CAMERA LINK vieworks VC Series User manual

VC Camera Link series
Page 2 of 86 RA14-11A-010
Revision History
Revision
Date
Description
1.0
2010-10-01
Initial release
1.1
2010-12-13
Added “scl”and “gcl”command
1.2
2010-12-21
Added VC-2MC-M/C340 model
1.3
2011-04-07
Revised Max. Frame Rate
1.4
2011-07-12
Added 2 Tap and 4 Tap 10 bit
1.5
2011-10-25
Added VC-2MC-150 and VC-4MC-80
Added Camera Block Diagram description
Added Data Format
Added Defective Pixel Correction
Added Appendix A and B
1.6
2011-11-11
Added VC-4MC-40
1.7
2012-06-19
Added 8 Tap 10 bit data output to VC-2MC-340 and VC-4MC-180 models
1.8
2012-08-27
Revised the description of the Get Trigger Mode command
1.9
2012-10-15
Changed the User Manual file name
Deleted VC-4MC-40 model
Added VC-3MC-280 model
Added VC-25MC-30 model
2.0
2013-06-14
Added description of M5 set screws for tilt adjustment
Added Actual Time Applied for Commands
2.1
2013-09-09
Added VC-12MC-65
2.2
2013-11-11
Added 2 Tap and 4 Tap output mode to VC-12MC-65
Revised the maximum FPS values depending on ROI Size of VC-2MC
2.3
2014-07-25
Added the maximum FPS values depending on ROI Size of VC-4MC
2.4
2014-09-19
Applied new CI
2.5
2015-04-30
Added the Flat Field Correction feature to VC-25MC-30
2.6
2015-06-19
Added the Flat Field Correction and HDR features to VC-2MC-340 and
VC-4MC-180
2.7
2015-09-07
Changed the VC-25MC’s mechanical dimension
2.8
2016-04-22
Added typical power requirements
2.9
2016-06-17
Added the Multi-ROI feature (VC-25MC)
Added the Strobe Delay feature (VC-25MC)
Added the AWB feature (VC-25MC)

VC Camera Link series
Page 3 of 86 RA14-11A-010
Revision
Date
Description
3.0
2017-03-24
Added the VC-25MC2-30 (PYTHON-25K)
3.1
2018-01-19
Added the Flat Field Selector feature to VC-12MC-65
3.2
2018-07-20
Added a note indicating the Strobe Offset (Strobe Delay) feature is only
available on VC-25MC/VC-25MC2.

VC Camera Link series
Page 4 of 86 RA14-11A-010
Contents
1Precautions.....................................................................................................................7
2Warranty..........................................................................................................................8
3Compliance & Certifications..........................................................................................8
3.1 FCC Compliance..................................................................................................................8
3.2 CE: DoC ...............................................................................................................................8
3.3 KC ........................................................................................................................................8
4Package Components....................................................................................................9
5Product Specifications.................................................................................................10
5.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................10
5.2 Specifications .....................................................................................................................11
5.3 Camera Block Diagram ......................................................................................................14
5.4 Sensor Information.............................................................................................................15
5.5 Mechanical Specification....................................................................................................20
6Connecting the Camera...............................................................................................23
6.1 Mount Plate ........................................................................................................................23
6.2 Precaution to center the image sensor...............................................................................24
6.3 Precaution about blurring compared to the center .............................................................24
6.4 Controlling the Camera ......................................................................................................24
7Camera Interface..........................................................................................................25
7.1 General Description............................................................................................................25
7.2 Camera Link Connector .....................................................................................................25
7.3 Power Input Connector.......................................................................................................29
7.4 Control Connecter ..............................................................................................................30
7.5 Trigger Input Circuit............................................................................................................31
7.6Strobe Output Circuit..........................................................................................................32
8Camera Features..........................................................................................................33
8.1 Region Of Interest (ROI).....................................................................................................33
8.2 Multi-ROI (VC-12MC/VC-25MC/VC-25MC2 Only).............................................................36
8.2.1 Multi-ROI on VC-12MC....................................................................................................................36
8.2.2 Multi-ROI on VC-25MC / VC-25MC2...............................................................................................38
8.3 Binning (VC-25MC / VC-25MC2 Monochrome Only).........................................................40
8.4 Exposure ............................................................................................................................41
8.4.1 Real Exposure (VC-12MC Only) .....................................................................................................42

VC Camera Link series
Page 5 of 86 RA14-11A-010
8.5 Trigger Mode ......................................................................................................................43
8.5.1 Free-Run Mode ...............................................................................................................................43
8.5.2 External Sync Mode ........................................................................................................................44
8.5.3 Overlap Trigger Input.......................................................................................................................45
8.6 Camera Link Output ...........................................................................................................46
8.7 Gain and Offset ..................................................................................................................47
8.8 Defective Pixel Correction..................................................................................................48
8.8.1 Correction Method...........................................................................................................................48
8.9 Flat Field Correction (VC-2MC-340/VC-4MC-180/VC-12MC/VC-25MC/VC-25MC2 Only) 49
8.9.1 Flat Field Selector (VC-12MC/VC-25MC/VC-25MC2 Only)............................................................51
8.10 High Dynamic Range (VC-2MC-M340/VC-4MC-180 Only)................................................52
8.11 Auto White Balance (VC-12MC/VC-25MC/VC-25MC2 Only).............................................53
8.12 Temperature Monitor ..........................................................................................................53
8.13 Status LED .........................................................................................................................53
8.14 Data Format .......................................................................................................................54
8.15 Test Image..........................................................................................................................55
8.16 Strobe.................................................................................................................................56
8.16.1 Strobe Offset (VC-25MC/VC-25MC2 Only).....................................................................................56
8.16.2 Strobe Polarity.................................................................................................................................56
8.17 Field Upgrade.....................................................................................................................57
8.18 Dark Image Correction .......................................................................................................58
8.18.1 Sequence of Dark Image Correction...............................................................................................58
8.19 White Pixel .........................................................................................................................59
9Camera Configuration..................................................................................................60
9.1 Setup Command ................................................................................................................60
9.2 Actual Time Applied for Commands ...................................................................................62
9.3 Parameter Storage Space..................................................................................................63
9.4 Command List ....................................................................................................................64
10 Configurator GUI..........................................................................................................68
10.1 Camera Scan .....................................................................................................................68
10.2 Menu ..................................................................................................................................69
10.2.1 File...................................................................................................................................................69
10.2.2 Start-Up ...........................................................................................................................................70
10.2.3 Tool..................................................................................................................................................71
10.2.4 About ...............................................................................................................................................72

VC Camera Link series
Page 6 of 86 RA14-11A-010
10.3 Tab......................................................................................................................................73
10.3.1 VIEW tab..........................................................................................................................................73
10.3.2 MODE/EXP Tap...............................................................................................................................75
10.3.3 ANALOG Tab...................................................................................................................................76
10.3.4 FFC Tab...........................................................................................................................................77
11 Troubleshooting...........................................................................................................78
Appendix A Defective Pixel Map Download...................................................................79
Appendix B Field Upgrade...............................................................................................82
B.1 MCU ...................................................................................................................................82
B.2 FPGA..................................................................................................................................85

VC Camera Link series
Page 7 of 86 RA14-11A-010
1 Precautions
General
Do not drop, disassemble, repair or alter the device. Doing so may damage the camera
electronics and cause an electric shock.
Do not let children touch the device without supervision.
Stop using the device and contact the nearest dealer or manufacturer for technical
assistance if liquid such as water, drinks or chemicals gets into the device.
Do not touch the device with wet hands. Doing so may cause an electric shock.
Make sure that the temperature of the camera does not exceed the temperature range
specified in 5.2 Specifications. Otherwise the device may be damaged by extreme
temperatures.
Installation & Maintenance
Do not install in dusty or dirty areas - or near an air conditioner or heater to reduce the risk
of damage to the device.
Avoid installing and operating in an extreme environment where vibration, heat, humidity,
dust, strong magnetic fields, explosive/corrosive mists or gases are present.
Do not apply excessive vibration and shock to the device. This may damage the device.
Avoid direct exposure to a high intensity light source. This may damage the image sensor.
Do not install the device under unstable lighting conditions. Severe lighting change will
affect the quality of the image produced by the device.
Do not use solvents or thinners to clean the surface of the device. This can damage the
surface finish.
Power Supply
Applying incorrect power can damage the camera. If the voltage applied to the camera is
greater or less than the camera’s nominal voltage, the camera may be damaged or operate
erratically. Please refer to 5.2 Specifications for the camera’s nominal voltage.
※Vieworks Co., Ltd. does NOT provide power supplies with the devices.
Make sure the power is turned off before connecting the power cord to the camera.
Otherwise, damage to the camera may result.

VC Camera Link series
Page 8 of 86 RA14-11A-010
2 Warranty
For information about the warranty, please contact your local dealer or factory representative.
3 Compliance & Certifications
3.1 FCC Compliance
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a ClassA 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 communications. 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 own expenses.
3.2 CE: DoC
EMC Directive 2014/30/EU
EN 55032:2012 (ClassA), EN 55024:2010
Class A
3.3 KC
KCC Statement
Type
Description
Class A
(Broadcasting Communication
Device for Office Use)
This device obtained EMC registration for office use (Class A), and may be
used in places other than home. Sellers and/or users need to take note of
this.

VC Camera Link series
Page 9 of 86 RA14-11A-010
4 Package Components
Package Components
VC Camera <C-mount>
VC Camera <F-mount>
Mount Plate (Optional)
M5 Set Screws for TiltAdjustment (Provided only with F-mount camera)
You can adjust the tilt using the M5 set screws, however it is not recommended since it is
adjusted as factory default settings.
If the tilt settings need to be adjusted inevitably, please contact your local dealer or factory
representative for technical support.

VC Camera Link series
Page 10 of 86 RA14-11A-010
5 Product Specifications
5.1 Overview
VC Series is a high speed industrial area scan camera equipped with the latest global shutter CMOS image
sensor. With its high reliability and durability, this camera is best suitable for machine vision requiring high-speed
continuous shooting.
Main features
High speed 2/3/4/12/25 megapixel CMOS image sensor
Electronic exposure time control (global shutter)
Output Pixel Format
VC-2MC / 4MC / 12MC / 25MC / 25MC2: 8 / 10 bit
VC-3MC: 8 bit
Strobe Output
Defective Pixel Correction
Camera Link Output Mode
VC-2MC / 4MC / 12MC: 2 Tap, 4 Tap, 8 Tap, 10 Tap
VC-3MC / 25MC / 25MC2: 8 Tap, 10 Tap
Gain/Offset Control
Test Image
LVDS (RS-644) serial communication by Camera Link interface
Temperature monitor
Field upgrade
Dark image correction (Supported only on VC-2MC / 3MC / 4MC / 12MC)
Flat Field Correction (VC-2MC-340 / VC-4MC-180 / VC-12MC-65 / VC-25MC-30 / VC-25MC2-30 Only)
HDR (High Dynamic Range - VC-2MC-340 / VC-4MC-180 Only)

VC Camera Link series
Page 11 of 86 RA14-11A-010
5.2 Specifications
Specifications for each VC camera model are as follows.
VC Series
VC-2MC-150
VC-2MC-340
VC-3MC-280
Resolution (H x V)
2048 ×1088
1696 ×1710
Sensor
CMOSIS CMV 2000
On Semiconductor LUPA 3000
Sensor Size (㎟)
11.26 ×5.98 (2/3″)
13.57 ×13.68 (1″)
Sensor Type
High Speed Progressive Scan CMOS Image Sensor
Pixel size
5.5 ㎛×5.5 ㎛
8.0 ㎛×8.0 ㎛
Interface
Camera Link
Electronic Shutter
Global Shutter
Max. Frame Rate
2 Tap: 74.4 fps
2 Tap: N/A
4 Tap: 148.5 fps
4 Tap: N/A
8 Tap: N/A
8 Tap: 295.4 fps
8 Tap: 227 fps
10 Tap: N/A
10 Tap: 337.6 fps
10 Tap: 284 fps
Transfer Time
2 Tap: 13.44 ㎳
2 Tap: N/A
4 Tap: 6.73 ㎳
4 Tap: N/A
8 Tap: N/A
8 Tap: 3.38 ㎳
8 Tap: 4.41 ㎳
10 Tap: N/A
10 Tap: 2.96 ㎳
10 Tap: 3.51 ㎳
Pixel Data Format
8 bit (2/4 Tap)
10 bit (2/4 Tap)
8 bit (2/4/8/10Tap)
10 bit (2/4/8 Tap)
8 bit (8/10Tap)
Camera Link Pixel Clock
85 ㎒
Exposure Time
1/100000 ~ 7 sec (10 ㎲step)
Cable Length
< 5 m (Camera Link Cable at 85 ㎒)
Black Offset
0 ~ 63 LSB, 64 step
Video Gain
0 ~ 12 ㏈, 64 step
Trigger Mode
Free-Run, Trigger
Programmable Exposure Time and Trigger Polarity
External Trigger
External, 3.3 V ~ 5.0 V Logical level input, Optically isolated
Software Trigger
Camera Link CC1
Dynamic Range
60 ㏈
Lens Mount
C or F-mount
Power
10 ~ 14 V DC, Typ. 4 W
10 ~ 14 V DC, Typ. 4 W
10 ~ 14 V DC, Typ. 5 W
Environmental
Operating: 0℃~ 40℃, Storage: -40℃~ 70℃
Mechanical
68 ㎜×68 ㎜×54 ㎜, 373 g (with C-mount)
Configuration SW
Configurator
Table 5.1 Specifications of VC Series (VC-2MC / VC-3MC)

VC Camera Link series
Page 12 of 86 RA14-11A-010
VC Series
VC-4MC-80
VC-4MC-180
VC-12MC-65
Resolution (H x V)
2048 ×2048
4096 ×3072
Sensor
CMOSIS CMV 4000
CMOSIS CMV 12000
Sensor Size (㎟)
11.26 ×11.26 (1″)
22.5 ×16.9
(Diagonal: 28.14 ㎜)
Sensor Type
High Speed Progressive Scan CMOS Image Sensor
Pixel size
5.5 ㎛×5.5 ㎛
Interface
Camera Link
Electronic Shutter
Global Shutter
Max. Frame Rate
2 Tap: 39.6 fps
2 Tap: 13.0 fps
4 Tap: 78.9 fps
4 Tap: 26.0 fps
8 Tap: N/A
8 Tap: 157.1 fps
8 Tap: 51.7 fps
10 Tap: N/A
10 Tap: 179.5 fps
10 Tap: 64.3 fps
Transfer Time
2 Tap: 25.3 ㎳
2 Tap: 76.9 ㎳
4 Tap: 12.67 ㎳
4 Tap: 38.5 ㎳
8 Tap: N/A
8 Tap: 6.37 ㎳
8 Tap: 19.4 ㎳
10 Tap: N/A
10 Tap: 5.58 ㎳
10 Tap: 15.6 ㎳
Pixel Data Format
8 bit (2/4 Tap)
10 bit (2/4 Tap)
8 bit (2/4/8/10Tap)
10 bit (2/4/8 Tap)
8 bit (2/4/8/10 Tap)
10 bit (2/4/8 Tap)
Camera Link Pixel Clock
85 ㎒
Exposure Time
1/100000 ~ 7 sec (10 ㎲step)
5/100000~7sec (10 ㎲step)
Cable Length
< 5 m (Camera Link Cable at 85 ㎒)
Black Offset
0 ~ 63 LSB, 64 step
Video Gain
0 ~ 12 ㏈, 64 step
Trigger Mode
Free-Run, Trigger
Programmable Exposure Time and Trigger Polarity
External Trigger
External, 3.3 V ~ 5.0 V Logical level input, Optically isolated
Software Trigger
Camera Link CC1
Dynamic Range
60 ㏈
Lens Mount
C or F-mount
F-mount
Power
10 ~ 14 V DC, Typ. 4 W
10 ~ 14 V DC, Typ. 4 W
10 ~ 14 V DC, Typ. 5 W
Environmental
Operating: 0℃~ 40℃, Storage: -40℃~ 70℃
Mechanical
68 ㎜×68 ㎜×54 ㎜,373 g (with C-mount)
68×68×80, 432g(F-mount)
Configuration SW
Configurator
Table 5.2 Specifications of VC Series (VC-4MC / VC-12MC)

VC Camera Link series
Page 13 of 86 RA14-11A-010
VC Series
VC-25MC-30
VC-25MC2-30
Resolution (H x V)
5120 ×5120
Sensor
On Semiconductor VITA-25K
On Semiconductor PYTHON-25K
Sensor Size (㎟)
23.04 ×23.04 (Diagonal: 32.5 ㎜)
Sensor Type
High Speed Progressive Scan CMOS Image Sensor
Pixel size
4.5 ㎛×4.5 ㎛
Interface
Camera Link
Electronic Shutter
Global Shutter
Max. Frame Rate
2 Tap: N/A
4 Tap: N/A
8 Tap: 25.0 fps
8 Tap: 25.3 fps
10 Tap: 30.9 fps
10 Tap: 30.1 fps
Transfer Time
2 Tap: N/A
4 Tap: N/A
8 Tap: 40.00 ㎳
8 Tap: 39.52 ㎳
10 Tap: 32.36 ㎳
10 Tap: 33.22 ㎳
Pixel Data Format
8 bit (8/10 Tap), 10 bit (8 Tap)
Camera Link Pixel Clock
85 ㎒
Exposure Time
1/100000 ~ 7 sec (10 ㎲step)
Cable Length
< 5 m (Camera Link Cable at 85 ㎒)
Black Offset
0 ~ 63 LSB, 64 step
Video Gain
0 ~ 12 ㏈, 64 step
Trigger Mode
Free-Run, Trigger
Programmable Exposure Time and Trigger Polarity
External Trigger
External, 3.3 V ~ 5.0 V Logical level input, Optically isolated
Software Trigger
Camera Link CC1
Dynamic Range
54 ㏈
59 ㏈
Lens Mount
F-mount
Power
10 ~ 14 V DC, Typ. 6 W
10 ~ 14 V DC, Typ. 7 W
Environmental
Operating: 0℃~ 40℃, Storage: -40℃~ 70℃
Mechanical
68 ㎜×68 ㎜×54 ㎜,432 g (with F-mount)
Configuration SW
Configurator
Table 5.3 Specifications of VC Series (VC-25MC / VC-25MC2)

VC Camera Link series
Page 14 of 86 RA14-11A-010
5.3 Camera Block Diagram
CMOS
Sensor
Image
Processing
And
Control
Logic
MicroController
DDR2
FLASH SRAM
Ext. Trig
Strobe
CameraLink Full
Configuration
FPGA
16 / 32 Channel
LVDS Image Data
SPI Control
EEPROM
Figure 5.1 Camera Block Diagram
All controls and data processing of VC cameras are carried out in one FPGA chip. The FPGA generally consists
of a 32 bit RISC Micro-Controller and Processing & Control Logic. The Micro-Controller receives commands from
the user through the Camera Link interface and then processes them. The Processing & Control Logic
processes the image data received from the CMOS sensor and then transmits data through the Camera Link
interface. And also, the Processing & Control Logic controls the trigger inputs and strobe outputs which are
sensitive to time. Furthermore, FLASH and DDR2 is installed outside FPGA. DDR2 is used to process images
and FLASH contains the firmware that operates the Micro-Controller.

VC Camera Link series
Page 15 of 86 RA14-11A-010
5.4 Sensor Information
The following graphs show the spectral response for VC-2MC monochrome and color camera.
Figure 5.2 Mono Spectral Response for VC-2MC
Figure 5.3 Color Spectral Response for VC-2MC

VC Camera Link series
Page 16 of 86 RA14-11A-010
The following graph shows the spectral response for VC-3MC monochrome and color camera.
Figure 5.4 Mono and Color Spectral Response for VC-3MC

VC Camera Link series
Page 17 of 86 RA14-11A-010
The following graphs show the spectral response for VC-4MC monochrome and color camera.
Figure 5.5 Mono Spectral Response for VC-4MC
Figure 5.6 Color Spectral Response for VC-4MC

VC Camera Link series
Page 18 of 86 RA14-11A-010
The following graph shows the spectral response for VC-12MC monochrome and color camera.
Figure 5.7 Mono and Color Spectral Response for VC-12MC

VC Camera Link series
Page 19 of 86 RA14-11A-010
The following graph shows the spectral response for VC-25MC monochrome and color camera.
Figure 5.8 Mono and Color Spectral Response for VC-25MC
The following graph shows the spectral response for VC-25MC2 monochrome and color camera.
Figure 5.9 Mono and Color Spectral Response for VC-25MC2

VC Camera Link series
Page 20 of 86 RA14-11A-010
5.5 Mechanical Specification
The camera dimensions in millimeters are as shown in the following figures.
Figure 5.10 VC-2MC / 3MC / 4MC Camera Link C-mount Mechanical Dimension