THORLABS DCU223x, DCU224x, DCC1240x, DCC 3240X, DCC1545M Operation Manual And Sdk

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CDD and CMOS Cameras

DCU223x, DCU224x DCC1240x DCC1545M, DCC1645C DCC3240X

Operation Manual and SDK

2013

Version: Date:

4.20

25.03.2013

Contents

Foreword

1 General Information 11

111.1 Safety

121.2 Ordering Codes and Accessories

121.3 Requirements

141.4 DCx Camera Family

151.5 Contents

161.6 What's New in this Version?

2 Camera Basics 17

172.1 Operating Modes

172.1.1 Freerun Mode

192.1.2 Trigger Mode

202.1.3 Standby

212.2 Image Display Modes

232.3 Sensor

232.3.1 Sensor Sizes

242.3.2 Micro Lenses

262.3.3 Color Filter (Bayer filter)

282.3.4 Hot Pixels

302.3.5 Shutter Methods

332.3.6 Line Scan Mode

342.4 Reading Out Partial Images

342.4.1 Area of Interest (AOI)

372.4.2 Subsampling

382.4.3 Binning

392.5 Digitizing Images

392.5.1 Characteristics and LUT

412.5.2 Bit Depth and Digital Contrast Adjustment

442.6 Camera Parameters

442.6.1 Pixel Clock, Frame Rate, Exposure Time

442.6.2 Gain and Offset

452.6.3 Automatic Image Control

462.6.4 Applying New Parameters

462.7 Firmware and Camera Start

472.8 Digital Inputs / Outputs

472.8.1 Using Digital Inputs/Outputs

472.8.2 Flash Timing (Trigger Mode)

492.8.3 Flash Timing (Freerun Mode)

502.8.4 Serial Interface RS-232 (DC3240x only)

512.9 USB Interface

512.9.1 History and Development

512.9.2 Structure and Topology

522.9.3 USB 2.0 Cabling and Connectors

522.9.4 USB 3.0 Cabling and Connectors

532.9.5 Data Transmission and Bandwidth

3 Operation 54

543.1 uc480 Quick Start

563.2 Installation and Connection

563.2.1 System Requirements

583.2.2 DCx Driver Compatibility

583.2.3 Installing the uc480 Software under Windows

613.2.4 Installing the uc480 Software under Linux

613.2.5 Connecting a DCx Camera

633.3 Application Notes by Camera Model

633.3.1 DCC1240x / DCC3240x Application Notes

663.3.2 DCC1545M Application Notes

663.3.3 DCC1645C Application Notes

663.3.4 DCU223x Application Notes

663.3.5 DCU224x Application Notes

673.4 Installed uc480 Programs

673.4.1 uc480 Camera Manager

683.4.1.1 Camera List

683.4.1.2 Control Center

703.4.1.3 General Information

713.4.1.4 Camera Information

713.4.1.5 Creating a Support File

713.4.1.6 Additional Functions

743.4.1.7 Parameters

753.4.2 uc480 Viewer

763.4.2.1 Start Dialog

773.4.2.2 Toolbars

793.4.2.3 Status Bar

793.4.2.4 Opening a Camera

803.4.2.5 Menus

843.4.2.6 Dialog Boxes

923.4.2.7 Properties

1173.4.2.8 Creating profiles

1193.4.3 uc480 Player

1193.4.3.1 Loading an AVI file

1203.4.3.2 Overview of the Operation Controls

1223.4.3.3 Loop Mode

1223.4.3.4 Video Window and Full Screen Mode

1233.4.4 uc480 Hotpixel Editor

4 Programming (SDK) 126

1274.1 First Steps to uc480 Programming

1294.2 How to Proceed

1294.2.1 Preparing Image Capture

1294.2.1.1 Querying Information

1304.2.1.2 Opening and Closing the Camera

1304.2.1.3 Allocating Image Memory

1324.2.1.4 Image Memory Sequences

1334.2.2 Selecting the Display Mode

1344.2.3 Capturing Images

1344.2.3.1 Image Capture Modes

1414.2.3.2 Event / Message Handling

1444.2.4 Setting Camera Parameters

1444.2.4.1 Setting and Getting Parameters

1474.2.4.2 Automatic Image Control

1484.2.4.3 Image Pre-processing

1484.2.4.4 Get Camera Status

1484.2.4.5 Using the Camera EEPROM

1494.2.5 Saving Images and Videos

1494.2.5.1 Saving and Loading Single Frames

1494.2.5.2 Capturing AVIs

1524.2.6 Using Inputs and Outputs

1524.2.6.1 Input/Output Control

1554.3 Function Descriptions

1564.3.1 is_AddToSequence

1574.3.2 is_AllocImageMem

1594.3.3 is_AOI

1674.3.4 is_AutoParameter

1704.3.5 is_Blacklevel

1724.3.6 is_CameraStatus

1744.3.7 is_CaptureStatus

1774.3.8 is_CaptureVideo

1794.3.9 is_ClearSequence

1804.3.10 is_ColorTemperature

1834.3.11 is_Configuration

1884.3.12 is_Convert

1904.3.13 is_CopyImageMem

1914.3.14 is_CopyImageMemLines

1924.3.15 is_DeviceFeature

1964.3.16 is_DeviceInfo

1984.3.17 is_DirectRenderer

2054.3.18 is_DisableEvent

2064.3.19 is_EdgeEnhancement

2084.3.20 is_EnableAutoExit

2094.3.21 is_EnableEvent

2114.3.22 is_EnableMessage

2134.3.23 is_ExitCamera

2144.3.24 is_ExitEvent

2154.3.25 is_ExitImageQueue

2164.3.26 is_Exposure

2214.3.27 is_ForceTrigger

2224.3.28 is_FreeImageMem

2234.3.29 is_FreezeVideo

2254.3.30 is_GetActiveImageMem

2264.3.31 is_GetActSeqBuf

2274.3.32 is_GetAutoInfo

2304.3.33 is_GetBusSpeed

2314.3.34 is_GetCameraInfo

2334.3.35 is_GetCameraList

2354.3.36 is_GetCameraLUT

2364.3.37 is_GetColorConverter

2374.3.38 is_GetColorDepth

2384.3.39 is_GetDLLVersion

2394.3.40 is_GetError

2404.3.41 is_GetFramesPerSecond

2414.3.42 is_GetFrameTimeRange

2424.3.43 is_GetImageHistogram

2444.3.44 is_GetImageInfo

2474.3.45 is_GetImageMem

2484.3.46 is_GetImageMemPitch

2494.3.47 is_GetNumberOfCameras

2504.3.48 is_GetOsVersion

2514.3.49 is_GetSensorInfo

2524.3.50 is_GetSensorScalerInfo

2534.3.51 is_GetSupportedTestImages

2554.3.52 is_GetTestImageValueRange

2564.3.53 is_GetTimeout

2574.3.54 is_GetUsedBandwidth

2584.3.55 is_GetVsyncCount

2594.3.56 is_HasVideoStarted

2604.3.57 is_HotPixel

2644.3.58 is_ImageFile

2674.3.59 is_ImageFormat

2734.3.60 is_InitCamera

2764.3.61 is_InitEvent

2784.3.62 is_InitImageQueue

2794.3.63 is_InquireImageMem

2804.3.64 is_IO

2884.3.65 is_IsVideoFinish

2894.3.66 is_LockSeqBuf

2904.3.67 is_Measure

2924.3.68 is_ParameterSet

2944.3.69 is_PixelClock

2964.3.70 is_ReadEEPROM

2974.3.71 is_RenderBitmap

2994.3.72 is_ResetToDefault

3014.3.73 is_SetAllocatedImageMem

3034.3.74 is_SetAutoParameter

3104.3.75 is_SetBinning

3134.3.76 is_SetCameraID

3154.3.77 is_SetColorConverter

3174.3.78 is_SetColorCorrection

3194.3.79 is_SetColorMode

3224.3.80 is_SetDisplayMode

3254.3.81 is_SetDisplayPos

3264.3.82 is_SetErrorReport

3274.3.83 is_SetExternalTrigger

3294.3.84 is_SetFrameRate

3314.3.85 is_SetGainBoost

3324.3.86 is_SetGamma

3334.3.87 is_SetHardwareGain

3354.3.88 is_SetHWGainFactor

3374.3.89 is_SetImageMem

3384.3.90 is_SetOptimalCameraTiming

3404.3.91 is_SetRopEffect

3424.3.92 is_SetSaturation

3434.3.93 is_SetSensorScaler

3454.3.94 is_SetSensorTestImage

3474.3.95 is_SetSubSampling

3504.3.96 is_SetTimeout

3514.3.97 is_SetTriggerCounter

3524.3.98 is_SetTriggerDelay

3534.3.99 is_StopLiveVideo

3544.3.100 is_UnlockSeqBuf

3554.3.101 is_WaitEvent

3564.3.102 is_WaitForNextImage

3584.3.103 is_WriteEEPROM

3594.4 AVI Function Descriptions

3594.4.1 isavi_AddFrame

3604.4.2 isavi_CloseAVI

3604.4.3 isavi_DisableEvent

3614.4.4 isavi_EnableEvent

3624.4.5 isavi_ExitAVI

3634.4.6 isavi_ExitEvent

3644.4.7 isavi_GetAVIFileName

3654.4.8 isavi_GetAVIFileNameW

3664.4.9 isavi_GetAVISize

3674.4.10 isavi_GetnCompressedFrames

3684.4.11 isavi_GetnLostFrames

3694.4.12 isavi_InitAVI

3704.4.13 isavi_InitEvent

3714.4.14 isavi_OpenAVI

3724.4.15 isavi_OpenAVIW

3734.4.16 isavi_ResetFrameCounters

3744.4.17 isavi_SetFrameRate

3754.4.18 isavi_SetImageQuality

3764.4.19 isavi_SetImageSize

3774.4.20 isavi_StartAVI

3784.4.21 isavi_StopAVI

3794.5 Obsolete Functions

3824.5.1 is_ConvertImage

3834.5.2 is_DisableDDOverlay

3844.5.3 is_EnableDDOverlay

3854.5.4 is_GetCameraType

3864.5.5 is_GetCaptureErrorInfo

3884.5.6 is_GetDC

3894.5.7 is_GetDDOvlSurface

3904.5.8 is_GetExposureRange

3914.5.9 is_GetGlobalFlashDelays

3924.5.10 is_GetPixelClockRange

3934.5.11 is_HideDDOverlay

3944.5.12 is_LoadBadPixelCorrectionTable

3954.5.13 is_LoadImage

3964.5.14 is_LoadImageMem

3984.5.15 is_LoadParameters

4004.5.16 is_LockDDMem

4014.5.17 is_LockDDOverlayMem

4024.5.18 is_PrepareStealVideo

4034.5.19 is_ReleaseDC

4044.5.20 is_ResetCaptureErrorInfo

4054.5.21 is_SaveBadPixelCorrectionTable

4064.5.22 is_SaveImage

4074.5.23 is_SaveImageEx

4094.5.24 is_SaveImageMem

4104.5.25 is_SaveImageMemEx

4124.5.26 is_SaveParameters

4144.5.27 is_SetAOI

4174.5.28 is_SetBadPixelCorrection

4184.5.29 is_SetBadPixelCorrectionTable

4204.5.30 is_SetBayerConversion

4214.5.31 is_SetBlCompensation

4234.5.32 is_SetConvertParam

4254.5.33 is_SetDDUpdateTime

4264.5.34 is_SetEdgeEnhancement

4274.5.35 is_SetExposureTime

4294.5.36 is_SetFlashDelay

4314.5.37 is_SetFlashStrobe

4334.5.38 is_SetHwnd

4344.5.39 is_SetImageAOI

4354.5.40 is_SetImagePos

4384.5.41 is_SetImageSize

4404.5.42 is_SetIO

4414.5.43 is_SetIOMask

4424.5.44 is_SetKeyColor

4434.5.45 is_SetLED

4444.5.46 is_SetPixelClock

4464.5.47 is_ShowDDOverlay

4474.5.48 is_StealVideo

4484.5.49 is_UnlockDDMem

4494.5.50 is_UnlockDDOverlayMem

4504.5.51 is_UpdateDisplay

4514.6 Programming Notes

4514.6.1 Programming in C/C++

4524.6.2 Programming in C#

4524.6.3 Programming in VB.NET

4524.6.4 Programming in Delphi

4534.6.5 Programming with ActiveX

4534.6.6 Thread Programming

4544.7 Lists

4544.7.1 Complete List of All Return Values

4574.7.2 Error Codes of AVI Functions

4574.7.3 Linux: Not Supported Functions

5 Specifications 458

4595.1 Model Comparison

4605.2 Model Naming Conventions

4605.3 Camera and Sensor Data

4615.3.1 DCC1240x / DCC3240x

4645.3.2 DCC1545M

4665.3.3 DCC1645C

4685.3.4 DCU223x

4705.3.5 DCU224x

4725.4 Mechanical Specifications

4735.4.1 DCU223x, DCU224x

4745.4.2 DCC1240x

4755.4.3 DCC3240x

4765.4.4 DCC1545M, DCC1645C

4775.4.5 Flange Back Distance

4775.4.5.1 Calculating the Flange Back Distance

4785.4.5.2 Maximum Immersion Depth for Lenses

4805.4.6 Position Accuracy of the Sensor

4805.4.7 Filter Glasses

4805.4.7.1 Filter Types

4845.4.7.2 Mounting the Filter

4855.4.7.3 Cleaning the Filter Glasses

4865.4.8 Ambient Conditions

4875.5 Camera Interface

4875.5.1 DCU223x, DCU224x, DCC1240x

4875.5.1.1 I/O Connector - Pin Assignment

4885.5.1.2 Digital Input (Trigger) Circuit

4895.5.1.3 Digital Output (Flash) Circuit

4915.5.2 DCC3240x

4915.5.2.1 I/O Connector Pin Assignment

4925.5.2.2 GPIO Interface

4935.5.2.3 Digital Input (Trigger) Circuit

4945.5.2.4 Digital Output (Flash) Circuit

4955.5.2.5 RS-232 Serial Interface

4965.5.3 Camera EEPROM Specification

4975.6 Accessories for DCx cameras

4975.6.1 Accessories for DCU22xX / DCC1240X

4985.6.2 Accessories for DCC1x45X

4985.6.3 Accessories for DCC3240x

6 Appendix 499

4996.1 Troubleshooting/FAQ

5006.1.1 PCs with Energy Saving CPU Technology

5016.2 Status LED on USB DCx Cameras

5026.3 Color and Memory Formats

5046.4 uc480 Parameter File (ini file)

5096.5 Definition of IP Protection Classes

5096.6 History of uc480 Software Versions

5166.7 History of uc480 API Functions

5186.8 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

5196.9 Certifications and Compliances

5206.10Thorlabs 'End of Life' Policy (WEEE)

5216.11Warranty

5226.12Exclusion of Liability and Copyright

We aim to develop and produce the best solution for your application in the field of optical measurement technique. To help us to live up to your expectations and improve our products permanently we need your ideas and suggestions. Therefore, please let us know about possible criticism or ideas. We and our international partners are looking forward to hearing from you.

Thorlabs GmbH

Warning

Sections marked by this symbol explain dangers that might result in personal injury or death. Always read the associated information carefully, before performing the indicated procedure.

Attention

Paragraphs preceeded by this symbol explain hazards that could damage the instrument and the connected equipment or may cause loss of data.

Note

This manual also contains "NOTES" and "HINTS" written in this form.

Please read these advices carefully!

1 General Information

Thank you for purchasing a DCx camera! You should first read the following chapters to get a quick overview on what is new in this software version and on

getting started with your new camera.

Getting started

DCx quick-start First steps to DCx Camera programming

The uc480 Viewer application

127

Further important information

What is new in this version? Contents of this Manual

The DCx camera family Specifications

458

Enjoy your new DCx camera!

1.1 Safety

Attention

All statements regarding safety of operation and technical data in this instruction manual will only apply when the unit is operated correctly as it was designed for.

All modules must only be operated with proper shielded connection cables. Only with written consent from Thorlabs may changes to single components be carried out or components not

supplied by Thorlabs be used. This precision device is only serviceable if properly packed into the complete original packaging including the

plastic foam sleeves. If necessary, ask for a replacement package.

DCx Cameras

DCU223M

CCD camera, monochrome, 1024x768 pixel, C mount

DCU223C

CCD camera, color, 1280x1024 pixel, C mount

DCU224M

CCD camera, monochrome, 1280x1024 pixel, C mount

DCU224C

CCD camera, color, 1280x1024 pixel, C mount

DCC1545M

CMOS camera, monochrome, 1280x1024 pixel, CS mount

DCC1645C

CMOS camera, color, 1280x1024 pixel, CS mount

DCC1240M

CMOS camera, monochrome, 1280x1024 pixel, C mount

DCC1240C

CMOS camera, color, 1280x1024 pixel, C mount

CAB-DCU-T1

Trigger cable for DCU22xX and DCC1240X cameras (Trigger In/Out)

CAB-DCU-T2

Trigger cable for DCU22xX and DCC1240X cameras (Trigger In only)

CAB-DCU-T3

I/O cable for DC3240 CMOS USB 3.0 cameras

Minimum

Recommended

CPU speed

600 MHz

2 x 2.4 GHz

Memory (RAM)

256 MB

2048 MByte

USB host controller

USB 2.0 high speed (480 Mbps)

USB 3.0 (4000 Mbps) for DC3240x

cameras

USB 2.0 high speed (480 Mbps) USB 3.0 (4000 Mbps) for DC3240x cameras Intel® or NVIDIA® nForce mainboard chipset

Graphics card

Onboard graphics chip

AGP/PCIe graphics card

Latest version of Microsoft DirectX Runtime

9.0c

Operating system

Windows 7 32 or 64 bit

Windows XP 32 bit (Service Pack 2)

Linux (Kernel 2.6)

Windows 7 32 or 64 bit

Windows Vista 32 or 64 bit (Service Pack 1)

Windows XP 32 bit (Service Pack 3)

Linux (Kernel 2.6)

1.2 Ordering Codes and Accessories

Thorlabs C Mount Camera Lenses (objectives): See Thorlabs' website

1.3 Requirements

For operating the DCx cameras, the following system requirements must be met:

*1 With the minimum system requirements the camera performance may be limited. *3 DCC3240x USB 3.0 cameras are not supported under Windows Vista.

USB interface

Onboard USB 2.0 ports usually provide significantly better performance than PCI and PCMCIA USB adapters. Current generation CPUs with energy saving technologies can cause bandwidth problems on the USB bus. See

section PCs with energy saving CPU technology for hints and possible solutions.

Large multi camera systems

Connecting a large number of cameras to a single PC may require a large working memory (RAM). This is especially the case when many cameras with high sensor resolution are used.

If you want to set up such a system we recommend to use PCs with 64 bit operating systems and more than 4 GB of RAM.

500

Note

For DCx color cameras, the color conversion is done by software in the PC. When you use a color camera with a high frame rate, the conversion might lead to a high CPU load. Depending on the PC hardware used you might not be able to reach the camera's maximum frame rate.

Direct3D graphics functions

The uc480 driver can use Direct3D to display the camera image with overlay information (Microsoft DirectX

1 General Information

Component

Version

Linux-Kernel

2.6.9 up to 2.6.24

The standard C library libc/glibc

2.0 or higher

GNU Compiler Collection gcc

3.4 or higher

POSIX Thread Library (POSIX Threads Enabled libc)

bash or sh shell (for running the installation script)

Qt (for compiling the demo program)

Runtime had to be installed). On Windows systems, you can use the supplied "DXDiag" diagnostic tool to check whether your graphics card supports Direct3D functions. To start the diagnostic tool, click "Run…" on the Windows start menu (shortcut: Windows+R) and enter "DXDiag" in the input box.

On the "Display" page of the diagnostic tool, click the button for testing the Direct3D functions.

OpenGL graphics functions

For OpenGL version 1.4 or higher must be installed. The OpenGL graphics functions do not work with QT under Linux.

Software Requirements under Linux

For operating the DCx camera under Linux the following components must be installed:

DCx Cameras

Compact, fast and lightweight. The new DCC3240x. The 29 x 29 x 29 mm small camera housing is not only ultra-compact, but due to its magnesium casing and a total camera weight of 43 g, it is also ultra-lightweight and robust. The powerful camera offers a bandwidth of 400 MByte/s via USB 3.0. Power is supplied via the USB bus, hence an extra power cable is obsolete.

With its lockable Micro USB connector the camera is perfectly suited even for rough environments. Offering trigger and flash as well as two GPIOs (General Purpose I/O), which can also be changed into a serial interface (RS232). Hence, peripheral devices can easily be triggered or controlled.

But also the camera’s inner values are outstanding: brightness corrections are easily realized by a comfortable 12 bit lookup table and hardware gamma. 12 bit color depth offers a by factor 16 increased level of detail compared to the usual 8 bit. Hardware based data preprocessing saves additional CPU resources.

The DCC1240X and DCC22xX series feature a robust metal housing with a standard mini-B USB 2.0 connector. Connection is additionally possible via a lockable micro Dsub connector which also carries the opto-isolated I/O signals.

The USB 2.0 interface is meanwhile available in every standard PC and notebook/ laptop and provides a gross bandwidth of 480 Mbps. The camera is connected and powered through the USB port by just a single cable.

The DCC1x45X series features extremely compact cameras with high-speed CMOS sensors. The LE models are designed for professional use in non-industrial applications. Through the use of the widespread USB 2.0 technology, the cameras can easily be interfaced with a vast variety of systems. These cameras are available with a plastic housing with CS-mount lens adapter.

1.4 DCx Camera Family

DCx cameras stand for a range of compact and cost-effective cameras for professional use in industrial, security and non-industrial applications. Equipped with the widely used USB 2.0 and particularly USB 3.0 ports, they can easily be interfaced with a vast variety of systems. The images are digitized in the camera and transmitted digitally to the PC. An additional frame grabber is not required.

DCU cameras have state-of-the-art CCD sensors while the DCC models are CMOS based. The CMOS models use either the global or the rolling shutter method; the CCD models use only the global shutter method.

The DCx cameras are available as monochrome and color versions, DC3240 series has a NIR version as well. The Model Comparison chapter shows the most important features of every series at a glance.

USB 3.0 DCC3240x CMOS Cameras

459

USB 2.0 DCC1240x (CMOS) and DCC22xX (CCD) Cameras

USB2.0 DCC1545M and DCC1645C Cameras

1 General Information

1.5 Contents

The DCx Camera Manual contains all the information you need for operating your DCx camera. It comprises the following parts:

Section A: Camera basics

In this section you will find a lot of important information on the technical background of your USB camera. This section contains explanations on the DCx's operating modes , on sensor technology , important camera

parameters , and the USB interfaces. We recommend to read this chapter to become familiar with the

44 51

17 23

general functionality of the DCx Cameras.

Section B: Operation

Quick start to using your DCxCamera Installing and Using DCx Camera software

56 67

These sections show how to connect cameras and start operation using the software tools uc480 Camera Manager and uc480 Viewer.

Application notes by camera model

This section explains special features and limitations of some camera models.

Section C: Programming

First steps to programming with your DCxCamera How to proceed

127

129

If you are not yet familiar with DCxCamera programming, we suggest that you first explore the basic functional flows in this chapter. The function blocks contain almost all the functions available for the uc480 API ordered by topics. The flowcharts help to easily find the appropriate API function for a certain task.

Description of functions /Description of AVI functions

155 359

These chapters cover all the functions of the uc480 API in alphabetic order. The AVI functions for video recording are implemented by the uc480_tools.dll which is also included in the DCxCamera software package.

Obsolete functions

379

This chapter lists obsolote API functions and recommended alternatives.

Lists and programming notes

454

In this chapter, you will find useful information on how to use the DCxCamera programming API. Programming environments, modes for DCxCamera color and image display as well as the automatic image control functions are discussed here.

Section D: Specifications

Specifications

All information on the camera's sensor and performance , mechanical as well as electrical specifications

487

are contained in this section.

Accessories

458

460 472

497

Here you will find a list of accessories for DCx Cameras sorted by model.

Appendix

Information on Troubleshooting Status LEDs on USB DCx cameras

Color and memory formats uc480 parameter file (ini file) Definition of IP protection classes

499

501

502

504

509

DCx Cameras

Cameras & functions

Described in chapter

CCD models with hardware revision 3:

Improved long time exposure function 12 bit per pixel now also available for USB 2.0 cameras

Camera and sensor data

More functions for the USB 3 DCC3240 camera series:

Hot pixel corrections, color conversion, gamma and LUT are now integrated at the hardware level for DCC3240 models. This reduces PC load and further enhances color reproduction quality significantly.

An event/message indicates when the transfer speed changes from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 and vice versa.

The is_Measure() function allows the measurement of the image sharpness in the current image. The sharpness is returned as a relative value. For this function a new camera demo is added.

is_Measure()

New color formats are added:

IS_CM_RGB12_PACKED IS_CM_RGBA12_PACKED IS_CM_BGR12_PACKED IS_CM_BGRA12_PACKED IS_CM_RGB8_PLANAR

The following formats are renamed and the previous formats are moved to the uc480_deprecated.h header file:

IS_CM_BGR10V2_PACKED (new IS_CM_BGR10_PACKED) IS_CM_RGB10V2_PACKED (new: IS_CM_RGB10_PACKED) IS_CM_BGR555_PACKED (new: IS_CM_BGR5_PACKED)

The following formats are moved to the uc480_deprecated.h header file as they are identical to existing formats:

IS_CM_BAYER_RG8 (now: IS_CM_SENSOR_RAW8) IS_CM_BAYER_RG12 (now: IS_CM_SENSOR_RAW12) IS_CM_BAYER_RG16 (now: IS_CM_SENSOR_RAW16)

is_SetColorMode()

Color and memory formats

New camera demos:

Simultaneous opening of multiple cameras and sending a single software trigger (Multi-camera demo)

Measuring of the image sharpness in an AOI of the current image (Measure sharpness demo)

See separate manual for the uc480 samples In the is_AOI() function the IS_AOI_MULTI_MODE_AXES

parameter was renamed to IS_AOI_MULTI_MODE_X_Y_AXES. The old parameter was moved to the uc480_deprecated.h header file.

is_AOI()

1.6 What's New in this Version?

Version 4.20 of the DCxCamera software package includes many new features and enhancements. The following table gives you an overview of the major new functions.

Please make sure to also read the file named WhatsNew.txt which you will find in the C:\Program Files \Thorlabs\DCx Cameras\Help directory when the installation is completed. This file contains late-breaking information on new functions and fixed issues.

New in Version 4.20

460

290

159

Older versions

See the History of uc480 Software Versions and History of uc480 API functions chapters.

509 516

319

502

2 Camera Basics

Freerun mode (live mode)

This chapter explains the basics of DCx Camera technology.

Operating modes Image display modes Sensor

Reading out partial images Digitizing images Camera parameters Firmware and camera start-up Digital inputs/outputs USB interface

2.1 Operating Modes

DCx Cameras support the following operating modes:

Freerun mode Trigger mode Standby

2 Camera Basics

2.1.1 Freerun Mode

In freerun mode, the camera sensor captures one image after another at the set frame rate. Exposure and readout/ transfer of the image data are performed in parallel. This allows the maximum camera frame rate to be achieved. The frame rate and the exposure time can be set separately. The captured images can be transferred one by one or continuously to the PC. If trigger mode is active, you need to disable it before activating freerun mode.

Note

Note on the schematic diagrams: These illustrations show a schematic view of the image capture sequence. The sensor exposure and readout times and the transmission times depend on the camera model and settings. The pre-processing time depends on the API functions you are using (e.g. color conversion, edge enhancement).

For more information on flash timing see the Digital In-/Output (Trigger/Flash) chapter.

Continuous mode (live mode)

Images are captured and transferred continuously. You can use the DCxCamera flash outputs.

* Flash function optional. See also Digital in-/output (trigger/flash) .

Note

In freerun mode the flash function starts with the second image as the setting of the flash timing depends on the finish of the first image. If you change the flash timing during operation, the freerun mode will restart. Therefore the first image after the change is black.

DCx Cameras

Freerun mode (snap mode)

Single frame mode (snap mode)

The next image exposed by the sensor will be transferred. In this mode, flash is not making sense (only manually).

See also:

Basics: Shutter methods Basics: Trigger mode Basics: Applying new parameters

Programming:

Capture modes

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2 Camera Basics

Software trigger mode with continuous image capture

2.1.2 Trigger Mode

In trigger mode, the sensor is on standby and starts exposing on receipt of a trigger signal. A trigger event can be initiated by a software command (software trigger) or by an electrical signal via the camera’s digital input (hardware trigger).

This chapter describes the different trigger modes you can use with the DCx Cameras. To choose a mode, go to the camera properties of the uc480 Viewer application or use the API command.

Note

For more information on flash timing see the Digital In-/Output (Trigger/Flash) chapter.

Software trigger mode

When this mode is enabled, calling the "Snap" function triggers the capture of an image, which is then transferred to the PC. If you call the "Live" function in this mode, the image capture is triggered continuously and images are transferred continuously.

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* Optional flash function. See also Digital input/output (trigger/flash)

Hardware trigger mode

When this mode is enabled, calling the is_FreezeVideo() (Snap) function makes the camera ready for

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triggering just once. When the camera receives an electrical trigger signal, one image is captured and transferred. If you call the is_CaptureVideo() (Live) function, the camera is made ready for triggering continuously. An

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image is captured and transferred each time an electrical trigger signal is received; the camera is then ready for triggering again (recommended procedure).

Attention

When you use triggered image capture, the camera is only ready to process the next trigger signal after completion of the data transfer to the PC. Trigger events that occur during image exposure or data transfer are ignored. An internal counter records the number of ignored trigger events and can be read out from the PC.

DCx Cameras

Hardware trigger mode with continuous image capture

)

rate max.frame

( time exposure Current tcapture

* Optional flash function. See also Digital input/output (trigger/flash)

Frame rate in trigger mode

With many sensors, the maximum frame rate is lower in trigger mode than in freerun mode because these sensors expose and transfer sequentially. Which frame rate is possible in trigger mode therefore depends on the exposure time. The time required for capturing a frame in trigger mode can be approximated with the following formula:

Example: At the maximum exposure time, the frame rate is about half as high as in freerun mode; at the minimum exposure time, the frame rate is about the same.

Freerun synchronization

This mode is currently not supported by DCx Cameras.

See also:

Basics: Freerun mode Basics: Digital input/output (trigger/flash) uc480 Viewer: Trigger

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Programming:

Image capture modes: Trigger

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2.1.3 Standby

DCx Cameras can be set to a power-saving standby mode. Standby mode switches off the sensor of CMOS cameras and the timing board of CCD cameras. The camera remains open in the software.

In standby mode, the camera cools down and the number of hot pixels visible when longer exposure times are used is reduced.

Standby is the default state when the camera is not open in the software. When you open the camera or switch to a different mode (freerun or trigger mode), the camera wakes up from standby mode.

Note

In standby mode, you can continue to use the camera's digital inputs or outputs.

2 Camera Basics

How the Bitmap mode works

How the Direct3D mode works

2.2 Image Display Modes

The uc480 driver provides different modes for displaying the captured images on Windows systems. We recommend using the Bitmap mode or the Direct3D functions, depending on your specific application.

For a list of API functions for image display see How to proceed: Image display .

Attention

The "DirectDraw BackBuffer" and "DirectDraw Overlay Surface" display modes are obsolete. Please use the Direct3D functions instead (see also Obsolete functions ).

1. Bitmap mode (Device Independent Bitmap, DIB)

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In Bitmap mode, images captured by the DCxCamera are written to the random access memory of the PC. Programming the image display is up to the user. The application software uses the is_RenderBitmap()

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function to initiate the image display by the graphics card. This may result in a slightly higher CPU load as compared to the Direct3D display.

The advantage of Bitmap mode is that it is compatible with all graphics cards and that image data in the memory is directly accessible. Programming of overlay functions is up to the user. Since the operating system controls the image display, the image may be completely or partly overlapped by other windows and dialog boxes.

2. Direct3D mode (only under Windows with DirectX)

In this mode, the uc480 driver writes the image data to the invisible area of the graphics card. This process runs automatically and does not have to be controlled by the application software. It requires an installed Direct3D driver, sufficient memory on the graphics card and Direct3D function support by the graphics card (see System

requirements ). For this purpose, graphics cards generally provide better performance than graphics chips

integrated on the mainboard. In Direct3D mode, the CPU load may be lower than in Bitmap mode. You can display overlay data and also scale the video image.

The Direct3D mode and the overlay functions can be configured using the is_DirectRenderer() API

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function.

OpenGL mode

OpenGL stands for Open Graphics Library and it is an interface specification for graphics hardware. Unlike Direct3D OpenGL is not only available under Windows but also under Linux and Mac OS, if OpenGL is supported by the graphics hardware. There are several implementations of OpenGL, such as e.g. NVIDIA® or AMD/ATI. The

DCx Cameras

How the OpenGL mode works

Bitmap mode

Direct3D mode

OpenGL mode

Graphics card requirements

Low. No special graphics hardware required. Runs on all systems.

High. Graphics card has to support Direct3D. Does not run on all systems.

High. Graphics card has to support OpenGL. Operating system

Windows, Linux

Only Windows with DirectX

Cross-platform

Programming effort

Greater. Memory management, event handling and display performed by the application.

Low. Memory management, event handling and display performed by DirectX.

High. OpenGL itself does not provide functions for opening windows or reading files. However, there are related libraries, e.g. GLUT.

CPU load

Slightly increased by copying of data.

Low. Display performed by graphics card.

Overlay functions

Not available. A simple overlay can be programmed by the user.

Integrated. Complex overlays can be displayed without flicker.

Integrated.

Access to image memory

Direct access possible. Image data already provided in user memory.

Possible using Steal Mode. Single images can be copied to the user memory.

Direct access to graphics card and image memory.

implementations are always dependent on the graphics card manufacturer.

Comparison of the display modes

The following table illustrates the major differences between the display modes:

2.3 Sensor

Common sensor sizes (in inch)

Comparison of common sensor sizes and examples for different

fields of view

2 Camera Basics

Sensor sizes Micro lenses Color filter (Bayer filter) Hot pixels Shutter methods Line scan mode

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2.3.1 Sensor Sizes

The size of a digital camera sensor is usually specified in inches. However, the specified value does not indicate the actual size of the active sensor area. The sensor size specifications date back to the formerly used tube systems: The curvature of the imaging surface of the camera tube caused distortions to the display, reducing the usable capture area of a 1” tube to a rectangle with a diagonal of 16 mm.

With the introduction of the semiconductor sensor technology, the dimensional specifications were taken over from tube systems. For this reason, a sensor whose active area diagonal measures 16 mm is specified as a 1-inch sensor. The following illustrations show the most common sensor sizes. The diameter in inch multiplied with 2/3 equals approximately the actual sensitiv area in millimeters.

The size of each single sensor cell (pixel) depends on the size of the active sensor area and the resolution. In general, less pixels over the same sensor area (or a larger sensor area with the same resolution) will result in

DCx Cameras

Using micro lenses to increase the effective fill factor

CMOS pixel design with Bayer filter (red) and micro lens

greater photo sensitivity of the sensor.

2.3.2 Micro Lenses

Micro lenses improve the fill factor

The fill factor is the percentage of the pixel area that is exposed to light during exposure. Ideally this would be 100 %. Since other elements are located on the sensor surface besides the light-sensitive photodiodes, this value may be reduced to approx. 30–50 %, depending on the sensor technology. The use of micro lenses compensates for this and increases the fill factor to 90 % or more. Micro lenses collect the light that falls onto a photocell, thus increasing the useable sensor area.

2 Camera Basics

Micro lenses without CRA correction

Image captured without CRA correction shows

shading

Micro lenses with CRA correction

Image captured with CRA correction

Micro lenses with CRA correction

Some sensors have micro lenses offset to the sensor edge. They compensate for shading created by obliquely incident light. The angle of incident light is called Chief Ray Angle (CRA), the micro lens offset is thus called CRA correction. The amount of micro lens shift is specified in degrees and refers to the micro lenses in the corners of the sensor.

Note

Using parallel light on sensors with CRA correction may cause slight color variations. These may occur, for example, if telecentric lenses are used. The following models are equipped with sensors with offset micro lenses:

DCC1240x/DCC3240x DCC1645C

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DCx Cameras

Bayer RGB filter pattern

2.3.3 Color Filter (Bayer filter)

For technical reasons, digital image sensors can only detect brightness information, but no color information. To produce color sensors, a color filter is applied to each photocell (pixel). The arrangement of the color filters is illustrated in the following figure. Two out of every four pixels have a green filter, one pixel has a red filter and one has a blue filter. This color distribution corresponds to the color sensitivity of the human eye, and is called the Bayer filter pattern. With the help of the Bayer pattern the correct brightness and color information can be calculated for each pixel. Full sensor resolution is retained.

Bayer conversion

A Bayer conversion, also referred to as de-Bayering, is carried out to determine the color information from the raw sensor data (raw Bayer). By default all DCx Cameras transmit the image data to the PC in raw Bayer format. The PC then uses the functions of the uc480 API to convert the image data to the color format you need for displaying or further processing the data.

To convert the colors, a filter mask moves over the image and calculates a color value for each pixel from the surrounding pixels. The uc480 API provides two filter masks that differ in image quality and CPU load.

Normal Quality (Mode IS_CONV_MODE_SOFTWARE_3x3/IS_CONV_MODE_HARDWARE_3x3) A smaller filter mask is used for conversion. This algorithm has a low load on the CPU. The filter's averaging function may cause a slight blur. Noise is reduced. This filter is recommended for image processing tasks.

High Quality (Mode IS_CONV_MODE_SOFTWARE_5x5) A large filter mask is used for conversion. This algorithm offers very accurate color positioning and an increased level of detail. The CPU load is higher than with the normal filter. This filter is recommended for visualization applications.

Note

Software conversion with high quality should only be used for sensors whose green pixels have the same sensitivity. This applies to the following sensors:

DCU223C / DCU224C DCC1240C, DCC3240C

For all other sensors, we recommend using the standard filter mask.

2 Camera Basics

Bayer conversion using the standard mask

See also:

Color conversion: is_SetColorConverter() uc480 Viewer: Format

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DCx Cameras

Hot pixels detected in a monochrome camera

Hot pixels detected in a color camera

2.3.4 Hot Pixels

Definition

Hot pixels (or in a broader sense, defective pixels) are pixels that do not react linearly to incident light – or do not react at all. They occur for various reasons, such as contamination during sensor production or sensor age, and with both CCD and CMOS sensors. CCD sensors generally have fewer hot pixels than CMOS sensors under the same operating conditions. With darkened sensors and prolonged exposure times, hot pixels are visible as individual bright dots in the image. The following factors promote the occurrence of hot pixels:

Long exposure times High gain settings High sensor operating temperature

Hot pixel correction

During the manufacture of our cameras, all sensors that will be used in DCx Cameras are checked for hot pixels. In the process, images are taken with a darkened sensor and long exposure times. Pixels with a brightness higher than a specific value are classified as hot pixels. A list of the coordinates of each hot pixel is stored in the camera EEPROM. The hotpixel correction is done in the uc480 driver. However, some sensors also provide an internal hotpixel correction.

The maximum number of hot pixels stored in a DCx camera is:

2 Camera Basics

DCx model

max. hot pixels stored

DCC1240x, DCC1545M, DCC1645C, DCC3240x (CMOS)

768

DCU223x, DCU224x (CCD)

How many hot pixels are on the camera's internal list depends above all on the defined threshold values. It is not an indication of the quality of the sensors used.

When you enable the "Hotpixel correction" function in the DCx software, the software automatically corrects the hot pixels in the captured image by calculating the average from the brightness value of two neighboring pixels. When using color sensors, the hot pixel is corrected with the appropriate color in raw Bayer format, i.e. before color conversion. The correction does not work with activated subsampling and binning factors greater than 2x.

Note

The sensors are tested during manufacturing also for cold pixel and dead pixels. Sensors with dead pixel clusters (more than two neighboring defective pixels of the same color) are rejected by our quality control. When the camera is operated in very warm ambient conditions, other defective pixels can occur, however.

Defining additional hot pixels

If additional hot pixels occur during use of the camera, you can add them to the camera's internal hot pixel list. To do this, use the API function given below.

See also:

uc480 Viewer: Hot pixel correction

uc480 Hotpixel Editor

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Programming: is_HotPixel()

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DCx Cameras

Global shutter sensor in live mode

2.3.5 Shutter Methods

Global shutter Rolling shutter Rolling shutter with global start

Note

For more information on flash timing see the Digital In-/Output (Trigger/Flash) chapter.

General

The image is recorded in the sensor in four phases:

Reset pixels of the rows to be exposed Exposure of pixel rows Charge transfer to sensor Data readout

The sensor cells must not be exposed during the readout process. The sensors of the DCx Cameras have no mechanical shutters, but work with electronic shutter methods instead. Depending on the sensor type, either the rolling shutter method or the global shutter method is used.

Global shutter

On a global shutter sensor, all pixel rows are reset and then exposed simultaneously. At the end of the exposure, all rows are simultaneously moved to a darkened area of the sensor. The pixels are then read out row by row.

Exposing all pixels simultaneously has the advantage that fast-moving objects can be captured without geometric distortions. Sensors that use the global shutter system are more complex in design than rolling shutter sensors.

All CCD sensors as well as some CMOS sensors use the global shutter method.

2 Camera Basics

Global shutter sensor in trigger mode

Example for the rolling shutter effect with a moving car

Rolling shutter sensor in live mode

* Optional flash function. The start time and duration are defined by the flash delay and duration parameters (see also Camera settings: I/O ).

Rolling shutter

With the rolling shutter method, the pixel rows are reset and exposed one row after another. At the end of the exposure, the lines are read out sequentially. As this results in a time delay between the exposure of the first and the last sensor rows, captured images of moving objects are distorted.

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To counteract this effect, the DCx Camera software provides a global flash window where you set the time by which flash activation is delayed. You can also specify the flash duration. This allows implementing a global flash functionality which exposes all rows of a rolling shutter sensor simultaneously.

Rolling shutter sensors offer a higher pixel density compared to global shutter CMOS sensors. The rolling shutter system is used in DCC Cameras with high-resolution CMOS sensors.

Note

Some CMOS senors with global shutter can be operated also with rolling shutter. The operation in the rolling shutter mode is used to reduce the image noise. This function is only supported from the camera models

DCC1240x/DCC3240x .

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DCx Cameras

Rolling shutter sensor in live mode with global flash window

Rolling shutter sensor in triggered mode with global flash window

Rolling shutter sensor in trigger mode with global start function

* Optional flash function. The start time and duration are defined by the flash delay and duration parameters (see also Camera settings: I/O ).

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Rolling shutter with global start

Some rolling shutter sensors also provide a global start mode, which starts exposure of all rows simultaneously (see illustration). For best results, use a flash for this mode. No light is allowed to fall on the sensor outside the flash period because otherwise the image brightness will be distributed unevenly.

* Optional flash function. The start time and duration are defined by the flash delay and duration parameters (see also Camera settings: I/O ).

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2 Camera Basics

2.3.6 Line Scan Mode

Area scan sensor (matrix)

The sensors of area scan cameras have a matrix of many (usually between several hundred and several thousand) rows and columns of pixels. State-of-the-art area scan sensors use only square pixels with a consistent pixel pitch.

Area scan cameras are suitable for applications in which stationary or moving objects should be captured as completely as possible in one image capture.

Line scan mode

In some applications, however, it is necessary to read out and transfer only one sensor line instead of the entire sensor area. This applies, for example, to endless web inspection systems. These systems often use line scan cameras for this reason. Their sensors have only one pixel row, which they can read out at very high speeds in the kilohertz (kHz) range. Some DCxCamera models have area scan sensors that optionally also offer a line scan mode. This mode can read out any pixel row of the sensor at high speed.

There are two line scan modes to distinguish:

Fast line scan

In this mode, the sensor achieves very high line scan rates. Several hundred to thousand lines are combined and transferred in one frame. The camera can be triggered on the beginning of a frame, but not on each individual line. You can choose any line of the area scan sensor for the line scan mode. Color images are not supported in this mode because Bayer color sensors need at least two neighboring lines for color calculation.

Triggered line scan

In this mode, the sensor achieves lower line scan rates than in fast line scan mode. The camera can be triggered on each individual line. Several hundred to thousand lines are combined and transferred in one frame. Color images are possible in this mode because Bayer color sensors can use two lines.

Note

The line scan mode is currently only supported by the monochrome DCC1240M and DCC3240M,N models in form of the fast line scan mode. The triggered line scan mode is not supported by any camera model yet.

See also:

uc480 Viewer: Properties > Shutter

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Programming:

Function: is_DeviceFeature()

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DCx Cameras

AOI readout on monochrome sensors

AOI readout on color sensors

2.4 Reading Out Partial Images

The camera sensors have defined resolutions which are given as the number of pixels (width x height). However, for some applications it may be necessary to read out only a selected part of the sensor area or to reduce the local resolution. For this purpose, the DCx Cameras provide various functions:

Area of interest (AOI) Subsampling (skipping) pixels Binning (combining) pixels

These functions reduce the amount of data to be transferred and thus allow you to increase the frame rate considerably, depending on the camera model.

2.4.1 Area of Interest (AOI)

Using this function, you can set the size and position of an area of interest (AOI) within an image. In this case, only data included in this AOI will be read out and transferred to the computer. The smaller partial image enables the camera to use a higher frame rate.

For information on the AOI position grid and the frame rates that your camera model can achieve with AOI, see the model specifications in the Camera and sensor data chapter.

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Note

Step widths for AOI definition (position grid): The available step widths for the position and size of image AOIs

depend on the sensor. The values defining the position and size of an AOI have to be integer multiples of the allowed step widths.

For details on the AOI grids of the individual camera models, please see Camera and sensor data and click a

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camera model. Please note that, after defining an AOI, the resulting image may be darker if the camera cannot maintain the

originally set exposure time due to the increased frame rate.

2 Camera Basics

uc480 Demo - Multi AOI on the DCC1240C

Multi AOI

The Multi AOI function allows defining more than one AOI in an image and transferring these AOIs all at the same time. Only DCC1240x models support this feature. In the Multi AOI mode you can define two or four AOIs in one image and transfer them simultaneously. The AOIs are positioned side by side or one below the other, and share the same X or Y axis.

DCx Cameras

uc480 Viewer - sequence AOI mode

Sequence AOI mode

Apart from the multi AOI mode, DCC1240x and DCC3240x also support the sequence AOI mode. This mode

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allows to define up to four AOIs, which need to have the same size but may differ in position, exposure time or gain settings.

See also:

uc480 Viewer: Size

uc480 Viewer: Multi AOI uc480 Viewer: Sequence AOI Programming: is_AOI()

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2 Camera Basics

Subsampling on monochrome sensors

Subsampling on color sensors

2.4.2 Subsampling

Subsampling is a technique that skips multiple sensor pixels when reading out image data. This reduces the amount of data to be transferred and enables higher camera frame rates. The captured image has a lower resolution but still the same field of view compared to the full-resolution image. This mode can be used as a fast preview mode for high-resolution cameras.

Color subsampling as performed by most color sensors skips pixels while maintaining colors (see illustration). For some monochrome sensors, the camera also performs color subsampling, resulting in slight artifacts.

Monochrome sensors and some color sensors ignore the Bayer pattern and the color information gets lost (mono subsampling).

Depending on the model, DCx Cameras support different subsampling factors. Subsampling of horizontal and vertical pixels can be enabled independently.

The Camera and sensor datas chapter lists the subsampling methods and factors supported by each camera model.

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DCx Cameras

Binning on monochrome sensors

Binning on color sensors

2.4.3 Binning

Binning is a function that averages or adds multiple sensor pixels to obtain a single value. This reduces the amount of data to be transferred and enables higher camera frame rates. The captured image has a lower resolution but still the same field of view compared to the full-resolution image. This mode can be used as a fast preview mode for high-resolution cameras.

Color binning, as performed by most color sensors, combines only pixels of the same color (see also the Color filter

(Bayer filter) chapter). For some monochrome sensors, the camera also performs color binning, resulting in

slight artifacts. Most monochrome sensors and some color sensors combine neighboring Bayer pattern pixels; in this case, the

color information gets lost (mono binning). With CCD sensors, binning makes the images brighter because the pixel values are added up. With CMOS

sensors, pixel values are usually averaged; this reduces image noise. Depending on the model, DCx Cameras support different binning factors. Binning of horizontal and vertical pixels

can be enabled independently. The Camera and sensor data chapter lists the binning methods and factors the individual camera models

support.

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2.5 Digitizing Images

Imaging with linear characteristic

Imaging with gamma characteristic

2 Camera Basics

Characteristics and LUT Bit depth and digital contrast adjustment

2.5.1 Characteristics and LUT

When perceiving or imaging a scene, the form of the imaging characteristic is crucial for displaying the differences in brightness. With image processing (e.g. applications such as edge detection and character recognition), linear characteristics are generally required. The human eye, on the other hand, perceives differences in brightness based on a logarithmic characteristic, which often approximates a gamma characteristic in practice. All three forms will be shown in the following.

Linear characteristic

If a system (e.g. a camera with a conventional CCD sensor) yields double the output value for double the brightness, the system features a linear characteristic:

Gamma characteristic

Gamma characteristics (or gamma curves) are named after the Greek formula symbol γ. Gamma curves are power functions of the form

and are often used in photography or image display on computer screens. A gamma value of 1 generates a linear characteristic again. A curve with the value γ = 2.2 used for computer screens is shown in the figure below.

Such a gamma characteristic brightens dark areas of an image, which corresponds more to the perception of the human eye. In light areas of an image, the differences in brightness are condensed for this.

DCx Cameras

Image with linear characteristic

Image with gamma characteristic

)(lg xy

Imaging with logarithmic characteristic

LUT characteristic for binarizing an image

Logarithmic characteristic

The effect of the logarithmic characteristic is even stronger. Here, the characteristic follows the function

The following diagram illustrates how very large jumps in brightness in light areas of a scene only cause small changes in image brightness. This explains why image sensors with a logarithmic characteristic, in particular, are ideal for imaging scenes with very high dynamic range.

Lookup table (LUT)

With a lookup table (LUT) it is easy to apply characteristic curves to digital images. A LUT is a table which assigns an output value to every possible input value. The figure below shows a LUT which would binarize an image: For an 8 bit image, for example, this LUT would replace all pixels with gray values 0...127 with value 0 and all pixels with gray values 128...255 with value 255.

Using LUTs has the advantage that calculations can be done very fast. Typical applications of LUTs are enhancing image contrast, or gamma characteristics.

2 Camera Basics

Various bit depths using a gray-scale gradient as an example

Bit depth

Brightness levels

28 = 256

210 = 1024

212 = 4096

214 = 16.384

Platform

USB 2.0

USB 3.0

CMOS sensors

8 bit

10 bit

CCD sensors

8 bit

2.5.2 Bit Depth and Digital Contrast Adjustment

Digitizing

Image sensor pixels first generate an analog voltage signal proportional to the amount of light that strikes them. The image is digitized for further processing, i.e. the stepless signal is converted to a digital numerical value. The following figure shows this using a gray gradient as an example

If the stepless gradient is imaged in a digital range in 2 bits, for example, the result is 22 = 4 levels; for 4 bits, it is 24 = 16 levels, and so on. The intermediate brightness values of the original gradient are irreversibly lost after digitization.

With around 200 levels or more, the jumps in brightness can no longer be discerned with the eye, which is why current monitors and digital cameras use 8 bits (256 levels) per color channel (fully adequate for visualization).

Bit depth in image processing

If digital image data undergoes further image processing, a bit depth greater than 8 may be necessary. The computer is able to differentiate between these very fine differences in brightness (no longer discernable by the eye) and process them. This is why industrial cameras often use 12 bits.

Note

Greater bit depths require extremely low-noise image sensors, however. As soon as the differences in brightness created by noise are greater than the digitization levels, no further data is gained.

Bit depth by sensors

Note

Color formats with a bit depth of more than 8 bits per channel are only supported by USB 3 DCC3240x camera models. Using color formats with higher bit depth increases the bandwidth used by a camera.

Histogram and contrast

The brightness distribution of digital images is represented in a histogram. If an image has optimum contrast, the histogram includes practically all brightness values between 0 and the highest value (255 in 8-bit images). If an image has low contrast, the histogram only includes a small number of the values; the image appears dull:

DCx Cameras

Image capture and histogram with minimal contrast (le.) and with optimum contrast after a contrast

adjustment (ri.)

Contrast adjustment with 8 bit output data

For improved display on the screen or when printed, the histogram can be spread to optimally utilize the possible brightness levels. For this purpose, the dark parts of the image are further darkened via an LUT characteristic and the light parts of the image are brightened. Thus the human eye can better differentiate between the different brightness levels; the image has more contrast.

It must be noted, however, that subsequent processing with a computer will not yield more data. Therefore, subsequent contrast adjustment via software is not necessary for use in image processing. The computer can differentiate between the differences in brightness without contrast adjustment.

Advantage of greater bit depth with contrast adjustment

The bit depth in the output image is crucial for contrast adjustment. The following figures illustrate this. In the first example the 8 bit output image contains fewer than 100 brightness levels, as there are no dark or very bright parts. The image is low-contrast.

With a contrast adjustment, the values of the histogram are spread in such a way as to create a contrast-rich image. The fewer than 100 brightness values are now distributed across levels 0 to 255; gaps arise in the histogram and are visible as jumps in brightness in the resulting image.

The second example shows the same output image with a 10 bit bit depth right at the time of capture. This image also has low contrast, as it features only average brightness values. The greater bit depth allows the brightness

2 Camera Basics

Contrast adjustment with 10 bit output data

values of the image to be imaged over 500 different digital levels, however. The entire histogram includes 1,024 values in the 10 bit image (in contrast to 256 values with 8 bits).

This means that a contrast adjustment can now be made for screen display without a reduction in quality. The 500 values of the output image are distributed over the 256 values of the 8-bit target image in such a way that optimum contrast is the result. The large number of output values means that there are no gaps in the histogram.

Note

This type of contrast adjustment can already be done in the camera when an image is digitized in 10 bits and transferred in 8 bit. In this case, optimum utilization of the 8 bit data is also important for image processing.

DCx Cameras

2.6 Camera Parameters

Pixel clock, frame rate, exposure time Gain and offset Automatic image control Applying new parameters

2.6.1 Pixel Clock, Frame Rate, Exposure Time

Pixel clock

The basic parameter for camera timing is the pixel clock. It determines the speed at which the sensor cells can be read out.

Attention

We recommend not setting the pixel clock any higher than necessary to achieve the desired frame rate. An excessive pixel clock can cause delays or transmission errors. If the data is read from the sensor at a higher

speed (high pixel clock), you will also need a faster transmission over the data connection. Thus, by controlling the pixel clock, you can also influence the bandwidth required for a camera.

The pixel clock influences the connected load and consequently the temperature inside the camera.

Frame rate

The possible range of settings for the frame rate depends on the currently selected pixel clock. You can select a lower frame rate without changing the pixel clock. To set a higher frame rate, however, you need to increase the pixel clock.

Exposure time

The exposure time depends on the currently selected frame rate and is preset to its reciprocal value. You can select a shorter exposure time without changing the frame rate. To set a longer exposure time, however, you need to reduce the frame rate.

Note

The increments for setting the exposure time depend on the sensor's current timing settings (pixel clock, frame rate). The exposure time values are rounded down to the nearest valid value, if required. For this reason, the actual exposure time can deviate slightly from the exposure time you have selected.

See also:

uc480 Viewer: Camera

is_PixelClock() is_SetFrameRate() is_Exposure()

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2.6.2 Gain and Offset

Gain

In digital imaging, a voltage proportional to the amount of incident light is output by the sensor. To increase image brightness and contrast, this signal can be amplified by an analog gain and offset before the digitizing process. The results of analog signal processing are usually better than the results of digital post-processing.

Analog amplification of the read-out pixel values increases overall image brightness and contrast. Depending on the sensor type, a global gain value for all pixels (master gain) or a separate gain value for each color (RGB gain) can be set.

Note

Using Sensor Gain: A signal gain will also result in a noise gain. High gain settings are therefore not

recommended. We suggest the following gain settings:

1. Enable the Gain boost function (is_SetGainBoost() ).

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2 Camera Basics

2. If required, adjust the gain setting with the master gain control.

Note

Linearity of sensor gain: You can set the gain factor in increments from 0 to 100.

For CCD sensors the gain increases usually not linear but disproportionate. For CMOS sensors the gain increases linear. Some sensors have only 32 or fewer levels, so not each step is

assigned to a level.

The maximum gain factor settings also vary from sensor to sensor (see Camera- and sensor data ).

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Offset

Every digital image sensor has light-insensitive cells next to the active image area. These dark pixels are used to measure a reference voltage (black level) which is subtracted from the image signal. This compensates thermally generated voltages on the sensor which would otherwise falsify the signals.

Normally, the sensor adjusts the black level automatically. If the environment is very bright or if exposure times are very long, it may be necessary to adjust the black level manually.

2.6.3 Automatic Image Control

The uc480 driver provides various options to automatically adjust the image capture parameters to the lighting situation. These include:

Auto exposure shutter (AES) Auto gain control (AGC) Auto white balance (AWB) Auto frame rate (AFR)

The auto functions are used to adjust the average brightness and color rendering of the camera image to their setpoint values, while trying to keep the frame rate at the highest possible value.

All controls are configured using the is_SetAutoParameter() SDK function.

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Auto exposure shutter (AES)

The control of the average brightness is preferably achieved by adjusting the exposure, i.e. you set the highest possible exposure time before gain is controlled. The auto exposure feature always uses the current exposure range which results from the selected pixel clock frequency and the frame rate. You can set separate control range limits for exposure and gain.

Auto gain control (AGC)

The auto gain feature controls the camera master gain in a range from 0-100 %. You can set separate control range limits for exposure and gain.

Auto frame rate (AFR)

With the exposure control function enabled, you can still change the frame rate manually or automatically to maintain a dynamic exposure control range. A lower frame rate allows for longer exposure times, but then the live image display may exhibit jitter. The objective of the automatic frame rate control is to set the frame rate to an optimum value. This way, in all situations, the automatic exposure control can use the required control range at the highest possible frame rate.

Auto white balance (AWB)

Depending on the lighting source, light can have different color temperatures so that the images may have a color cast. At low color temperatures (e.g. light from incandescent lamps), the white content is offset towards a red hue. At high color temperatures (e.g. light from fluorescent lamps), the white content is offset towards a blue hue.

The white balance control feature uses the RGB gain settings of the camera to correct the white level. This is achieved by adjusting the gain controls within the 0-100 % range until the red or blue channel matches the average brightness of the green channel. In order to manually influence the color rendering, you can adjust the setpoint values for the red and blue channels relative to the green channel by using an offset value (see also uc480 Viewer:

Histogram ).

Automatically disabling the control function

You can disable the control functionality automatically once the target value has been reached (approximately) and after 3 regulations no improvement has been reached (API parameters IS_SET_AUTO_WB_ONCE and IS_SET_AUTO_BRIGHTNESS_ONCE). An event/a message notifies the system of this (see also is_InitEvent()

DCx Cameras

276

). Alternatively, you can keep the control feature enabled so that it responds to deviations from the target value.

Control speed

You can set the auto function speeds in a 0–100 % range. This influences the control increments. High speed (100 %) causes a little attenuation of a fast-responding control and vice versa. The control functions for average brightness and for color rendering use separate speeds.

In trigger mode, every frame is evaluated for automatic control. The freerun mode skips a number of frames by default because in that mode, changes to the image parameters only become effective after one or more image captures (see also Applying new parameters ). With the "Skip Frames" parameter (API parameter IS_SET_AUTO_SKIPFRAMES), you can select how many frames should be skipped in freerun mode (default: 4). This parameter strongly influences the control speed. Choosing small values can destabilize the automatic control.

Note

For higher frame rates select for the "Skip frames" parameter a bigger value. This reduces the number of automatic adjustments that must be done by the camera.

Hysteresis

The automatic control feature uses a hysteresis function for stabilization. Automatic control is stopped when the actual value lies in a range between (setpoint - hysteresis value) and (setpoint + hysteresis value). It is resumed when the actual value drops below (setpoint - hysteresis value) or exceeds (setpoint + hysteresis value). If the hysteresis value is increased, the control function will stop sooner. This can be useful in some situations.

See also:

is_SetAutoParameter()

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2.6.4 Applying New Parameters

New capture parameters (such as exposure time or gain settings) can be transferred to the camera via software at any time. Depending on the operating mode, these settings will not always be immediately effective for next image, however.

Freerun mode In freerun mode, the camera is internally busy with capturing the next image while new parameters are transmitted to the camera. Depending on the exact time of transmission, new parameters might only come into effect two or even three images later.

Trigger mode In this mode, the camera reverts to idle state between two images. When you change the camera parameters, the new settings will be applied immediately to the next image.

2.7 Firmware and Camera Start

Every DCx camera has its own firmware that handles internal processes in the camera. The camera firmware varies from model to model.

USB DCx Cameras have a two-tier firmware that is uploaded to the camera each to you connect it to a PC:

1. Common firmware (uc480 boot) The general firmware identifies what camera model you have connected, and uploads the corresponding firmware.

2. Model-specific firmware (e.g.: uc480 DC1240x series) The model-specific firmware is named after the camera type and provides the functions of the relevant model.

Note

When you connect a USB DCxCamera with a Windows PC or a new USB port for the first time, it is detected as a new device. This is normal standard behavior of the operating system.

The USB DCx Cameras firmware is part of the driver. The automatic upload always loads the firmware that matches the driver installed in the camera.

2.8 Digital Inputs / Outputs

2 Camera Basics

All DCx cameras (see Model comparison ), except DCC1545M and DCC1645C, come with opto-isolated inputs/

459

outputs that can be used for triggering the camera and for flash control. DC3240x cameras have in addition general purpose I/Os (GPIO). Use of the GPIOs for flash control is possible to a certain degree. External triggering via the GPIO is not supported.

See also:

Basics: Trigger mode uc480 Viewer: Input/output Specification: Electrical specifications

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Programming:

is_IO()

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2.8.1 Using Digital Inputs/Outputs

Digital input (trigger)

Models with optocoupler input can use the digital input for externally triggering the image capture, or query the applied signal level.

In trigger mode , a digital signal is applied to the camera's input. You can determine whether the camera will respond to the rising or falling edge of the digital signal. After an internal delay, the sensor is exposed for the defined exposure time. The captured image is then transferred to the PC.

On models with general purpose I/Os (GPIO), you can query a voltage level at these inputs (TTL compatible).

Digital output (flash)

The digital outputs can be used in both freerun mode and trigger mode. You can synchronize the output level to the exposure time or set it statically.

Models with optocoupler output allow control of a DC voltage applied to the output. This allows controlling a flash, either directly or via a separate flash controller unit. Models with general purpose I/Os (GPIO) can output a voltage at these outputs (TTL compatible).

Note

Please read the notes on I/O wiring for your camera model in the Electrical specifications chapter.

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Note

The settings specified for the digital output will be reset when the camera is disconnected from the PC or the PC is powered down.

2.8.2 Flash Timing (Trigger Mode)

When using the digital output for flash control, you can set the delay and the duration of the flash. The flash timing can be adjusted manually or automatically by the camera driver.

Note

Sensor latency and delay times The sensor latency is due to a number of technical factors, including sensor type,

image geometry, pixels clock and, with CCD sensors, the exposure time. The latency is constant for a specific combination of parameters.

Trigger delay , flash delay and flash duration are optional and can be set by software.

The following illustrations show a schematic view of the image capture sequence. The sensor exposure and readout times and the transmission times depend on the camera model and the current parameter settings.

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Automatic flash

If flash delay = 0 and flash duration = 0, the flash signal is automatically synchronized to the exposure time. The automatic flash feature has the advantage that the flash is synchronized automatically if the settings for image geometry or camera timing are changed. The disadvantage is that the flash signal is active slightly longer than the exposure time. The flash duration with automatic flash is longer for rolling shutter sensors than for global shutter sensors.

DCx Cameras

Flash timing with global shutter sensor, automatic flash,

optional trigger delay

Flash timing with rolling shutter sensor, automatic flash,

optional trigger delay

Manual flash synchronization

If one of the flash delay or flash duration parameters is set to a value greater than 0, you can shift the flash signal to any point in the exposure time or change its duration. In this case, the flash delay will be calculated exactly from the start of the exposure time (after the sensor latency time). When manually synchronizing the flash signal to the exposure time, you can use the is_IO() function to query the data you need.

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The advantage of manual flash synchronization is that the flash can be precisely controlled based on the start of exposure. This applies to both rolling and global shutter sensors. You can thus achieve a higher accuracy with the manual flash synchronization than with the automatic flash feature.

The disadvantage is that the flash signal has to be resynchronized whenever any settings for image geometry or camera timing change.

Note

With rolling shutter sensors, you can avoid the rolling shutter effect by selecting suitable delay and duration settings (global flash function). Using is_IO() , you can query the appropriate values.

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Note

The flash output is reset with the start of the next image capture. This also applies if you have set a longer flash duration.

2 Camera Basics

Flash timing, user-defined flash duration

Flash timing, user-defined flash duration and delay,

optional trigger delay

Flash timing in freerun mode with rolling shutter sensor, automatic flash

2.8.3 Flash Timing (Freerun Mode)

Automatic flash

In freerun mode, the automatic flash feature works in the same way as in trigger mode. As a result, the flash output is continuously or almost continuously active (see illustration below).

Manual flash synchronization

Note

It is recommended to synchronize the flash manually in freerun mode. This applies to both rolling and global shutter sensors.

In freerun mode, the manual flash synchronization works in the same way as in trigger mode.

DCx Cameras

Flash timing in freerun mode with global shutter sensor, manual flash

2.8.4 Serial Interface RS-232 (DC3240x only)

DC3240x cameras are equipped with a serial interface (RS-232). It provides functionality for communication with peripheral devices (e.g. lighting controller, lens controller or the serial port of a PC). Before you can send data through the camera's serial interface, one or more virtual COM ports have to be defined on the PC. Once defined, they can be used for data communication with appropriate software just like any physical COM port.

To set up and use the serial interface, the "Additional functions" dialog box is provided in the uc480 Camera Manager. For the serial interface specifications, please refer to the DC3240x Serial Interface Wiring (RS-232) chapters.

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2.9 USB Interface

USB topology

2 Camera Basics

History and development Structure and topology USB 2.0 cabling and connection USB 3.0 cabling Data transmission and bandwidth

2.9.1 History and Development

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an interface which enables you to easily connect various devices to a PC. As all data exchange is controlled by the PC, no additional interface controller is needed. Further advantages of USB are:

The PC does not have to be shut down when connecting USB devices (hot plugging). USB devices can be supplied with power from the PC. High bandwidth for data transmission.

The USB standard was developed by a group of companies including Compaq, IBM, Intel, and Microsoft. Version

1.0 was presented in 1995. The slightly faster USB 1.1 standard followed in 1998. At first, the USB interface was designed to connect peripheral devices such as printers, mice, or keyboards. With

the introduction of USB 2.0 in 2000, the transfer rate increased to 480 Mbit/s, making USB 2.0 suitable for connecting devices with higher data volumes (such as mass storage devices, scanners, or cameras).

In 2008, with USB 3.0 a new version of the interface has been published, which is significantly faster than USB 2.0 (400 MByte/s).

2.9.2 Structure and Topology

USB uses a tree topology and is host-controlled. That means that a PC with host functionality is mandatory for using USB. Therefore, it is not possible to directly connect two USB devices (with the exception of USB on-the-go compliant devices). Neither is it possible to connect a camera to a PDA device.

Theoretically, 127 devices can be connected to a host controller. Using external hubs or repeaters, even more devices can be connected, and from a greater distance. Provided that a maximum of 5 hubs/repeaters may be daisy-chained, USB devices can be connected in up to seven levels.

Note

The maximum bandwidth of 480 Mbit/s per USB 2.0 host or 400 MByte/s per USB 3.0 host cannot be exceeded. Therefore, the maximum possible frame rate will be reduced if image data from multiple USB cameras is transferred simultaneously.

The available bandwidth might also be decreased when you use hubs or repeaters. You can reduce the bandwidth

DCx Cameras

Basic design of a USB cable

Basic design of a USB 3.0 cable

required for each camera by lowering the frame rate or the image size.

2.9.3 USB 2.0 Cabling and Connectors

In order to comply with the specifications, the maximum length of USB 2.0 cables is limited to 5 m. Longer cables may be connected if you use high-quality material. The USB bus provides power supply with 5 V and 500 mA max. Many USB devices use the bus power and do not need external power supply (bus-powered devices).

Cable design

The following illustration shows the basic design of a shielded USB cable:

D+/D-: data transfer +5 V/GND: power supply

Connector types

On the PC side, USB 2.0 cables are equipped with a standard A type plug (four pins) and on the device side either with a standard B plug (four pins) or a mini-B plug (five pins).

2.9.4 USB 3.0 Cabling and Connectors

In order to comply with the specifications, the maximum length of USB 3.0 cables is limited to 3-8 m. With the use of repeaters cable lengths up to 20 m are possible. With signal conversion into optical signals cable lengths up to 100 m are possible. The USB bus provides power supply with 5 V and 900 mA max.

Cable design

The following illustration shows the basic design of a shielded USB cable:

SSTX+/-: SuperSpeed Transmit (data transfer from host to the device) SSRX+/-: SuperSpeed Receive (data ransfer from device to the host) D+/D-: data transfer (USB 2.0) +5 V/GND: power supply

Connector types

On the PC side, USB 3.0 cables are equipped with a standard A type plug (8 pins) and on the device side either with a standard B plug or a micro-B plug.

2 Camera Basics

USB 3.0 cable standard A

USB 3.0 cable standard B

USB 3.0 cable micro B

While a USB 3.0 standard A plug and a USB 2.0 port can be used together (with the restriction that only USB 2.0 speed is possible), the standard B and micro B plug are no longer compatible with USB 2.0 ports.

2.9.5 Data Transmission and Bandwidth

USB 2.0

The USB 2.0 standard specifies an overall bandwidth of 480 Mbit/s shared between different transmission modes. DCx Cameras use the USB 2.0 bulk mode for transmitting images. This mode uses error correction to ensure correct delivery of the image data, but does not guarantee a fixed bandwidth. To ensure error-free communication with all connected devices at all times, the maximum bandwidth for payload data is limited to 416 Mbit/s.

Theoretically, up to 50 MByte/s of data can be transmitted in this mode, but in practice, this value is hardly ever reached. A high-performance desktop PC can transmit about 40 MByte/s, most notebooks or embedded PC systems even less than that.

The overall bandwidth can be increased by the use of USB 2.0 expansion cards. These cards are available for the PCI and PCIe buses and have their own host controller chip.

Note on hardware selection

To achieve optimum USB bandwidth, it is important to use a powerful mainboard chipset. The mainboard chipsets from e.g. Intel® or NVIDIA® provide very good results.

Note on image content and bandwidth usage

For USB cameras, you can use a white test image to check the camera's maximum load on the USB bus. Due to the transmission process, completely white camera images require a somewhat more bandwidth on the USB bus than completely black images.

USB 3.0

Compared to USB 2.0, USB 3.0 offers a tenfold increased bandwidth of 5 Gbit/s, i.e. images can be transmitted with a bandwidth of 400 Mbytes/s.

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DCx Cameras

Connect the camera

Install the latest version of uc480 software. Then connect the DCx camera with the PC. USB cameras are automatically detected as new hardware under Windows. Check the status LEDs on your camera to see if the camera has been correctly identified.

See also:

Installation and connection Troubleshooting Connection - Status LED

Configure the camera

USB DCx Cameras are ready for use right out of the box. You can assign a unique ID to your camera with the uc480 Camera Manager.

See also:

uc480 Camera Manager Assigning a camera ID in the camera manager Firmware and camera start

Capture images

The uc480 software package includes many sample programs that you can use to try out the extensive functionality of your DCx camera. We recommend starting off with the uc480 Viewer application. To run the application, simply double-click the corresponding icon on your Windows desktop.

When you select "uc480 > Initialize" on the menu bar, the connected DCx camera will immediately start capturing live images. The status bar at the bottom displays the frame rate and other important information.

If you are using a high-resolution camera, you can click "View > Render mode" on the menu bar to adjust the size of the rendered image to the application window.

See also:

uc480 Viewer Camera basics: Operating modes

Customize the key camera properties

Select "uc480 > Properties…" on the menu bar to open the dialog box for modifying the camera properties.

The "Camera" tab provides all the parameters for adjusting the camera's speed. You can increase the pixel clock to run the camera at a higher frame rate. Reduce the pixel clock if transmission errors occur too often. When you enable "Optimum", the optimum pixel clock will be set automatically.

On the "Image" tab, you find various sensor gain controllers. Use the "Master gain" controller to increase image brightness if no longer exposure time setting is possible. Switch to the "AES/AGC" tab to enable the Auto Exposure Shutter (AES) and Auto Gain Control (AGC) features.

3 Operation

This chapter explains how to connect the DCx camera and how to use the applications contained in the uc480 software package.

Quick start Installation and connection

Installed uc480 programs

o uc480 Camera Manager : The central tool for managing all connected DCx Cameras. o uc480 Viewer : A comprehensive viewer for exploring the camera functionality. o uc480 Player : A small program for playing AVI videos captured with the uc480 Viewer. o uc480 Hotpixel Editor : A tool to edit the sensor hot pixel list stored in the camera.

3.1 uc480 Quick Start

This chapter show how to quickly get started with your DCx camera. You will learn how easy it is to connect the camera and explore important functions. For further steps of integrating the DCx camera into your own applications please also see the First steps to uc480 programming chapter.

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123

127

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3 Operation

Tip: Select a low sensor gain to minimize visible noise.

If you are using a color camera, you should activate sensor color correction on the "Color" tab in order to achieve rich vibrant colors for on-screen display. To adapt a color camera to the ambient light conditions, it is essential to carry out Auto White Balance (AWB). Aim the camera at a surface of a uniform gray color, then enable the "Image white balance: Enable" and "Run once" check boxes on the "AWB" tab.

See also:

uc480 Viewer: Camera properties Camera basics: Camera parameters

Activate trigger and flash modes

DCx Cameras provide the possibility to trigger the image capture and to have the flash controlled by the camera. To switch the camera to trigger mode, go to the camera properties as described above, select the "Trigger" tab and enable the desired mode. To trigger on "falling edges" or "rising edges", a digital signal has to be applied to the camera. When you are finished with the trigger settings, select "uc480 > Trigger mode…" on the menu bar to start the triggered image capture.

If you have connected the digital output on your DCx camera to a flash controller, you can configure the flash function on "Input/Output" tab. Enable "Flash high active" and "Global exposure window". This way, the DCx camera automatically activates the flash during the exposure time.

See also:

uc480 Viewer: Camera properties Camera basics: Digital input/output Specifications: Electrical specifications

Save the camera settings and images

With uc480 Viewer, saving single frames or videos is very easy to do. Just choose the relevant option on the "File" menu. If you have recorded AVI videos, you can play them using the supplied uc480 Player.

When you have made specific settings for a camera and want to save them so that you can use them again the next time you start the program – or any other uc480 program - select the "Save parameters" function to save all the camera's properties to an ini file or to the camera memory (parameter set 1/2). To load the saved settings, select the "Load parameters" option.

See also:

uc480 Viewer: Record dialog uc480 Player

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DCx Cameras

Minimum

Recommended

CPU speed

600 MHz

2 x 2.4 GHz

Memory (RAM)

256 MB

2048 MByte

USB host controller

USB 2.0 high speed (480 Mbps)

USB 3.0 (4000 Mbps) for DC3240x

cameras

USB 2.0 high speed (480 Mbps) USB 3.0 (4000 Mbps) for DC3240x cameras Intel® or NVIDIA® nForce mainboard chipset

Graphics card

Onboard graphics chip

AGP/PCIe graphics card

Latest version of Microsoft DirectX Runtime

9.0c

Operating system

Windows 7 32 or 64 bit

Windows XP 32 bit (Service Pack 2)

Linux (Kernel 2.6)

Windows 7 32 or 64 bit

Windows Vista 32 or 64 bit (Service Pack 1)

Windows XP 32 bit (Service Pack 3)

Linux (Kernel 2.6)

3.2 Installation and Connection

System requirements Installing uc480 software under Windows Installing uc480 software under Linux Connecting a USB DCx camera

3.2.1 System Requirements

For operating the DCx cameras, the following system requirements must be met:

*1 With the minimum system requirements the camera performance may be limited. *3 DCC3240x USB 3.0 cameras are not supported under Windows Vista.

USB interface

section PCs with energy saving CPU technology for hints and possible solutions.

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Large multi camera systems

Connecting a large number of cameras to a single PC may require a large working memory (RAM). This is especially the case when many cameras with high sensor resolution are used.

If you want to set up such a system we recommend to use PCs with 64 bit operating systems and more than 4 GB of RAM.

Note

Direct3D graphics functions

The uc480 driver can use Direct3D to display the camera image with overlay information (Microsoft DirectX Runtime had to be installed). On Windows systems, you can use the supplied "DXDiag" diagnostic tool to check whether your graphics card supports Direct3D functions. To start the diagnostic tool, click "Run…" on the Windows start menu (shortcut: Windows+R) and enter "DXDiag" in the input box.

On the "Display" page of the diagnostic tool, click the button for testing the Direct3D functions.

OpenGL graphics functions

For OpenGL version 1.4 or higher must be installed. The OpenGL graphics functions do not work with QT under Linux.

Software Requirements under Linux

For operating the DCx camera under Linux the following components must be installed:

Component

Version

Linux-Kernel

2.6.9 up to 2.6.24

The standard C library libc/glibc

2.0 or higher

GNU Compiler Collection gcc

3.4 or higher

POSIX Thread Library (POSIX Threads Enabled libc)

bash or sh shell (for running the installation script)

Qt (for compiling the demo program)

3 Operation

DCx Cameras

3.2.2 DCx Driver Compatibility

Attention

Support of older DCC1545M cameras by driver versions 3.10 and higher

From driver version 3.10 onwards, only USB board revision 2.0 or higher are supported. To operate a camera with an

earlier USB board revision, you will need the uc480 driver version 2.40. Please contact Thorlabs

The LED on the back of the camera housing also indicates the USB board version (see DCx Status LED ). In addition, the uc480 Camera Manager version 3.10 or higher provides information about the compatibility (see

Camera Manager ). An incompatible camera will be displayed as free and not available.

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3.2.3 Installing the uc480 Software under Windows

Attention

1. You need administrator privileges to install the software.

2. Please install the software prior to connect a DCx Cameras! The software for DCx Cameras is delivered on a CD. Alternatively, or if the CD is lost, the software can be

downloaded from Thorlabs' website. Please insert the delivered with the DCx Cameras CD to the drive of your PC and start the software installation:

Click 'Next >' to continue.

3 Operation

Click 'I accept...' if you do so, then 'Next >' to continue.

Click 'Next >' to continue.

DCx Cameras

Click 'Install' to start the software installation.

Click 'Install' to allow the installation of the USB driver software. The following window appears:

This is a normal of the DirectShow driver, included in the installation package, because no camera is connected yet. Please click OK or Cancel to resume software installation.

3 Operation

Click 'Finish'. The uc480 camera software is now installed and ready for use. For detailed description of the installed uc480 software components please see section Installed uc480 programs

3.2.4 Installing the uc480 Software under Linux

The installation of the uc480 software on Linux systems is described in the Readme.txt file contained in the

uc480 driver download (tab "Drivers") for Linux.

3.2.5 Connecting a DCx Camera

Please install the software first as described in the Installing the uc480 software section. Connect the DCx camera to the PC, using the USB cable. The camera will be recognized automatically and the necessary driver software is being installed:

When the camera has been correctly installed, the LED on the back of the camera lights up green.

Note

The first time you connect a USB DCx camera to a USB port under Windows, two driver files will be registered. The first file (uc480 boot) contains the generic driver, the second file the model-specific driver.

The model will be immediately recognized whenever you connect the camera to this port again. If you use a different port, the registration will be repeated. Under Windows the camera will show up in the uc480 Camera

Manager's camera list.

DCx Cameras

The DCx Cameras can be connected to a USB port either directly or via hubs and repeaters. A wide range of different hubs and repeaters are available commercially. The USB 2.0 hubs being used must be "full powered" hubs that are able to provide 500 mA per USB port. "Low Powered" hubs, in comparison, only supply 100 mA per port, which is not sufficient for DCx Cameras.

Note

To use maximum bandwidth, we recommend connecting the cameras directly to the USB ports on the mainboard. Many USB ports on PCI/PCIe cards and the USB ports on the front of the PC often supply lower bandwidth.

Attention

USB cables with non-standard connectors must be connected to the camera first and then to the PC. Otherwise the camera might not be recognized correctly.

3 Operation

Global shutter (default)

Global shutter (alternative timing)

Rolling shutter

Rolling shutter (global start)

Black level constancy

-+++

Capturing of moving objects

+++-

Hotpixels--++

Image quality with high gain

-+++

3.3 Application Notes by Camera Model

Cameras with CMOS sensors

DCC1240x / DCC3240x Application Notes DCC1545M Application Note DCC1645C Application Notes

Cameras with CCD sensors

DC223x Application Notes DC224x Application Notes

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3.3.1 DCC1240x / DCC3240x Application Notes

For the technical specifications of this model go to: Camera and sensor data > DCC1240x / DCC3240x .

Shutter modes

The following table displays the four shutter modes and their advantages and disadvantages in different situations:

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The rolling shutter mode offers a better signal/noise ratio and a more consistent black level compared to the global shutter mode.

If the sensor is used in global shutter mode at a low pixel clock frequency and a high gain, the bottom pixel rows might become brighter for technical reasons. Color distortion will occur for the color sensor with active white balance. In this case, use a higher pixel clock frequency, less gain or the rolling shutter mode.

The "Global shutter (alternative timing)" mode offers a more consistent black level compared to the global

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shutter mode. This mode should not be used with a frame rate below 2 fps. This mode is also not suitable for bright, moving image contents in combination with long exposure times.

The rolling shutter mode with global start is suitable for capturing moving objects with flash. When using flash in rolling shutter mode make sure to set the flash duration accordingly ((1/maxFramerate) +

exposure) or that the global time window is available by a long exposure time (2 * (1/MaxFramerate) + FlashDuration). For flashing into this time window use the flash delay (1/MaxFramerate).

The hardware sensor gamma curve is piecewise linear with three sections. This allows evaluating four times more details per pixel for lower gray level values and in 8 bit per pixel mode in dark image areas.

In global shutter mode the shutter efficiency of 1:3000 have a negative impact with bright conditions and the usage of exposure times under 100 µs. In this case, set the pixel clock to the maximum possible value and close the aperture a little bit. Also enabling the Log mode with low values achieve huge improvements.

Black level

The black level can also be set to negative values. Therefore, the factory setting of the offset control is nearly in the middle of the range.

Use of the gain functions can lead to slight fluctuations of the black level. In global shutter mode the black level can also vary slightly.

In global shutter mode the black level can also vary slightly between two image captures. When enabling the rolling or global shutter mode the black level is set to a fixed factory-provided value.

Therefore, the black level can individually adjusted after switching the shutter mode. Depending on the internal black level and shutter mode the offset control shows no additional cumulative effect

at the top. The factory setting of the offset control are so selected that the black level is always slightly increased to avoid

losing image information by cutting underneath the origin. For linearity measurements the black level must be

DCx Cameras

adjusted to the origin with the offset control before the measurement is done.

Color sensor

The color sensor's black level cannot be adjusted manually, as the RGB gains are downstreamed and an adjustment would cause color errors.

Automatic black level correction is always enabled. The RGB gains work analog. The fast line scan mode is disabled.

NIR sensor

It is recommended to use a IR-coated and IR-corrected high-quality lens, especially for non-monochromatic light. In the high IR wavelength range picture blur can occur with strong contrasts. This reduced MTF (modulation

transfer function) is a characteristic of the sensor pixels. The master gain of the NIR sensor is adapted in comparison to the monochrome sensor. If both sensors are

compared directly, the gain of the NIR sensor must be set to the double factor of the monochrome sensor. This can be done via the master gain or the gain boost.

In the Log mode the guaranteed dynamic range of the NIR sensor is reached with a gain value of at least 1. For the monochrome sensor you need at least a value of 3. With very short exposure times, lower values can result in even higher dynamics.

Gain, pixel clock

Master gain uses a combination of coarsely scaled analog gain factors and finer digital scaling. To achieve optimum homogeneity of the gray level, use only the gain factors 0, 33, 66, and 100.

The gain boost has the factor 2. When using the master gain a maximum factor of 8 is possible caused by the sensor.

For global shutter mode the pixel clock should be set to the maximum possible value to increase the image quality.

In the 10 bit mode the usage of the digital gain intermediate level produces missing pixel values as the sensor works internally with maximally 10 bit.

Hot pixel

In the rolling shutter mode, there are less hot pixels, as the pixel charges are not buffered in the sensor. The sensor corrects hot pixels dynamically. Neighboured hot pixels in diagonal direction cannot be corrected

effectively. These positions are covered by the factory-made hot pixel correction and are eliminated by the software hot pixel correction. Therefore, the hardware hot pixel correction is a prerequisite and should not be deactivated.

On the color sensor the hot pixel correction works with the appropriate color neighbours. In the global shutter mode, increased hot pixels can become visible in the lower image area with log exposure

time, a high gain and disabled hot pixel correction. Both hot pixel corrections should be disabled if extremely fine structures are captured with a high-quality lenses. For the measurements of noise characteristics both hot pixel corrections should be disabled. The activation of the factory-made hot pixel correction reduces the frame rate slightly. Here, the desired frame

rate has to set after the activation or deactivation of the factory-made hot pixel correction. Increased hot pixels can occur In the entire image border area.

Binning

2x binning makes the image brighter by a factor of about two. It also reduces image noise. Binning does not result in a higher frame rate. Using binning allows higher pixel clock frequencies for USB DCx

cameras with the USB 2.0 and GigE interface. To achieve the maximum frame rate, activate first the binning and then change the maximum pixel clock frequency.

When using binning the frame is slightly shifted horizontally. Binning can only be enabled for both horizontal and vertical pixels. For this reason, the parameters of the

is_SetBinning() function have to be passed together (IS_BINNING_2X_VERTICAL |

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IS_BINNING_2X_HORIZONTAL) to enable binning.

Scaling, AOI

3 Operation

The digital scaling functions result in a higher possible frame rate. The maximum frame rate is increased approximately proportionally to the scaling factor. When using the scaling functions with USB 2.0 and GigE cameras, you can set higher pixel clock frequencies. To achieve the maximum frame rate, select first the scaling factor and then the maximum pixel clock frequency.

For improved image quality without undersampling artifacts, the digital scaling feature permanently uses an antialiasing filter.

On color sensors the scaler works in consideration the color information. Reducing the horizontal resolution does not result in a higher frame rate. The available step widths for the position and size of image AOIs depend on the sensor. The values defining the

position and size of an AOI have to be integer multiples of the allowed step widths. For detailed information on the AOI grid see the DCC1240x / DCC3240x chapter.

Multi AOI

When the Multi AOI function is enabled, no changes can be made to the image size settings (e.g. binning, subsampling, scaling).

If sensor hotpixel correction and Multi AOI are enabled, the sensor displays a four pixel wide black line between the AOIs.

Line scan mode

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Fast line scan mode: The exposure time is fixed to the readout time of one sensor line. Exposure time cannot

be changed in this line scan mode. Fast line scan mode: The time stamp is generated for the complete image. Fast line scan mode: There is a time gap between two frames with the line scan information. This corresponds to

the duration of 15 lines at a frame rate set to maximum. In the fast line scan mode color images are not possible as Bayer color sensors needs at least two

neighboring lines for color calculating. Therefore, only monochrome models support the line scan mode.

Log mode

The Log mode shows visible effect only for short exposure times (< 5 ms) In global shutter mode the Log mode can help to increase the shutter efficiency for extremely short exposure

time (< 100 µ s). To find the right operating point of the Log mode use the following procedure:

1. Set the Log mode gain to the minimum value.

2. Find the operating point via the Log mode value. The higher the value, the more bright image areas are damped and more details become visible.

3. Set the image as bright as possible via the Log mode gain. A typical value is 2 or 3 for monochrome sensors and 0 or 1 for NIR sensors. The line view in the uc480 Viewer is very helpful for this.

The master gain is disabled in Log mode.

Anti blooming

Activation: With exposure times over 10 ms and no use of gain or gain boost it can occur that bright image areas do not reach saturation and so no white level which is caused by the sensor. A visible, firm pattern is formed in bright image areas. For color sensors with enabled white balancing bright image areas gets purple. In this case, disable the anti blooming mode (see Shutter: Log mode ) or increase the master gain from 1x to 1.5x.

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The anti blooming mode should not be enabled for short exposure times (< 5 ms). Depending on the shutter mode a "Black Sun" effect or overexposure occurs.

Micro lenses

The sensor has non-removable micro lenses on each pixel. These micro lenses focus the incoming light for the subjacent smaller photodiode. This lens has a directive efficiency.

To the corners of the active image area the micro lenses are slightly shifted to the photodiode. So the unavoidable non-vertical light incidence of C mount lenses is compensated. The shift is constant from the center to the corner and has a maximum of 12 degrees. When using a telecentric lens or parallel light incidence the shift must be considered as little shading effects may occur.

DCx Cameras

3.3.2 DCC1545M Application Notes

For the technical specifications of this model go to: Camera and sensor data > DCC1545M .

Sensor

Sensor speed does not increase for AOI width <240 pixels. Extreme overexposure shifts the black level. Please deactivate the Auto offset function in this case. At very long exposure times and minimum gain, the white level may not be reached. The gain should be

increased by one step in this case. Monochrome version only: The sensor internally works like the color version. This might lead to artifacts when

subsampling is used. The brightness of the first and last line might deviate due to the sensor. Gain values between 59 and 99 may lead to image inhomogeneity. When using very narrow AOIs, the sensor may not be able to calculate the correct black level. Use manual black

level offset when problems with the black level occur.

Calibration

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Cameras with a date of manufacture after Dec. 9, 2008: The offset control has been calibrated internally. The

calibration corrects offset errors when gain is used. In calibrated cameras, automatic black level correction is disabled by default. The calibration can only be used with uc480 driver version 3.31 or higher.

Cameras with a date of manufacture before Dec. 9, 2008: If manual offset control is used, fixed pattern noise

and horizontal lines may become visible. High gain values may shift the black level and therefore should be avoided. Offset increases the black level every 7th step. The steps in-between change the appearance of fixed pattern noise.

3.3.3 DCC1645C Application Notes

For the technical specifications of this model go to: Camera and sensor data > DCC1645C .

Sensor

At very long exposure times and minimum gain, the white level may not be reached. The gain should be increased by one step in this case.

The RGB gain controls have no effect for values >90.

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3.3.4 DCU223x Application Notes

For the technical specifications of this model go to: Camera and sensor data > DCU223x .

Sensor

Long exposure times will increase the number of hotpixels. High temperatures will increase the black level of individual pixels.

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3.3.5 DCU224x Application Notes

For the technical specifications of this model go to: Camera and sensor data > DCU224x .

Sensor

Long exposure times will increase the number of hotpixels. High temperatures will increase the black level of individual pixels. When vertical 4x binning is activated, the minimum image width increases to 640 pixels.

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3.4 Installed uc480 Programs

3 Operation

uc480 Camera Manager : The central tool for managing all connected DCx cameras. uc480 Viewer : A comprehensive viewer for exploring the camera functionality. uc480 Player : A small program for playing AVI videos captured with the uc480 Viewer.

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uc480 Hotpixel Editor : A tool to edit the sensor hot pixel list stored in the camera.

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3.4.1 uc480 Camera Manager

The uc480 Camera Manager is the central tool for managing all DCx cameras. It displays information on the connected USB DCx Cameras and provides options for configuring them.

On Windows systems the uc480 Camera Manager can be accessed as follows:

Start > Programs >uc480 Camera Manager Program icon on the desktop or Quick Launch toolbar Start > Settings > Control Panel > uc480 Camera Manager

Click in the figure to get help on the functions.

Camera list The camera list displays information on the connected DCx Cameras.

Attention

Under Windows XP (64 bit) and Windows Vista DC3240x Cameras are displayed in the uc480 Camera Manager, but they cannot be opened, because they are supported by Windows 7 and Windows XP (32 bit) only

Control center In the control center , you can access the configuration and display detailed information on the connected DCx Cameras.

DCx Cameras

In the drop down box, you can choose the language for the uc480 Camera Manager. This setting is saved and remains effective even after you close and reopen the program. For proper display of Asian languages on Windows systems, the support package for East Asian languages has to be installed on your system (in "Control Panel > Regional and Language Options").

Click to close the application; any settings you have made are saved. The status box at the bottom indicates the current status of the selected camera. If it is available, the status

message is shown in black. Otherwise, the status message is shown in red. If an error has occurred in a camera, a black exclamation mark on a yellow background is shown next the camera. The status box then indicates the cause of the error and suggests remedies.

3.4.1.1 Camera List

When a camera is activated (switched on or connected to the PC), it appears in the camera list of the uc480 Camera Manager after a few seconds.

The data shown in the camera list can be sorted in ascending or descending order by left-clicking on the respective column header.

Free/Avail. Free: indicates whether a camera is currently in use. Avail. (Available): indicates whether a camera can be opened by this computer with the current setup (computer and camera). Cameras shown with a red x are currently in use (Free = No) and are not available (Avail. = No). Cameras shown with an exclamation mark are not in use, but are currently unavailable for various reasons, such as:

o The camera is not compatible with the driver. Please update the uc480 driver. o The driver has not properly detected (initialized) the camera. Please disconnect the camera from the PC and

then reconnect it.

o The camera is currently being removed from the Manager. o The camera reports that it is "Not operational".

Type This column indicates the USB camera type.

Cam.ID The camera ID assigned by the user.

Dev.ID Unique device identifier sequentially assigned by the system. DCx cameras are assigned device IDs from 1 upwards. After deactivating a DCx camera (switching it off or disconnecting it from the network), the device ID is no longer valid and can be assigned again by the system.

Model Model name of the camera

SerNo. Serial number of the camera.

3.4.1.2 Control Center

Expert mode When you select the check box, the uc480 Camera Manager additionally displays the

Parameters box on the right. There you will find detailed information on the DCx camera selected in the camera list .

Click in the figure to get help on the functions.

3 Operation

Automatic parameter refresh If you select the check box, the data shown in the tree structure is updated

periodically. If the option is disabled, the data in the tree structure is only updated when a different camera is selected.

All other "Control Center" buttons are described in detail in the following sections:

General information Camera information Creating a support file Additional functions (COM port)

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DCx Cameras

3.4.1.3 General Information

This dialog box provides information on the installed uc480 drivers and the available USB controllers and network adapters.

uc480 drivers This list shows the location and version of the uc480 driver files installed on your system.

3rd party drivers This list shows the location and version of the uc480 interface files that have been installed on your system for third-party software.

USB controller and network adapters All USB controllers and network adapters that are available in your system are shown in a tree structure.

3 Operation

3.4.1.4 Camera Information

In the "Camera information" dialog box, you can assign a unique ID to the selected camera and write to the user area of the EEPROM. The data you enter is retained in the camera memory even when the camera is disconnected from the PC or power supply.

Camera ID The camera ID identifies a camera in multi-camera operation. The ID can range from 1 to 254. The default value for the camera ID is 1. The same ID can be assigned to multiple cameras. You do not have to assign sequential ID numbers to all connected cameras.

User EEPROM (max. 64 characters) Every uc480 has a 64-byte user area in its EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) to which you can write text of your choice.

The "Camera information" dialog box displays two additional boxes that are for your information only and cannot be edited:

Manufacturer (e.g.OEMINC) Date of QC (date of final camera quality test)

Notes

1. Setting a camera ID and writing to the EEPROM is possible only, if the camera is marked "Free" and "Available" in the Camera Manager (see also Camera list ).

2. If software accesses cameras through the uc480 DirectShow interface, the camera IDs must be in a range from 1 to 24.

3. If software accesses cameras through the uc480 Cognex VisionPro interface, the camera IDs must be assigned consecutively beginning with 1.

3.4.1.5 Creating a Support File

A uc480 support file is a binary file with the extension .bin. The file contains camera and driver details that are required for diagnostics by our Technical Support team. No personal computer data or user data is stored in this

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file. The button opens the "Save as" dialog box, where you can save the displayed camera

information and additional driver information to a file.

3.4.1.6 Additional Functions

CPU idle states

Windows only: Processor operating states (idle states/C-states) Modern processors have various operating states, so-called C-states, that are characterized by different power requirements. When the operating system selects an operating state with low power consumption (unequal C0), the USB transmission efficiency may be affected (see also is_Configuration() and section

troubleshooting ).

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Camera parameters when camera is opened

Here, you can set whether to apply the parameters stored on the camera automatically when opening the camera. You must first store the camera parameters on the camera using the is_ParameterSet() function or via the

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corresponding function in the uc480 Viewer.

DCx Cameras

This setting applies to all connected cameras. If no parameters are stored on the camera, the standard parameters of this camera model are applied (see also is_Configuration() ).

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Boot boost

This mode is not related to DCx Cameras.

Bulk Transfer Size

Via "Bulk Transfer Size" the behavior of the USB sub-system can be set.

Warning

Contact our technical support before changing the value under "Bulk Transfer Size".

COM Ports

The "Additional functions" dialog box allows installing virtual COM ports for communication through the serial interface of a DCC3240x camera. The following sections show you how to set up and use the serial interface .

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Note

This feature is only available for DCC3240x cameras. You need administrator privileges to install a virtual COM port. The selected in the uc480 Camera Manager DCC3240x camera has to be marked "Free" and "Available".

Setting up the serial interface on the DCC3240x camera

Before using the serial interface on the camera, one or more virtual COM ports have to be installed on the PC. Most systems support up to 255 COM ports; COM1 to COM8 are often assigned operating system functions by default. You can check the current port assignment in the Device Manager on your computer. Some older systems may not have more than eight ports; in that case you will need to assign the camera to one of these ports.

COM port In the drop down box, select the number of the port you want to install (default: 100). COM ports in use are marked "(used)" in the list.

Click this button to install the selected virtual COM port. During the first installation of a virtual COM port, an additional broadcast port with number 255 is installed. Data sent to this port will be forwarded to all paired cameras. You can install any number of virtual COM ports on a single system.

3 Operation

With this button, you can release a COM port that is marked "used." If the port number has been saved in that camera, it will be deleted in the camera, too. To release a COM port, select it in the drop down box and then click this button.

Click this button to assign the selected port number to the camera. The port number is saved in the camera's non-volatile memory and retained even when the camera is switched off. You can look up the assigned port number in the Camera Manager's expert mode. A COM port number can also be saved in a camera without a virtual COM port installed on the PC.

Note

If you want to control more than one DCC3240x camera from a PC, each camera should be assigned a unique port number. If multiple cameras are assigned the same port number, only the port of the first camera that is opened will be used.

To send data via the serial interfaces of multiple cameras, you can use the broadcast port with number 255. Before connecting to the broadcast port, ensure that all the cameras that are to receive the broadcast have been opened.

Testing the serial interface on the DCC3240x camera

Note

To avoid transmission errors, please ensure that both the camera and the receiving end use the same communication parameters (baud rate, data bits, stop bits, parity). Further information on the communication parameters is provided in the Serial interface DCC3240x chapter.

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Clicking this button opens a dialog box for transferring data through the COM port. The dialog box is provided as the uc480ComportDemo.exe sample program together with the C++ source code and is included in the uc480 SDK. This program allows sending ASCII characters to the COM port assigned to a camera. The characters are output unchanged on the camera's serial port. To check the proper functionality, you can connect a PC to the camera's serial port and read the transmitted characters on the PC's COM port.

Baud In this drop down box, you can change the data transfer rate of the serial interface.

Append This drop down box allows appending the special characters "CR" (Carriage Return) and "LF" (Line Feed) to the ASCII text you want to transmit. Some devices with serial interface require ASCII strings to be terminated with CR/LF.

Send file

DCx Cameras

Using these functions, you can send a file in either direction (output on the camera's virtual COM port or output on the PC's COM port).

Note

Since the sample program has to open the camera, please make sure the selected camera is not used by other applications at the same time.

3.4.1.7 Parameters

This box displays the parameters of the camera you have selected in the camera list. The parameters box is only shown when Expert mode is active.

The parameters are organized in a tree structure. Only the information that applies to the selected camera is shown. The data displayed in the camera list is not repeated in the "Parameters" box. The data shown in the tree structure cannot be changed.

Device o Sensor ID

USB o Hub

Indicates which hub and port a USB camera is connected to. In addition, the full path through all hubs to the USB controller on the computer is displayed.

o Controller

Indicates the USB controller to which the camera is connected.

Local driver o Indicates the USB version of the camera driver

3 Operation

3.4.2 uc480 Viewer

The uc480 Viewer application demonstrates the functionality and performance of the DCx Cameras. The application is part of the uc480 software package.

In uc480 Viewer, you can access all important camera settings and functions of the uc480 programming library. Apart from controlling and configuring the camera, you can record images as AVI files and save them as BMP or JPEG files.

uc480 Viewer can be accessed as follows:

Start > All Programs > uc480 > uc480 Viewer Program icon on the desktop or Quick Launch toolbar

Click in the figure to get help on the functions.

Note

uc480 Viewer is currently only available for Windows operating systems. For Linux a version with reduced functionality of uc480 Viewer is available named uc480 Demo.

Please note that uc480 Viewer does not guarantee completeness and operational reliability in all modes and all computing environments. uc480 Viewer is intended solely for demonstrating the uc480 software library and camera functionality.

DCx Cameras

3.4.2.1 Start Dialog

When you start the application, the start dialog shown below appears by default. In this dialog you can:

choose a profile to adjust the camera parameters start uc480 Viewer in expert mode

Profiles for camera settings

Profiles are a very quick and useful way to adjust the camera parameters to different common situations in image capture. The profiles are independent of the DCx camera model you are currently using. When you choose a profile, key camera parameters are configured for that specific situation to achieve optimum results. After installing uc480 Viewer, the following profiles are available:

Optimal colors

Choose this profile to optimize the image quality of a color camera. Parameters such as exposure, white balance and gain are set automatically. Color correction and gamma correction are enabled.

Monochrome

Choose this profile to optimize the image quality of a monochrome camera. Parameters such as exposure and gain are set automatically. Gamma correction and edge enhancement are enabled.

Live video

Choose this profile to record a smooth video. The frame rate is set to the maximum value. For high-resolution sensors, binning or subsampling is enabled to increase speed. Parameters such as exposure and gain are set automatically.

User profile

This button displays the "Open" dialog box where you can load your own profiles. For details on creating your own profiles, see the Creating profiles chapter.

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No profile

uc480 Viewer starts with the default settings configured for this camera model. No profile is used.

Note

A selected profile is not automatically loaded when you restart the application. You need to choose a profile again from the start dialog or Profiles menu .

In the File menu , you can choose if you want the start dialog displayed on program startup.

Start uc480 Viewer in expert mode

uc480 Viewer by default provides the basic icons and menus for operating the camera. If you select the "Start uc480 Viewer in expert mode" check box, additional functions, toolbars and menus are available in uc480 Viewer. This setting is recommended for advanced users.

See also:

Creating profiles "Profiles" menu Customizing uc480 Viewer

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3 Operation

Open camera and start in live mode

Open camera

Close camera

Start/stop live video (freerun mode )

Snapshot in freerun mode

Start/stop continuous triggered capture

Snapshot in trigger mode

Open the dialog box for setting the camera parameters

Select AOI (Area of interest )

Delete selected AOI

Automatic brightness control (AES/AGC) on/off

Set reference area for automatic brightness control

Delete reference area for automatic brightness control

Auto white balance (AWB) on/off

Set reference area for auto white balance

Delete reference area for auto white balance

Measure sharpness in a defined AOI

Save image as bitmap

Open the dialog box for AVI recording

Open/close Histogram window

Open/close Horizontal Line View window

Open/close Vertical Line View window

Open/close Zoom window

3.4.2.2 Toolbars

The toolbars in uc480 Viewer provide the tools described below. Which of these tools are available depends on the mode you have selected (expert mode on/off).

Top toolbar

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DCx Cameras

Scale display to window size

Display at original size

Scale display down to half size

Scale display down to quarter size

Scale display up to double size

Show image at full screen size

Deactivate display

Draw freehand in image

Draw line in image

Measure distance in image

Draw rectangle in image

Draw circle in image

Add text to image

Choose colors for drawing functions

Clear all drawn elements

Show/hide time

Left toolbar

3.4.2.3 Status Bar

Current cursor position in the Zoom/Pixel Peek window and color values at the cursor position

Defined color mode and image resolution

Counters

Frames: Transferred images Display: Displayed images Missed: Hardware trigger events missed. This counter increments each time a hardware trigger is

received in trigger mode, but the camera is not ready for image capture Failed: Transmission errors Recon.: This counter increments each time the open camera is removed and reconnected during

operation.

Status of the current image data transfer (OK/Error)

Current frame rate (fps) of the camera

3 Operation

3.4.2.4 Opening a Camera

Select the menu uc480 > Initialize or click the corresponding icon on the Toolbar to select (open) a connected camera. If only one camera is available, this camera is selected automatically. If more than one camera is connected, the "Select Camera" dialog box is displayed.

You can use multiple cameras simultaneously by opening multiple instances of uc480 Viewer. DCx cameras that have already been opened or that have not been correctly configured are marked "No" in the "Available" column.

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DCx Cameras

Load image ...

Load image from bitmap file (BMP)

Save image ...

Save image as BMP, JPEG or PNG file. You can save images with a bit depth of more than 8 bit in the PNG format.

Record video sequence ...

Opens the Record dialog box

Load parameters

Load parameters from an .ini file or from one of the camera's parameter sets

Save parameters

Save parameters to an .ini file or to one of the camera's internal parameter sets

Language

Select a language for the program. When you change the language, you need to restart uc480 Viewer to apply the new setting.

Mode

Select the uc480 Viewer user mode:

Normal: The uc480 Viewer user interface shows the most important functions. Some advanced options are hidden.

Expert: The uc480 Viewer user interface shows all options. See also Start

dialog .

Customize

Opens the Customize dialog box where you can make various settings for the startup behavior of uc480 Viewer

Show start dialog

If this option is selected, the profiles start dialog shows on every start of uc480 Viewer.

Exit

Exit the demo program

Render mode

Image display

Disable

Deactivate display

Normal

Display at original size

Fit to window

Scale display to window size

Quarter size

Scale display down to quarter size

Half size

Scale display down to half size

Double size

Scale display up to double size

Mirror up/down

Mirror display on horizontal axis

Show only AOI

AOI is displayed without black border

3.4.2.5 Menus

Please choose a menu title:

File

Edit

View uc480 Draw/Measure Profiles Help

3.4.2.5.1 File

The "File" menu contains functions for handling image, video and parameter files and for customizing uc480 Viewer.

3.4.2.5.2 Edit

The "Edit" menu contains the clipboard functions.

Copy Ctrl+C: Copy the displayed image content to the Clipboard. Overlay data created using the Draw function is also copied automatically.

3.4.2.5.3 View

The "View" menu contains the options for setting the display mode and for opening the dialog boxes.

Line view (horizontal)

Opens the Line view window (row view)

Line view (vertical)

Opens the Line view window (column view)

Histogram

Opens the Histogram window

Zoom window

Opens the Zoom window

Pixel peek window

Opens the Pixel peek window

Waterfall window

Opens the Waterfall window

Log window

Opens the Log window

Image infos

Opens the Image infos window

Initialize

Open camera and show live image

Initialize and stop

Open camera

Standby

The camera changes to standby mode

Close camera

Reset to defaults

Resets all values set in the demo program to the defaults

Start live video

Live video on/off

Snapshot

Snapshot from live video

Sync Trigger (Rising Edge)

Starts capture in freerun synchronization mode on the specified edge of the trigger signal.

The freerun synchronization mode is currently not supported by DCx camera models.

Sync Trigger (Falling Edge) Single trigger

Triggered snapshot (software trigger)

Continuous trigger

Continuous triggered capture on/off Trigger source hardware/software can be set in the corresponding property

page

Properties ...

Opens the camera properties dialog

Auto contrast

Activate automatic brightness control

Set new AES/AGC AOI

Define active area for automatic brightness control

Clear AES/AGC AOI

Clear active area defined for automatic brightness control

Auto whitebalance

Activate automatic white balance

Set new AWB AOI

Define active area for automatic white balance

Clear AWB AOI

Clear active area defined for automatic white balance

Sharpness measure AOI

Draw an AOI and measure sharpness within the AOI

Set new AOI

After calling "Set new AOI", you can select an area of interest with the mouse

Clear AOI

Clears the area of interest (reset to full frame)

User allocated image

The memory is allocated not via the SDK function

is_SetAllocatedImageMem() , but by the application

Sound on transfer failed

Output an acoustic signal if a transmission error occurs

Error report

Errors are displayed in a dialog box

Clear counters

Reset the counters (see uc480 Viewer status bar)

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3.4.2.5.4 uc480

The "uc480" menu contains functions for image capture and camera configuration.

3 Operation

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DCx Cameras

Select Color

Select color for drawings and text

Geometry

Select line width

Set line width

Circle

Show circles

Show/hide circles

New circle

Draw new circle

Delete circles

Freehand

Show freehand lines

Show/hide freehand drawings

New freehand line

Draw new freehand

Delete freehand lines

Delete freehand drawing

Line

Show lines

Show/hide lines

New line

Draw new line

Delete lines

Rectangle

Show rectangles

Show/hide rectangles

New rectangle

Draw new rectangle

Delete rectangles

Measure

Set measuring unit

Set scale

Show measures

Show/hide dimension lines

New measure

Draw new dimension line

Delete measures

Delete all dimension lines

Text

Select font

Show texts

Show/hide texts

New text

Write new text

Delete text

Time stamp

Set time stamp position

Time stamp position (top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right)

Show time stamp

Show/hide time stamp

3.4.2.5.5 Draw/Measure

The "Draw" menu contains functions drawing annotations as overlay on the live image.

Note

Setting the measuring unit

You can take simple measurements in uc480 Viewer. Before you start measuring, the camera must be calibrated to a scale. The []/pixel unit indicates the actual distance that corresponds to one pixel. To set the measuring unit, do the following:

1. Mount the camera on a stand. Place an object of known size below the camera (e.g. a ruler).

2. Make sure that the measuring unit is set to 1 at first. Then draw a dimension line over a known distance. The longer you make the dimension line, the higher the measurement accuracy will be.

3. The dimension line will show the length in pixels. Divide the actual distance by the number of pixels measured. Enter this value in the “Set measuring unit” field of the dialog box.

Example: Actual distance = 10 cm. Measured length in pixels = 200. Measuring unit = 10 cm/200 or 100 mm/200

3 Operation

Save image + drawings

Opens the "Save As" dialog box. The image is stored with all drawings, texts, measures and dimension lines

Load drawings

Loads saved drawings from a *.bin file.

Save drawings

Saves current drawings to *.bin file.

Delete all

Delete all drawings, texts, measures and dimension lines

No profile

Disables the profile feature. The current settings remain unchanged.

Save current settings as profile

Opens the "Save as…" dialog box to save a profile (*.ucp file)

List of profiles available in the program directory

Hotkeys

Opens a window with a list of keyboard shortcuts available in uc480 Viewer.

Info about uc480 Viewer

Opens a window showing version information about uc480 Viewer and related files.

3.4.2.5.6 Profiles

The "Profiles" menu provides functions for managing profiles. When you start uc480 Viewer, the application searches the C:\Program Files\Thorlabs\DCx Cameras\Profile\ folder for profile files and lists them in the Profiles menu . The profile names shown in the menu are named after the files.

Attention

Do not remove or rename the profile files created in the C:\Program Files\Thorlabs\DCx Cameras \Profile\ folder when you install the application. Otherwise program functions in uc480 Viewer may not work

correctly.

See also:

"Choose mode" start dialog Creating profiles

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3.4.2.5.7 Help

DCx Cameras

3.4.2.6 Dialog Boxes

Please choose a dialog box:

Record dialog Customize Histogram window Horizontal/vertical line view Zoom window Pixel peek window Waterfall window Log window Image infos

88 89 90

3.4.2.6.1 Recording a Video Sequence

Select the menu File > Record video sequence… to open the uc480 record dialog box. This dialog box provides all the functions you need to create a video file (.avi) from a sequence of images captured with the DCx Camera.

Note

Video resolution: If the width or height of the video resolution is greater than 2048 pixels, some media players

may not be able to play the video. Video compression: To reduce the file size, the single frames are stored in the AVI container using an adjustable

JPEG compression. It is possible to extract single frames from the AVI file.

AVI capture workflow

Once the AVI file has been created, images transferred from the DCx Camera are placed in a buffer. Then, the images are compressed and added to the AVI file which is stored on the hard disk. These operations are not performed in the same thread as the capturing process. If you capture more images while a compression or write operation is in progress, the new images will be discarded.

Supported color formats

The supported input color formats are RGB32, RGB24, Y8 and raw Bayer. The output file will always be in RGB24 format, regardless of the input data format. Once the AVI file has been created, the following parameters of the input image can no longer be changed:

Color format AOI, binning and subsampling Show only AOI

Note

AVI recording is only possible in the "Device Independent Bitmap (DIB)" display mode .

3 Operation

Record dialog box

File Name of the AVI file opened for recording.

Max. Frames If you select this check box, you can set the number of frames after which recording should stop.

Maximal [MB] Sets the maximum size for the AVI file. Recording stops when the AVI file reaches the size limit. You can edit the entry in this box (default: 1998).

Current [MB] Indicates the current size of the AVI file.

Received Indicates the number of images transferred by the camera.

Dropped Indicates the number of images discarded during compression. A image is dropped if it arrives while compression is in progress.

Saved Indicates the number of images saved to the AVI file.

Calc. Framerate If you select this check box, the frame rate of the AVI file is determined automatically during recording. It can also be set manually. The frame rate value is stored in the AVI file and evaluated by the movie player. The usual value is 25 or 30 frames per second. The recording speed of the video depends on the selected color format, the image size and the compression level of the AVI file as well as the PC performance.

JPEG Quality This slider sets the JPEG compression level (1 = lowest quality/highest compression, 100 = highest quality/ lowest compression, default = 75).

Create.../Close Click this button to create a new AVI file for recording, and to close the file again when you are done. If you select an existing AVI file, the file contents will be overwritten during recording.

Record/Stop Starts/stops AVI recording.

Exit Closes the Record dialog box. A recording in progress is stopped.

See also:

AVI function descriptions

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3.4.2.6.2 Customize

Select the menu File > Customize… to open the "Customize" dialog box. This dialog box provides options to define the behaviour of uc480 Viewer at program start.

The following options are available:

Restore uc480 Viewer parameters when camera is opened If you select this check box, the currently set camera parameters will be restored when the same DCxCamera

DCx Cameras

model is opened the next time. Restore window position and size

If you select this check box, the size and position of the program window will be restored when uc480 Viewer is launched the next time.

Show image info window If you select this check box, the Image infos window will be opened on program start.

Show log window If you select this check box, the Log window will be opened on program start.

3.4.2.6.3 Histogram

Select the menu View > Histogram to open the "Histogram" window. This window graphically displays the frequency distribution of the color values in the image captured by the camera.

For more information on histograms see the Bit depth and digital contrast adjustment chapter.

The histogram always displays 256 values per channel. For color modes with a bit depth of more than 8 bits, the function evaluates the 8 most significant bits (MSBs).

The following options are available:

Channel With the "Red", "Green", and "Blue" check boxes, you can enable or disable the display for each color channel. Avg. displays the average of each color value. For monochrome images, the average grayscale value is displayed.

Outlined The "Outlined" check box enables you to toggle the color value display between an area diagram and a line diagram.

Logarithmic If you select this check box, the values are displayed with logarithmic scaling.

Show Bayer RGB This function is only available when a color camera is running in "Direct raw Bayer" mode. If you select this check box, the histogram represents the individual Bayer color components as red, green and blue channels.

3 Operation

3.4.2.6.4 Horizontal / Vertical Line View

Select the menu View > Line view (horizontal/vertical) to open the "Line View" windows, which show the color values of a pixel row or pixel column.

The line view always displays 256 values per channel. For color modes with a bit depth of more than 8 bits, the function evaluates the 8 most significant bits (MSBs).

3.4.2.6.5 Zoom

Select the menu View > Zoom window to open the "Zoom" window. This window shows an enlarged view of the image area at the selected cursor position.

If you enable the "Pixel Peek" check box at the top of the zoom window, the color values at the cursor position are displayed (see Pixel peek window ). Using the slider at the top of the window, you can set the zoom factor in the range between 0.25 and 20.00. The size of the image area depends on the selected size of the zoom window.

To set the cursor position you want to display in the window, place the cursor at that position in the image, hold the CTRL key and right-click. Alternatively, you can set the image position using the context menu.

DCx Cameras

3.4.2.6.6 Pixel Peek

Select the menu View > Pixel peek window to open the pixel peek window. This window displays the color values at the selected cursor position and those of the neighboring pixels.

The color values at the cursor position are surrounded by a yellow rectangle. For monochrome images, the grayscale value is displayed. The window always displays 256 values per channel. For color modes with a bit depth of more than 8 bits, the function evaluates the 8 most significant bits (MSBs).

If you disable the Pixel Peek check box at the top of the window, the Zoom window is displayed (see Zoom Window

To set the cursor position you want to display in the window, place the cursor at that position in the image, hold the Ctrl key and right-click. Alternatively, you can set the image position using the context menu.

3.4.2.6.7 Waterfall

Select the menu View > Waterfall window to display the waterfall window. This window shows how a selected image line changes over time. For this purpose, the line at the selected cursor position is copied to the new window. With each new frame, all lines in the Waterfall window are moved one pixel down, and the new line is added at the top. This results in an image that flows from top to bottom and is useful for observing short-term image changes.

To set the cursor position you want to monitor in the Waterfall window, place the cursor at that position in the image, hold the Ctrl key and right-click. Alternatively, you can set the image position using the context menu.

3 Operation

3.4.2.6.8 Log

Select the menu View > Log window to display the logged data. In this window events and messages are logged.

The following options are available:

Level With these radio buttons, you choose the logging level (Off, Low, Medium, High). The last level used is saved when you close the window. The next time you open the log window, logging is performed at that level.

Auto Scroll When you select the Auto Scroll check box, the display automatically scrolls up when new entries arrive so that the new entries can be read.

Log Transfer Failed Select the Log Transfer Failed check box if you want to log transfer errors.

Clear Window The Clear Window button deletes the current messages.

Save The "Save" button opens the Windows "Save as" dialog box, allowing you to save the messages displayed in the log window in ASCII format (.txt file).

DCx Cameras

Error

Description

API no destination memory

There is no destination memory for copying the finished image.

API conversion failed

The current image could not be processed correctly.

API image locked

The destination buffers are locked and could not be written to.

DRV out of buffers

No free internal image memory is available to the driver. The image was discarded.

DRV device not ready

The camera is no longer available. It is not possible to access images that have already been transferred.

5 USB transfer failed

The image was not transferred over the USB bus.

DEV timeout

The maximum allowable time for image capturing in the camera was exceeded.

7 ETH buffer overrun

Not applicable to DCx Cameras 8

ETH missed images

3.4.2.6.9 Image Infos

Select the menu View > Image infos to display a dialog box containing information on the image capture.

Capture errors

This group box provides detail information on errors that occurred during an image capture process:

3 Operation

Possible cause

Remedy

Not enough destination memory allocated or all destination buffers locked by the application

Reduce the frame rate so that there is more time to process the filled destination memory

Internal error during internal processing of the image

All destination buffers locked by the application

Reduce the frame rate so that there is more time to process the filled destination memory

The computer takes too long to process the images in the uc480 API (e.g. color conversion)

Reduce the frame rate so that there is more time to process the filled image memory of the driver

Disable resource-intensive API image pre-processing functions (e.g. edge enhancement, color correction, choose smaller filter mask for software color conversion)

The camera has been disconnected or closed

Not enough free bandwidth on the USB bus for transferring the image

Reduce the pixel clock frequency Operate fewer cameras simultaneously on a USB bus Check the quality of the USB cabling and components

The selected timeout value is too low for image capture

Reduce the exposure time Increase the timeout

Camera image buffers, Resent packets

Not applicable to DCx Cameras.

See also:

Troubleshooting

499

Programming: is_GetImageInfo()

244

DCx Cameras

3.4.2.7 Properties

When you select uc480 > Properties from the main menu, a dialog box opens where you can set the DCx camera parameters. Changes made to camera and image settings here will take effect immediately.

When you close a camera in uc480 Viewer, the current settings are written to the Windows Registry. They will be loaded the next time you open a camera of the same type (see also the Customize chapter). To save the settings to the camera or to an ini file, select File > Save parameters from the main menu. To load settings, select the "Load parameters" option.

Note

Depending on the camera model opened and the user mode set not all of the property pages might be available.

Camera Image Size Format Color Trigger Input/output

102

103

104

AES/AGC (automatic brightness control) AWB (auto white balance) Miscellaneous Multi AOI Sequence AOI Shutter

115

110

112

113

108

106

3 Operation

3.4.2.7.1 Camera

This tab provides parameters for settings the pixel clock frequency, frame rate and exposure time for your DCx camera (see also Pixel clock, frame rate and exposure time ).

Timing

Camera peak bandwidth Maximum required bandwidth in MByte/s (peak load).

Camera average bandwidth Required average bandwidth in MByte/s. The average bandwidth is calculated from the following data: Image size, image format, frame rate, and interface-related protocol overhead.

Sensor (max. bandwidth) Maximum data volume in MPixel/s created by the sensor.

With USB 2.0 cameras, the upper limit depends on the USB chipset on the mainboard/USB card and on the number of USB devices connected. If transfer errors occur, reduce the pixel clock frequency.

Pixel Clock Sets the clock rate at which the image data is read from the sensor. Changes to this parameter affect the frame rate and the exposure time. Many CMOS sensors allow higher pixel clock frequencies in binning/subsampling mode.

o Optimum

When you select this check box, the highest possible pixel clock is determined and set automatically. The optimum pixel clock is the clock rate at which no transfer errors occur during the time (in seconds) set in the "Auto pixel clock test period" box. The longer you set the test period, the more reliable the determined pixel clock becomes. The total time it takes to automatically set the pixel clock is a bit longer than the test period setting.

Note

If the "Exposure (AES)" (automatic exposure) option is enabled in the AES/AGC tab the pixel clock cannot be set manually.

Frame rate (Freerun) Sets the frame rate in freerun mode. The available frame rate range depends on the pixel clock setting.

106

DCx Cameras

o Hold

When you select this check box, the frame rate will remain constant if the pixel clock changes. If the frame rate cannot be maintained, it is set to the nearest possible value.

o Max

The camera is operated at the maximum frame rate that is possible at the current pixel clock setting.

o Auto

Select this check box to activate the auto frame rate function. This function is only available when auto

exposure shutter is enabled.

Exposure time Sets the exposure time. The available exposure time range depends on the pixel clock setting and the frame rate. A low frame rate setting allows long exposure times. A high frame rate setting reduces the maximum possible exposure time. In combination with flash an exposure time of 1 ms has been proven.

o Hold

When you select this check box, the exposure time will remain constant if the frame rate changes. If the exposure time cannot be maintained, it is set to the nearest possible value.

o Max

The camera is operated at the maximum exposure time that is possible at the current frame rate.

o Auto

Select this check box to activate the auto exposure shutter function. If the "Auto" check box is selected, the exposure time and pixel clock can no longer be adjusted manually. Selecting the "Hold" or "Max" check box deselects the "Auto" check box.

o Long-term

If you select this check box, you can set an exposure time of up to 10 minutes on CCD cameras.

o Fine increment

Select this check box to set the exposure time in fine increments. This option is not supported by all camera models.

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Default

Click this button to reset all parameters to the model-specific defaults.

3 Operation

3.4.2.7.2 Image

On this tab you can set the sensor gain parameters for your DCx camera (see also Gain and offset ).

Master gain

The following functions control the analog image signal gain and the black level. The analog adjustments are made directly in the sensor, which achieves better results than image adjustments via software.

Gain [0 ... 100] Gain for overall image brightness. Some camera models have no master gain. Master gain = 100 means maximum gain; the actual factor is displayed. A gain factor of 1x disables master gain. The maximum possible gain factor depends on the model you are using.

o Auto

Select this check box to activate the automatic gain control function. Manually changing the master gain

106

setting disables the "Auto" function.

o Gain boost

Additional analog camera hardware gain. The gain factor ranges between 1.5x and 2x, depending on the camera model.

Black level (offset) [0 ... 255] Offset for the black level of the sensor signal. The sensor adjusts the black level of the pixels automatically by default. If the environment is very bright, it can be necessary to adjust the black level manually. High gain may offset the black level. Only an additive offset is possible (increase of the black level).

o Auto

The black level is automatically corrected by the sensor (recommended).

Note

With cameras featuring both master gain and RGB gain, the two gain factors are multiplied. Very high gain values can be achieved in this way. If you want to use the RGB sliders for color adjustment, we recommend setting green gain to 0 and using only red and blue gain.

Color gain

You can fix a setting (in kelvins) for the color temperature of an image when you are using a color camera. The

180

function will use the sensor's hardware gain controls for the setting, as far as possible. In addition, you can choose

DCx Cameras

between different color spaces. A specific color temperature will result in slightly differing RGB values, depending on the selected color space.

White balance o Manual

Set the RGB gains manually.

o Auto

Enable the AWB (auto white balance) function.

o Default gains

Default gain values for this camera model.

o sRGB D50

sRGB (standard RGB) color space with a white point of 5000 kelvins (warm light)

o sRGB D65

sRGB (standard RGB) color space with a white point of 6500 kelvins (mid daylight)

o CIE RGB E

CIE-RGB color space with standard illumination E

o ECI RGB D50

ECI-RGB color space with a white point of 5000 kelvins (warm light)

o Adobe RGB D65

Adobe RGB color space with a white point of 6500 kelvins (mid daylight). The Adobe RGB color space is larger than the sRGB color space, but not all devices can render it.

Presets This selection box offers several presets for common illumination types.

Temperature (Kelvin) Here, you can set a color temperature value directly.

For color cameras, the following functions control the analog gain for the RGB color channels. The analog control is performed in the sensor and achieve better results than software based image correction.

Red gain [0 ... 100] Amplifies the red color values

Green gain [0 ... 100] Amplifies the green color values

Blue gain [0 ... 100] Amplifies the blue color values

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Gamma

This function activates the gamma function and sets the factor for the gamma curve. The gamma function emphasizes dark image areas according to a non-linear curve.

Hardware sensor gamma This option enables gamma correction by the hardware, using a fixed factor.

Default

Click this button to reset all parameters to the model-specific defaults.

See also:

Characteristics and LUT: Gamma

Programming:

Color Temperature: is_ColorTemperature()

180

3 Operation

3.4.2.7.3 Size

On this tab, you can set the image size parameters for your DCx camera (see also Reading out partial images ).

AOI

These parameters allow selecting the size and position of the area of interest .

Profile With this selection box, you can set several common image formats on CMOS sensors. The driver then sets the selected format using either AOI, binning / subsampling, or scaler, so that it achieves the best image quality.

Show only AOI The AOI is displayed without a black border. Internally, the image is managed at the AOI resolution and not the full sensor resolution. This function saves memory and computing time when rendering the image.

o Width

Sets the AOI width.

o Height

Sets the AOI height.

o Left

Sets the left-hand position of the AOI.

Center Select this check box to center the AOI horizontally.

o Top

Sets the top position of the AOI.

Center Select this check box to center the AOI vertically.

Horizontal format / vertical format

With these options, you can select the binning and subsampling settings for the image.

38 37

Binning Horizontal/Vertical These radio buttons allow setting the binning factor. The image resolution is then reduced by the selected

460

factor. You can use binning to increase the frame rate.

DCx Cameras

Subsampling Horizontal/Vertical These radio buttons allow setting the subsampling factor. The image resolution is then reduced by the selected factor. You can use subsampling to increase the frame rate.

Mirror Left/right | Up/down Select this check box to flip the image horizontally/vertically.

Scaler

With these options, you can configure the image scaling settings provided by specific DCxCamera sensors. These options are not available for all camera models.

Enable Enables the sensor's image scaling feature.

Factor With this slider, you can set the scaling factor.

460

Anti aliasing The anti aliasing function smoothes the image edges during scaling.

Native AOI Shows the native image size without the effect of the scaler.

Max. pixel clock Shows the maximum possible pixel clock with scaler.

Note

Binning and subsampling in color and monochrome cameras: Some color cameras perform only mono

binning/subsampling due to the sensors they use. If mono binning or subsampling is used in a color camera, the color information will be lost.

Some monochrome cameras perform only color binning/subsampling due to the sensors they use. If color binning or subsampling is used in a monochrome camera, image artifacts might become visible.

Default

Click this button to reset all parameters to the model-specific defaults.

See also:

Basics: Reading out partial images

Programming:

Area of interest: is_AOI() Binning: is_SetBinning() Subsampling: is_SetSubSampling() Profiles/image formats: is_ImageFormat()

159

310

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267

THORLABS DCU223x, DCU224x, DCC1240x, DCC 3240X, DCC1545M Operation Manual And Sdk

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

1 General Information

1.1 Safety

1.2 Ordering Codes and Accessories

1.3 Requirements

1.4 DCx Camera Family

1.5 Contents

1.6 What's New in this Version?

2 Camera Basics

2.1 Operating Modes

2.1.1 Freerun Mode

2.1.2 Trigger Mode

2.1.3 Standby

2.2 Image Display Modes

2.3 Sensor

2.3.1 Sensor Sizes

2.3.2 Micro Lenses

2.3.3 Color Filter (Bayer filter)

2.3.4 Hot Pixels

2.3.5 Shutter Methods

2.3.6 Line Scan Mode

2.4 Reading Out Partial Images

2.4.1 Area of Interest (AOI)

2.4.2 Subsampling

2.4.3 Binning

2.5 Digitizing Images

2.5.1 Characteristics and LUT

2.5.2 Bit Depth and Digital Contrast Adjustment

2.6 Camera Parameters

2.6.1 Pixel Clock, Frame Rate, Exposure Time

2.6.2 Gain and Offset

2.6.3 Automatic Image Control

2.6.4 Applying New Parameters

2.7 Firmware and Camera Start

2.8 Digital Inputs / Outputs

2.8.1 Using Digital Inputs/Outputs

2.8.2 Flash Timing (Trigger Mode)

2.8.3 Flash Timing (Freerun Mode)

2.8.4 Serial Interface RS-232 (DC3240x only)

2.9 USB Interface

2.9.1 History and Development

2.9.2 Structure and Topology

2.9.3 USB 2.0 Cabling and Connectors

2.9.4 USB 3.0 Cabling and Connectors

2.9.5 Data Transmission and Bandwidth

3 Operation

3.1 uc480 Quick Start

3.2 Installation and Connection

3.2.1 System Requirements

3.2.2 DCx Driver Compatibility

3.2.3 Installing the uc480 Software under Windows

3.2.4 Installing the uc480 Software under Linux

3.2.5 Connecting a DCx Camera

3.3 Application Notes by Camera Model

3.3.1 DCC1240x / DCC3240x Application Notes

3.3.2 DCC1545M Application Notes

3.3.3 DCC1645C Application Notes

3.3.4 DCU223x Application Notes

3.3.5 DCU224x Application Notes

3.4 Installed uc480 Programs

3.4.1 uc480 Camera Manager

3.4.1.1 Camera List

3.4.1.2 Control Center

3.4.1.3 General Information

3.4.1.4 Camera Information

3.4.1.5 Creating a Support File

3.4.1.6 Additional Functions

3.4.1.7 Parameters

3.4.2 uc480 Viewer

3.4.2.1 Start Dialog

3.4.2.2 Toolbars

3.4.2.3 Status Bar

3.4.2.4 Opening a Camera

3.4.2.5 Menus

3.4.2.5.1 File

3.4.2.5.2 Edit

3.4.2.5.3 View