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C5 Series User Manual Rev. 1.4
The High Dynamic Range 3D Feature (HDR-3D)
One of the most powerful features of the C5 series is the HDR-3D (High Dynamic Range)
functionality, which allows scanning materials and surfaces with inhomogeneous
reflection properties. Using HDR-3D the dynamic range of image intensity is extended up
to 90dB, thus avoiding intensity saturation.
The HDR-3D comprises two independent sensor functions:
MultipleSlope Function
The aim of the Multiple Slope function is to avoid the saturation of pixels during sensor chip
exposure. This high optical dynamic range is achieved by using a piecewise linear
response. The intensity of illuminated pixels, which reach a certain level, is clipped, while
darker pixels remain untouched. The clipping level can be adjusted 2 times within one
exposure time to achieve a maximum of 3 slopes in the response curve. The points of the
curve, where the slope changes, are called “knee points”. The latter are defined through
the setting of clipping levels for the intensity (thresholds) and time points within the
exposure time.
These parameters can be adjusted using the GenIcam registers Multi Slope Exposure Limit
and Multi Slope Saturation Threshold of the Acquisition Control (XML grid visibility must be
set to “Expert”). A knee point time is defined as percentage of the overall exposure time.
A clipping level is defined as percentage of the maximum sensor intensity (saturation).