To Next Page

To Previous Page

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.

THORLABS DCC1645C Description And Sdk Manual

Other manuals for THORLABS DCC1645C