically pure and free from silicones and other additives.

– Do not use cosmetic cotton.
– Do not use consumer eyeglass cleaning cloths pre-treated with silicon.

The cotton or lens tissue should be moist, but not dripping. Please hold
the camera away from your body to avoid falling particles like flakes from
skin on the sensor. Hold the camera sensor diagonally upwards.

Figure 44: Medical-grade sterile optical cotton

3. Wipe the glass surface with a
spiral motion from the center
to the rim. Normally, several
spiral wipes are recommended.
Wipe only on glass avoiding
contact to metal surfaces,
because microscopic dirt could
be released and could cause
scratches on the glass.

4. When you've finished cleaning,
examine the surface in a strong
light. Take an out-of-focus
picture of a flat, illuminated
surface to see if any dirt or dust
remains.

5. If dust spots remain, repeat
this procedure using new clean
lens tissue (as described
above).

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Appendix

Caution



6. If you want to clean your camera with compressed air despite of all the
warnings:

Caution



7. Gently blow the impurities off with dust-filtered, oil-free air (< 1 bar).
Using ionized air helps to remove any dirt stuck to the optical component
because of static electricity.

Note

• Never wipe lenses with dry swabs or tissue - this causes
scratches.

• Do not use any disposable cotton cosmetic swabs; they
are not free from contamination.

• Use an air blower/compressed air only if you are familiar
with cleaning a camera with this instrument.

• Compressed air may push dust into cameras and
lenses. Therefore keep the pressure at a moderate
strength only:

– The pressure at the tube should be less than 1 bar
– operating distance: 5-30 cm

If dust spots remain after cleaning twice,
please contact your AVT dealer.



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Additional references

Additional references

Product webpage

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/cameras/gigabit-ethernet.html

Product manuals and CAD models

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/support/downloads/product­literature.html

AVT VIMBA SDK

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/software/vimba-sdk.html

AVT GigE PvAPI SDK

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/software/avt-pvapi-sdk.html

Knowledge base

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/support/knowledge-base.html

Case studies

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/products/applications/industrial­inspection.html

Firmware

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/us/support/downloads/firmware.html

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Index

Index

A

Accessories ............................................... 8

B

Board level cameras

Dirty environments.............................. 13

General warnings ................................ 13

Loading ............................................ 13

Safety instructions .............................. 12

C

Category 6..................................... 16, 25, 47

Changing filters ....................................... 11

Cleaning instructions ........................... 51

Compressed air ................................... 54

, 53
, 55

D

Document history ....................................... 6

Dust-free clean-room ................................ 53

Dust-free environment .............................. 11

L

Legal notice .............................................. 2

Link Aggregate Group (LAG) ....................... 42

Locating impurities................................... 53

O

Optical filter............................................ 10

Optical quality tissue................................. 11

Optics .................................................... 14

P

Packet size .................................... 20, 46, 49

Performance Options................................. 15

PoE..................................................... 8

Power

DC.................................................... 25

, 25

R

Receive Descriptors................................... 15

RS232 .................................................... 33

E

ESD shielding .......................................... 12

ESD warning ............................................ 12

G

Getting started......................................... 14

I

Identifying impurities................................ 52

Internet Protocol...................................... 18

IP address .......................................... 17

IP address settings.................................... 15

, 18

J

Jumbo Frames..................................... 15, 20

Jumbo Packet .......................................... 20

S

Safety instructions.................................... 10

Sensor safety........................................... 10

StreamBytesPerSecond......................... 39

Styles....................................................... 7

Support .................................................... 5

Symbols ................................................... 7

, 40

T

Technical information ................................. 5

Troubleshooting....................................... 47

W

Warranty................................................. 51

Warranty precautions ................................ 51

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