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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.

THORLABS DCC1645C User Manual

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