MultiCam Boards Documentation > GRABLINK series Documentation > GRABLINK Base Handbook > Functional Specification > Camera Classes > Camera Properties

Camera Properties

The classification of the cameras is based on the following Channel class MultiCam parameters: Imaging, Spectrum, DataLink, and ColorMethod.

The enumerated parameter Imaging specifies the geometry of the camera sensor; possible values are:

Value

Description

AREA

The camera is an area-scan model. An area-scan camera is based on a 2D imaging sensor; it delivers individual image frames composed of a fixed amount of lines, each containing a fixed amount of pixels.

LINE

The camera is a line-scan model. A line-scan camera is based on 1D imaging sensor; it delivers individual image lines composed of a fixed amount of pixels.

TDI

The camera is a TDI line-scan model. A particular type of line-scan camera using the Time Delayed Integration technology (TDI). It is based on a 2D imaging sensor having a small amount of lines; like any other line-scan camera, it delivers individual image lines composed of a fixed amount of pixels.

Note. The board's behavior is the same when Imaging is TDI instead of LINE; however TDI cameras exhibit less operational modes since they lack an electronic shutter.

The enumerated parameter Spectrum specifies the spectral sensitivity of the camera; possible values are:

Value

Description

BW

The camera delivers a monochrome image obtained from an image sensor operating in the human visible domain of the light spectrum.

IR

The camera delivers a monochrome image obtained from an image sensor operating in the infra-red domain of the light spectrum.

COLOR

The camera delivers a color image.

Note. The board's behavior is exactly the same when Spectrum is IR instead of BW.

The enumerated parameter DataLink specifies the data transfer method used by the camera; the unique possible value is:

Value

Description

CAMERALINK

The camera delivers a digital video signal complying to the Camera Link standard.

The enumerated parameter ColorMethod specifies the color analysis method used by the camera; possible values are:

Value

Description

NONE

The camera delivers a monochrome image.

BAYER

The camera uses a single imaging sensor coated with a Bayer Color Filter Array and delivers the raw Bayer CFA data as a single video data stream embedding the RGB information.

PRISM

The camera uses a wavelength-separating prism to feed three distinct imaging sensors. The color information is available as three R, G, B video data streams.

RGB

The camera uses a coated sensor and an internal processor to reconstruct the full color information. The color information is available as three R, G, B video data streams.

TRILINEAR

The camera uses three parallel sensing linear arrays of pixels exhibiting different wavelength sensitivities. The color information is available as three R, G, B video data streams.

Notes

The MultiCam channel must be configured for the appropriate class of camera by assigning the appropriate values to the following three parameters: Imaging, Spectrum, and ColorMethod. The valid combinations of values are listed hereafter:

Imaging

Spectrum

ColorMethod

Camera class

AREA

 

BW

NONE

Monochrome area-scan cameras – Visible spectrum

IR

NONE

Monochrome area-scan cameras – Infra-red spectrum

COLOR

BAYER

Color area-scan cameras –Raw BAYER data output

RGB

Color area-scan cameras – RGB data output

PRISM

3-CCD Color area-scan cameras – RGB data output

LINE

 

BW

NONE

Monochrome line-scan cameras – Visible spectrum

IR

NONE

Monochrome line-scan cameras – Infra-red spectrum

COLOR

 

BAYER(*)

Color line-scan cameras –Raw BAYER data output

RGB

Color line-scan cameras – RGB data output

PRISM

3-CCD Color line-scan cameras – RGB data output

TRILINEAR

Color line-scan cameras – 1 tri-linear sensor – RGB data output

TDI

BW

NONE

Monochrome Time-Delay-Integration line-scan cameras – Visible spectrum

IR

NONE

Monochrome Time-Delay-Integration line-scan cameras – Infrared spectrum

COLOR

PRISM

3-CCD Color Time-Delay-Integration line-scan cameras – 3 sensors with filters – RGB data output

(*) Refer to the release notes for availability.