DAGE-MTI Investigater User manual

User’s Manual
DAGE-MTI
Investigater
CCD Camera Gater &
Frame Grabber

Purchaser’s Record
Model Name: DAGE-MTI Investigater
Serial Number:
Dealer’s Name:
Dealer’s Address:
Dealer’s Phone Number:
Date Purchased:
P.O. Number:

Introduction
The DAGE-MTI InvestiGater provides a solution of
obtaining low light level images from DAGE-MTI
monochrome CCD cameras by gating, grabbing and then
displaying the resultant image to a monitor. This single box
image capture solution is done without the need of a
computer.
The InvestiGater seamlessly interconnects with the
DAGE-MTI CCD100 and can also be used with other DAGE-
MTI monochrome CCD Cameras such as the CCD-300RC,
CCD-72AS and the IR-1000 models.
The InvestiGater and CCD Camera package provides a
complete imaging system for any situation. A superior image
can be obtained regardless of the scene. If real time imaging
is important, the automatics of the CCD Camera will react
with the scene to produce the best of images. When the noise
of a low-light image becomes a problem: no problem! The
InvestiGater gates the camera and captures a low noise
image. The InvestiGater even tells you when the image is
right.
DAGE-MTI offers our customers state-of-the-art video
technology… with an eye on your image.

Installation
The InvestiGater easily connects to the CCD100 through
a single cable. This standard S-video type cable (Dage P/N
737980-01) provides Power, Gate and Video connections
between the instruments. Since the InvestiGater’s power
supply provides power for both units, do not use the CCD100
power supply. Figure 1 shows the connection of the
InvestiGater to the CCD100.
Figure 2 shows the InvestiGater connected to the DAGE
CCD-300RC. The CCD-300RC needs an Aux Gating Cable
(Dage P/N 835320-08), which is included with the cooled
models. Note in this configuration both units need a power
supply connection.
Figure 3 shows the InvestiGater connected to the DAGE
CCD-72AS or another CCD Camera which uses a BNC type
Gating connection.
MONITOR
P/S
CCD100
InvestiGater
REMOTE
CAMERA
VID OUT
POWER
TABLE TOP
SWITCHING
P/S
WALL
MOUNT
ADAPTER
RC100
REMOTE
GATE
WARNING:
DO NOT USE WALL MNT ADAPTER
NOTE: INVESTIGATER POWER SWITCH CONTROLS CAMERA
POWER. RC100 POWER SWITCH IS NON-OPERABLE.
WHEN USING INVESTIGATER.
(OPTIONAL)
Figure 1: InvestiGater/CCD-100 Connection

MONITOR
InvestiGater
CAMERA
VID OUT
POWER
TABLE TOP
SWITCHING
P/S
RC300
AUX
TABLE TOP
SWITCHING
P/S
CAMERA
VID OUT
GATE
VID IN
CCD300
HEAD
POWER
CABLE P/N 835320-08
Figure 2: InvestiGater/CCD-300RC Connection
MONITOR
InvestiGater
CAMERA
VID OUT
POWER
TABLE TOP
SWITCHING
P/S
72AS
POWER
SUPPLY
GATE
CAMERA
VID OUT
GATE
VID IN
CCD72AS
HEAD
POWER
Figure 3: InvestiGater/CCD-72AS Connection

Operation
Figure 4: Dage-MTI InvestiGater Front Panel
The InvestiGater's front panel allows the user to switch
between the stored image and the incoming LIVE image. The
gating of the CCD camera is controlled through the front
panel's GATE TIME switch and the SIG LEV indicator tells
when the output video is the correct level.
POWER
The InvestiGater's power is turned on and off by this
switch. The green LED above the switch lights when the unit
is on. The InvestiGater provides a shunt video path through
the unit even when the power is off. When the InvestiGater
is attached to the CCD100, this switch controls power to both.
GATE TIME
This switch controls the time that the camera will be
gated. The unit allows gating times from 4 frames (1) to
2048 frames (MAX). The switch doubles the gating time for
each position. The gating cycle is initiated by the ACT front
panel switch.

SIGNAL LEVEL
The output video level of the InvestiGater is sensed and
drives the SIG LEV LED. The LED lights Yellow when the
output video is too low, Green when it is right, and Red when
it is too high. This ensures that the image output is always
right.
ACTIVATE
This pushbutton switch works with the GATE TIME
switch and the rear panel SGL/RUN switch to control the
gating process. To initiate a gating sequence, merely push
the ACT button. The green LED above the switch lights,
showing that gating is occurring. When the gate cycle has
been completed, the light turns off. When in the RUN mode,
another gating cycle automatically begins.
The ACT button works in conjunction with the LIVE
switch. If the InvestiGater is actively gating when the LIVE
button is pressed, the gating process is halted and the live
image is displayed. If while in the LIVE mode the ACT
button is pressed, the gating process will begin and the
memory contents will be displayed.
LIVE
The LIVE button allows the selection of input video
being displayed on the output of the InvestiGater. The LIVE
button can be used to toggle between the un-gated incoming
video and the captured gated video. When the unit is initially
turned on, it will be in the LIVE mode.

Figure 5: Dage-MTI InvestiGater Rear Panel
SGL/RUN
This switch determines whether the gating process of the
InvestiGater is a single event or an ongoing continuous
affair. In the SGL mode, upon pressing the front panel ACT
switch, one gating cycle is produced and the resulting video
is displayed. In the RUN mode, the gating process is initiated
by the ACT switch, but the gating process is in a series of
"snapshots" that are updated each gating period. This gating
process can be halted by either pressing the ACT button or
switching to the LIVE mode.
POWER IN
This 5-pin ‘DIN’connector receives DC power from the
external switching power supply. The supply plugs into an
appropriate AC outlet and provides all of the necessary
voltages to the InvestiGater and CCD100. The external
switching supply accepts either 50Hz. or 60Hz. input power
in the range of 85 to 250VAC.
NOTE:
The external power supply has no user accessible
parts. Refer maintenance to a qualified technician.

Pin-out of the POWER Connector is as follows:
PIN # FUNCTION
1 GND
2 GND
3
+5V Power In
4 -12V Power In
5 +12V Power In
24
1
5
3
TEC
This 2.1mm DC power jack connector provides power to
an optional CCD100 that has cooling capability. The power
to the camera's cooler is monitored to provide a constant
current to the unit. The center pin is positive polarity.
CAMERA
This 4-pin ‘MINI-DIN’ connector provides the complete
interconnection between the InvestiGater and the CCD100.
Power and gating to the CCD100 and video from the camera
are provided. The cable interface is a standard S-Video type
cable, Dage P/N 737980-01.
Pin-out of the CAMERA Connector is as follows:
PIN # FUNCTION
1 GND
2 Power Out (+12V@200mA)
3
Video In
4 Gate Out (+5V=Readout; GND=Gate)

GATE
For cameras other than the CCD100, this BNC provides
the gating pulse. Directly connected to the CAMERA
connector, the gate pulse is available at either place. The
gating signal is low during the gate period, then pulls high
upon readout. The next two fields of video after this low to
high transition are saved in the InvestiGater's frame
memory.
The InvestiGater’s gate signal inhibits the readout of the
CCD's image and allows light to gather in the CCD for the
period of time determined by the GATE TIME switch. The
figure below shows the timing relationship between the
camera's output video and the gating pulse.
Figure 6: Gate timing relationship
When utilizing gating, the camera’s GAIN control should
be set at MIN, to put the camera in the lowest noise mode.