FAQ

Can the window regions and integration (shutter) be changed in Live Readout without interrupting the video capture & display?

Once the camera is running in LIVE Readout, all the control registers can be modified without entering the program mode.

The sensor register values are loaded at the next top of frame and will not interrupt the video timing. It is therefore possible to have different set of values for every image output from the camera. However, it can take up to 1 additional frame time to see certain results dependant on where in the frame cycle time the command is sent.

The clock frequency change command will take effect immediately. The Clock change is not internally synchronized to the frame readout, as it is usually set for the application and not changed on the fly. However, the clock rate change can be synchronized using PC software by simply sending the command.

We need frame rates of 200+ Hz in ROI/window of 128x128 pixels with 8-10 bits/pixel and some significant sensitivity in near IR. Is the SI3170 well suited?

The SI3170 can achieve 200+ Hz (372FPS max) at 2056x128 (or 128x128). At these frame rates the integration time is low, so you may need to use a strobe light. This will also help eliminate any motion blur or artifact caused by fast moving objects within the field of view. The image data can be captured at 12bit resolution at full speed using the standard PCI Frame grabber.

Is there a binning option ?

No. But there is windowing. Was this to decrease integration time or increase frame rate? We could do digital binning after capture.

What is CAMERA LINK?
Camera Link is a new industry standard for high speed digital image and video communication between a camera and Frame Grabber.

For years, the scientific and industrial digital video market has lacked a standard method of communication. Both frame grabbers and camera manufacturers developed products with different connectors, making cable production difficult for manufacturers and very confusing for consumers. A connectivity standard between digital cameras and frame grabbers is long overdue and will become even more necessary as data rates continue to increase.

Increasingly diverse cameras and advanced signal and data transmissions have made a connectivity standard like Camera Link a necessity. The Camera Link interface will reduce support time, as well as the cost of that support. The standard cable will be able to handle the increased signal speeds, and the cable assembly will allow customers to reduce their costs through volume pricing. Click or more details on Camera Link <TOP>

What are LVDS and CHANNEL LINK?
Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) is a high-speed, low-power general purpose interface standard. The standard, known as ANSI/TIA/EIA-644, was approved in March 1996. LVDS uses differential signaling, with a nominal signal swing of 350 mV differential. The low signal swing decreases rise and fall times to achieve a theoretical maximum transmission rate of 1.923 Gbps into a loss-less medium. The low signal swing also means that the standard is not dependent on a particular supply voltage. LVDS uses current-mode drivers, which limit power consumption. The differential signals are immune to ±1 V common volt noise.

National Semiconductor developed the Channel Link technology as a solution for flat panel displays, based on LVDS for the physical layer. The technology was then extended into a method for general purpose data transmission. Channel Link consists of a driver and receiver pair. The driver accepts 28 single-ended data signals and a single-ended clock. The data is serialized 7:1, and the four data streams and a dedicated clock are driven over five LVDS pairs. The receiver accepts the four LVDS data streams and LVDS clock, and then drives the 28 bits and a clock to the board.<TOP>

What is IEEE-1394?
IEEE-1394 is a high-speed digital serial interface that has data transfer speeds up to 400 Mbps today. 1394 enables plug-and-play peripheral connectivity, provides power to peripherals, supports real-time (isochronous) data transfers and digital transport content protection. The 1394 architecture comprises of three layers -- physical, link, and transaction- corresponding to the lowest three layers of the International Standard’s Organization’s Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. Unlike USB, which is a PC host-based architecture, 1394 is a peer-to-peer protocol, allowing a peripheral such as a digital camera or camcorder to plug directly into a printer without the need for a PC host.<TOP>

Is USB 2.0 going to replace IEEE 1394?
Those familiar with the two specifications believe the two bus standards will complement one another. Today, 1394 is ideally suited for the higher performance isochronous and asynchronous video/audio/data transfer applications. In comparison, USB handles lower-speed peripheral applications very well. For example, many PC’s contain ports for both standards because of their complementary capabilities.<TOP>