Basler A500k User manual

Draft
A500k
Series
User’s Manual
Document ID Number: DA00057003
Revision Date: August 12, 2003
Subject to Change Without Notice
© Basler Vision Technologies
Basler Support Worldwide:
Americas: [phone] Europe: [phone] Asia: [phone]
[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]
www.basler-vc.com

For customers in the U.S.A.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A 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 commercial 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. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in
which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
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 J of Part 15 of FCC
Rules.
For customers in Canada
This apparatus complies with the Class A limits for radio noise emissions set out in Radio Inter-
ference Regulations.
Pour utilisateurs au Canada
Cet appareil est conforme aux normes Classe A 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
malfunction of these products can reasonably be expected to result in personal injury. Basler cus-
tomers using or selling these products for use in such applications do so at their own risk and
agree to fully indemnify Basler for any damages resulting from such improper use or sale.
Warranty Note
Do not open the housing of the camera. The warranty becomes void if the housing is opened.

Table of Contents
Basler A500kSeries i
PRELIMINARY
Table of Contents
Table of Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
1.1 Camera Versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
1.2 Performance Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
1.3 Digital Responsivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
1.4 Environmental Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
1.5 Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
2 Camera Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
2.1 Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
2.1.1 General Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
2.1.2 Pin Assignment for the MDR 26 Camera Link Connector(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
2.1.3 Pin Assignment for the Power Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
2.1.4 Pin Assignment for the Flash Trigger Receptacle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
2.1.5 Pin Assignment for the VGA Monitor Output
(A504k/kc Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
2.2 Cable Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
2.2.1 Camera Link Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
2.2.2 Power Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
2.3 Camera Link Implementation in the A500k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
2.4 Input Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
2.4.1 ExSync: Controls Frame Readout and Exposure Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
2.4.2 ExFlash from the Frame Grabber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
2.5 Output Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2.5.1 Pixel Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2.5.2 Line Valid Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2.5.3 Frame Valid Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2.5.4 Video Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2.5.5 Video Data Output for the A504k/kc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
2.5.6 Video Data Output for the A501k/kc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
2.5.7 Flash Trigger Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
2.5.8 VGA Monitor Output (A504k/kc) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
2.6 RS-644 Serial Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24
2.6.1 Making the Serial Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24
2.7 Converting Camera Link Output to RS-644 with a k-BIC (A501k/kc only) . . . . . . 2-24
2.8 DC Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
2.9 Power Control: Full Function and Standby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
2.10 Status LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
3 Basic Operation and Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
3.1 Functional Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
3.2 Exposure Time Control Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
3.2.1 ExSync Controlled Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
3.2.2 Free Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
3.3 Exposure Time Control Modes in Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
3.3.1 ExSync, Edge-controlled Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
3.3.1.1 ExSync, Edge-controlled Mode with Asynchronous Timing . . . . . . 3-9
3.3.1.2 ExSync, Edge-controlled Mode with Synchronous Timing 1 . . . . . 3-10
3.3.1.3 ExSync, Edge-controlled Mode with Synchronous Timing 2 . . . . . 3-11

Table of Contents
ii Basler A500kSeries
PRELIMINARY
3.3.2 ExSync, Level-controlled Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
3.3.2.1 ExSync, Level-controlled Mode with Asynchronous Timing . . . . . 3-12
3.3.2.2 ExSync, Level-controlled Mode with Synchronous/Asynchronous Timing
3-13
3.3.2.3 ExSync, Level-controlled Mode with Synchronous Timing 1 . . . . . 3-14
3.3.2.4 ExSync, Level-controlled Mode with Synchronous Timing 2 . . . . . 3-15
3.3.3 ExSync, Programmable Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
3.3.3.1 ExSync, Programmable Mode with Asynchronous Timing . . . . . . 3-17
3.3.3.2 ExSync, Programmable Mode with Synchronous/Asynchronous Timing 3-
18
3.3.3.3 ExSync, Programmable Mode with Synchronous Timing 1 . . . . . 3-19
3.3.3.4 ExSync, Programmable Mode with Synchronous Timing 2 . . . . . 3-20
3.3.4 Free-run Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
3.3.4.1 Free-run Mode with Asynchronous Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
3.3.4.2 Free-run Mode with Synchronous / Asynchronous Timing . . . . . . 3-22
3.3.4.3 Free-run Mode with Synchronous Timing 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
3.3.4.4 Free-run Mode with Synchronous Timing 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
3.3.5 Free-run VGA Mode (A504k/kc Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
3.4 Long Exposure Compensation (A504k/kc Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
3.5 Max Exposure Time at Max Speed (A504k/kc Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
3.6 Color Creation in the A504kc and A501kc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
3.7 Gain and Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
3.7.1 Gain Settings in More Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
3.7.2 Offset Settings in More Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
3.8 Digital Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
3.8.1 How Digital Shift Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
3.8.2 Precautions When Using Digital Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
3.9 Area of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
3.9.1 Changes to the Maximum Frame Rate with Area of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
3.9.2 Dynamic Area of Interest (A504k/kc Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
3.9.3 Area of Interest Stamp (A504k/kc Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
3.9.4 Area of Interest with the VGA Monitor Output (A504k/kc only) . . . . . . . . . 3-37
3.10 Test Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
3.10.1 Gray Scale Test Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
3.10.2 Color Test Image (A504kc and A501kc Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
3.10.3 Running Line Test Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
3.10.4 White Screen Test Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
3.11 Configuration Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
3.12 Camera Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
4 Configuring the Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
4.1 Configuring the Camera with the Camera
Configuration Tool Plus (CCT+) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
4.1.1 Opening the Configuration Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
4.1.2 Closing the Configuration Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
4.1.3 Configuration Tool Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
4.1.4 Configuration Tool Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
4.2 Configuring the Camera with Binary
Programming Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
4.2.1 Command Frame and Response Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
4.2.2 Error Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
4.2.2.1 ACK/NAK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
4.2.2.2 Time-outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
4.2.2.3 Read Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Table of Contents
Basler A500kSeries iii
PRELIMINARY
4.2.2.4 Write Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
4.2.3 Example Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
4.2.3.1 Read command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
4.2.3.2 Write Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
4.2.3.3 Calculating the Block Check Character . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
4.2.4 Commands for Setting Camera Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
4.2.4.1 Exposure Time Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
4.2.4.2 Timer 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
4.2.4.3 Timer 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
4.2.4.4 Long Exposure Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
4.2.4.5 Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
4.2.4.6 Negative Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
4.2.4.7 Positive Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
4.2.4.8 Digital Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
4.2.4.9 Area of Interest Starting Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
4.2.4.10 Area of Interest Width in Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
4.2.4.11 Area of Interest Starting Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
4.2.4.12 Area of Interest Height in Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
4.2.4.13 Area of Interest Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
4.2.4.14 FlashCtrl: Flash Trigger Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
4.2.5 Test Image Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
4.2.6 Query Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
4.2.6.1 Read Vendor Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
4.2.6.2 Read Model Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
4.2.6.3 Read Product ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
4.2.6.4 Read Serial Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
4.2.6.5 Read Camera Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
4.2.6.6 Read EEPROM Firmware Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
4.2.6.7 Read Microcontroller Firmware Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
4.2.6.8 Read FPGA Firmware Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
4.2.6.9 Read Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
4.2.7 Commands for Manipulating Configuration Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
4.2.7.1 Copy the Factory Set or the User set into the Work Set (Profile load) 4-25
4.2.7.2 Copy the Work Set into a User Set (Profile save) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26
4.2.7.3 Select the Startup Pointer (Profile startup) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-27
4.2.8 Camera Status Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
4.2.9 Bitrate Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
4.2.10 Camera Reset Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
4.2.11 Power Control Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
5 Mechanical Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
5.1 Camera Dimensions and Mounting Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
5.2 F-Mount Adapter Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
5.3 Positioning Accuracy of the Sensor Chip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
6 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
6.1 LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
6.2 Troubleshooting Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
6.2.1 No Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
6.2.2 Poor Quality Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
6.2.3 Interfacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
6.2.4 RS-644 Serial Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Table of Contents
iv Basler A500kSeries
PRELIMINARY
Revision History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Introduction
Basler A500kSeries 1-1
PRELIMINARY
1 Introduction
BASLER A500karea scan cameras are high speed CMOS cameras designed for industrial use.
Good CMOS image sensing features are combined with a robust, high precision manufactured
housing.
Important features are:
• CMOS APS (Active Pixel Sensor) technology
• High speed
• Electronic full frame shutter (True SNAPTM freeze-frame)
• Anti-blooming
• Electronic exposure time control
• Partial scan
• Programmable via an RS-644 serial port
• Industrial housing manufactured with high planar, parallel and angular precision
• VGA monitor output (A504k/kc only)
• Flash trigger output
1.1 Camera Versions
A500kseries area scan cameras are available in different versions; the version depends on the
maximum frame rate and on color or monochrome.
Throughout the manual, the camera will be called the A500k. Passages that are only valid for a
specific version will be so indicated.
Camera Version Max. Frame Rate Monochrome / Color
A504k500 fps monochrome
A504kc 500 fps color
A501k74 fps monochrome
A501kc 74 fps color
Table 1-1: Versions of the A500kSeries Camera

Introduction
1-2 Basler A500kSeries
PRELIMINARY
1.2 Performance Specifications
The image sensor characteristics were measured at 25°C.
Specifications A504kA504kc A501kA501kc
Sensor 1280H x 1024V pixel CMOS (1,310,720 pixels)
Micron MV13 progressive scan
mono-
chrome
color pattern
(see section
3.6)
mono-
chrome
color pattern
(see section
3.6)
Pixel Size 12 µm x 12 µm (12 µm pixel pitch)
Fill Factor without micro lens 40%
Sensor Imaging Area H: 15.36 mm, V: 12.29 mm, Diagonal: 19.67 mm
Digital Responsivity See section
1.3 and Fig-
ure 1-1.
See section
1.3 and Fig-
ure 1-2.
See section
1.3 and Fig-
ure 1-1.
See section
1.3 and Fig-
ure 1-2.
Shutter Electronic full frame shutter: True SNAPTM (Shuttered-Node
Active Pixel)
Shutter Efficiency > 99.9%
Shutter Exposure Time 10 µsec to greater than 33 msec
PRNU (Photo Response Non-uniformity) high spatial frequency: < 0.6 % rms
low spatial frequency: < 10 % p-p
DSNU (Dark Signal Non-uniformity) high spatial frequency: < 0.4 % rms
low spatial frequency: < 3 % p-p
Vdrk (output referred dark signal) 75 LSB/sec with digital shift = 0
150 LSB/sec with digital shift = 1
300 LSB/sec with digital shift = 2
600 LSB/sec with digital shift = 3
Kdrk (Dark current temperature coeffi-
cient)
+100% at + ∆8°C
Pixel Clock Speed 67.58 MHz 50 MHz
Frame Rate Max. 500 fps @ 1280 x 1024 Max. 74 fps @1280 x 1024
Output Data Rate 625 MBytes/sec. 95 MBytes/sec.
Pixel Depth 8 Bit out of 10
Video Output Type Channel Link®LVDS, 10 x 8
Data Bits
Channel Link®LVDS, 2 x 8
Data Bits
Video Output Format 10 taps 8 Bit each
Camera Link®Full Configura-
tion (Basler-specific bit as-
signment)
2 taps 8 Bit each;
Camera Link®
Base Configu-
ration
Synchronization Via external ExSync signal or free-run
Exposure Time Control Edge-controlled, Level-controlled, or Programmable
Table 1-2: A500kPerformance Specifications

Introduction
Basler A500kSeries 1-3
PRELIMINARY
Gain and Offset Programmable via the framegrabber via a serial link
Connectors All versions: 26 pin, 0.5“, mini D ribbon (MDR) plug (data)
one 6 pin, Hirose HR (power)
one 4 pin, Hirose HR (flash control)
A504k/kc: second 26 pin, 0.5“, mini D ribbon (MDR) plug
(data)
one 15 pin, high density sub female (VGA moni-
tor output)
VGA monitor output 640 x 480 pixels at 60 Hz -
Power Requirements 12 VDC ± 10%; max 6 W 12 VDC ± 10%; max 3 W
Housing Size (L x W x H)
including connectors
without lens adapter: 43 x 90 x 90 mm
with F-mount adapter: 87 x 90 x 90 mm
Lens Adapters F-mount
Weight
without lens adapter:
with F-mount adapter:
~
510 g ~
600 g
~ 520 g
~ 610 g
Vibration tested according to DIN IEC 60068-2-6
3 axes, x,y,z
5-8.5 Hz / 1.5mm
8.5-150 Hz/ 10m/s²
Shock tested according to DIN IEC 60068-2-27
3 axes, x,y,z
100m/s², 11ms, 3 shocks positive
100m/s², 11ms, 3 shocks negative
Bump tested according to DIN IEC 60068-2-29
100m/s², 11ms, 100 shocks positive
100m/s², 11ms, 100 shocks negative
Conformity CE, FCC
Specifications A504kA504kc A501kA501kc
Table 1-2: A500kPerformance Specifications

Introduction
1-4 Basler A500kSeries
PRELIMINARY
1.3 Digital Responsivity
The specified digital responsivity is obtained if the gain is set to 98. The values are valid for the
monochrome chip. In addition, the output depends on the register setting for the digital shift. The
values given are typical values which can vary between different cameras:
For digital shift = 0: 400 DN/lx s @ 550nm
For digital shift = 1: 800 DN/lx s @ 550nm
For digital shift = 2: 1600 DN/lx s @ 550nm
For digital shift = 3: 3200 DN/lx s @ 550nm
LSB = least significant bit
See section 3.7.1 for the formula.
Example:
If the gain is set to 98, if digital shift is set to 0, and the quantity of light of 1 lux-sec has hit the
sensor, a gray value of 400 is output.
The quantum efficiency of the monochrome sensor is shown in Figure 1-1, and the quantum
efficiency of the color sensor in Figure 1-2. The quantum efficiency of the color sensor is slightly
lower than the quantum efficiency of the monochrome sensor. This is due to the color filter.
Figure 1-1: Spectral Response for Monochrome A500kCameras
)

Introduction
Basler A500kSeries 1-5
PRELIMINARY
Figure 1-2: Quantum efficiency for Color A500kc Cameras
*Color filter arrays become transparent after 700 nm. To maintain spectral balance, use
of a suitable IR cut-off filter is recommended. The filter should transmit in a range of
400 nm to 700 nm. A suitable filter type is the B+W486, for example.

Introduction
1-6 Basler A500kSeries
PRELIMINARY
1.4 Environmental Requirements
Temperature and Humidity
Housing temperature during operation: 0° C ... + 50° C (+ 32° F ... + 122° F)
Humidity during operation: 20% ... 80%, relative, non-condensing
Ventilation
Allow sufficient air circulation around the camera to prevent internal heat build-up in your system
and to keep the camera housing temperature during operation below the maximum shown above.
Provide additional cooling such as fans or heat sinks if necessary.
*You can measure the inner temperature via the temperature register. The maximum
recommended inner temperature is 60° C (140° F).
Note that the camera components’ life time and the image quality are higher the
lower the temperature of the camera.

Introduction
Basler A500kSeries 1-7
PRELIMINARY
1.5 Precautions
Power
Read the manual
Read the manual carefully before using the camera.
Keep foreign matter outside of the camera
Do not open the housing. Touching internal components may damage them.
Be careful not to allow liquids, dust, sand, flammable, or metallic material inside the camera
housing. If operated with any foreign matter inside, the camera may fail or cause a fire.
Electromagnetic Fields
Do not operate the camera in the vicinity of strong electromagnetic fields. Avoid electrostatic
charging.
Transporting
Only transport the camera in its original packaging. Do not discard the packaging.
Cleaning
Avoid cleaning the surface of the CMOS sensor if possible. If you must clean it, use a soft, lint free
cloth dampened with a small quantity of pure alcohol. Do not use methylated alcohol.
Because electrostatic discharge can damage the CMOS sensor, you must use a cloth that will not
generate static during cleaning (cotton is a good choice).
To clean the surface of the camera housing, use a soft, dry cloth. To remove severe stains, use a
soft cloth dampened with a small quantity of neutral detergent, then wipe dry.
Do not use volatile solvents such as benzine and thinners; they can damage the surface finish.
Caution!
Making or breaking connections when power is on can result in damage to the
camera.
Be sure that all power to your system is switched off before you make or break
connections to the camera.
If you can not switch off power, be sure that the power supply connector is the
last connector plugged when you make connections to the camera, and the
first connector unplugged when you break connections.
!

Introduction
1-8 Basler A500kSeries
PRELIMINARY

Camera Interface
Basler A500kSeries 2-1
PRELIMINARY
2 Camera Interface
2.1 Connections
2.1.1 General Description
A500karea scan cameras are interfaced to external circuitry via
• a 26 pin, 0.5“ Mini D Ribbon (MDR) connector to transmit configuration, trigger and image
data via Camera Link,
• a microminiature push-pull lock type receptacle to provide power (12V) to the camera,
• a microminiature push-pull lock type receptacle to provide a TTL signal for an external flash.
A504k/kc area scan cameras have two additional connectors:
• a 15 pin HDSub receptacle for the VGA monitor output
• a second 26 pin, 0.5“ Mini D Ribbon (MDR) connector to transmit further image data via
Camera Link.
The connectors are located on the back of the camera. Figure 2-1 shows the plugs and the status
LED which indicates signal integrity and power OK.

Camera Interface
2-2 Basler A500kSeries
PRELIMINARY
Figure 2-1: A500kConnectors and LED
*The camera housing is not grounded and is electrically isolated from the circuit
boards inside of the camera.
Note that the connectors at the camera are described, NOT the connectors re-
quired at the connecting cables.
status LED
Flash
Power 12 VDC
VGA monitor output
Camera Link 1
Camera Link 2
(A504k/kc only)
(A504k/kc only)

Camera Interface
Basler A500kSeries 2-3
PRELIMINARY
Figure 2-2: A500kPin Numbering
2.1.2 Pin Assignment for the MDR 26 Camera Link Connector(s)
The pin assignment for the MDR 26 pin connector used to interface video data, control signals,
and configuration data is given in Table 2-1. Table 2-2 provides the pin assignment for the second
MDR 26 pin connector which is only available with the A504k/kc.
Camera Link Connector 1:
Pin
Number
Signal
Name Direction Level Function
1, 13, 14,
261
Gnd Input Ground Ground for the inner shield of the cable
2X0- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
15 X0+
3X1- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
16 X1+
4X2- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
17 X2+
6X3- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
19 X3+
5XClk- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Transmit Clock from Channel Link Transmitter
18 XClk+
7SerTC+ Input RS-644 RS-644 Serial Communication Data Receive,
Channel RxD input
20 SerTC-
Table 2-1: A500kPin Assignments for the (first) MDR 26 Pin Connector
41
23
1
2
34
5
6
1
5
6
10
1115
1
13
14
26
1
13
14
26

Camera Interface
2-4 Basler A500kSeries
PRELIMINARY
8SerTFG- Output RS-644 RS-644 Serial Communication Data Transmit,
Channel TxD output
21 SerTFG+
9CC1- Input RS-644
LVDS
ExSync: External Trigger
22 CC1+
10 CC2+ Input RS-644
LVDS
ExClk. The input is not supported.
23 CC2-
11 CC3- Input RS-644
LVDS
ExFlash: External Flash Trigger
24 CC3+
12 CC4+ Input RS-644
LVDS
Not used
25 CC4-
1Pins 1, 13, 14, and 26 are all tied together to GND inside of the camera.
Pin
Number
Signal
Name Direction Level Function
Table 2-1: A500kPin Assignments for the (first) MDR 26 Pin Connector

Camera Interface
Basler A500kSeries 2-5
PRELIMINARY
Camera Link Connector 2 (A504k/kc only):
Pin
Number
Signal
Name Direction Level Function
1, 13, 14,
261
Gnd Input Ground Ground for the inner shield of the cable
2Y0- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
15 Y0+
3Y1- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
16 Y1+
4Y2- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
17 Y2+
6Y3- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
19 Y3+
5YClk- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Transmit Clock from Channel Link Transmitter
18 YClk+
7T+ Connected to T- with 100R; not used
20 T- Connected to T+ with 100R; not used
8Z0- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
21 Z0+
9Z1- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
22 Z1+
10 Z2- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
23 Z2+
12 Z3- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Data from Channel Link Transmitter
25 Z3+
11 ZClk- Output Channel Link
LVDS
Transmit Clock from Channel Link Transmitter
24 ZClk+
1Pins 1, 13, 14, and 26 are all tied together to GND inside of the camera.
Table 2-2: A504k/kc Pin Assignments for the Second MDR 26 Pin Connector

Camera Interface
2-6 Basler A500kSeries
PRELIMINARY
2.1.3 Pin Assignment for the Power Connector
The power input connector type is a microminiature push-pull lock type connector, the Hirose
HR 10A-7R-6PB. The power supply should deliver 12V at a minimum of 500 mA (A504k/kc) or
250 mA (A501k/kc) with a voltage accuracy of ±10%. The pin assignment of the plug is given in
Table 2-3.
You can use the Hirose HR 10A-7P-6S connector for your cable.
2.1.4 Pin Assignment for the Flash Trigger Receptacle
The Flash trigger output connector type is a microminiature push-pull lock type connector, the
Hirose HR 10A-7R-4S. The receptacle provides a TTL signal for an external flash. This signal can
be programmed via the FlashCtrl register. It can be deactivated, tied to an “effective exposure“
signal generated internally, tied to the external ExFlash input, and it can be permanently on.
The output signal can selected to be to TTL Active High (default setting), Low Side Switch (Open
Collector), or High Side Switch via the Flash Trigger Modes register (see section 4.2.4.14).
The pin assignment is given in Table 2-4. Figure 2-4 shows the three variants of output schematics
of the flash trigger connector.
You can use the Hirose HR 10A-7P-4P connector for your cable.
The FlashOut signal is short-circuit proof. The signal is electrically isolated from other signals in
the camera. See the timing diagram in Figure 2-3 and the flash trigger output schematics in Figure
2-4.
Pin
Number
Signal
Name Direction Level Function
1, 2 +12 VDC Input 12 VDC ± 10% DC Power
3, 4 not connected
5, 6 DC GND Input Ground DC ground
Table 2-3:A500kPin Assignment for the Power Receptacle
Pin
Number
Signal
Name Direction Level Function
2FlashOut Output TTL signal Flash trigger; the HIGH signal is current limited
to 50 mA ±20%.
1, 3 not connected
4DC GND Output Ground DC ground
Table 2-4:A500kPin Assignment for the Flash Trigger Receptacle