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Configuring the PCI-1410 With a Non-Standard Camera or Video Source

Hardware: Image Acquisition (IMAQ)>>Analog Image Devices>>PCI-1410

Problem:
How do I configre the PCI-1410 to acquire from a non-standard camera or video source?


Solution:
National Instruments provides camera files for a variety of non-standard format cameras, such as the Sony XC-HR70, JAI CV-A1, JAI CV-A2, and JAI CV-M1. If you are using one of these cameras, use the camera file from National Instruments.

If a camera file is not yet available, the following instructions will help you configure the PCI-1410.

  1. Make a copy of the AreaScan(1410) camera file and give it a unique name.
    1. Launch the Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX), and expand the PCI-1410 listed under NI-IMAQ Devices.
    2. Right-Click on the appropriate channel and select Create from Defaults»Area Scan. Save your new camera file with a unique name.




  2. Select the video channel on the PCI-1410 that now uses your created camera file, and in the Operating Mode tab, select the appropriate Video Lock Mode for your signal.

    1. If the sync signals are included in the video signal, choose Standard.
    2. If the CSYNC signal is provided on a separate line from the video, choose CSYNC External.
    3. If the HSync and VSync (HD/VD) signals are provided on separate lines, choose the External H.
    4. If HSync, VSync, and PCLK are provided, choose External.

  3. Set the polarity for each of your signals, if available for the lock mode you chose.
  4. Press the Save button at the top of the window to save the changes you made.
  5. Open the camera file (.icd) in a text editor. Make only the changes described in the following steps.
  6. Adjust the MaxImageSize(Width, Height) setting. Set the width to the total number of pixel clock cycles per line. This number should include the entire line period and will be greater than the number of acquired pixels. Set the height to the total number of lines per frame. This number should include the total frame period and will be greater than the number of acquired lines. These numbers should be specified in your camera documentation.
  7. Set the VCODivider to the highest value that meets the following criteria: 100MHz ≤ PCLK * VCODivider ≤ 500MHz. This parameter requires you to know the approximate pixel clock frequency for your signal. Valid values are 2, 4, 8, and 16.
  8. Set LinePixels and LinePixelsRef to the total number of pixel clock cycles per line. This number should include the entire line period and will be greater than the number of acquired pixels.
  9. Save the camera file and reload it in MAX by pressing F5 to refresh. In the Acquisition Parameters tab, set the Top and Left offset to 0 and the Width and Height to your expected image size.


  10. In the Advanced tab, set the Clamp Start and Clamp Stop values to 10 and 20 respectively, as a starting point, unless you know the correct values for your signal. These values define the clamping period in pixel clock cycles, relative the HSync signal.



  11. Connect your video and sync signals and try to snap an image.
  12. Most likely the image will have black bars at the top and left of the image. Adjust the Top and Left offsets in the Acquisition Window to eliminate these bars.
  13. If the image is compressed or stretched horizontally, you will need to adjust the MaxImageSize, LinePixels, and LinePixelsRef (keep them equal) from the Advanced tab (see screenshot above). Increasing the value will cause the PCI-1410 to sample faster and stretch the image horizontally. Decreasing the value will compress the image.
  14. If the acquired image has noisy, horizontal bands across the image, the clamping period probably needs to be adjusted. Try increasing or decreasing the Start and Stop values, while keeping the difference between them about 10.
  15. Once you have a centered image, with the correct resolution and aspect ratio, save the settings. Make sure the camera file is not open in an editor when you press Save.
  16. At this point you may need to adjust one additional parameter in the camera file to fine tune the image quality. Open the camera file in a text editor. The DPAOffset parameter controls the phase offset between the pixel clock and the HSync signal. The valid range is 0 to 63, representing 1 pclk cycle. Most video signals give the best image quality with a value close to or equal to 0. Adjust the value of DPAOffset up and down and observe the effect on the image quality. Between each adjustment, save the camera file and reload it in MAX.


Related Links:
KnowledgeBase 3I9FKE6W: Differences between the PCI-1410 and the PCI-1409
KnowledgeBase 3Q6FPGMQ: What Constitutes a "Standard" Analog Video Signal and When Do I Need a PCI-1410 to Acquire Non-Standard Analog Video Signals?

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Report Date: 08/18/2005
Last Updated: 09/22/2008
Document ID: 3OHEMS6W

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