Maxtor CAD10256S Application Note

Application Note:

Interfacing non-standard cameras to Matrox Pulsar
DALSA CA-D1-0256S October 25, 1996

Camera
Interface
Overview

Camera
Interface
Details

• 256 x 256 x 8-bit @ up to 225fps

• Analog video output

• External syncs and pixel clocks

• External exposure control

Continuous mode

Video
MCLK

Dalsa

CA-D1

• 256 x 256 x 8-bit @ up to 225fps

• Analog video output

• External sync

• Matrox Pulsar sending reference clock (MCLK @ 32MHz) and periodic EXPOSURE1

PVAL

EXSYNC

LVAL
FVAL

Matrox Pulsar

(with PLS/TTL/CABLE)

(EXSYNC) signals (both RS-422) to camera. The frequency of the EXPOSURE1 signal
determines both the exposure time and the frame rate; the EXPOSURE1 pulse initiates frame
readout

• Matrox Pulsar receiving RS-422 pixel clock (PVAL @ 16MHz), RS-422 hsync (LVAL) and

RS-422 vsync (FVAL) signals from camera

• DCF used: CAD1.DCF

Cabling
Requirements

Continuous mode

• IMG-7W2-TO-1BNC cable required for video output and PLS/TTL/CABLE required for

digital syncs (RS-422)

• Video input BNC of IMG-7W2-TO-1BNC cable should be connected to VIDEO OUT BNC

connector of camera

• The connections between the DB-25 male connector of the camera and the DB-37 connector

of the PLS/TTL/CABLE are as follows:

DALSA CA-D1-0256S PLS/TTL/CABLE
(DB-25 male connector) (DB-37 connector)

Pin name Pin no. Pin name Pin no.

EXSYNC+ 17 ← EXPOSURE1+21
EXSYNC− 4 ← EXPOSURE1−2
MCLK+ 6 ← CLKOUT+ 24
MCLK− 19 ← CLKOUT− 5
PVAL+ 16 → CLKIN+ 4
PVAL − 3 → CLKIN− 22
LVAL+ 2 → HSYNC+ 16
LVAL− 15 → HSYNC− 34

(Pin-out continued)

Application Note:

The Matrox Pulsar sends the RS-422 reference clock (MCLK @ 32MHz) to the camera,

which divides this frequency by two and returns to the Matrox Pulsar the pixel clock signal

(PVAL @ 16MHz). The camera initiates a frame upon arrival of the EXPOSURE1

Following this charge transfer period, both the readout of the previous frame and the

integration period of the current frame begin simultaneously. The camera sends the RS-422

vsync (FVAL) and hsync (LVAL) signals to the Matrox Pulsar to indicate valid frames of

Interfacing non-standard cameras to Matrox Pulsar
DALSA CA-D1-0256S October 25, 1996

Cabling
Requirements
(continued)

DALSA CA-D1-0256S PLS/TTL/CABLE
(DB-25 male connector) (DB-37 connector)

Pin name Pin no. Pin name Pin no.

FVAL+ 23 → VSYNC+ 29
FVAL− 10 → VSYNC− 10
*GROUND 7 GROUND 3
*GROUND 11 GROUND 6
*GROUND 20 GROUND 7
*GROUND 24 GROUND 23
*POWER SUPPLY GROUND GROUND 33

NOTE: it is very important that all the GROUNDs of the camera be connected together to
the POWER SUPPLY GROUND, which in turn must be connected to the GROUND of the
Matrox Pulsar

• The connections between the DB-25 connector on the rear panel of the camera and the

power supply are as follows:

DALSA CA-D1-0256S
(DB-25 male connector) POWER SUPPLY

Pin no. Pin name

8 +5V +5V
9 +15V
12 −5V
13 +5V
21 +15V +15V
22 −5V −5V
25 −15V −15V

Special

•

Considerations

(EXSYNC) pulse, which is sent to the camera periodically by the Matrox Pulsar. The cycle
begins with the high speed transfer, from the sensing area to the storage area of the CCD, of
the charges that made up the previous frame.

data and valid lines of data, respectively; both signals are active high.

Continued

PUL-CID-029

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