Basler ase Installation And Setup Manual

Basler ace

INSTALLATION AND SETUP GUIDE FOR
CAMERA LINK CAMERAS

Document Number: AW000996
Version: 01 Language: 000 (English)
Release Date: 6 June 2011

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All material in this publication is subject to change without notice and is copyright Basler
Vision Technologies.

Table of Contents

Basler aceCamera Link i

Table of Contents

1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.1 General Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.2 Frame Grabber Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.2.1 Location of the Serial Port File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.2.2 Frame Grabber "Camera Files" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.1 Avoiding EMI and ESD Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.2 Hardware Installation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.2.1 Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.2.2 Hardware Installation Steps When Powering the Camera

Via Power Over Camera Link (PoCL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.2.3 Hardware Installation Steps When Powering the Camera

with a Separate Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

3 Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

3.1 Installing Basler pylon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

3.2 Configuring the Camera Link Serial Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

4 Acquiring Your First Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

4.1 Getting Started with the pylon Viewer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

5 Adjusting Image Quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

6 Next Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Revision History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Table of Contents

ii Basler aceCamera Link

Introduction

Basler ace Camera Link 1

1 Introduction

The procedures in this guide assume that you want to get your camera operational and begin
capturing images as quickly and as simply as possible. Accordingly, the procedures describes the
installation for one camera in a test setup on a desk top. The procedures also assume that you will
be using the Basler pylon software package to set the parameters on your camera and that you will
only have Camera Link cameras connected to your computer.

1.1 General Preparations

Make sure that the following items are available before starting installation:

 A Basler ace Camera Link camera.

 The appropriate Camera Link cables. If you will be supplying power to the camera via Power

over Camera Link (PoCL), make sure that the cables are specified for use with PoCL.

 If you are not using PoCL to supply power to the camera, obtain a power supply for the

camera. Make sure that the power supply meets all of the requirements listed in the camera
user’s manual.

 An appropriate C-mount lens.

If you already know which lens you will be using in your application, use this lens. Otherwise,
we suggest that you use a zoom lens for your initial testing and setup. If you need assistance
in determining the best lens for your application, contact Basler technical support. The contact
numbers appear in the title pages of this guide.

 A PC equipped with an appropriate Camera Link frame grabber.

The PC must be equipped with a 32 bit or 64 bit Windows XP/Vista/7 operating system or Linux
(from Kernel 2.6).

The frame grabber must support at least the base Camera Link configuration. It also should be
able to handle a camera with an 82 MHz Camera Link pixel clock (see Section 1.2 on page 2).

 A copy of the Basler pylon driver and software package version 2.3 or higher.

You can download the pylon package free of charge from the Basler website:

www.baslerweb.com

You should perform the hardware installation first and the software installation second.

Introduction

2 Basler ace Camera Link

1.2 Frame Grabber Preparations

The camera installation procedures assume that you have already installed a Camera Link frame
grabber in your PC, that you have properly installed all software included with the frame grabber,
and that you understand how your frame grabber operates.

To correctly use a Camera Link camera, you must be thoroughly familiar with the operation
of your frame grabber.

All ace camera models have a default Camera Link clock speed of 82 MHz, however, not all frame
grabbers are compatible with a clock speed this high. You should check the documentation for your
frame grabber and make sure that it can operate at a 82 MHz pixel clock speed. If it cannot, the
clock speed on the camera can be changed to 32.5 MHz, 48 MHz, or 65 MHz. For more information
about changing the Camera Link pixel clock speed, see Section 4 on page 17.

1.2.1 Location of the Serial Port File

All Camera Link compliant frame grabbers must be supplied with a dll file that describes the
characteristics of a serial port that is built into the frame grabber. This serial port is used for
communication between your PC and your camera via the Camera Link interface.

The name of the file supplied by the frame grabber manufacturer will have the form clser***.dll
where *** is determined by the manufacturer of the grabber and usually represents the
manufacturer’s name. For example, a frame grabber made by the "Acme" company may supply a
file called clseracme.dll.

In order for PC-to-camera communication via the serial port to work properly, the clser***.dll must
typically be present in the PC’s Windows system folder (usually C:\Windows\System32 on 32 bit
systems or C:\Windows\SysWOW64 on 64 bit systems). Check your system folder and make sure
that a copy of the clser***.dll file is present in the appropriate folder. If the file is not there, look for
it in the software supplied by your frame grabber manufacturer and copy the file into the system
folder.

Introduction

Basler ace Camera Link 3

1.2.2 Frame Grabber "Camera Files"

For your camera to operate properly with your frame grabber, you must install the correct frame
grabber "camera file". In essence, the camera file informs the frame grabber about how the pixel
information coming from the camera will be ordered and about the bit depth of the pixel data.
Depending on the frame grabber supplier, there can be a separate camera file for each combination
of camera model and pixel data format or a camera file may cover several different camera models.

Typically, each frame grabber supplier has a different naming scheme for their camera files. For
example, Matrox refers to the camera files for their grabbers as "Digital Configuration Files" or DCF
files and National Instruments refers to theirs as "Interface Camera Descriptors" or ICD files.
Camera files appropriate for the ace must be supplied by your frame grabber manufacturer. If you
don’t have the camera files for your frame grabber, you can usually find them at the supplier’s web
site.

Once you have the camera files, there are three things you must keep in mind:

 The camera file you obtain and install must be appropriate for the pixel data format setting and

Camera Link tap geometry setting that you will be using on your camera. Refer to the camera
user’s manual for information about available pixel data formats and tap geometries.

 The camera file must be installed in the correct location on your PC. This location varies

depending on your frame grabber supplier. Consult the documentation for your frame grabber
to determine where the camera files should be installed.

 The camera must be set for your desired pixel data format and tap geometry. You can set the

camera’s pixel data format and tap geometry using the pylon software you will be installing
later in this guide.

Introduction

4 Basler ace Camera Link

Hardware Installation

Basler ace Camera Link 5

2 Hardware Installation

2.1 Avoiding EMI and ESD Problems

The cameras are frequently installed in industrial environments. These environments often include
devices that generate electromagnetic interference (EMI) and they are prone to electrostatic
discharge (ESD). Excessive EMI and ESD can cause problems with your camera such as false
triggering or can cause the camera to suddenly stop capturing images. EMI and ESD can also have
a negative impact on the quality of the image data transmitted by the camera.

To avoid problems with EMI and ESD, you should follow these general guidelines:

 Always use high quality shielded cables. The use of high quality cables is one of the best

defenses against EMI and ESD.

 Try to use camera cables that are the correct length and try to run the camera cables and

power cables parallel to each other. Avoid coiling camera cables. If the cables are too long,
use a meandering path rather then coiling the cables.

 Avoid placing camera cables parallel to wires carrying high-current, switching voltages such as

wires supplying stepper motors or electrical devices that employ switching technology. Placing
camera cables near to these types of devices may cause problems with the camera.

 Attempt to connect all grounds to a single point, e.g., use a single power outlet for the entire

system and connect all grounds to the single outlet. This will help to avoid large ground loops.
(Large ground loops can be a primary cause of EMI problems.)

 Use a line filter on the main power supply.

 Install the camera and camera cables as far as possible from devices generating sparks. If

necessary, use additional shielding.

 Decrease the risk of electrostatic discharge by taking the following measures:

 Use conductive materials at the point of installation (e.g., floor, workplace).

 Use suitable clothing (cotton) and shoes.

 Control the humidity in your environment. Low humidity can cause ESD problems.

The Basler application note called Avoiding EMI and ESD in Basler Camera
Installations provides much more detail about avoiding EMI and ESD.

The application note can be downloaded from the Basler website:

www.baslerweb.com

Hardware Installation

6 Basler ace Camera Link

2.2 Hardware Installation Procedure

2.2.1 Precautions

NOTICE

If you are supplying power to the camera via Power over Camera Link (PoCL), you must use a
PoCL compliant frame grabber and you must use Camera Link cables that are specifically
designed for PoCL as specified in the Camera Link standard. Failure to use a PoCL compliant
frame grabber or the correct cables can result in severe damage to the camera.

If you are supplying power to the camera via the 4-pin M5 connector, the voltage of the power to
the camera must be between +10.8 VDC and +13.2 VDC.

1. If the voltage is greater than +13.2 VDC, severe damage to the camera can result.

2. If the voltage is less than +10.8 VDC, the camera may operate erratically.

Applying power with the wrong polarity can result in severe damage to the camera.

NOTICE

Making or breaking Camera Link connections incorrectly can severely damage the camera.

1. If you are supplying power to the camera via the Camera Link connection (PoCL), be sure
that the power to the frame grabber is switched off before you connect or disconnect the
Camera Link cables.

2. If you are supplying power to the camera via the 4-pin M5 connector, switch off the power
supply for the camera before you connect or disconnect the Camera Link cables.

NOTICE

An incorrect plug can damage the 4-pin connector.

The plug on the cable that you attach to the camera’s 4-pin connector must have 4 female pins.
Using a plug designed for a smaller or a larger number of pins can damage the
connector.

NOTICE

The lens thread length is limited. If a lens with a very long thread length is used, the camera can
be damaged and will no longer operate properly.

Refer to the Ace Camera Link User’s Manual for more details about the maximum lens thread
length.

Hardware Installation

Basler ace Camera Link 7

2.2.2 Hardware Installation Steps When Powering the
Camera Via Power Over Camera Link (PoCL)

To install the camera hardware, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the power to the host PC that contains your frame grabber is switched off.

2. Remove the plastic seal from the lens mount on the camera and mount a lens on the camera.

3. Mount the camera in your test setup.

4. Plug one end of a Camera Link cable into the base SDR connector on the camera and the

other end of the Camera Link cable into the base configuration connector on your frame
grabber.

5. Plug one end of a Camera Link cable into the medium/full SDR connector on the camera and

the other end of the Camera Link cable into the medium/full configuration connector on your
frame grabber.

(Note: if you will be operating you camera in a fashion that only requires the base Camera Link
configuration, it is not necessary to attach a cable to the medium/full connector. For more
information about when a camera will use the base configuration and when it will use the
medium/full configuration, see the camera user’s manual.)

6. Use the locking screws built into the Camera Link cable connectors to securely fasten the

connectors to the camera and to the frame grabber. If the connectors are loose, they WILL

CAUSE PROBLEMS with your images and may cause electrical problems that can
damage the camera.

7. Switch on the power to your host PC and let the PC boot up.

Hardware installation is complete. Go to the software installation procedure that starts on page 11.

In the following step, you will be removing the plastic seal from the camera’s lens
mount. To avoid collecting dust or dirt on the imaging sensor, be sure that the lens
mount is pointing down when you remove the seal.

Base

SDR

Connector

Medium/Full

SDR

Connector