MultiCam Boards Documentation > GRABLINK series Documentation > GRABLINK DualBase Handbook > Functional Specification > Acquisition Synchronization

Acquisition Synchronization

This board is capable to acquire synchronously images from two or more line-scan cameras.

Synchronized acquisition

As shown on the picture, the synchronization is achieved through a "SyncBus" that interconnects all the acquisition channels. The bus is driven by one of the participating acquisition channels; this channel is named the "master channel", the other being designated as the "slave" channel(s).

The SyncBus conveys two synchronization signals:

The synchronization signals are propagated to all the camera and acquisition controllers of all the participating channels, including the master one.

In the general case of a SyncBus linking channels located on different boards of the same system, it is mandatory to implement an electrical wiring that interconnects the IOUT3/IOUT4 output ports of the master channel to the IIN3/IIN4 input ports of all the participating channels.

In the specific case of a SyncBus linking only the 2 channels of Grablink DualBase, the SyncBus doesn't require the use of the I/O ports; instead, it is routed locally inside the FPGA.

Requirements

For adequate synchronization, the line rate of the cameras must be controlled by the frame grabber. Synchronization acquisition is allowed exclusively for the following operation modes: LxxxxRC, LxxxxRG, LxxxxRG2, and LxxxxRP.

The exposure settings of all cameras must be identical:

The line capture controller must be configured to take all lines (LineCaptureMode=ALL); the pick-A-line mode (LineCaptureMode=PICK) is not allowed.

Control Parameters

The feature is configured by means of the SynchronizedAcquisition parameter.

By default, the parameter is set to OFF, disabling the synchronized acquisition feature. If synchronized acquisition is not intended to be used, this parameter can be left to its default value.

To configure the synchronized acquisition and the participating channels, proceed as follows:

On the master channel:

On the slave channel(s):