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)