Allied Vision Marlin User manual

Technical Manual
For CCD models with serial numbers: xx/yy-6zzzzzzz
and all CMOS models
V2.7.0
09 April 2015
Allied Vision Technologies GmbH
Taschenweg 2a
D-07646 Stadtroda / Germany
Marlin

Marlin Technical ManualV2.7.0
2
Legal notice
For customers in the U.S.A.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a residential environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used
in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communica-
tions. However there is no guarantee that interferences will not occur in a particular installation.
If the equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the distance between the equipment and the receiver.
• Use a different line outlet for the receiver.
• Consult a radio or TV technician for help.
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could
void your authority to operate this equipment. The shielded interface cable recommended in this
manual must be used with this equipment in order to comply with the limits for a computing device
pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules.
For customers in Canada
This apparatus complies with the Class B limits for radio noise emissions set out in the Radio Inter-
ference Regulations.
Pour utilisateurs au Canada
Cet appareil est conforme aux normes classe B pour bruits radioélectriques, spécifiées dans le
Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique.
Life support applications
These products are not designed for use in life support appliances, devices, or systems where mal-
function of these products can reasonably be expected to result in personal injury. Allied Vision
Technologies customers using or selling these products for use in such applications do so at their
own risk and agree to fully indemnify Allied for any damages resulting from such improper use or
sale.
Trademarks
Unless stated otherwise, all trademarks appearing in this document of Allied Vision Technologies
are brands protected by law.
Warranty
The information provided by Allied Vision Technologies is supplied without any guarantees or war-
ranty whatsoever, be it specific or implicit. Also excluded areall implicit warranties concerning the
negotiability, the suitability for specific applications or the non-breaking of laws and patents.
Even if we assume that the information supplied to us is accurate, errors and inaccuracy may still
occur.
Copyright
All texts, pictures and graphics are protected by copyright and other laws protecting intellectual
property. It is not permitted to copy or modify them for trade use or transfer, nor may they be used
on web sites.
Allied Vision Technologies GmbH 03/2015
All rights reserved.
Managing Director: Mr. Frank Grube
Tax ID: DE 184383113
Headquarters:
Taschenweg 2A
D-07646 Stadtroda, Germany
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
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Contents
Contacting Allied Vision...................................................................................8
Introduction.............................................................................................................9
Document history ........................................................................................................... 9
Manual overview........................................................................................................... 15
Conventions used in this manual...................................................................................... 16
Styles .................................................................................................................... 16
Symbols ................................................................................................................. 17
More information.......................................................................................................... 17
Before operation .......................................................................................................... 18
Marlin cameras.................................................................................................... 20
Conformity ............................................................................................................. 21
CE ......................................................................................................................... 21
FCC – Class B Device .................................................................................................. 21
Specifications ...................................................................................................... 22
Marlin F-033B/C ........................................................................................................... 23
Marlin F-046B/C ........................................................................................................... 24
Marlin F-080B/C (-30 fps*)............................................................................................. 25
Marlin F-145B2/C2........................................................................................................ 26
Marlin F-146B/C ........................................................................................................... 27
Marlin F-201B/C ........................................................................................................... 28
Marlin F-131B (b/w also: NIR)......................................................................................... 29
Spectral sensitivity ....................................................................................................... 30
Camera dimensions.......................................................................................... 37
Marlin standard housing ................................................................................................ 37
Tripod adapter ............................................................................................................. 38
Marlin W90.................................................................................................................. 39
Marlin W90 S90 ............................................................................................................ 40
Marlin W270 ................................................................................................................ 41
Marlin W270 S90........................................................................................................... 42
Filter and lenses................................................................................................. 43
Camera lenses ......................................................................................................... 43
Camera interfaces............................................................................................. 45
IEEE 1394a port pin assignment....................................................................................... 45
Camera I/O connector pin assignment............................................................................... 46
Status LEDs ................................................................................................................. 47
Status LED green ...................................................................................................... 47

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Status LED yellow ..................................................................................................... 47
Control and video data signals ........................................................................................ 49
Inputs.................................................................................................................... 49
Triggers ............................................................................................................. 49
Input/output pin control ........................................................................................... 50
IO_INP_CTRL 1-2 ................................................................................................. 50
Trigger delay....................................................................................................... 51
Outputs.................................................................................................................. 53
IO_OUTP_CTRL 1-2 ............................................................................................... 54
Output modes...................................................................................................... 55
Pixel data.................................................................................................................... 57
Description of the data path ....................................................................... 60
Block diagrams of the cameras ........................................................................................ 60
Black and white cameras............................................................................................ 60
Color cameras.......................................................................................................... 61
IBIS5A multiple slope (High Dynamic Range mode) ............................................................. 62
Marlin F-131 with three knee-points ........................................................................ 63
White balance .............................................................................................................. 65
One-push white balance ............................................................................................ 67
Auto white balance (AWB).......................................................................................... 68
Auto shutter ................................................................................................................ 70
Auto gain.................................................................................................................... 73
Manual gain ................................................................................................................ 75
Brightness (black level or offset) ..................................................................................... 75
Look-up table (LUT) and gamma function .......................................................................... 77
Loading an LUT into the camera .................................................................................. 78
Shading correction ....................................................................................................... 79
How to store shading image ....................................................................................... 79
Automatic generation of correction data ....................................................................... 80
Requirements...................................................................................................... 80
Algorithm........................................................................................................... 80
Loading a shading image out of the camera ................................................................... 84
Loading a shading image into the camera...................................................................... 85
DSNU & blemish correction
(Marlin F-131B only) ..................................................................................................... 86
Horizontal mirror function.............................................................................................. 88
Binning (only Marlin CCD b/w models) .............................................................................. 89
2 x binning ............................................................................................................. 89
Vertical binning ....................................................................................................... 90
Horizontal binning ................................................................................................... 91
2 x full binning ........................................................................................................ 92
Sub-sampling (Marlin F-131B,
Marlin F-146C and Marlin F-201C) .................................................................................... 93
What is sub-sampling?............................................................................................... 93
Which Marlin models have sub-sampling?...................................................................... 93
Description of sub-sampling ....................................................................................... 93
Parameter update timing................................................................................................ 98

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Sharpness ................................................................................................................... 99
Color interpolation and correction ................................................................................... 99
Color interpolation (BAYER demosaicing)..................................................................... 100
Color correction ...................................................................................................... 101
Why color correction............................................................................................ 101
Color correction in Allied Vision cameras ................................................................. 101
Color correction: formula...................................................................................... 101
GretagMacbeth ColorChecker................................................................................. 101
Color conversion (RGB YUV) ....................................................................................... 102
Hue and saturation ...................................................................................................... 102
Serial interface ........................................................................................................... 103
Video formats, modes and bandwidth................................................. 108
Marlin F-033B/ Marlin F-033C ........................................................................................ 109
Marlin F-046B/ Marlin F-046C ........................................................................................ 110
Marlin F-080B/ Marlin F-080C (-30 fps) ............................................................................ 111
Marlin F-145B2/ Marlin F-145C2 ..................................................................................... 112
Marlin F-146B / Marlin F-146C........................................................................................ 114
Marlin F-201B / Marlin F-201C........................................................................................ 116
Marlin F-131B (NIR) ..................................................................................................... 118
Area of interest (AOI) ................................................................................................... 120
Autofunction AOI .................................................................................................... 122
Frame rates ................................................................................................................ 123
Frame rates Format_7 .............................................................................................. 127
Marlin F-033: AOI frame rates .................................................................................... 128
Marlin F-046: AOI frame rates .................................................................................... 129
Marlin F-080: AOI frame rates .................................................................................... 130
Marlin F-080-30 fps: AOI frame rates ........................................................................... 132
Marlin F-145: AOI frame rates .................................................................................... 133
Marlin F-146: AOI frame rates .................................................................................... 134
Marlin F-201: AOI frame rates .................................................................................... 135
Marlin F-131: AOI frame rates .................................................................................... 136
Controlling image capture.......................................................................... 137
Trigger modi ............................................................................................................... 137
Bulk trigger (Trigger_Mode_15)................................................................................. 139
Trigger delay .......................................................................................................... 142
Trigger delay advanced register ............................................................................. 143
Exposure time (shutter) and offset .................................................................................. 144
Exposure time offset ................................................................................................ 145
Minimum exposure time............................................................................................ 145
Example Marlin F-033 .......................................................................................... 145
Extended shutter..................................................................................................... 146
One-shot.................................................................................................................... 147
One-shot command on the bus to start of exposure ........................................................ 147
End of exposure to first packet on the bus .................................................................... 148
Multi-Shot.................................................................................................................. 149

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ISO_Enable / Free-Run ................................................................................................. 149
Asynchronous broadcast ............................................................................................... 149
Jitter at start of exposure .............................................................................................. 150
Frame memory and deferred image transport..................................................................... 151
Deferred image transport .......................................................................................... 151
HoldImg mode........................................................................................................ 152
FastCapture............................................................................................................ 153
Sequence mode........................................................................................................... 154
How is sequence mode implemented?.......................................................................... 155
Points to pay attention to when working with a sequence ................................................ 157
Changing the parameters within a sequence ................................................................. 158
Points to pay attention to when changing the parameters ............................................... 158
Secure image signature (SIS) ......................................................................................... 159
SIS: Definition ........................................................................................................ 159
SIS: Scenarios ........................................................................................................ 159
How does bandwidth affect the frame rate?................................... 160
Example formula for the b/w camera....................................................................... 161
Test images ................................................................................................................ 161
Loading test images................................................................................................. 161
Test images b/w cameras .......................................................................................... 161
Test images for color cameras .................................................................................... 163
YUV422 mode..................................................................................................... 163
Mono8 (raw data) ............................................................................................... 164
Configuration of the camera ..................................................................... 165
Camera_Status_Register ............................................................................................... 165
Example ................................................................................................................ 166
Sample program...................................................................................................... 167
Configuration ROM....................................................................................................... 168
Implemented registers (IIDC V1.3) .................................................................................. 171
Camera initialize register .......................................................................................... 171
Inquiry register for video format................................................................................. 171
Inquiry register for video mode .................................................................................. 172
Inquiry register for video frame rate and base address .................................................... 173
Inquiry register for basic function............................................................................... 182
Inquiry register for feature presence ........................................................................... 183
Inquiry register for feature elements ........................................................................... 185
Inquiry register for absolute value CSR offset address ..................................................... 188
Status and control register for feature ......................................................................... 189
Feature control error status register............................................................................ 193
Video mode control and status registers for Format_7..................................................... 193
Quadlet offset Format_7 Mode_0 ........................................................................... 193
Quadlet offset Format_7 Mode_1 ........................................................................... 193
Format_7 control and status register (CSR) .............................................................. 193
Advanced features (Allied Vision-specific) ........................................................................ 194
Advanced registers summary ..................................................................................... 194
Version information inquiry....................................................................................... 197

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
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Advanced feature inquiry .......................................................................................... 199
Maximum resolution ................................................................................................ 201
Time base .............................................................................................................. 202
Extended shutter..................................................................................................... 203
Test images............................................................................................................ 203
Sequence control .................................................................................................... 204
Look-up tables (LUT)................................................................................................ 205
Shading correction .................................................................................................. 206
Deferred image transport .......................................................................................... 207
Frame information................................................................................................... 208
High dynamic range mode
(Marlin F-131B only)................................................................................................ 209
DSNU control.......................................................................................................... 210
Input/output pin control .......................................................................................... 211
Delayed Integration Enable (IntEna)........................................................................... 212
Auto shutter control ................................................................................................ 213
Auto gain control .................................................................................................... 213
Autofunction AOI .................................................................................................... 214
Color correction ...................................................................................................... 215
Trigger delay .......................................................................................................... 215
Mirror image .......................................................................................................... 216
Soft Reset .............................................................................................................. 216
Secure image signature (SIS)..................................................................................... 217
Advanced register: time stamp............................................................................... 217
Advanced register: frame counter........................................................................... 219
Advanced register: trigger counter ......................................................................... 220
Where to find time stamp, frame counter and trigger counter in the image ..................... 221
User profiles........................................................................................................... 221
Error codes ........................................................................................................ 222
Reset of error codes............................................................................................. 223
Stored settings................................................................................................... 224
GPDATA_BUFFER ..................................................................................................... 225
Little endian vs. big endian byte order .................................................................... 225
Firmware update .............................................................................................. 226
Appendix ............................................................................................................... 227
Sensor position accuracy of Marlin cameras....................................................................... 227

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
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Contacting Allied Vision
Contacting Allied Vision
Connect with Allied Vision colleagues by function: 
www.alliedvision.com/en/contact
Find an Allied Vision office or distributor:
www.alliedvision.com/en/about-us/where-we-are.html
E-mail:
[email protected] (for commercial and general inquiries)
[email protected] (for technical assistance with Allied Vision products)
Telephone:
EMEA: [phone]
The Americas: [phone]
Asia-Pacific: [phone]
China: [phone]
Headquarters:
Allied Vision Technologies GmbH
Taschenweg 2a, 07646 Stadtroda, Germany
Tel: [phone] Fax [phone]
President/CEO: Frank Grube | Registration Office: AG Jena HRB 208962

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
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Introduction
Introduction
This Marlin Technical Manual describes in depth the technical specifications,
dimensions, all camera features (IIDC standard and Allied Vision smart features)
and their registers, trigger features, all video and color formats, bandwidth and
frame rate calculation.
For information on hardware installation, safety warnings, pin assignments on
I/O connectors and 1394b connectors read the 1394 Installation Manual.
Document history
Note

Please read through this manual carefully.
We assume that you have read already the 1394 Installation
Manual (see: http://www.alliedvision.com/en/support/tech-
nical-documentation) and that you have installed the hard-
ware and software on your PC or laptop (FireWire card, cables).
Version Date Remarks
V0.9 18.12.2003 First issue
V0.91 09.01.2004 Typos corrected, minor changes, spectral sensitivity of IR cut fil-
ter added
V1.0 20.01.2004 Wording checked, Marlin W90/270 added
V1.1 07.09.2004 Marlin F-131C added, added features to make manual compliant
with firmware 2.05, wording checked, impulse diagrams cor-
rected
V1.2 08.10.2004 Manual compliant to firmware 2.06
V1.3 23.02.2005 For MarlinS with serial numbers xx/yy-6zzzzzzz
V1.31 12.04.2005 Color: firmware 20050321, CMOS included
V1.4 24.08.2005 Added Marlin F-146, all: class B compliant
V2.0.0 10.03.2006 Added Marlin F-201, manual compliant to firmware 3.03, added
features secure image signature (SIS) and user profiles, minor
corrections
V2.1.0 10.04.2006 Time stamp changed
to be continued on next page
Table 1: Document history

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
10
Introduction
continued from previous page
V2.2.0 26.02.2007 Minor corrections
New formula for Marlin F-131 (Formula 11: Frame rate calcula-
tion Marlin F-131 as function of AOI height and width on page
136)
Marlin F-145C2: corrected resolutions, new color formats in For-
mat_7 Mode_0 and Format_7 Mode_2 (Table 42: Video fixed for-
mats Marlin F-145B2 / F-145C2 on page 112)
Improved Chapter Secure image signature (SIS)
Added exposure time formula for Trigger_Mode_1 Chapter Expo-
sure time (shutter) and offset
Firmware update note corrected (Chapter Firmware update )
Added Mono16 modi (Chapter Video formats, modes and band-
width )
V2.3.0 29.02.2008 Minor corrections
Sensor tilting changed to sensor rotating in Chapter Camera
dimensions
Added detailed description of BRIGHTNESS (800h) in Table 93:
Feature control register on page 189
Added detailed description of WHITE-BALANCE (80Ch) in Table
93: Feature control register on page 189 et seq.
Added new Format7_Mode4 for Marlin F-131C in Table 48: Video
fixed formats Marlin F-131B (NIR) on page 118 et seq.
New sensor IBIS5B (Figure 14: Spectral sensitivity of Marlin F-
131B (with IBIS5B as standard) / Marlin F-131B NIR (with
IBIS5B NIR as standard) without cut filter and optics on page 41,
Figure 14: Spectral sensitivity of Marlin F-131B (with IBIS5B as
standard) / Marlin F-131B NIR (with IBIS5B NIR as standard)
without cut filter and optics on page 41)
Corrected data path bandwidth (CCD: 12 bit, ADC: 10 bit) in Fig-
ure 30: Block diagram b/w camera on page 60.
Added Format_0 Mode_5 (640x480, Mono8) with 60 fps for Mar-
lin F-046B and Marlin F-046C in Table 38: Video formats Marlin F-
046B / F-046C on page 110
to be continued on next page
Version Date Remarks
Table 1: Document history

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
11
Introduction
continued from previous page
V2.4.0 15.08.2008 Added Format_7 Mode_3 (full binning) in Table 8: Specification
Marlin F-201B/C on page 28
Corrected frame rate for Format_7 Mode_3 (full binning) in Table
46: Video fixed formats Marlin F-201B / F-201C on page 116
Restructuring of Marlin Technical Manual:
•AddedContacting Allied Vision on page 8
• Added Chapter Manual overview
• Restructured Chapter Marlin types and highlights to Chapter
Marlin cameras .
– Infos from Marlin camera types table moved to Chapter
Specifications
–Safety instructions moved to Hardware Installation Guide,
Chapter Safety instructions and Allied Vision camera
cleaning instructions
– Environmental conditions moved to Marlin Instruction
Leaflet
– Infos on CS-/C-Mounting moved to Hardware Installa-
tion Guide, Chapter Changing filters safety instructions
–InfosonSystem components and Environmental condi-
tions moved to Marlin Instruction Leaflet
•InfosonIR cut filter and Lenses moved to Chapter Filter and
lenses
• Moved binning explanation from Chapter Specifications to
Chapter Video formats, modes and bandwidth
• Binning / sub-sampling modes and color modes are only
listed in Chapter Video formats, modes and bandwidth
to be continued on next page
Version Date Remarks
Table 1: Document history

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
12
Introduction
continued from previous page
V2.4.0
[continued]
15.08.2008
[continued]
• Moved detailed description of the camera interfaces (Fire-
Wire, I/O connector), ordering numbers and operating
instructions to the Hardware Installation Guide.
• Revised Chapter Description of the data path
• Revised Chapter Controlling image capture ; added Table 62:
Trigger modi on page 137
• Revised Chapter Video formats, modes and bandwidth
• Revised Chapter How does bandwidth affect the frame rate?
• Revised Chapter Configuration of the camera
• Revised Chapter Firmware update
• Added Chapter Sensor position accuracy of Allied Vision
cameras on page 238
• Revised Chapter Index on page 239
Changed provisions directive to 2004/108/EG in Chapter Confor-
mity
New measurement of minimum exposure time and therefore also
new offset values:
–Table 68: Camera-specific exposure time offset on page
145
–Table 69: Camera-specific minimum exposure time on
page 145
–ChapterExample Marlin F-033
–Figure 74: Data flow and timing after end of exposure on
page 148
–ChapterSpecifications
Added cross-reference from upload LUT to GPDATA_BUFFER in
Chapter Loading an LUT into the camera .
Added cross-reference from upload/download shading image to
GPDATA_BUFFER in:
–ChapterLoading a shading image out of the camera
–ChapterLoading a shading image into the camera
Corrected: b/w and color Marlin cameras have IR cut filter (except
Marlin F-131BNIR: ASG) in Chapter Specifications
to be continued on next page
Version Date Remarks
Table 1: Document history

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
13
Introduction
continued from previous page
V2.4.0
[continued]
15.08.2008
[continued]
Added detailed level values of I/Os in Chapter Camera I/O con-
nector pin assignment .
Added little endian vs. big endian byte order in Chapter
GPDATA_BUFFER
Added RoHS in Chapter Conformity
Listed shutter speed with offset in Chapter Specifications
New measurement of IntEna signals, therefore new offsets in
Chapter Exposure time (shutter) and offset and in Figure 74:
Data flow and timing after end of exposure on page 148.
New photo of LED position in Figure 22: Position of Status LEDs
on page 47
V2.5.0 23.02.2010 Revised advanced register 0xF1000290 (DSNU_CONTROL) in
Table 111: Advanced register: DSNU on page 210
All advanced registers in 8-digit format beginning with 0xF1... in
Chapter Advanced features (Allied Vision-specific)
Firing a new trigger while IntEna is still active can result in miss-
ing image (not image corruption): see Caution on page 56.
Revised chapter Chapter White balance
Calculated effective chip size for all sensors (with resolution of
Format_7 Mode_0) in Chapter Specifications
Corrected drawing in Figure 83: Delayed integration timing on
page 212
Revised chapter Marlin F-131B (b/w also: NIR) on page 29 (NIR
only with b/w camera)
Added Marlin F-146C Format_0 Mode_5 Mono8 in Table 44: Video
fixed formats Marlin F-146B / F-146C on page 114.
Revised Chapter Conformity .
Corrected: Marlin F-131B/C and Marlin F-131B NIR: power only
via 1394 cable (not via 12-pin HIROSE): Table 9: Specification
Marlin F-131B (b/w also: NIR) on page 29
Corrected: Misc. Features to Mirror image in bit [15] on page
200
to be continued on next page
Version Date Remarks
Table 1: Document history

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
14
Introduction
continued from previous page
V2.5.0
[continued]
23.02.2010
[continued]
[continued]
Discontinuation of Marlin F-131C:
•ChapterMarlin F-131B (b/w also: NIR)
•Note on page 87
•ChapterSub-sampling (Marlin F-131B, Marlin F-146C and
Marlin F-201C)
•ChapterMarlin F-131B (NIR)
•Table 96: Advanced registers summary on page 194
•Table 98: Camera type ID list on page 197
•Table 99: Advanced register: Advanced feature inquiry on
page 200
•ChapterHigh dynamic range mode (Marlin F-131B only)
New storage temperature:
• 70 °C, see Chapter Specifications on page 70
New links to Allied Vision website
•ChapterContacting Allied Vision on page 8 and many others
New measured sensitivity curves:
•ChapterSpectral sensitivity
V2.6.0 09.08.2010 Some smaller corrections:
• Corrected availability of some video fixed formats, see Table
40: Video fixed formats Marlin F-080B / F-080C (-30 fps) on
page 111
• Corrected trigger diagram (starting of Busy signal), see
Figure 25: Output Impulse Diagram on page 56
File format:
• Converted FrameMaker files from FM7 to FM9
New layout for AOI Diagrams:
• All AOI diagrams have now the same new layout, see Chap-
ter Marlin F-080-30 fps: AOI frame rates and the following
chapters
to be continued on next page
Version Date Remarks
Table 1: Document history

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
15
Introduction
Manual overview
This manual overview describes each chapter of this manual shortly.
•ChapterContacting Allied Vision lists Allied Vision contact data for both:
– technical information / ordering
– commercial information
•ChapterIntroduction (this chapter) gives you the document history, a
manual overview and conventions used in this manual (styles and sym-
bols). Furthermore you learn how to get more information on how to
install hardware (1394 Installation Manual), available Allied Vision
software (incl. documentation) and where to get it.
•ChapterMarlin cameras gives you a short introduction to the Stingray
cameras with their FireWire technology. Links are provided to data sheets
and brochures on the Allied Vision website.
•ChapterConformity gives you information about conformity of Allied
Vision cameras.
•ChapterFilter and lenses describes the IR cut filter and suitable camera
lenses.
•ChapterSpecifications lists camera details and spectral sensitivity dia-
grams for each camera type.
continued from previous page
V2.7.0 09.03.2015 Updated data:
• Corrected hyperlinks to targets on the Allied Vision website
• Added information that all color modes in Chapter Specifi-
cations on page 22 comply with the IIDC specifications
• Corrected information in Chapter Sensor position accuracy
of Marlin cameras on page 227
• Adapted addresses in Chapter Contacting Allied Vision on
page 8
• Corrected information for binning in Chapter Definition on
page 89
• Partly update of sensor curves in Chapter Spectral sensitiv-
ity on page 30.
Layout changes due to a changed Corporate identity:
• Replaced the previous Allied Vision logo by the current one
• Reworded all appropriate contents from AVT and Allied
Vision Technologies to Allied Vision
Version Date Remarks
Table 1: Document history

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
16
Introduction
•ChapterCamera dimensions provides CAD drawings of standard housing
(copper and GOF) models, tripod adapter, available angled head models,
cross sections of CS-Mount and C-Mount.
•ChapterCamera interfaces describes in detail the inputs/outputs of the
cameras (incl. Trigger features). For a general description of the interfaces
(FireWire and I/O connector) see 1394 Installation Manual.
•ChapterDescription of the data path describes in detail IIDC conform as
well as Allied Vision-specific camera features.
•ChapterControlling image capture describes trigger modi, exposure time,
one-shot/multi-shot/ISO_Enable features. Additionally special Allied
Vision features are described: sequence mode and secure image signature
(SIS).
•ChapterVideo formats, modes and bandwidth lists all available fixed and
Format_7 modes (incl. color modes, frame rates, binning/sub-sampling,
AOI=area of interest).
•ChapterHow does bandwidth affect the frame rate? gives some consider-
ations on bandwidth details.
•ChapterConfiguration of the camera lists standard and advanced register
descriptions of all camera features.
•ChapterHow does bandwidth affect the frame rate? explains where to get
information on firmware updates and explains the extended version num-
ber scheme of FPGA/μC.
•ChapterAppendix lists the sensor position accuracy of Allied Vision cam-
eras.
•ChapterIndex gives you quick access to all relevant data in this manual.
Conventions used in this manual
To give this manual an easily understood layout and to emphasize important
information, the following typographical styles and symbols are used:
Styles
Style Function Example
Bold Programs, inputs or highlighting
important things
bold
Courier Code listings etc. Input
Upper case Register REGISTER
Italics Modes, fields Mode
Parentheses and/or blue Links (Link)
Table 2: Styles

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
17
Introduction
Symbols
More information
For more information on hardware and software read the following:
•1394 Installation Manual describes the hardware installation procedures
for all 1394 Allied Vision cameras (Dolphin, Oscar, Marlin, Guppy, Pike,
Stingray). Additionally you get safety instructions and information about
camera interfaces (IEEE1394a/b copper and GOF, I/O connectors, input
and output).
Note

This symbol highlights important information.
Caution

This symbol highlights important instructions. You have to fol-
low these instructions to avoid malfunctions.
www

This symbol highlights URLs for further information. The URL
itself is shown in blue Color.
Example:
http://www.alliedvision.com
www

You find the 1394 Installation Manual here:
http://www.alliedvision.com/en/support/technical-docu-
mentation
www

All software packages (including documentation and release
notes) provided by Allied Vision can be downloaded at:
http://www.alliedvision.com/en/support/software-down-
loads

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
18
Introduction
Before operation
We place the highest demands for quality on our cameras.
Target group This Technical Manual is the guide to detailed technical information of the cam-
era and is written for experts.
Getting started For a quick guide how to get started read 1394 Installation Manual first.
Note

Please read through this manual carefully before operating
the camera.
For information on Allied Vision accessories and software
read 1394 Installation Manual.
Caution

Before operating any Allied Vision camera read safety instruc-
tions and ESD warnings in 1394 Installation Manual.
Note

To demonstrate the properties of the camera, all examples in
this manual are based on the FirePackage OHCI API software
and the SmartView application.
Note

The camera also works with all IIDC (formerly DCAM) compati-
ble IEEE 1394 programs and image processing libraries.
All naming in this document relates to FirePackage, not to
GenICam.

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
19
Introduction
www

For downloads see:
Software (Vimba and all other software): 
http://www.alliedvision.com/en/support/software-down-
loads
Firmware: http://www.alliedvision.com/en/support/firm-
ware
Technical documentation (overview page):
http://www.alliedvision.com/en/support/technical-docu-
mentation
Technical papers (appnotes, white papers) and knowledge
base:
http://www.alliedvision.com/en/support/technical-papers-
knowledge-base

Marlin Technical ManualV.2.7.0
20
Marlin cameras
Marlin cameras
Marlin With Marlin cameras, entry into the world of digital image processing is simpler
and more cost-effective than ever before.
Entry-level model With the Marlin, Allied Vision presents a whole series of attractive digital camera
entry-level models of the FireWire™ type.
Image applications Allied Vision can provide users with a range of products that meet almost all the
requirements of a very wide range of image applications.
FireWire The industry standard IEEE 1394 (FireWire or i.Link) facilitates the simplest com-
puter compatibility and bidirectional data transfer using the plug-and-play pro-
cess. Further development of the IEEE 1394 standard has already made 800
Mbit/second possible – and the FireWire roadmap is already envisaging 1600
Mbit/second, with 3.2 Gbit/second as the next step. Investment in this standard
is therefore secure for the future; each further development takes into account
compatibility with the preceding standard, and vice versa, meaning that IEEE
1394b is backward-compatible with IEEE 1394a. Your applications will grow as
technical progress advances.
High quality images Operating in 8-bit and 10-bit mode (CCD b/w only), the cameras ensure very high
quality images under almost all circumstances. The Marlin is equipped with an
asynchronous trigger shutter as well as true partial scan, and integrates numer-
ous useful and intelligent smart features for image processing.
Note

All naming in this document relates to FirePackage, not to
GenICam.
www

For further information on the highlights of Marlin types, the
Marlin family and the whole range of Allied Vision FireWire
cameras read the data sheets and brochures on our website:
http://www.alliedvision.com/en/support/technical-docu-
mentation/marlin-documentation