The Basler aviator Camera Link is a high-performance industrial camera designed for image acquisition in various applications. This manual provides comprehensive details on its specifications, functionalities, and maintenance.
Function Description
The camera features a full-frame shutter and electronic exposure time control. Exposure start, exposure time, and charge readout can be controlled via parameters transmitted through the Camera Link interface. Additionally, exposure start can be controlled by an externally generated electrical trigger (ExFrameStTrig) signal, facilitating periodic or non-periodic acquisition. The camera supports both "timed" and "trigger width" exposure modes when hardware frame start triggering is used. In "timed" mode, exposure time is determined by a set parameter, while in "trigger width" mode, it's controlled by the duration of the hardware signal, allowing for variable exposure times frame-to-frame and longer exposures than typically achievable by parameter settings alone.
Accumulated charges are read out from the sensor when exposure ends. The sensor supports two digitization modes: "four tap" and "one tap." In "four tap" mode, the sensor is divided into quadrants, with a separate electronic circuit (tap) reading out pixels from each quadrant simultaneously, enabling very fast readout and higher frame acquisition rates. In "one tap" mode, a single electronic circuit reads out pixels, which can produce a more uniform image but significantly reduces the maximum frame acquisition rate.
The camera offers several "Camera Link tap geometries" to determine how pixel data is transmitted to the frame grabber: 1X-1Y, 1X2-1Y, and 1X-2YE. In 1X-1Y and 1X2-1Y modes, the entire image is read out and buffered before transmission begins, leading to some latency. In 1X-2YE mode, pixel data transmission can begin before the entire image is read out and buffered, resulting in very low latency.
The camera also includes various image enhancement and control features:
- I/O Control: Configurable input lines (In 1, In 2, CC1, CC2, CC4) can receive hardware trigger signals or user-defined signals. An input line debouncer filters out unwanted short signals. An output line (Out 1) can be assigned to various camera output signals like Acquisition Trigger Wait, Frame Trigger Wait, Exposure Active, Timer Active, User Output, or Sync User Output.
- Timers: Two timer output signals (Timer 1, Timer 2) can be configured with a delay and duration, triggered by events like "exposure active."
- Color Creation and Enhancement: Color models use a Bayer filter (Bayer GR alignment) for color separation. Features like White Balance, Gamma Correction (sRGB and User modes), and Matrix Color Transformation (with presets for Tungsten, Daylight 5000K, Daylight 6500K, and Custom settings) are available to adjust color balance, brightness, and compensate for lighting conditions. An integrated IR cut filter is included in C-mount lens adapters on color models.
- Pixel Formats and Tap Geometries: Supports Mono 8, Mono 10, Mono 12, Bayer GR 8, Bayer GR 10, and Bayer GR 12 pixel formats, determining the bit depth of transmitted image data.
- Digital Shift: Allows changing the group of bits output from each ADC, effectively multiplying the camera's output by 2, 4, 8, or 16 times.
- Image Area of Interest (AOI): Enables specifying a portion of the imaging sensor array for data transmission, which can increase the maximum allowed frame acquisition rate.
- Prelines: A feature to minimize dark areas that may appear near the top and bottom of acquired images, especially with smaller AOIs.
- Auto Functions: Includes Gain Auto, Exposure Auto, and Balance White Auto, which automatically adjust parameters to achieve target image properties. These functions can operate in "once" or "continuous" modes and can be applied to specific Auto Function AOIs.
- Gray Value Adjustment Damping: Controls the rate at which pixel gray values are changed when Exposure Auto and/or Gain Auto are enabled.
- Minimum Output Pulse Width: Ensures reliable detection of output signals by increasing their width to a set minimum.
- Error Detection: An LED indicator on the back of the camera displays power, status, and error conditions. Error codes provide specific information about user-correctable errors.
- Sequencer: Allows applying specific sets of configuration parameters (sequence sets) to a sequence of image acquisitions, enabling dynamic parameter changes during image capture. Three advance modes are available: Auto, Controlled, and Free Selection.
- Mirror Imaging: Reverse X and Reverse Y features allow flipping captured images horizontally and/or vertically.
- Luminance Lookup Table (LUT): Enables creating a custom 12-bit to 12-bit lookup table to customize the camera's response curve, and can also be used for 12-bit to 10-bit or 12-bit to 8-bit output.
- User Defined Values: Five 32-bit signed integer values that can be set and read as desired for storage.
- Test Images: Internal test images are available for checking camera functionality, service, and failure diagnostics.
Important Technical Specifications
- Sensor Resolution:
- avA1000-120km/kc: 1024 x 1024 pixels (nominal), 1040 x 1040 pixels (maximum)
- avA1600-65km/kc: 1600 x 1200 pixels (nominal), 1640 x 1240 pixels (maximum)
- avA1900-60km/kc: 1920 x 1080 pixels (nominal), 1960 x 1120 pixels (maximum)
- avA2300-30km/kc: 2330 x 1750 pixels (nominal), 2360 x 1776 pixels (maximum)
- Sensor Type: ON Semiconductor® KAI-01050 / KAI-02050 / KAI-02150 / KAI-04050 Progressive scan CCD
- Optical Size: 1/2" (avA1000 models), 2/3" (avA1600/avA1900 models), 1" (avA2300 models)
- Effective Sensor Diagonal: 5.5 mm for all models
- Pixel Size: 5.5 µm x 5.5 µm
- Max Frame Rate (at nominal resolution): 120 fps (avA1000 models), 67 fps (avA1600 models), 62 fps (avA1900 models), 31 fps (avA2300 models)
- Mono/Color: Available in both monochrome and color versions
- ADC Bit Depth: 12 bit
- Data Output Type: Camera Link Base Configuration
- Camera Link Clock Speed: Selectable (20 MHz, 32.5 MHz, 40 MHz, 48 MHz, or 65 MHz), default 65 MHz
- Camera Link Tap Geometry: 1X-1Y, 1X2-1Y or 1X-2YE
- Pixel Format: Mono 8/10/12 (monochrome), Bayer GR 8/10/12 (color)
- Synchronization: Via hardware trigger, software trigger, or free run
- Exposure Time Control: Trigger width or timed
- Camera Power Requirements: +12 VDC (± 10%), < 1% ripple
- Power Consumption: 5.0 W @ 12 VDC (avA1000 models), 5.5 W @ 12 VDC (avA1600/avA1900 models), 6.0 W @ 12 VDC (avA2300 models)
- I/O Lines: 12-pin receptacle (2 input, 1 output), 26-pin Camera Link connector (3 input: CC1, CC2, CC4)
- Lens Adapter: C-mount
- Size (L x W x H): 41.2 mm x 62.0 mm x 62.0 mm (without lens adapter or connectors), 56.8 mm x 62.0 mm x 62.0 mm (with lens adapter and connectors)
- Weight: ≈ 300 g (typical)
- Conformity: CE (includes ROHS), FCC, GenICam, IP30, REACH
- Software: Basler pylon Camera Software Suite (version 4.0 or higher) for Windows, Linux x86, Linux ARM, and OS X.
Usage Features
- Flexible Triggering: Supports both software and hardware triggers for image acquisition, with options for acquisition start and frame start triggers. Hardware triggers can be sourced from dedicated input lines (In 1, In 2) or Camera Link control channels (CC1, CC2, CC4).
- Adjustable Exposure: Exposure time can be set manually (timed mode) or controlled by the width of the hardware trigger signal (trigger width mode), offering flexibility for various lighting conditions and dynamic scenes.
- Image Customization: Extensive features for adjusting image properties including gain, black level, white balance, gamma correction, and color matrix transformation. These can be set manually or automatically via auto functions.
- Area of Interest (AOI): Users can define a specific area of interest on the sensor to optimize frame rate and focus on relevant image data.
- Sequencer: Allows for advanced control over camera parameters by cycling through predefined "sequence sets" during continuous image acquisition, useful for adapting to changing conditions.
- Mirror Imaging: Provides horizontal (Reverse X) and vertical (Reverse Y) image flipping capabilities.
- Luminance Lookup Table (LUT): Customizable lookup table for fine-tuning the camera's response curve and adapting to different bit depth outputs.
- Software Control: Parameters can be changed using the Basler pylon Camera Software Suite (pylon Viewer GUI or pylon API) or via direct register access for advanced users.
- Error Monitoring: An LED indicator and error codes provide immediate feedback on camera status and potential issues.
Maintenance Features
- Environmental Requirements:
- Housing Temperature: 0 °C to +50 °C (+32 °F to +122 °F) during operation.
- Humidity: 20 % to 80 % relative, non-condensing during operation.
- Storage Temperature: -20 °C to +80 °C (-4 °F to +176 °F).
- Storage Humidity: 20 % to 80 % relative, non-condensing.
- Heat Dissipation: Sufficient heat dissipation must be provided to keep the camera housing temperature at 50 °C or less. Recommendations include mounting on a substantial metal component or using a fan for airflow.
- Cleaning:
- Sensor: Avoid cleaning if possible. If necessary, disconnect power, use a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with window cleaner, and ensure the cloth won't generate static. Do not use compressed air.
- Housing: Disconnect power, use a soft dry cloth. For severe stains, use a soft cloth dampened with a small quantity of detergent. Avoid solvents or thinners.
- Precautions:
- Power Supply: Use power supplies meeting Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) and Limited Power Source (LPS) requirements. Ensure voltage is within +10.8 VDC to +13.2 VDC and polarity is correct to prevent damage.
- Connections: Always switch off power to the camera and host computer before making or breaking connections. If power cannot be switched off, ensure the camera power plug is the last to be plugged in and the first to be unplugged.
- Lens Thread Length (Color Cameras): Lenses used with color cameras must have a thread length less than 7.5 mm to avoid damaging the internal IR cut filter.
- EMI and ESD: Use high-quality shielded cables, avoid coiling cables, keep cables away from high-current wires, connect all grounds to a single point, use a line filter, and minimize electrostatic discharge risks.
- Handling: Do not remove the product label, open the housing, or touch internal components. Prevent foreign substances from entering the housing. Avoid operating near strong electromagnetic fields. Transport in original packaging.
- Configuration Sets: Factory setups and user-defined settings can be saved in non-volatile memory. Users can select a "startup" set to be loaded automatically at power-on or after a reset.
- Technical Support: Basler provides technical support resources, including an online frame rate calculator, documentation, and contact information for assistance and RMA requests.
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