Q Imaging Retiga 4000R User Manual

Contents

Q Imaging Retiga 4000R User Manual Manual pdf 14 page image

11CHAPTER 4ADVANCED CAMERA CONTROLSThe Retiga 4000R offers the user an advanced method of synchronizing to external events. The useof external triggering allows more advanced specialized applications of digital imaging. This sectionexplains external triggering for the Retiga 4000R as well as the operation and control of electrical gainand offset.Triggering the Retiga 4000R ExtenallyExternally triggering the Retiga 4000R provides a sophisticated method of imaging and synchronizingyour camera to other parts of your system. To use this feature effectively, it is important to understandthe operation and configuration of your camera.The External Trigger Port of the Retiga 4000R is a 6-pin miniature circular DIN connector. This portaccepts digital logic signals that are used to control the camera's integration. The External Trigger Portis optically isolated from the camera's electronics. For this reason, the user must provide power to theExternal Trigger Port. See Appendix A for a pinout and schematic diagram of the External Trigger Port.In externally triggered modes of operation, the user inputs a pulse on the External Trigger Port thatcontrols the camera's integration in one of two ways depending on the triggering mode.Triggering ModesWhen using External Triggering,there are two different types of triggering modes: Edge High/Low andPulse High/Low. The Edge mode allows the camera to start integrating on the rising or falling edge ofthe trigger pulse with the integration time controlled internally by the camera. Using this methodallows you to externally trigger the camera as fast as possible, and allows you to take advantage ofthe simultaneous readout and exposure function.Pulse Mode allows the user to control the integration period where the time is dictated by the durationof the pulse. If “Pulse High” mode is used, then the time the pulse is high is the time of the integrationperiod. Vice versa for “Pulse Low” mode.Connecting External Sources to the CameraBefore you can begin to externally trigger your camera, you need to connect the necessary triggersignal source to the camera. To do this you need to ensure that you have a 6-pin miniature circulardin cable and ensure that the pinouts are set correctly from your trigger source. Refer to Appendix Afor further details on pin assignments and a diagram of the mini-din connector.There are several ways that you can provide an external pulse to the camera, one of them being viathe QImaging External Trigger Board, which is available through QImaging, and another commondevice is a function generator. To trigger the camera, you need to provide a 5V TTL pulse though thepin stated in Appendix A.