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Page 6
Contents
About This Manual
Related Documentation .................................................................................................... xi
Hardware Documents ............................................................................................... xi
NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection Documents ........................................ xi
LabVIEW and NI Vision Development Module Documents................................... xii
NI Vision Acquisition Software Documents ............................................................ xii
This manual describes the electrical and mechanical aspects of the National Instruments 17xx
Smart Camera. Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for smart camera and
accessory installation information.
Related Documentation
The following documents contain information that you may find helpful as you read this manual:
Hardware Documents
•Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera—Contains important safety information
and information about installing and configuring NI Smart Cameras and accessories. You
can access this manual by navigating to Start»All Programs»National Instruments»Vision»Documentation»NI-IMAQ.
•NI Developer Zone—Contains example programs, tutorials, technical presentations, the
Instrument Driver Network, a measurement glossary, an online magazine, a product
advisor, and a community area where you can share ideas, questions, and source code with
developers around the world. The NI Developer Zone is located on the National
Instruments Web site at
NI Developer Zone:
ni.com/zone. You can find the following documents in the
–Using the NI 17xx Smart Camera Direct Drive Lighting Controller—Demonstrates
how to utilize the Direct Drive lighting controller feature on the NI 17xx Smart
Camera with LabVIEW or Vision Builder for Automated Inspection.
–A Practical Guide to Machine Vision Lighting—Explains machine vision lighting
concepts and theories.
NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection Documents
•NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection Tutorial—Describes Vision Builder for
Automated Inspection and provides step-by-step instructions for solving common visual
inspection tasks, such as inspection, gauging, part presence, guidance, and counting.
•NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection: Configuration Help—Contains information
about using the Vision Builder for Automated Inspection Configuration Interface to create
a machine vision application.
•NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection: Inspection Help—Contains information about
running applications created with Vision Builder for Automated Inspection in the Vision
Builder Automated Inspection Interface.
LabVIEW and NI Vision Development Module
Documents
•LabVIEW Help—Includes information about LabVIEW programming concepts,
step-by-step instructions for using LabVIEW, and reference information about LabVIEW
VIs, functions, palettes, menus, and tools.
•Getting Started with LabVIEW—Use this manual as a tutorial to familiarize yourself with
the LabVIEW graphical programming environment and the basic LabVIEW features you
use to build data acquisition and instrument control applications.
•Getting Started with the LabVIEW Real-Time Module—Use this manual as a tutorial to
familiarize yourself with the LabVIEW Real-Time Module and the basic Real-Time
Module features you use to build real-time applications.
•NI Vision Concepts Manual—Describes the basic concepts of image analysis, image
processing, and machine vision. This document also contains in-depth discussions about
imaging functions for advanced users.
•NI Vision for LabVIEW Help—Describes how to create machine vision and image
processing applications in LabVIEW using the Vision Development Module. The help file
guides you through tasks beginning with setting up your imaging system to taking
measurements. It also describes how to create a real-time vision application using NI Vision
with the LabVIEW Real-Time Module and contains reference information about NI Vision
for LabVIEW palettes and VIs.
NI Vision Acquisition Software Documents
•NI-IMAQ VI Reference Help—Contains reference information about the LabVIEW VIs
and properties for NI-IMAQ driver software.
•Measurement & Automation Explorer Help for NI-IMAQ—Describes how to configure
NI-IMAQ driver software, NI image acquisition devices, and NI Smart Cameras using
Measurement & Automation Explorer.
xii | ni.com
Page 11
1
NI Smart Camera Overview
This chapter provides an overview of the features and components of the National Instruments
Smart Camera. Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for smart camera and
accessory installation information.
Hardware Overview
The NI Smart Camera is available in several different configurations. When a feature pertains
only to specific smart camera models, a list at the beginning of the section shows which smart
camera models support the feature.
All smart camera models incorporate an image sensor, processor, and digital I/O in a compact,
rugged housing.
Table 1-1 shows the differentiating features for each smart camera model.
Table 1-1. NI Smart Camera Models
NI Smart
Camera
ModelProcessorImage Sensor
NI 1722400 MHz PowerPC1/3 inch Sony ICX424AL
CCD Monochrome
640 × 480 pixels (VGA)
NI 1742533 MHz PowerPC1/3 inch Sony ICX424AL
CCD Monochrome
640 × 480 pixels (VGA)
NI 1744533 MHz PowerPC1/2 inch Sony ICX205AL
CCD Monochrome
1,280 × 1,024 pixels (SXGA)
NI 1762533 MHz PowerPC
and 720 MHz DSP
NI 1764533 MHz PowerPC
and 720 MHz DSP
1/3 inch Sony ICX424AL
CCD Monochrome
640 × 480 pixels (VGA)
1/2 inch Sony ICX205AL
CCD Monochrome
1,280 × 1,024 pixels (SXGA)
For more information about the image sensors, refer to Chapter 3, NI Smart Camera Image
Sensor. For complete smart camera specifications, refer to Appendix A, Specifications.
All smart cameras have an RS-232 serial port, Gigabit Ethernet ports, and use a standard
C-mount lens. Some smart camera models also include the Direct Drive lighting controller and
support for quadrature encoders. The Direct Drive lighting controller is an integrated controller
to directly power a variety of third-party current-controlled lights. Refer to Chapter 4, Lighting,
for more information about the Direct Drive lighting controller. The smart camera also has
one 5 V TTL strobe output and one unregulated 24 V strobe output for lighting control.
The smart camera also includes LEDs for communicating system status, four DIP switches to
specify startup options, isolated inputs, and isolated outputs for connecting to external devices.
Refer to Chapter 6, LEDs and DIP Switches, for more information about the LEDs and DIP
switches. Refer to Chapter 2, Power and I/O, for more information about the digital I/O
capabilities of the smart camera.
Figure 1-1 shows the smart camera.
Figure 1-1. NI Smart Camera
4
1
2
-
+
3
GND
5V
24V
NI 17XX SMART CAMERA
5
6
7
1Image Sensor
2Standard C Lens Mount
3Lighting Connector
4LEDs
Developing applications with the NI Smart Camera requires one of the following software
options:
The installation and configuration process for each development environment is different. Refer
to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for installation and configuration instructions.
The following sections describe the software options. For detailed information about individual
software packages, refer to the documentation specific to the package.
NoteVision Builder for Automated Inspection and NI Vision Acquisition Software
are included with the smart camera. LabVIEW, the LabVIEW Real-Time Module,
and the NI Vision Development Module are sold separately.
NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection
Vision Builder for Automated Inspection (Vision Builder AI) is configurable machine vision
software you can use to configure the NI Smart Camera and prototype, benchmark, and deploy
machine vision applications.
Creating applications in Vision Builder AI does not require programming. Vision Builder AI
allows you to easily configure and benchmark a sequence of visual inspection steps, as well as
deploy the visual inspection system for automated inspection. With Vision Builder AI, you can
perform powerful visual inspection tasks and make decisions based on the results of individual
tasks. You can also migrate your configured inspection to LabVIEW, extending the capabilities
of your applications if necessary.
LabVIEW
LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment for developing flexible and scalable
applications. To develop machine vision applications with the NI Smart Camera and LabVIEW,
you must have the following add-on modules: LabVIEW Real-Time Module, NI Vision
Development Module, and Vision Acquisition Software.
The LabVIEW Real-Time Module combines LabVIEW graphical programming with the power
of Real-Time (RT) hardware, enabling you to build deterministic, real-time systems. You
develop VIs in LabVIEW and embed the VIs on RT targets, such as the NI Smart Camera. The
RT target runs VIs without a user interface and offers a stable platform for real-time VIs. For
more information about the LabVIEW Real-Time Module, refer to the LabVIEW Help.
NI Vision Development Module
The NI Vision Development Module is an image acquisition, processing, and analysis library of
hundreds of functions for the following common machine vision tasks:
•Pattern matching
•Particle analysis
•Gauging
•Taking measurements
•Grayscale, color, and binary image display
With the NI Vision Development Module you can acquire, display, and store images as well as
perform image analysis and processing. Using the NI Vision Development Module, imaging
novices and experts can program the most basic or complicated image applications without
knowledge of particular algorithm implementations.
For information about how to use the NI Vision Development Module with the
LabVIEW Real-Time Module, refer to the NI Vision for LabVIEW Help.
NI Vision Acquisition Software
The NI Vision Acquisition Software CD contains Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX)
configuration software and NI-IMAQ driver software.
Use MAX to configure the NI Smart Camera. You can set the IP address, update software on the
smart camera, configure triggering, and set up the lighting features. For more information about
MAX, refer to the Measurement & Automation Explorer Help for NI-IMAQ
NI-IMAQ is the interface path between the application software and the smart camera.
NI-IMAQ also controls the I/O and image acquisition on the smart camera.
NI-IMAQ includes an extensive library of VIs you can call from LabVIEW. These VIs include
routines for video configuration, continuous and single-shot image acquisition, and trigger
control.
The NI-IMAQ driver software performs all functions necessary for acquiring and saving images
but does not perform image analysis. NI-IMAQ features both high-level and low-level functions.
A function that acquires images in single-shot or continuous mode is an example of a high-level
function. A function that requires advanced understanding of image acquisition, such as
configuring an image sequence, is an example of a low-level function.
For information about using NI-IMAQ to configure an acquisition, refer to the NI-IMAQ VI Reference Help.
1-4 | ni.com
Page 15
2
Power and I/O
This chapter provides information about the NI Smart Camera POWER-I/O connector,
connecting isolated inputs and isolated outputs, and connecting to serial devices and to
quadrature encoders.
POWER-I/O Connector
The POWER-I/O connector provides signal connections for power and I/O, including isolated
inputs and outputs, quadrature encoders, and serial devices. The POWER-I/O connector is a
standard female high-density 15-pin D-SUB connector. Table 2-1 shows the pin organization for
the POWER-I/O connector. The two pins used to connect to a power supply, pin 15 and pin 5,
are also shown in the table. Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for
information about connecting a power supply to the NI Smart Camera.
Table 2-1 lists the signal names and pin numbers for the 15-pin POWER-I/O connector. The
table also lists the wire colors for the 15-pin D-SUB pigtail cable (part number 197818-05), sold
separately by National Instruments. Cables sold by other manufacturers could have different
wire colors.
Table 2-1. POWER-I/O Connector Signal Descriptions
Table 2-1. POWER-I/O Connector Signal Descriptions (Continued)
Connector DiagramSignal NamePin NumberWire Color
TrigIn-
12Light Green
IsoIn(0)IsoIn(1)-
IsoOut(0)+6Yel l ow
IsoOut(0)-1Green
11
6
15 (COM)
10
IsoOut(1)+11Light Blue
IsoOut(1)-7Gray
1
5 (+24 V)
PhaseA+3Blue
PhaseA-13Brown/White
PhaseB+9Purple
PhaseB-4White
NI Smart Camera Power Requirements
CautionUse the NI Smart Camera only with a 24 VDC, UL listed, limited power
source (LPS) supply. The power supply should bear the UL listed mark, LPS. The
power supply must meet any safety and compliance requirements for the country
of use.
The smart camera uses a nominal 24 VDC power source. The smart camera accepts power within
the range of the industry standard IEC 1311 input power specification (24 V +20%/-15% with
an additional allowance for an AC peak of +5%). Refer to Appendix A, Specifications, for
complete power requirement specifications.
CautionThe 24 V external lighting strobe is an unregulated output dependent on
the range of the power supply provided to the smart camera. If the power provided to
the smart camera is +20%/-15% with +5% AC ripple, the external lighting strobe
output could be as high as 30 V. If the provided power exceeds the input voltage
specifications of the third-party lighting controller, do not connect the 24 V lighting
strobe output to the controller to prevent damage to the controller. Use a power
supply with tolerances that meet the requirements of the controller, or use the 5 V
external lighting strobe.
2-2 | ni.com
Page 17
NI 17xx Smart Camera User Manual
Sensor
Power
Sensor
Common
PNP (Sourcing)
Output Device
NI 17xx
TrigIn+
IsoIn(0)+
IsoIn(1)+
TrigIn–
IsoIn(0)–
IsoIn(1)–
If you are using the Direct Drive lighting controller, the power supply wattage must be sufficient
to power both the camera and the light. The power required by the light can be significantly more
than the power required by the smart camera.
NoteThe NI Smart Camera will revert to the default timestamp if power is
interrupted and the device is not connected to a network. Ensure your power supply
is not interrupted, or the device is connected to a networked or local SMTP server, to
maintain accurate timestamps.
Isolated Inputs
CautionDo not apply a voltage greater than 30 VDC to the isolated inputs.
Voltages greater than 30 VDC may damage the NI Smart Camera.
CautionThe isolated inputs and outputs on the smart camera provide an easy
means for preventing ground loops that could degrade signal integrity. The isolation
on the smart camera is not safety isolation.
You can wire an isolated input to both sourcing and sinking output devices. Refer to Figures 2-1
and 2-2 for wiring examples by output type. Refer to Appendix A, Specifications, for current
requirements.
Isolated inputs are not compatible with 5 V logic.
Figure 2-1. Connecting External Sourcing Output Sensors to Isolated Inputs
Figure 2-2. Connecting External Sinking Output Sensors to Isolated Inputs
Isolated Outputs
CautionDo not power the load connected to the isolated outputs with any external
power supply greater than 30 VDC. Voltages greater than 30 VDC may damage the
NI Smart Camera.
CautionThe isolated inputs and outputs on the smart camera provide an easy
means for preventing ground loops that could degrade signal integrity. The isolation
on the smart camera is not safety isolation.
The isolated outputs can be used to drive external loads, as shown in Figures 2-3 and 2-4.
Figure 2-3. Connecting an Isolated Output to a Sourcing External Load
2-4 | ni.com
Page 19
Figure 2-4. Connecting an Isolated Output to a Sinking External Load
IsoOut+
IsoOut–
NI 17xx
Sensor
Power
Sensor
Common
Sinking
Load
Protecting Against Inductive Loads
NI 17xx Smart Camera User Manual
When an inductive load, such as a relay or solenoid, is connected to an output, a large
counter-electromotive force may occur at switching time due to energy stored in the inductive
load. This flyback voltage can damage the outputs and the power supply.
To limit flyback voltages at the inductive load, install a flyback diode across the load. Mount the
flyback diode as close to the load as possible. Use this protection method if you connect any of
the isolated outputs to an inductive load.
Connecting to Serial Devices
Use the RS232_RXD and RS232_TXD signals on the POWER-I/O connector for serial
communication. Connect the RS232_RXD signal on the NI Smart Camera to the Tx signal on
your serial device. Connect the RS232_TXD signal on the smart camera to the Rx signal on your
serial device. Connect COM on the smart camera to the ground of your serial device.
When the CONSOLE DIP switch is in the OFF position, you can use the NI-Serial driver for
serial communication. You must install the NI-Serial software on the smart camera; it is not
installed by default. Refer to the Serial Hardware and Software Help for information about
installing the NI-Serial software on LabVIEW Real-Time targets, such as the smart camera. To
open this document, navigate to Start»All Programs» National Instruments»NI-Serial»NI-Serial Help.
When the CONSOLE DIP switch is in the ON position, you can read device information from
the NI Smart Camera during startup, such as the IP address and firmware version, through a
serial port terminal program. Ensure that the serial port terminal program is configured to the
following settings:
•9,600 bits per second
•Eight data bits
•No parity
•One stop bit
•No flow control
Connecting to a Quadrature Encoder
This section applies only to the following NI Smart Cameras:
•NI 1742
•NI 1744
•NI 1762
•NI 1764
Connect RS-422 compatible differential quadrature encoders to the NI 17xx Smart Camera to
provide positional information. A quadrature encoder uses two output channels, Phase A and
Phase B, to track the position of a rotary shaft. Generally, the shaft is coupled to a motor drive
that controls the movement of an object. By providing Phase A and Phase B signals to the smart
camera, you can obtain a precise measurement of the object position. Using a quadrature encoder
gives you the ability to specify your trigger delay in terms of positional units—such as inches or
centimeters, after applying the resolution information of your encoder—rather than time.
National Instruments does not recommend the use of single-ended encoders with the smart
camera. This configuration would require the ground for a single-ended encoder to be connected
to the COM pin of the smart camera, and the PhaseA- and PhaseB- signals would be left
unconnected. In this configuration, the system is susceptible to significant noise that would be
eliminated by using a differential encoder.
Shielded encoder cables are recommended for all applications. Unshielded cables are more
susceptible to noise and can corrupt the encoder signals.
Refer to the External Trigger section of Chapter 5, Image Acquisition, for information about
using a quadrature encoder to delay a trigger.
2-6 | ni.com
Page 21
NI 17xx Smart Camera User Manual
Phase A+
Phase A–
Phase A–
Phase A
Phase B+
Phase B–
Phase B–
Phase B
EncoderNI 17xx
Tw isted
Pair
Tw isted
Pair
+
–
Phase A–
Phase A+
+
–
Phase B–
Phase B+
+3.3 V
10 kΩ10 kΩ10 kΩ10 kΩ
7.5 kΩ7.5 kΩ7.5 kΩ7.5 kΩ
NI 17xx
Figure 2-5 shows an example of connecting the quadrature encoder differential line drivers.
Figure 2-5. Connecting Differential Line Drivers
Figure 2-6 shows the internal quadrature encoder/RS-422 input circuit.
Figure 2-6. NI Smart Camera Quadrature Encoder Input Circuit
This chapter provides an overview of the NI Smart Camera image sensors, field of view, spectral
response, partial scan mode, binning, gain, and hardware binarization. NI 1722/1742/1762
Smart Cameras use a VGA sensor. NI 1744/1764 Smart Cameras use an SXGA sensor. Refer to
Appendix A, Specifications, for information about your smart camera image sensor.
Field of View
The field of view is the area under inspection that will be imaged by the NI Smart Camera. It is
critical to ensure that the field of view of your system includes the object you want to inspect.
To calculate the horizontal and vertical field of view (FOV) of your imaging system, use
Equation 3-1 and the specifications for the image sensor of your smart camera, as listed in
Appendix A, Specifications.
whereFOV is the field of view in either the horizontal or vertical direction,
Pixel Pitch measures the distance between the centers of adjacent pixels in either the
horizontal or vertical direction,
Active Pixels is the number of pixels in either the horizontal or vertical direction,
Working Distance is the distance from the front element (external glass) of the lens to
the object under inspection, and
Focal Length measures how strongly a lens converges (focuses) or diverges (diffuses)
light.
Figure 3-1 illustrates horizontal field of view and working distance.
Figure 3-1. Parameters of an Imaging System
1
2
3
1Horizontal Imaging Width2Working Distance3Horizontal Field of View
For example, if the working distance of your imaging setup is 100 mm, and the focal length of
the lens is 8 mm, then the field of view in the horizontal direction of a smart camera using the
VGA sensor in full scan mode is
(3-2)
Similarly, the field of view in the vertical direction is
(3-3)
Based on the result of Equations 3-2 and/or 3-3, you can see that you might need to adjust the
various parameters in the FOV equation until you achieve the right combination of components
that match your inspection needs. This might include increasing your working distance,
choosing a lens with a shorter focal length, or changing to a high resolution camera.
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abc
Image Sensor Spectral Response
The spectral response curve describes the relative sensitivity of the sensor to different
wavelengths of light. The peak responsiveness of the VGA and SXGA sensors is to light with a
wavelength of approximately 500 nm. If you are imaging a dim scene, this information can be
useful when selecting a light source to use in your application as the camera is most sensitive at
its peak responsiveness. It also helps determine what, if any, filters your application might
require to remove undesired wavelengths of light from the scene.
Refer to Appendix A, Specifications, to find the normalized spectral response curves for the
VGA and SXGA sensors.
Partial Scan Mode
Partial scan mode is a method of obtaining higher frame rates by reading out only a portion of
the image from the sensor. Partial scan is frequently used when an application requires higher
speed but less resolution than the sensor offers in full scan mode. The NI Smart Camera supports
1/2 scan and 1/4 scan. In 1/2 scan, shown in Figure 3-2b, one half of the image is read out from
the center of the sensor and the rest of the image is discarded to enable a faster start of the next
frame. In 1/4 scan, only one quarter of the image is read out. Figure 3-2 illustrates the portion of
the sensor exposed during partial scanning.
Binning can improve the light sensitivity of the sensor by treating adjacent pixels as a single
pixel. Binning allows the image sensor to collect more electrons per pixel, which reduces the
amount of required light and exposure time. Binning results in higher frame rates and lower
spatial resolution in the vertical direction. The NI Smart Camera supports 1 × 2 binning.
Figure 3-3 illustrates what happens to the sensor output during binning.
Figure 3-3. Binning
aNo BinningbBinning
Gain
Gain is a multiplier applied to the analog signal prior to digitization. Increasing the gain
increases the amplitude of the signal. Gain allows you to trade off between making smaller
signals more visible at the cost of increased noise and no longer being able to differentiate
between larger signals. For most applications, the NI Smart Camera default gain setting
optimizes the balance between small signals and large signals.
Figure 3-4 shows what happens when gain is applied to a signal.
Figure 3-4. Effect of Gain on the Video Signal
255
Pixel Value
a
aLow GainbMedium GaincHigh Gain
255
255
Pixel Value
b
Pixel Value
c
In Figure 3-4a, low gain has been applied to the signal. The pixel values in the image are grouped
close together. In Figure 3-4b, medium gain has been applied to the signal; there are now more
notable differences in pixel value within the image. In Figure 3-4c, high gain has been applied
to the signal; at high gain, mid-range and bright portions of the image are now both represented
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NI 17xx Smart Camera User Manual
NORMAL
Stored Value
Sampled Data
INVERSE
Stored Value
Sampled Data
as white, the highest pixel value. In Figure 3-4c, several bright areas of the image have been
clipped to the maximum pixel value, and you can no longer distinguish subtle shading in the
brightest areas of the image.
Gain can be useful when there is not enough available light and you need to increase the
brightness of your images. However, increasing gain multiplies both the signal and noise. When
possible, it is preferable to add additional lighting.
Hardware Binarization
The NI Smart Camera supports binarization and inverse binarization of acquired images.
Binarization and inverse binarization segment an image into two regions—a particle region and
a background region. Use binarization and inverse binarization to isolate objects of interest in an
image.
To separate objects under consideration from the background, select a pixel value range. This
pixel value range is known as the gray-level interval, or the threshold interval. When enabled,
binarization sets all image pixels that fall within the threshold interval to the image white value
and sets all other image pixels to black. Pixels inside the threshold interval are considered part
of the particle region. Pixels outside the threshold interval are considered part of the background
region.
Inverse binarization reverses the assigned bit numbers of the particle region and the background
region. All pixels that belong in the threshold interval, or the particle region, are set to black, and
all pixels outside the threshold interval, or the background region, are set to the image white
value.
Figure 3-5 illustrates binarization and inverse binarization.
You can enable hardware binarization in the following ways:
•In Vision Builder AI, configure the Lookup Table attribute on the Advanced tab of the
Acquire Image (Smart Camera) step. Refer to the NI Vision Builder for Automated
Inspection: Configuration Help for more information.
•In MAX, use the Lookup Table drop-down box on the LUT tab of the smart camera
configuration page to enable hardware binarization. Refer to the Measurement & Automation Explorer Help for NI-IMAQ for more information.
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4
GND
5V
24V
1
2
3
4
5
Lighting
One of the most important aspects of setting up your imaging environment is proper
illumination. Images acquired under proper lighting conditions make your image processing
software development easier and overall processing time faster. The following sections describe
how to use the Direct Drive lighting controller and the strobe outputs of the NI Smart Camera to
control a light.
Lighting Connector
Figure 4-1 shows the lighting connector on the NI Smart Camera.
CautionAll signals on the lighting connector are outputs from the smart camera.
Do not connect any external voltage or current source to any pin on the lighting
connector.
NoteThe NI 1722 does not offer the Direct Drive lighting controller. Do not
connect to the LED+ and LED- connectors on the NI 1722.
Figure 4-1. NI Smart Camera Lighting Connector
1LED- Output (Not Available on the NI 1722)
2LED+ Output (Not Available on the NI 1722)
3Ground Output
NoteAdditional/replacement plugs for use with the lighting connector, part
This section applies only to the following NI Smart Cameras:
•NI 1742
•NI 1744
•NI 1762
•NI 1764
The NI Smart Camera offers an innovative lighting controller that directly powers third-party
current controlled lights. With other smart cameras, a lighting controller that drives a light must
be purchased separately. The Direct Drive lighting controller is capable of powering a variety of
third-party lights.
For a current controlled light, higher current produces more light, up to the maximum current
rating of the light. The maximum current rating of the light is specified by the manufacturer and
based on the average amount of power that can be safely dissipated by the light.
The Direct Drive controller can operate in continuous or strobed mode. When operating in
strobed mode, the controller can provide more current to the light than in continuous mode. The
average power dissipated while strobing the light for a short period of time at a higher current
can be comparable to the average power dissipated while running the light continuously at a
lower current. Table 4-1 shows the maximum allowed current for continuous mode and strobed
mode.
Table 4-1. Maximum Allowed Current for Direct Drive Lighting Controller
Maximum Strobed CurrentMaximum Continuous Current
1 A500 mA
For applications with a pause between exposures while new parts move into position, you can
strobe the light, which allows the use of higher current and produces more light; thus you can
reduce the exposure time. A shorter exposure time decreases the time it takes to acquire an image
and potentially increases the total throughput of the system. Refer to the Exposure section of
Chapter 5, Image Acquisition, for more information about exposure control.
The smart camera automatically synchronizes the lighting strobe with the image sensor
exposure. The smart camera always turns the light on before an exposure starts and turns the
light off once the exposure completes. The duration of the light strobe is dictated by the exposure
time. Refer to Chapter 5, Image Acquisition, for more information.
When operating in strobed mode, it is important that the strobe duty cycle and strobe duration
are within the specified limits of both the light and the Direct Drive lighting controller. The
strobe duration is the amount of time that the light remains on. The strobe duration limit is the
maximum amount of time that the light can remain on when being driven at the maximum
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current. The duty cycle is the ratio of the strobe duration to the frame period, expressed as a
percentage. Refer to the Maximum Frame Rate section of Chapter 5, Image Acquisition, for
more information about the frame period.
By default, you can set the exposure time to any setting within the range supported by your smart
camera. However, if the smart camera is configured to use the Direct Drive lighting controller
in strobed mode, care must be taken to ensure that the resulting strobe duty cycle and strobe
duration do not violate the limits of the Direct Drive lighting controller or the limits of the light.
For your convenience, the software calculates the resulting strobe duration and duty cycle for
your configured frame rate and exposure time. It then compares them to the limits of the Direct
Drive lighting controller and the limits specified in the associated lighting file. Refer to the
Lighting Files section of this chapter or the Maximum Frame Rate section of Chapter 5, Image
Acquisition, for more information.
If the requested exposure time violates the limits of the Direct Drive lighting controller or the
limits for your light as specified in the associated lighting file, the smart camera can use the
requested exposure time, but requires the configured current to be at or below the maximum
continuous current.
CautionIf you are using the 5 V strobe output or the 24 V strobe output, the
software does not impose any limits on the duration or the duty cycle of the strobe
output. You must ensure that your requested exposure time and the frame rate result
in duration and duty cycle that do not violate the limits of the external controller
and/or light(s). Refer to the Maximum Frame Rate section of Chapter 5, Image
Acquisition, for more information.
Lighting Files
A lighting file is a text file that contains information about a light, such as the type and color of
the light, maximum current limit, and maximum strobe duty cycle. Lighting files have the
extension .ild. MAX and Vision Builder AI use lighting files to ensure that the current limits
and duty cycle of your light are not exceeded when the light is used with the Direct Drive lighting
controller. Lighting files exist in four levels of certification:
•Digitally Signed by National Instruments—The information contained within the
lighting file has been verified as correct and safe by National Instruments. Contact National
Instruments for support regarding this lighting data file or the light to which it refers.
•Digitally Signed by a Third-Party Company—The information contained within the
lighting file has been verified as correct and safe by the specified third-party company.
Contact the third-party company for support regarding this lighting data file or the light to
which it refers.
•Not Digitally Signed—The information contained within the lighting file meets the
requirements of Direct Drive lighting; however, it has not been verified that the information
is safe to use with the specified light. Use this file at your own risk.
•Invalid—The information contained within the lighting file is unusable because the data
does not meet the requirements of Direct Drive lighting, the data describing the light is not
in the proper syntax, or the digital signature has been altered.
In digitally signed lighting files, the current limit and duty cycle limit are encoded as part of the
signing process. The limits in signed lighting files are not human-readable. Modifying a signed
lighting file will invalidate the signature and render the file unusable.
To use a light that has a lighting file, you can select the lighting data in MAX or Vision
Builder AI:
•In MAX—Select the Lighting tab of the NI Smart Camera configuration page. Click
Configure Light, and select Select Light.
•In Vision Builder AI—Select the Lighting tab of the Acquire Image (Smart Camera)
step. Click Configure Light Source, and select Select Light.
To use a light that does not have a lighting file, you can enter the lighting data manually in MAX
or Vision Builder AI:
•In MAX—Select the Lighting tab of the NI Smart Camera configuration page. Click
Configure Light, and select Enter Lighting Data Manually.
•In Vision Builder AI—Select the Lighting tab of the Acquire Image (Smart Camera)
step. Click Configure Light Source, and select Enter Lighting Data Manually.
Lighting files are installed to the following locations when you install NI-IMAQ.
•Windows XP/2000—X:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\
National Instruments\NI-IMAQ\Data
Selecting a Light
This section applies only to the following NI Smart Cameras:
•NI 1742
•NI 1744
•NI 1762
•NI 1764
National Instruments software provides support for a variety of lights from major machine vision
lighting companies. However, if your light is not in the list of supported lights, you may still be
able to use your light with the Direct Drive lighting controller.
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To determine if your light is compatible with the NI Smart Camera, verify the following:
•The light is current controlled and not voltage controlled.
•The smart camera can provide enough current to obtain the desired illumination from the
light.
•The maximum voltage drop specified for the light does not exceed the specified range of
the smart camera. Under some circumstances, some LEDs, particularly certain lights with
white and blue LEDs, require a higher voltage drop than usual to turn on or reach full
brightness. Such lights may be incompatible with the smart camera. These lights may need
to be reconfigured by the manufacturer to bring the voltage drop within the specified range
of the smart camera.
•The minimum voltage drop specified for the light does not fall below the specified range of
the smart camera. Under some circumstances some LEDs, particularly certain lights with
infrared LEDs and lights with only one LED per string, present a lower voltage drop than
usual and may be incompatible with the smart camera. These lights may need to be
reconfigured by the manufacturer to bring the voltage drop within the specified range of the
smart camera.
NoteThe voltage drop of a light can vary significantly with environmental
conditions, such as ambient temperature, current supplied, and strobe time.
Refer to Appendix A, Specifications, for complete specifications for the Direct Drive lighting
controller.
Connecting a Light to the Direct Drive Lighting
Controller
This section applies only to the following NI Smart Cameras:
Figure 4-2 illustrates how to connect a light to the Direct Drive lighting controller. Do not use
the GND signal when connecting a light to the Direct Drive lighting controller.
Figure 4-2. Connecting a Light to the Direct Drive Lighting Controller
The Direct Drive controller performs an initialization sequence to achieve the requested current
output prior to acquiring the first image. You may notice a sequence of short flashes from the
light when the application initializes or shuts down.
External Lighting Controllers
While the Direct Drive lighting controller is designed to handle common machine vision lighting
requirements, some applications require the use of a light with current or voltage requirements
beyond those supported by the Direct Drive. Other applications require more than one light. All
NI Smart Cameras support connections to third-party lighting controllers to solve these
applications.
The smart camera provides two types of external lighting outputs for synchronizing third-party
controllers to the exposure of the smart camera: a 5 V TTL strobe output and a 24 V strobe
output. The 5 V TTL strobe output is available for connecting to devices that require a 5 V signal.
The 24 V strobe output is powered by the voltage from the smart camera power supply and is
available for controllers that require higher voltage inputs. The 24 V strobe output is nominally
a 24 V output if 24 V power is supplied to the smart camera.
CautionThe 24 V external lighting strobe is an unregulated output dependent on
the range of the power supply provided to the smart camera. If the power provided to
the smart camera is +20%/-15% with +5% AC ripple, the output could be as high as
30 V. If the provided power exceeds the input voltage specifications of the third-party
lighting controller, do not connect the 24 V lighting strobe output to the controller to
prevent damage to the controller. Use a power supply with tolerances that meet the
requirements of the controller, or use the 5 V external lighting strobe.
When enabled, the 5 V and 24 V external strobe outputs create a strobe pulse that can be used
as a level-sensitive signal by third-party controllers to strobe the light simultaneously with the
image exposure. Alternatively, if the third-party lighting controller supports a programmable
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5 V TTL Strobe Output
GND Output
LED
External
Lighting
Controller
NI 17xx
strobe time, the controller can be programmed for any arbitrary strobe duration, and the assertion
edge of the smart camera output can start the strobe timer in the controller.
CautionIf you are using the 5 V strobe output or the 24 V strobe output, the
software does not impose any limits on the duration or the duty cycle of the strobe
output. You must ensure that your requested exposure time and the frame rate result
in duration and duty cycle that do not violate the limits of the external controller
and/or light(s). Refer to the Maximum Frame Rate section of Chapter 5, Image
Acquisition, for more information.
Enable the 5 V and 24 V lighting outputs as follows:
•In Vision Builder AI, enable the 5 V TTL Strobe and/or 24 V Strobe controls on the
Lighting tab of the Acquire Image (Smart Camera) step. Refer to the NI Vision Builder
for Automated Inspection: Configuration Help for more information about configuring the
5 V TTL and 24 V strobe outputs.
•In LabVIEW, configure the 24V Strobe and 5V Strobe lighting properties. Refer to the
NI-IMAQ VI Reference Help for more information about configuring the 5 V TTL and 24 V
strobe outputs.
•In MAX, select the 5 V TTL Strobe and/or 24 V Strobe checkboxes on the Lighting tab
of the smart camera configuration page. Refer to the Measurement & Automation Explorer Help for NI-IMAQ for more information about configuring the 5 V TTL and 24 V strobe
outputs.
Connecting an External Lighting Controller to the
NI Smart Camera
Figure 4-3 illustrates how to connect an external lighting controller to the 5 V TTL output on the
NI Smart Camera.
Figure 4-3. Connecting an External Lighting Controller to the 5 V TTL Strobe Output
Figure 4-4 illustrates how to connect an external lighting controller to the 24 V output on the
NI Smart Camera.
Figure 4-4. Connecting an External Lighting Controller to the 24 V Strobe Output
24 V Strobe Output
(~ 18 V – 30 V)
NI 17xx
GND Output
External
Lighting
Controller
LED
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5
Image Acquisition
This chapter contains information about acquiring images with the NI Smart Camera and
explains the relationships between triggering, lighting, and exposure.
Exposure
The NI Smart Camera provides control of the image sensor exposure time through software. The
exposure time is the amount of time that light is allowed to strike the sensor to produce an image.
When light strikes the surface of the sensor, it dislodges electrons. As more light strikes the
sensor, more electrons are freed, creating a charge on the sensor.
For a given amount of light, the sensor collects more charge during a longer exposure time than
a shorter exposure time. Because the charge is what is read out to produce the image, it is
important to have an optimal amount of light and exposure time for your application.
Exposing the image sensor for too short of a time relative to the amount of light in the
environment results in a dark, low contrast image. Exposing the image sensor for too long of a
time relative to the amount of light in the environment results in a bright, low contrast image.
When the image sensor is exposed for an appropriate amount of time relative to the light in the
environment, acquired images will exhibit appropriate contrast to easily distinguish both dark
and light features. Contrast is a key factor in obtaining good results from image processing
algorithms.
In applications where the object under inspection is moving, the exposure time must be carefully
considered. If the object moves significantly during the exposure, the resulting image is blurry
and unsuitable for processing.
The maximum exposure time for imaging a moving object without blurring depends on the per
pixel spatial resolution and the rate of motion of the object. The per pixel spatial resolution is the
field of view, calculated in the Field of View section of Chapter 3, NI Smart Camera Image
Sensor, divided by the number of pixels in the sensor. Together, this information can be used to
calculate the maximum exposure. Assuming the object is moving horizontally across the field
of view, use Equation 5-1 to calculate the maximum exposure time.
R is the rate of motion of the object either horizontally or vertically,
FOV is the field of view in the direction of motion, and
N is the number of sensor pixels in the direction of motion
For many applications that include moving objects, additional lighting is necessary to achieve
good image contrast due to the short exposure time required to avoid motion blur.
Additionally, in many environments, the ambient light conditions vary too significantly to obtain
consistent results without adding dedicated lighting. For example, in a building with windows,
the ambient light can vary significantly with weather. Also, standard fluorescent lighting flickers
at a rate that is perceivable by the smart camera. In these situations, the ambient light must be
overridden with a dedicated light source to ensure reproducible results.
Acquiring Images
You can configure the NI Smart Camera to acquire images based on internal timing or an
external trigger signal. In both cases, the smart camera can acquire full frame images at the
camera’s maximum frame rate. If partial scanning or binning are enabled, the smart camera can
acquire images faster than the full frame maximum frame rate. Refer to the Maximum Frame
Rate section for information about factors that affect the maximum frame rate.
Internal Timing
The NI Smart Camera features two types of internally-timed modes: free-run mode and
fixed-frame-rate mode.
In free-run mode, the smart camera acquires images at the maximum frame rate allowed by the
configuration.
In fixed-frame-rate mode, you can specify a frame rate that is less than or equal to the maximum
frame rate by setting the Frame Rate property in LabVIEW. Setting the Frame Rate property
will implicitly take you out of free-run mode and into fixed-frame-rate mode. To return to
free-run mode, set the Fixed-Frame-Rate Mode property in LabVIEW to FALSE.
NoteVision Builder AI and MAX do not support fixed-frame-rate mode.
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Trigger
Lighting Strobe
Exposure
Image Readout
3
2
1
External Trigger
Use the trigger input to synchronize the NI Smart Camera with an external event, such as the
assertion of a signal generated by a proximity sensor. You can trigger the smart camera at rates
up the maximum frame rate. Refer to the Maximum Frame Rate section for information about
factors that affect the maximum frame rate.
To use an external trigger, the trigger signal must be provided on the TrigIn/IsoIn(0)+ and
TrigIn/IsoIn(0)- inputs to the camera and triggering must be enabled in the software. Refer to the
Isolated Inputs section of Chapter 2, Power and I/O, for information about connecting external
signals.
You can enable triggering in the following software programs:
•Vision Builder AI—Select the Triggered Acquisition checkbox on the Trigger tab of the
Acquire Image (Smart Camera) step.
•LabVIEW—Use the IMAQ Configure Trigger 3 VI.
•MAX—Select the Enable Trigger checkbox on the Triggering tab of the smart camera
configuration page.
Figure 5-1 illustrates the relationship between an external trigger, a lighting strobe, and the
exposure time.
Figure 5-1. Externally Triggered Mode
1User-Configurable Trigger Delay
2Lighting Turn-On Time
3Beginning of Image Readout
The trigger shown in Figure 5-1 represents an external trigger, configured to use the rising edge
as the active edge. The time between the active edge of the trigger and the assertion of the
lighting strobe is a user-configurable trigger delay. The trigger delay can be configured in either
milliseconds or quadrature encoder counts. The NI 1722 does not support quadrature encoders.
The incoming trigger is synchronized to the line rate of the smart camera. This adds an additional
delay that can vary on a frame by frame basis. The maximum variability is shown in Table 5-1.
Table 5-1. Trigger Synchronization Variability
Smart Camera ModelTrigger Synchronization Variability
NI 1722
31.2 μs
NI 1742
NI 1762
NI 1744
71.6 μs
NI 1764
The amount of time required from the assertion of a trigger to the start of the light strobe and
image exposure varies by application. For example, if a sensor that detects the presence of a part
is positioned before the smart camera on a conveyor belt, a trigger delay will be necessary so
that the smart camera waits to expose the image until the part to be inspected passes in front of
the smart camera. In this case, specifying the trigger delay in terms of quadrature encoder counts
allows the smart camera to expose the image when the part is positioned in front of the smart
camera regardless of changes in speed of the conveyor belt. For other applications, a delay
specified in milliseconds is sufficient.
If you are strobing a light, there is a short delay while the lighting controller turns on the light.
This delay is represented by the lighting turn-on time in Figure 5-1. Table 5-2 lists the lighting
turn-on times.
Table 5-2. Lighting Turn-On Time
Smart Camera ModelLighting Turn-On Time
NI 1722
156 μs
NI 1742
NI 1762
NI 1744
143.2 μs
NI 1764
After the lighting turn-on time, the exposure begins. The width of the exposure pulse determines
how long the sensor is exposed. The exposure time can be adjusted by setting the Exposure Time control in Vision Builder AI, setting the Exposure Time property in LabVIEW, or by
setting the Exposure Time control in MAX. The lighting strobe deasserts at the end of the
exposure pulse. The end of an exposure starts the image readout from the sensor.
The maximum trigger rate is determined by the maximum frame rate for your configuration.
Refer to the Maximum Frame Rate section for information about the factors that affect the
maximum frame rate.
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Trigger
Exposure
Image Readout
1
1
min frame period
------------------------------------------ -
Maximum Frame Rate
Frame rate is the inverse of the frame period. The frame period is the time from the start of
exposure on one frame to the start of exposure on the next frame, as shown in Figure 5-2.
Figure 5-2. Frame Period
1Frame Period
The frame period is affected by the following factors:
•Partial scan mode, as described in the Partial Scan Mode section of Chapter 3, NI Smart
Camera Image Sensor
•Binning mode, as described in the Binning section of Chapter 3, NI Smart Camera Image
Sensor
•Exposure time, as described in the Exposure section of this chapter
•Lighting mode, as described in Chapter 4, Lighting
•Trigger delay, as described in the External Trigger section of this chapter
Determining the Maximum Frame Rate
You can determine the maximum frame rate for your configuration in software by reading the
Max Frame Rate indicator in Vision Builder AI, reading the Max Frame Rate property in
LabVIEW, or reading the Max Frame Rate indicator in MAX. When external triggering is
enabled, do not trigger faster than the maximum frame rate.
NoteSending a trigger faster than the maximum frame rate will result in a missed
trigger.
Use Equation 5-2 to understand how software determines the maximum frame rate:
max frame rate = min( max frame rate for selected scan mode, )(5-2)
wheremax frame rate for selected scan mode is determined by the partial scan mode and
binning mode, as described in the Determining the Scan Mode section, and
min frame period is the minimum amount of time for the strobe and trigger mode, as
described in the Calculating the Minimum Frame Period section.
The maximum frame rate for selected scan mode is determined by the partial scan mode and
binning mode. Because the amount of data read out of the sensor is less in 1/2 or 1/4 scan mode,
the readout takes less time, and you can achieve faster frame rates. The same is true of binning.
When binning is enabled, the readout takes less time, and you can achieve faster frame rates.
Refer to the Partial Scan Mode and Binning sections of Chapter 3, Image Acquisition, for more
information about partial scanning and binning.
Use the maximum frame rate specifications for your smart camera in your scan mode in
Appendix A, Specifications, to determine the maximum frame rate for selected scan mode.
Determining the Exposure Time
The minimum frame period depends on exposure time, lighting mode, and trigger delay.
A longer exposure time results in a longer frame period, and a slower maximum frame rate.
Determining the Lighting Mode
If you are not strobing a light using the Direct Drive or the external strobe outputs of the smart
camera, the smart camera can expose one image while it is reading out the previous image,
allowing for the highest possible frame rates. Figure 5-3 illustrates this relationship. The smart
camera receives the trigger for the second image while it is still reading out the first image. The
first image readout finishes before the second image readout begins.
Figure 5-3. Image Acquisition Without Strobing
1Beginning of First Image Readout
2Beginning of Second Image Exposure
3Beginning of Second Image Readout
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NI 17xx Smart Camera User Manual
Trigger
Lighting Strobe
Exposure
Image Readout
1
When strobing is enabled, the smart camera waits until the image readout is complete before
turning on the light for the next frame, as shown in Figure 5-4.
Figure 5-4. Image Acquisition With Strobing
1Image Readout Completes Before Lighting Strobe Asserts for Next Image
Determining the Trigger Delay
If the trigger delay is set longer than the untriggered minimum frame period, the trigger delay
value further limits the min frame period. When the trigger delay is specified in milliseconds,
the software includes this in the calculation of the maximum frame rate indicator.
Calculating the Minimum Frame Period
Refer to Equations 5-3 and 5-4 to calculate the minimum frame period for untriggered
acquisitions with and without strobing.
min frame period
min frame period
NoStrobeNoTrigger
WithStrobeNoTrigger
Refer to Equations 5-5 and 5-6 to calculate the minimum frame period for triggered acquisitions
with and without strobing.
min frame period
min frame period
NoStrobeWithTrigger
WithStrobeWithTrigger
= max (T + L + E, Trigger Delay)(5-5)
= max (T + L + E + R, Trigger Delay)(5-6)
whereT is the trigger synchronization variability,
L is the lighting turn-on time,
= T + L + E(5-3)
= T + L + E + R(5-4)
E is the exposure time, and
R is the image readout duration.
Tables 5-1 and 5-2 list the values for the trigger synchronization variability and the lighting
turn-on time, respectively.
The image readout duration varies depending on the smart camera configuration, as shown in
Table 5-3.
Table 5-3. Image Readout Duration
Smart Camera ModelFull Scan1/2 Scan1/4 ScanBinning
NI 1722
NI 1742
NI 1762
NI 1744
NI 1764
16.38 ms8.86 ms5.49 ms8.17 ms
76.47 ms41.38 ms24.70 ms38.23 ms
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6
LEDs and DIP Switches
This chapter provides information about the location and functionality of the LED indicators and
DIP switches on the NI Smart Camera.
Understanding the LED Indicators
Figure 6-1 shows the location of the LEDs on the NI Smart Camera.
Figure 6-1. NI Smart Camera LEDs
FAIL
PA SS
IMG ACQ
STAT US
POWER
Device Initialization
While the NI Smart Camera initializes, the POWER LED lights solid green and the STATUS,
IMG ACQ, PASS, and FAIL LEDs exhibit a scrolling pattern. When the smart camera finishes
initializing, the STATUS LED lights solid green. If the system does not initialize within the
expected period of time, the STATUS LED flashes a status code. Refer to the STATUS LED
section for information about the status codes.
The initialization scrolling pattern will last longer than usual if the smart camera is configured
to acquire an IP address from a DHCP server but no DHCP server is available on the network.
When acquiring an IP address from a DHCP server, the smart camera waits up to 60 seconds to
acquire an IP address. If the smart camera does not receive an IP address within 60 seconds, the
device automatically restarts and tries again. The smart camera attempts to acquire an IP address
from a DHCP server three times. If after the third time the smart camera has not been assigned
an IP address, the smart camera reverts to the unconfigured state and the IP address resets to
0.0.0.0. The STATUS LED flashes to indicate that the smart camera is in an unconfigured
state.
POWER LED
The POWER LED indicates whether the power supplied to the camera is adequate. The POWER
LED is green while the camera is properly powered on. When no power is being supplied to the
NI Smart Camera, the POWER LED is unlit. When power is first applied to the smart camera,
the POWER LED flashes red for one second while internal systems power up. If the POWER
LED stays red for longer than one second, it indicates that the voltage is out of range.
STATUS LED
The STATUS LED is green during normal operation. The NI Smart Camera indicates specific
conditions by flashing the STATUS LED, as shown in Table 6-1.
Table 6-1. STATUS LED Indications
LED
Behavior
LED
Color
Indication
SolidGreenThe smart camera initialized successfully and is ready for use.
1 FlashGreenThe smart camera IP address or software is unconfigured. The
smart camera ships from the factory unconfigured. The smart
camera also enters the unconfigured state if it is configured for
DHCP and no DHCP server is available. Use MAX or Vision
Builder AI to configure the smart camera. Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for information about
configuring the smart camera.
2 FlashesGreenThe smart camera detects an error in the software
configuration. The camera has automatically started up into
safe mode, regardless of the SAFE MODE DIP switch position.
This usually occurs when an attempt to upgrade the software is
interrupted or if system files are deleted from the smart camera.
Reinstall software on the smart camera. Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for information about
installing software on the smart camera.
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Table 6-1. STATUS LED Indications (Continued)
LED
Behavior
LED
Color
Indication
3 FlashesGreenThe smart camera is in safe mode because the SAFE MODE
DIP switch is in the ON position. Refer to the Configuring DIP
Switches section for information about the SAFE MODE DIP
switch.
4 FlashesGreenThe smart camera has experienced two consecutive software
exceptions. The smart camera automatically restarts after an
exception. After the second exception, the smart camera
remains in the exception state, alerting you to resolve the
problem. Reinstall software on the smart camera or contact
National Instruments for assistance. Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for information about
installing software on the smart camera.
5 FlashesGreenThe smart camera detects a critical error. Reinstall software on
the smart camera or contact National Instruments for
assistance. Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for information about installing software on the smart
camera.
FlashingRedThe smart camera detects a software crash or hang.
Contact National Instruments for assistance.
SolidRedThe smart camera detects a critical firmware error. Contact
National Instruments for assistance.
IMG ACQ LED
The IMG ACQ LED briefly lights green when an image is captured and ready for analysis. Fast
frame rates can give this LED the appearance of being continuously lit.
If the IMG ACQ LED and the FAIL LED both flash red, it indicates that the NI Smart Camera
has shut down because the maximum internal temperature was exceeded. Refer to the Thermal
Considerations section of Chapter 8, Thermal Considerations and Mounting, for information
about measuring the temperature of the smart camera. Refer to Appendix A, Specifications, for
complete specifications.
PA SS L E D
The PASS LED is a green LED that is user-configurable through the IMAQ property node in
LabVIEW or the Read/Write I/O step in Vision Builder AI.
The FAIL LED is a red LED that is user-configurable through the IMAQ property node in
LabVIEW or the Read/Write I/O step in Vision Builder AI.
If the IMG ACQ LED and the FAIL LED both flash red, it indicates that the NI Smart Camera
has shut down because the maximum internal temperature was exceeded. Refer to the Thermal
Considerations section of Chapter 8, Thermal Considerations and Mounting, for information
about measuring the temperature of the smart camera. Refer to Appendix A, Specifications, for
complete temperature specifications.
Configuring DIP Switches
This section describes the SAFE MODE, IP RESET, NO APP, and CONSOLE DIP switches on
the NI Smart Camera. To turn on a DIP switch, lift the DIP switch cover and move the switch to
the ON position.
CautionTo avoid potential damage to your device, use care when configuring DIP
switches. Do not use blunt tools or excessive force when changing the switch
position.
SAFE MODE Switch
To start the NI Smart Camera in safe mode, move the SAFE MODE switch to the ON position
and reapply power or restart the smart camera. If the switch is in the ON position when the smart
camera starts, the smart camera launches only the essential services required for updating
configuration information and installing software. The LabVIEW Real-Time engine does not
launch. Use safe mode to reconfigure the smart camera TCP/IP settings, update firmware, and
to install or update the software on the smart camera.
If the software on the smart camera is corrupted, start the smart camera in safe mode and update
the software. To resume normal operations, move the SAFE MODE switch to the OFF position
and reapply power or restart the smart camera. Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for information about updating the software on the smart camera.
The STATUS LED flashes green three times when the smart camera is in safe mode. Keep the
SAFE MODE switch in the OFF position during normal operation.
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IP RESET Switch
To clear the NI Smart Camera IP settings, move the IP RESET switch to the ON position and
reapply power or restart the smart camera. Use the IP RESET switch to reset the TCP/IP settings
when moving the camera from one subnet to another or when the current TCP/IP settings are
otherwise invalid.
ON
IP RESET
NO APP
CONSOLE
Starting the smart camera with the IP RESET switch in the ON position resets the IP address to
0.0.0.0. Once you have reset the IP address, you can set up a new network configuration for
the smart camera from a development machine on the same subnet, or you can use an Ethernet
cable to connect the smart camera directly to the development computer. Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for information about assigning an IP address to the smart
camera.
SAFE MODE
To resume normal operations, move the IP RESET switch to the OFF position and reapply power
or restart the smart camera. Keep the IP RESET switch in the OFF position during normal
operation.
NO APP Switch
Move the NO APP switch to the ON position to prevent a startup application from running when
the NI Smart Camera powers on. If you want to permanently disable the application from
running when the smart camera powers on, you can disable the startup application in software.
ON
IP RESET
NO APP
CONSOLE
To automatically run an application when the smart camera powers on, keep the NO APP switch
in the OFF position. You must configure the application in software to automatically run when
the smart camera powers on. Refer to the LabVIEW Real-Time Module Help for more
information about automatically launching VIs when the smart camera powers on. Refer to the
NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection: Configuration Help for more information about
configuring remote target options.
SAFE MODE
Keep the NO APP switch in the OFF position during normal operation.
With a serial port terminal program, you can use the CONSOLE switch to read device
information from the NI Smart Camera during startup, such as the IP address and firmware
version. When the CONSOLE switch is in the ON position, the serial port outputs device
information and is not available for applications. The smart camera reads this switch only when
powering up or restarting and will only display device information during startup.
When the CONSOLE switch is in the OFF position, you can use the smart camera serial port and
NI-Serial driver software to send and receive serial data. The NI-Serial software is installed
when you install NI-IMAQ. When using the NI-Serial driver, keep the CONSOLE switch in the
OFF position during normal operation.
Refer to the Connecting to Serial Devices section of Chapter 2, Power and I/O, for more
information about using serial communication with the smart camera.
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7
Ethernet Ports
This chapter provides information about the Ethernet ports and Ethernet LEDs on the NI Smart
Camera and considerations for assigning an IP address.
The Ethernet ports on the smart camera provide a connection between the smart camera and
the development computer or other network devices. The smart camera provides two
10/100/1,000 Mbps Ethernet ports. Figure 7-2 shows the Ethernet ports on the smart camera.
Figure 7-1. NI Smart Camera Ethernet Ports
1
12
1Port 12Port 2
Port 1 is the primary port and port 2 is the secondary port. The primary port can be configured
to acquire an IP address from a DHCP server. The secondary port can only be configured for a
static IP address.
Both Ethernet ports of the smart camera can connect to a 10, 100, or 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps)
Ethernet network at either full or half duplex. The smart camera automatically detects the speed
and duplex capabilities of its link partner and configures for the fastest common interface. The
smart camera can also perform auto-crossover, allowing the use of straight or crossover Ethernet
cables, independent of the connection configuration.
When shielded Ethernet cables are being used, ensure that the shields on the Ethernet cables and
the POWER-I/O cable do not contact each other to maintain full Ethernet signal integrity.
NoteA CAT 5e or CAT 6 1000Base-T Ethernet cable is required to achieve
maximum 1,000 Mbps (Gigabit) Ethernet performance. CAT 5e and CAT 6 Ethernet
cables adhere to higher electrical standards required for Gigabit Ethernet
communication. CAT 5 cables are not guaranteed to meet necessary electrical
requirements. While CAT 5 cables may appear to work in some installations at
1,000 Mbps, CAT 5 cables are likely to cause increased bit errors resulting in
degraded or unreliable network performance.
Figure 7-2 shows the Ethernet LEDs on the NI Smart Camera.
Figure 7-2. NI Smart Camera Ethernet LEDs
1Port 1 ACTIVITY/LINK LED
2Port 1 SPEED LED
3Port 2 ACTIVITY/LINK LED
4Port 2 SPEED LED
ACTIVITY/LINK LED
The ACTIVITY/LINK LED indicates whether a link is established between the NI Smart
Camera and the device connected at the other end of the Ethernet cable. The LED is unlit when
no cable is connected or if the smart camera or the device connected at the other end of the cable
are powered down. The LED is solid green when a link is established, but there is no traffic
activity on the link. The LED will flash green when there is traffic activity on the link. If the
smart camera is connected to a corporate network, traffic that is not related to the smart camera
traffic will often be present on the link. In dedicated links between a computer and the smart
camera, typically the only traffic on the link will be the communication between the computer
and the smart camera.
SPEED LED
The SPEED LED indicates the speed of the negotiated link. The NI Smart Camera supports
10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, and 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) links, and will automatically select the highest
speed shared by the smart camera and the device it is connected to. The SPEED LED follows
the behavior specified in Table 7-1.
SPEED LED BehaviorIndication
OffNo link or a 10 Mbps link is negotiated
Solid GreenA 100 Mbps link is negotiated
Solid AmberA 1,000 Mbps link is negotiated
7-2 | ni.com
Table 7-1. SPEED LED Behavior
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NI 17xx Smart Camera User Manual
DHCP and Static IP Address Assignment
You must configure the IP settings for the NI Smart Camera prior to use. You can assign a static
IP address or, if your network has a DHCP server, you can use a DHCP server to assign an IP
address. If you do not know whether you should assign a static IP address or use a DHCP server
to assign an IP address, assign a static IP address or contact your network administrator.
DCHP IP address assignment is only available for port 1. Static IP address assignment is
available on both ports.
For information about assigning an IP address to the smart camera, refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera.
The advantage of using a DHCP server to assign an IP address is that the DHCP server manages
the IP addresses of the network. You do not need to know the IP address of the smart camera.
Also, the DHCP server does not allow other devices to use the IP address that is already assigned
to your smart camera.
Although using a DHCP server makes configuring an IP address easy, configuring a static IP
address can be more reliable. Consider the following potential issues before using a DHCP
server to assign an IP address to the smart camera:
•If the network has both static IP addresses and IP addresses managed by a DHCP server,
the DHCP server must be configured to not use reserved static IP addresses. If the DHCP
server is not configured this way, the DHCP server can assign a reserved IP address to
another device, causing address conflicts on the network, which results in some devices
being unreachable.
•When a smart camera configured for DHCP starts, it must be able to connect to the DHCP
server. If a smart camera was previously configured to use a DHCP server and the smart
camera cannot connect to the DHCP server, the smart camera does not appear in MAX or
Vision Builder AI. The IP address must to be reconfigured before you can use the smart
camera.
Firewall Considerations
If you are having difficulty detecting the system and setting up the NI Smart Camera on your
network, you must configure the firewall to open the TCP/UDP ports used by the smart camera
and the host machine. The smart camera uses the ports listed in Table 7-2.
Table 7-2. TCP/UDP Ports Used by the NI Smart Camera
PortTypeDetails
3580TCP/UDPReserved as nati-svrloc (NAT-ServiceLocator). Used by
7749TCPUsed for remote image display (not reserved).
Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to locate remote
targets.
Table 7-2. TCP/UDP Ports Used by the NI Smart Camera (Continued)
PortTypeDetails
7750TCPUsed for NI-IMAQ remote configuration (not reserved).
3363TCP/UDPReserved as nati-vi-server (NATI VI Server). Used by Vision
Builder for Automated Inspection to configure a remote NI Smart
Camera.
Subnet Considerations
To configure the NI Smart Camera, it must reside on the same subnet as the development
computer. If you want to use the smart camera on a subnet other than the one the development
computer is on, first connect and configure the smart camera on the same subnet as the
host computer.
The first time you configure the smart camera, you must also install software on it. After
configuring the smart camera, use DHCP to assign an IP address or reassign a static IP address
for the subnet where you want the smart camera to reside, then physically move the smart camera
to the other subnet. Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for more
information about configuring the smart camera.
Contact your network administrator if you need assistance configuring the host computer and
smart camera on the same subnet.
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8
Thermal Considerations and
Mounting
This chapter contains information about the operating temperature of the NI Smart Camera and
provides the information necessary to create a custom mount for the smart camera.
Thermal Considerations
The NI Smart Camera can operate in environments with ambient temperatures ranging from 0 to
45 °C. The maximum housing temperature of the smart camera is 65 °C. Refer to Appendix A,
Specifications, for complete specifications. Figure 8-1 shows the location to take temperature
measurements on the smart camera.
Figure 8-1. Measuring the NI Smart Camera Housing Temperature
1
-
+
GND
5V
24V
NI 17XX SMART CAMERA
1Region to Measure NI Smart Camera Housing Temperature
Operating the smart camera above the specified ambient temperature or above the specified case
temperature will degrade image quality and can cause permanent damage to the device.
The smart camera also has a internal temperature sensor that provides an internal temperature
measurement. You can monitor the temperature sensor from LabVIEW using the Status Information»Temperature property from the IMAQ property node.
If the internal temperature sensor reads 70 °C or more, the smart camera immediately halts
operation and becomes unresponsive. The IMG ACQ LED and the FAIL LED flash red. You
must remove and reapply power to the smart camera to recover from this condition.
To maximize the cooling efficiency of the smart camera, mount it to a thermally conductive
structure, as specified in the Mounting the NI Smart Camera section.
Mounting the NI Smart Camera
CautionIf you choose not to mount the NI Smart Camera to a thermally
conductive structure, do not position the smart camera with the heat sinks resting on
any surface. Doing so may violate the thermal requirements of the smart camera and
cause the smart camera to overheat. Refer to Appendix A, Specifications, for
temperature specifications.
Figures 8-2 through 8-5 provide the dimensional drawings necessary to create a custom mount
for the smart camera.
Figure 8-2. Back View of the NI Smart Camera with Dimensions
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NI 17xx Smart Camera User Manual
30.89 mm
(1.216 in.)
32.80 mm
(1.291 in.)
38.91 mm
(1.532 in.)
Figure 8-3. Front View of the NI Smart Camera with Dimensions
Figure 8-4. Side View of the NI Smart Camera with Dimensions
117.66 mm
(4.632 in.)
44.14 mm
(1.738 in.)
50.62 mm
(1.993 in.)
Figure 8-5. Bottom View of the NI Smart Camera with Dimensions
The following specifications apply to the NI 1722/1742/1744/1762/1764 Smart Camera.
These specifications are typical at 25 °C, unless otherwise stated.
Power Requirements
Power consumption
NI 1722 ..................................................... 24 VDC, +20%/-15% (IEC 1311); 450 mA
NI 1742/1744/1762/1764
Direct Drive disabled........................ 24 VDC, +20%/-15% (IEC 1311); 450 mA
Direct Drive enabled......................... 24 VDC, +20%/-15% (IEC 1311); 800 mA
Refer to the Maximum Frame Rate section of Chapter 5, Image Acquisition, for more information about
calculating the maximum frame rate for your application.
Refer to the Maximum Frame Rate section of Chapter 5, Image Acquisition, for more information about
calculating the maximum frame rate for your application.
Operating shock (IEC 60068-2-27) ..................50 g, 3 ms half sine, 18 shocks at 6 orientations;
30 g, 11 ms half sine, 18 shocks at 6 orientations
Operating vibration
Random (IEC 60068-2-34) .......................10 Hz to 500 Hz, 10 Grms, 100 min per axis
Swept sine (IEC 60068-2-6) .....................10 Hz to 500 Hz, 10 g
Approved at altitudes up to 2,000 m.
Safety
The NI Smart Camera meets the requirements of the following standards for safety and electrical
equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use:
•IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1
•UL 61010-1, CSA 61010-1
NoteFor UL and other safety certifications, refer to the product label or visit
ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line, and click the
appropriate link in the Certification column.
Electromagnetic Compatibility
The NI Smart Camera meets the following standards of EMC for electrical equipment for
measurement, control, and laboratory use:
•EN 61326 EMC requirements; Minimum Immunity
•EN 55011 Emissions; Group 1, Class A
•CE, C-Tick, ICES, and FCC Part 15 Emissions; Class A
NoteFor full EMC compliance, operate this device with shielded cabling.
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NI 17xx Smart Camera User Manual
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go to
ni.com/environment/rohs_china
.)
CE Compliance
The NI Smart Camera meets the essential requirements of applicable European Directives,
as amended for CE marking, as follows:
NoteRefer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any
additional regulatory compliance information. To obtain the DoC for this product,
visit ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line, and click
the appropriate link in the Certification column.
Environmental Management
NI is committed to designing and manufacturing products in an environmentally responsible
manner. NI recognizes that eliminating certain hazardous substances from our products is
beneficial to the environment and to NI customers.
For additional environmental information, refer to the Minimize Our Environmental Impact web
page at
directives with which NI complies, as well as other environmental information not included in
this document.
ni.com/environment. This page contains the environmental regulations and
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
EU CustomersAt the end of the product life cycle, all products must be sent to
a WEEE recycling center. For more information about WEEE recycling centers,
National Instruments WEEE initiatives, and compliance with WEEE Directive
2002/96/EC on Waste and Electronic Equipment, visit
This appendix provides instructions for troubleshooting the NI Smart Camera.
Configuration Problems
The NI Smart Camera Does Not Appear in MAX or
Vision Builder AI
Possible causes and solutions:
•The smart camera may not be powered. Verify that there is power to the smart camera and
that both the smart camera and the development computer are properly connected to the
network. The POWER LED should be lit green and the ACTIVITY/LINK LED should
flash green when refreshing the list of devices in MAX or Vision Builder AI.
•The smart camera may have been configured on another network subnet and then moved to
the current network subnet. Reconfigure the smart camera on the current network. Refer to
the Subnet Considerations section of Chapter 7, Ethernet Ports, for more information.
•Another device on the network is using the IP address assigned to the smart camera. This
can happen when you assign the same static IP to two devices, you assign a static IP that is
in the range of the IP address available for DHCP use on your network, or the DHCP server
assigns the same IP address to another device. Either remove or reconfigure the other
device, or reconfigure the smart camera to use a different IP address by moving the IP
RESET DIP switch to the ON position and reapplying power or restarting the smart camera.
Refer to the IP RESET Switch section of Chapter 6, LEDs and DIP Switches, for more
information.
•You are experiencing firewall issues. If you are having difficulty detecting the system and
setting up the NI Smart Camera on your network, you must configure the firewall to open
the TCP/UDP ports used by the smart camera and the host machine. Refer to the Firewall
Considerations section of Chapter 7, Ethernet Ports, for more information about TCP/UDP
ports.
•The cable you are using may be inappropriate for the speed of your network, causing
network communication dropout. While 1,000 Mbps communication over short cables
lengths can be achieved with the CAT5 cable commonly used for 10 and 100 Mbps, CAT5e
and CAT6 cables are more reliable and recommended for 1,000 Mbps links. The smart
camera has the ability to perform auto-crossover, allowing the use of straight or crossover
Ethernet cables, independent of the connection configuration.
•The smart camera is configured to acquire an IP address from a DHCP server, but no DHCP
server is available on the network. When the smart camera is configured to acquire an IP
address from a DHCP server, it waits for up to 60 seconds for the IP address to be acquired
successfully. If the smart camera does not receive an IP address within 60 seconds, it
restarts and attempts to acquire an IP address again. After three unsuccessful attempts to
acquire an IP address from a DHCP server, the smart camera restarts and enters an
unconfigured state. In the unconfigured state, the smart camera has an IP address of
0.0.0.0 and only limited software loads.
In the unconfigured state, the smart camera has network connectivity. If the smart camera
is on the same subnet as the host computer, then refreshing the list of remote devices in
MAX or Vision Builder AI will cause the smart camera to appear with an IP address of
0.0.0.0. Use MAX or Vision Builder AI to reconfigure the smart camera IP address, then
restart the smart camera.
Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for more information about
assigning an IP address to the smart camera.
•The smart camera has detected an error in the software configuration and automatically
restarted into safe mode, independent of the state of the SAFE MODE DIP switch. This
usually occurs when an attempt to upgrade the software is interrupted or if system files are
deleted from the smart camera by the user. Reinstall software on the smart camera. Refer
to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for information about installing software
on the smart camera.
•The smart camera experienced two consecutive software exceptions. The smart camera
automatically restarts after an exception. After the second exception, the smart camera
remains in the exception state, alerting you to resolve the problem. To correct this issue,
reinstall software on the smart camera. Refer to Getting Started with the NI 17xx Smart Camera for information about installing software on the smart camera or contact National
Instruments for assistance.
•In the event that the Direct Drive lighting controller detects an abnormal load condition,
such as a short circuit on the LED+ output, the smart camera stops image acquisition and
returns an error. The Direct Drive stops providing current to the light, and the smart camera
may restart. Ensure that your lighting wire connections are correct and/or reconfigure your
lighting settings in MAX or Vision Builder AI.
•The voltage drop of the light may have exceeded the maximum voltage or minimum
voltage requirements of the smart camera. The voltage drop of a light can vary significantly
with environmental conditions, such as temperature, current, and strobe time. Verify that
the voltage drop across the LED+ and LED- terminals is within the specified range of the
smart camera. Your light may need to be reconfigured by the manufacturer to bring the
voltage drop within the specified range of the smart camera. Refer to Appendix A,
Specifications, for more information.
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•The smart camera ran out of memory. The reason may be that acquired images are still in
memory. When developing applications with LabVIEW, use the IMAQ Dispose VI to
destroy an image and free the space it occupied in memory. This VI is required for each
image created in an application to free the memory allocated to the IMAQ Create VI.
Execute the IMAQ Dispose VI only when the image is no longer needed in your
application. You can configure the IMAQ Dispose VI to free memory for each call
to the IMAQ Create VI or just once for all images created using the IMAQ Create VI.
Run-Time Problems
The NI Smart Camera is Unresponsive and Blinks the
IMG ACQ and FAIL LEDs
The smart camera maximum internal temperature was exceeded. Complete the following steps
to verify that the ambient and enclosure temperatures are within specifications.
1.Measure the ambient temperature and verify that it is within specifications.
NoteIf the smart camera is mounted within an enclosure, the ambient temperature
of the camera is the temperature inside the enclosure, which can be notably warmer
than the ambient temperature outside the enclosure.
2.Measure the smart camera housing temperature at the location indicated in Figure 8-1,
Measuring the NI Smart Camera Housing Temperature, and verify that it is within
specifications.
You must remove power, bring the temperature within specifications, and reapply power to the
smart camera to recover from this condition. Refer to the Thermal Considerations section of
Chapter 8, Thermal Considerations and Mounting, for information about measuring the
temperature of the smart camera. Refer to Appendix A, Specifications, for complete temperature
specifications.
Lighting Problems
The Light Does Not Illuminate When Using the Direct
Drive Controller
In the event that your light does not illuminate, verify the following:
•That your NI Smart Camera supports the Direct Drive lighting controller. Refer to the
Direct Drive Lighting Controller section of Chapter 4, Lighting, for a list of smart cameras
that support the Direct Drive lighting controller.
•The light is wired with the correct polarity, LED+ pin to the anode and LED- pin to cathode.
•You have properly configured the maximum light settings in MAX or Vision Builder AI.
For safety reasons, the default configuration of the smart camera does not enable lighting
until you configure the maximum lighting current settings that are appropriate for your
light.
•You have enabled the Direct Drive lighting controller in MAX or Vision Builder AI.
•The smart camera is receiving a trigger if you have configured the smart camera for
triggering in MAX or Vision Builder AI. This can be verified by checking that the IMG
ACQ LED on the smart camera illuminates when a trigger is provided on the TrigIn+/
IsoIn(0)+ and TrigIn-/IsoIn(0)- pins. If you are not receiving a trigger, refer to the No
Trigger is Received troubleshooting section.
•There is a short circuit wiring condition. If the smart camera detects a short circuit wiring
condition, it will disable the Direct Drive until the condition is cleared and the acquisition
is reinitialized.
In the event that the Direct Drive lighting controller detects an abnormal load condition,
such as a short circuit on the LED+ output, the smart camera stops image acquisition and
returns an error. The Direct Drive stops providing current to the light, and the smart camera
may restart. Ensure that your lighting wire connections are correct and/or reconfigure your
lighting settings in MAX or Vision Builder AI.
•You have requested an amount of current within the specified range of the smart camera and
within the maximum lighting current settings you configured in MAX or Vision Builder AI.
If your application requests more current than either of these two options, the smart camera
disables the Direct Drive until an allowable current level is requested and the acquisition is
reinitialized.
•If you are strobing, the on time required to illuminate for your requested exposure time plus
the lighting turn-on time does not exceed the maximum allowed strobe duration. Refer to
Chapter 5, Image Acquisition, for more information.
•If you are strobing, the duty cycle does not exceed the maximum allowed duty cycle at your
requested frame rate. Refer to Chapter 5, Image Acquisition, for more information.
•The on voltage of the light is within the specifications of the Direct Drive lighting
controller. Refer to Appendix A, Specifications, for more information.
•The voltage drop of the light may have exceeded the maximum voltage or minimum
voltage requirements of the smart camera. The voltage drop of a light can vary significantly
with environmental conditions, such as temperature, current, and strobe time. Verify that
the voltage drop across the LED+ and LED- terminals is within the specified range of the
smart camera. Your light may need to be reconfigured by the manufacturer to bring the
voltage drop within the specified range of the smart camera. Refer to Appendix A,
Specifications, for more information.
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NI 17xx Smart Camera User Manual
There is No External Lighting Strobe
Possible causes and solutions:
•If you have configured the NI Smart Camera for triggering in MAX or Vision Builder AI,
verify that the smart camera is receiving a trigger. This can be verified by checking that
the IMG ACQ LED on the smart camera illuminates when a trigger is provided on the
TrigIn+/IsoIn(0)+ and TrigIn-/IsoIn(0)- pins. If you are not receiving a trigger, refer to the
No Trigger is Received troubleshooting section.
•If you are using the 24 V strobe output, verify that there is enough time between frames for
the strobe output to fully turn off before being re-enabled. The required time will vary with
the load conditions, but is typically a few milliseconds. If a faster response is necessary,
use the 5 V strobe output.
•Make sure that you have enabled the corresponding external lighting strobe in MAX or
Vision Builder AI. Complete one of the following procedures to enable the correct lighting
strobe.
MAX
1.Launch MAX.
2.In the Configuration tree, expand Devices and Interfaces.
3.Expand NI-IMAQ Devices.
4.Expand the smart camera you are using.
5.Select the channel you are using.
6.Select the Lighting tab.
7.Select the appropriate strobe from the External Strobe Generation control.
Vision Builder AI
1.Launch Vision Builder AI.
2.In the Acquire Image (Smart Camera) step, select the Lighting tab.
3.Select the appropriate strobe from the External Strobe Generation control.
Triggering Problems
No Trigger is Received
If you are not receiving a trigger, verify the following:
•The trigger is wired to the TrigIn+/IsoIn(0)+ and TrigIn-/IsoIn(0)- signals.
•If TrigIn/IsoIn(0) and IsoIn(1) are both being used, that the devices they are connected to
are either both sinking (NPN) or both sourcing (PNP).
•The trigger is connected correctly based on the type of sensor it is—sourcing or sinking.
Refer to the Isolated Inputs section of Chapter 2, Power and I/O, for information about
connecting isolated inputs.
•The sensor power supply is of appropriate voltage for interfacing to NI Smart Camera
isolated inputs. Refer to the Isolated Inputs section of Chapter 2, Power and I/O, for
information about isolated inputs. Refer to Appendix A, Specifications, for complete
specifications.
•You configured the device in MAX or Vision Builder AI to expect a trigger. Refer to the
External Trigger section of Chapter 5, Image Acquisition, for information about
configuring an external trigger.
LED Error Indications
STATUS LED Error Conditions
The NI Smart Camera indicates specific error conditions by flashing the STATUS LED a
specific number of times. Refer to the STATUS LED section of Chapter 6, LEDs and DIP
Switches, for the STATUS LED flashing sequences and the corresponding error condition.
POWER LED is Not Lit When the NI Smart Camera is
Powered On
If the power supply is properly connected to the smart camera, but the POWER LED does not
light up, check that the power supply is 24 V +20%/-15% and within the specifications outlined
in Appendix A, Specifications. Verify that the power supply can supply enough current for the
smart camera model in use. Using a power supply that is not within these specifications might
result in an unresponsive or unstable system and could damage the smart camera.
CautionThe 24 V external lighting strobe is an unregulated output dependent on
the range of the power supply provided to the smart camera. If the power provided to
the smart camera is +20%/-15% with +5% AC ripple, the output could be as high as
30 V. If the provided power exceeds the input voltage specifications of the third-party
lighting controller, do not connect the 24 V lighting strobe output to the controller to
prevent damage to the controller. Use a power supply with tolerances that meet the
requirements of the controller, or use the 5 V external lighting strobe.
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C
Maintenance
Do not touch the CCD sensor by hand or with other objects. The sensor can be damaged by
electrostatic discharge (ESD), body oils, and particulate matter.
Use a lens mount cover whenever a lens is not mounted on the camera to protect the sensor from
dust and dirt.
Avoid drastic temperature changes to prevent dew condensation.
When necessary, use the following procedure to clean the sensor at a workstation equipped with
anti-ESD facilities. If dust sticks to the CCD, first attempt to blow it off from the side of the
sensor using ionized air. If oils are present on the sensor, clean the sensor with a cotton bud and
ethyl alcohol. Be careful not to scratch the glass. Use only one pass over the glass per cotton bud
to minimize the risk of recontamination and scratching.
Log in to your National Instruments ni.com User Profile to get personalized access to your
services. Visit the following sections of ni.com for technical support and professional services:
•Support—Technical support at
–Self-Help Technical Resources—For answers and solutions, visit
support
manuals, step-by-step troubleshooting wizards, thousands of example programs,
tutorials, application notes, instrument drivers, and so on. Registered users also
receive access to the NI Discussion Forums at
Engineers make sure every question submitted online receives an answer.
–Standard Service Program Me mbership—This program entitles members to direct
access to NI Applications Engineers via phone and email for one-to-one technical
support, as well as exclusive access to self-paced online training modules at ni.com/
self-paced-training
membership in the Standard Service Program (SSP) with the purchase of most
software products and bundles including NI Developer Suite. NI also offers flexible
extended contract options that guarantee your SSP benefits are available without
interruption for as long as you need them. Visit
For information about other technical support options in your area, visit
services
•Training and Certification—Visit
program information. You can also register for instructor-led, hands-on courses at locations
around the world.
for software drivers and updates, a searchable KnowledgeBase, product
, or contact your local office at ni.com/contact.
ni.com/support includes the following resources:
ni.com/
ni.com/forums. NI Applications
. All customers automatically receive a one-year
ni.com/ssp for more information.
ni.com/
ni.com/training for training and certification
•System Integration—If you have time constraints, limited in-house technical resources, or
other project challenges, National Instruments Alliance Partner members can help. To learn
more, call your local NI office or visit
•Declaration of Conformity (DoC)—A DoC is our claim of compliance with the Council
of the European Communities using the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity. This
system affords the user protection for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and product
safety. You can obtain the DoC for your product by visiting
•Calibration Certificate—If your product supports calibration, you can obtain the
calibration certificate for your product at ni.com/calibration.
Appendix DTechnical Support and Professional Services
You also can visit the Worldwide Offices section of ni.com/niglobal to access the branch
office Web sites, which provide up-to-date contact information, support phone numbers, email
addresses, and current events.
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Glossary
SymbolPrefixValue
ppico10
nnano10
μmicro10
mmilli10
kkilo10
Mmega10
Ggiga10
-12
-9
-6
-3
3
6
9
B
binary imageAn image in which the pixels have only one of two intensity values.
Objects in the image usually have a pixel intensity of 1 (or 255), and
the background has a pixel intensity of 0.
C
CCDCharge Coupled Device. A chip that converts light into electronic
signals.
D
DIP switchDual Inline Package switch.
Direct Drive lighting
controller
A lighting controller integrated into some models of the National
Instruments smart camera that can directly power current-controlled
lights.
exposure timeThe amount of time that light is allowed to strike the imaging sensor
CAT 5, CAT 5e, or CAT 6 Ethernet cable used to connect a Real-Time
target to a network port or between the development computer and the
Real-Time target.
to produce an image.
F
falling edgeThe digital signal transition from the high state to the low state.
field of viewThe area of inspection that the camera can acquire.
fpsFrames per second.
G
gainThe amount of increase in signal power, voltage, or current expressed
as the ratio of output to input.
I
IECInternational Electrotechnical Commission. A standard-setting body.
IEEEInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. A standard-setting
body.
I/OInput/output. The transfer of data to/from a computer system
involving communications channels, operator interface devices, or
data acquisition and control interfaces.
L
LEDLight-emitting diode.
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NI 17xx Smart Camera User Manual
M
MACMedia access control. The MAC address uniquely identifies each unit
connected to a network.
MAXMeasurement & Automation Explorer. A controlled, centralized
configuration environment that allows you to configure all of your
NI devices.
N
NI-IMAQDriver software for National Instruments image acquisition devices
and smart cameras.
P
PLCProgrammable Logic Controller. An industrial computer used for
factory automation, process control, and manufacturing systems.
pulse trainA signal consisting of a series of continuous pulses.
Q
quadrature encoderAn encoding technique for a rotating device where two tracks of
information are placed on the device, with the signals on the tracks
offset by 90 degrees from each other. The phase difference indicates
the position and direction of rotation.
R
rising edgeThe digital signal transition from the low state to the high state.
RS-232Standard electrical interface for serial data communications.
S
sensor resolutionThe number of columns and rows of CCD pixels in the camera sensor.
sensor sizeThe size of the active area of an image sensor.