DVC DVC-4000 User manual

TECHNICAL MANUAL FOR
DVC-4000 CAMERAS
Manual Number: 86-4000-01
Release Date: August 23, 2006

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1. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................4
2. RECEIVING AND UNPACKING.....................................................................................5
3. EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED..................................................................................................5
3.1. I MPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE POWER SUPPLY ............................................5
3.2. O PTIONAL ITEMS ................................................................................................................5
4. INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................5
4.1. H OST COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................................5
4.1.1. Operating system:.......................................................................................................5
4.1.2. Hardware, CameraLink configuration:......................................................................6
4.1.3. Hardware, Gigabit Ethernet configuration:...............................................................6
4.2. I NSTALLING THE G IGABIT E THERNET OR C AMERA L INK HOST INTERFACE BOARD ...........6
4.3. I NSTALLING THE S OFTWARE ..............................................................................................6
4.4. I NSTALLING THE CAMERA HARDWARE ..............................................................................6
5. CAMERA FUNCTIONS.....................................................................................................6
5.1. O PERATING SPEED ..............................................................................................................7
5.1.1. 20 MHz operation.......................................................................................................7
5.1.2. 40 MHz operation.......................................................................................................7
5.2. O PERATIONAL MODES ........................................................................................................7
5.2.1. Continuous, overlapped exposure mode with electronic shuttering...........................8
5.2.2. Continuous, overlapped, extended-exposure mode ....................................................8
5.2.3. Continuous, non-overlapped exposure mode..............................................................8
5.2.4. Edge-triggered exposure (single frame capture) mode ..............................................9
5.2.5. Bulb (pulse-width exposure) mode .............................................................................9
5.3. B INNING .............................................................................................................................9
5.4. R EGION OF I NTEREST .......................................................................................................10
6. CCD PHENOMENA .........................................................................................................10
6.1. B LOOMING .......................................................................................................................10
6.2. S MEAR ..............................................................................................................................10
7. MAINTENANCE ..............................................................................................................12
IMPORTANT WARRANTY INFORMATION .......................................................................12
7.1. C LEANING G UIDELINES ....................................................................................................12
7.1.1. Cleaning the lens or optical assembly ......................................................................12
7.1.2. Standard (non-cooled) camera precautions .............................................................12
7.1.3. TE-Cooled camera precautions................................................................................12
7.1.4. Cleaning the infra-red filter (Standard and TE-Cooled Cameras) .........................13
7.1.5. Infra-red filter removal and installation...................................................................14
7.1.6. How to remove the IR filter ......................................................................................14
7.1.7. Cleaning the CCD faceplate.....................................................................................16
8. WARRANTY AND AFTER-SALE SERVICE ..............................................................17
9. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION......................................................................................18

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APPENDIX A: EXPOSURE TIMING DIAGRAMS................................................................19
APPENDIX B: DESCRIPTION OF DVC-4000 AUXILIARY AND POWER SUPPLY
CONNECTORS............................................................................................................................24
A UXILIARY CONNECTOR .............................................................................................................24
Auxiliary Connector Pin Signal list: .......................................................................................24
Pin 1, ENL...............................................................................................................................24
Pin 2, DIFF_RESET_OUT......................................................................................................24
Pin 3, TTL_RESET..................................................................................................................25
Pin 4, GND..............................................................................................................................25
Pin 5, ENF...............................................................................................................................25
Pin 6, STROBE (and programmable output) ..........................................................................25
P OWER SUPPLY CONNECTOR PIN ASSIGNMENTS .........................................................................25
APPENDIX C: SPECIFICATIONS ...........................................................................................26

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1. Introduction
DVC Company, based in Austin, Texas, is a leading manufacturer of high-performance digital cameras.
We thank you for purchasing from the DVC-4000 product line.
The DVC-4000 cameras are based on the Kodak KAI-4021 interline CCD, which provides 2048 x 2048
pixel resolution and 7.4 µm square pixels with high quantum efficiency and low noise. The DVC-4000 is
offered in both standard and cooled configurations, with a choice of Gigabit Ethernet or CameraLink
interface.
Additionally, the DVC-4000 is bundled with the full complement of DVC software.
For end-users, the DVCView imaging application provides full control of up to 8 cameras
simultaneously through an intuitive user interface, and it enables the user to acquire, pan, zoom,
analyze, and save imagery and metadata. Additionally, DVCView provides direct-to-disk video
streaming, time-lapse capture, image averaging, image background subtraction, and flat-fielding.
For developers, DVC also offers a software developer’s kit, which includes a comprehensive API to
streamline the integration of any DVC camera into your system. After software installation, the SDK can
be found in the /dvcco/docs directory.
This manual is a functional overview of the camera, and it is meant to be a companion to the DVCView
User Manual and the SDK.
Thank you again from all of us at DVC!

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2. Receiving and Unpacking
Your DVC-4000 camera was thoroughly tested and carefully packed at the factory. Once the camera
shipment is accepted for delivery, the carrier assumes full responsibility for its safe arrival. Should you
receive your shipment with any damage—concealed or apparent—please contact the carrier at once. The
carrier will instruct you on how to initiate a damage claim. If a visual inspection reveals damage upon
receipt, it must be noted on the freight bill or express receipt and the notation signed by the carrier’s
agent. Failure to do so can result in the carrier refusing to honor the claim.
To return your camera to DVC for service, you must first contact the DVC Customer Service
Department in the United States at 512-301-9564 and request a Return Material Authorization (RMA).
Returns will not be accepted without an RMA. See Section 8 for details.
3. Equipment Supplied
The following is a list of standard equipment supplied with the DVC-4000 camera:
•DVC-4000 camera
•CameraLink or Gigabit Ethernet host interface board
•CameraLink or Gigabit Ethernet cable
•Regulated power supply
•Line cord with plug for country of service
•DVC software CD
3.1. Important information regarding the power supply
The DVC-4000 power supply can be configured for 115VAC or 220VAC mains voltages via the
selection switch on the underside of the unit. Before connecting to the mains, please verify that
the switch is in the proper position for your location. Failure to set the power supply switch to
the proper mains voltage may result in damage to the camera, the power supply, or both.
Such damage is not covered under warranty.
NOTE: Dangerous voltage exists within the power supply. Do not tamper with or open the
supply under any circumstances. Doing so may expose lethal voltage to personnel and will void
the warranty.
3.2. Optional items
The following items may be ordered from authorized DVC dealers and are not typically supplied
with the camera:
•Lenses or other optical elements
•Third-party image analysis software.
4. Installation
4.1. Host computer requirements
4.1.1. Operating system:
Windows XP or Windows 2000

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4.1.2. Hardware, CameraLink configuration:
At least a 500MHz Pentium III processor, 256 MB RAM, 100MB of free hard drive
space, and an available slot for the CameraLink interface board. For optimal
performance, the recommended hardware configuration is a 2 GHz or greater P4 with
128 MB or RAM and a graphics card with at least 32 MB of video ram and OpenGL(tm)
hardware support.
4.1.3. Hardware, Gigabit Ethernet configuration:
At least a 2 GHz Pentium 4 processor, 512 MB RAM, 100MB of free hard drive space,
an available slot for the Gigabit Ethernet interface board, and a graphics card with at
least 32 MB of video ram and OpenGL(tm) hardware support.
4.2. Installing the Gigabit Ethernet or CameraLink host interface board
Follow the instructions included with the board
This host interface board contains sensitive electronic devices that can be damaged by static
discharge. Use appropriate static control methods when removing the board from the
antistatic shipping bag and when installing it into the host computer.
4.3. Installing the Software
Place DVC Software installation CD in the CD or DVD drive. The installer will launch
automatically and guide each installation step.
4.4. Installing the camera hardware
This camera contains sensitive electronic devices that can be damaged by static discharge.
Use appropriate static control methods when handling the camera. Avoid contact with
connector pins when cables and plugs are removed.
•Mount the camera in the desired location
IMPORTANT: To avoid dust accumulation on the CCD sensor, do not remove the
protective lens mount cap until ready to mount the camera to the optical system. The
cap should be replaced whenever the camera is removed from the optical system
•Connect the 9-pin power supply connector to the back of the camera and secure it
with the thumbscrews, finger-tight
•Connect the camera to the host with the supplied CameraLink cable and secure it at
both ends with the thumbscrews, finger-tight
•Connect the power supply line cord to the mains
•Switch the power supply on
5. Camera Functions
The DVC-4000 is a versatile, high-performance digital video camera with functions tailored to scientific
and industrial markets. The KAI-4021 CCD sensor has two separate readout channels, and the DVC-
4000 utilizes each to provide two independent data channels; one channel for high-speed readout (40
MHz pixel rate) and one channel for low noise readout (20 MHz pixel rate). In this manner, the low
noise channel is not compromised by the bandwidth demands of the high-speed channel, and the high

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speed channel is optimized for fast readout with a dedicated, high speed A/D converter and analog
signal path.
Regardless of the readout rate, each channel utilizes its own precision, 12-bit analog-to-digital converter.
The 12-bit digital image data is available to the host computer via the CameraLink interface. The user
can choose the readout channel through software control.
The DVC-4000 has five basic operating modes described in detail below. Each mode can be operated at
either 20 or 40 MHz and can support binning and region of interest. Cooled cameras utilize proprietary
timing to completely remove “diode glow” from the CCD circuitry during long exposures.
All operational modes are initiated by a trigger signal. In the case of continuous modes, the trigger
initiates the stream and the camera continues to run in streaming mode until explicitly disabled. The
edge-triggered, single-frame mode produces one exposure in response to the leading (falling) edge of the
trigger signal. Finally, in bulb mode, the camera exposes for the duration of the trigger pulse, beginning
on the leading (falling) edge and ending on the trailing edge. Readout occurs immediately after the
trailing edge.
The trigger signal can have three different sources: the external, TTL trigger via the auxiliary connector
(see appendix B), the software-controlled trigger via a hard-wired CameraLink camera control line, or
the software-controlled through camera trigger command, via the CameraLink serial port. Developers
should consult the DVC Camera API documentation for further information on the software-controlled
triggers.
If the TTL, external trigger is used, the trigger signal must be active-low. The trigger point is the high-to-
low (leading edge) of the trigger signal.
5.1. Operating speed
The DVC-4000 is capable of operating at pixel rates of 20MHz and 40MHz via independent
channels optimized for the given speed. All camera functions (e.g. exposure mode, binning,
ROI, etc.) are operational at either speed, subject to the limitations below.
5.1.1. 20 MHz operation
20MHz operation gives the user the maximum dynamic range, minimum noise floor,
and coolest operation. Dynamic range refers to the maximum signal swing under which
the camera meets performance specifications, and it is expressed in the maximum
number of captured electrons on the CCD. At 20MHz, the DVC-4000 is capable of
approximately 38,000 electrons dynamic range, twice that of many other scientific
cameras.
5.1.2. 40 MHz operation
40MHz operating speed provides the user with the highest capture frame rates at the
expense of slightly higher noise and heat generation and significantly lower dynamic
range. Because of amplifier limitations on the KAI-4021 CCD, the DVC-4000 is capable
of approximately 20,000 electrons dynamic range at 40 MHz.
5.2. Operational modes
The following section describes the distinct operating modes of the DVC-4000 cameras. Users
of DVCView software will find many of these modes seamlessly integrated together to make

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operation of the camera as easy as possible. However, developers have full control of these
modes via the DVC camera API.
Refer to Appendix A for exposure timing diagrams.
5.2.1. Continuous, overlapped exposure mode with electronic shuttering
This mode operates the CCD in a “video” mode, in which the previous exposure is being
read out while the current exposure is underway. Once initiated via trigger, the camera
operates continuously in this fashion until halted by the host computer.
Exposure is controlled using “electronic shuttering.” Depending on the user’s exposure
setting, electronic shuttering inhibits the CCD exposure during a specific portion of the
readout interval. Referring to the first figure in appendix A, the shorter the desired
exposure, the longer the inhibition of exposure during the readout of the previous frame.
Regardless of exposure time, frame rate remains constant. The maximum exposure time
in this mode is the time required to read out one frame, and that frame time depends on
the pixel rate, ROI, and binning settings.
Exposure range (full-resolution—no binning or ROI):
20MHz Readout: Increments of 111.5 microseconds, ranging from 111.5 microseconds
to 235 milliseconds.
40MHz Readout: Increments of 58.5 microseconds, ranging from 58.5 microseconds to
125 milliseconds.
5.2.2. Continuous, overlapped, extended-exposure mode
In this mode, exposure and readout are overlapped, but the exposure ranges from one
frame-time (time taken to read out entire frame) to many seconds. This mode is typically
used if intermediate exposure times are desired but with the fastest frame rate possible.
Once initiated via trigger, the camera operates continuously in this fashion until it is
halted by the host computer.
Exposure range (full-resolution—no binning or ROI):
20MHz Readout: Increments of 111.5 microseconds, ranging from 235 milliseconds to
7480 seconds.
40MHz Readout: Increments of 58.5 microseconds, ranging from 125 milliseconds to
3925 seconds.
5.2.3. Continuous, non-overlapped exposure mode
In this mode, the camera alternately exposes and reads out the CCD in a streaming
fashion, without any overlap. This mode allows a wider range of exposures within the
mode, though frame rate decreases with increasing exposure time. Once initiated via
trigger, the CCD operates continuously in this fashion until the camera is stopped.
Exposure range (full-resolution—no binning or ROI):
20MHz Readout: Increments of 111.5 microseconds, ranging from 111.5 microseconds
to 7480 seconds.

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40MHz Readout: Increments of 58.5 microseconds, ranging from 58.5 microseconds to
3925 seconds.
5.2.4. Edge-triggered exposure (single frame capture) mode
Edge-triggered exposure mode enables the camera to initiate an exposure immediately
upon the leading (falling) edge of the external or CameraLink control lines, with an
exposure time set by software. Alternatively, the exposure can be initiated by the host
via the DVC API. The exposure and readout sequence is the same as the non-
overlapped, continuous mode and has the same exposure range, except only one frame is
generated. Once the readout of that frame has finished, the camera returns to the armed
state, awaiting the next trigger edge.
If subsequent trigger pulses occur faster than the combined exposure and readout time,
any trigger received during the exposure or readout time will be ignored, as illustrated in
appendix A.
Exposure range (full-resolution—no binning or ROI):
20MHz Readout: Increments of 111.5 microseconds, ranging from 111.5 microseconds
to 7480 seconds.
40MHz Readout: Increments of 58.5 microseconds, ranging from 58.5 microseconds to
3925 seconds.
5.2.5. Bulb (pulse-width exposure) mode
The term “bulb” mode is borrowed from photography, denoting a camera setting in
which the shutter stays open as long as the shutter button is depressed. Bulb mode in the
DVC-4000 is analogous in that the CCD exposes as long as the trigger signal is asserted
(a low logic level on the external trigger or a low command on the CameraLink CC1
control line). Upon the rising edge of the trigger signal, readout of the exposure is
initiated. Maximum exposure time is indefinite, although dark current will set the
practical exposure time limit, depending on the operating temperature and the tolerance
of the application to dark current pattern noise.
Exposure range:
20MHz or 40MHz Readout: 10us minimum. Maximum limited by dark current and
particular application.
5.3. Binning
Binning is the process of summing adjacent lines and/or pixels in order to increase dynamic
range, sensitivity, or both. Binning can either be accomplished on the CCD itself by summing
the collected charge (on-chip binning) or in software, after A/D conversion. On-chip binning can
result in slightly lower noise relative to software binning, under certain circumstances. Because
fewer lines are actually read out when binning vertically, on-chip binning in the vertical
direction can produce a significant increase in frame rate with increasing binning ratios.
However, because the clocking cannot be accelerated in the horizontal direction, horizontal
binning provides no such speed increase.

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In all modes of operation, the DVC-4000 is capable of arbitrary on-chip binning (2x, 3x, 4x,
5x…21x,…) in the vertical direction, and 2x, 3x, and 4x on-chip binning in the horizontal
direction. As vertical binning increases, antiblooming control decreases, so the user must control
image illumination more carefully while binning. However, blooming does not cause any
damage to the camera.
As the binning factor increases, the CCD vertical registers are driven faster. This naturally
causes more heating of the CCD and driving electronics. Since dark current generation increases
with CCD die temperature, a noticeable increase in CCD dark current can occur at very high
binning factors.
5.4. Region of Interest
Arbitrary, on-chip vertical Region of Interest (ROI) is fully supported on the DVC-4000
cameras. As illustrated below, when ROI is enabled, the regions above and below the region of
interest are “dumped” as fast as the CCD allows. The region of interest itself is read out
normally. Dumping unwanted lines outside the ROI can significantly increase the readout rate of
the camera. DVCView software provides interactive, graphical ROI selection, and the DVC
camera API provides developers with full ROI control. On-chip horizontal ROI is not available.
Simultaneous binning and ROI is fully supported.
As in binning, the CCD vertical registers are driven faster when the region of interest is reduced.
Dark current can increase during operation with small regions of interest.
6. CCD phenomena
The KAI-4021 CCD is a high-performance image sensor with remarkably ideal behavior over a wide
operating range. To be as versatile as possible, the DVC-4000 camera exploits as much of the CCD
capability as possible and provides the user a great degree of control over the CCD functions. As a
result, it is possible to observe some interesting, low-level CCD phenomena under certain extreme
conditions.
6.1. Blooming
Blooming is the result of charge spillover in the vertical transfer regions when the signal greatly
exceeds saturation. The DVC-4000 provides anti-blooming control, which suppresses blooming
under most imaging conditions. If signal levels are extreme and such high signal levels cover a
large percentage of the field of view, blooming may occur. The result is jagged, vertical bright
streaks running below such regions.
During binning, it is possible to bloom in the horizontal direction, especially when binning
greater than 4x vertically. This is because the horizontal register charge capacity is exceeded, the
KAI-4021 horizontal register has no anti-blooming capability and charge spills over during
horizontal readout. Therefore, illumination levels must be more carefully controlled as the
vertical binning factor is increased.
6.2. Smear
Smear is inherent to interline CCD sensors such as the KAI-4021. It is the result of transferring
image charge out of the pixels and into the adjacent vertical charge-transfer registers while
photons strike the CCD. Though the vertical charge-transfer registers are covered with a light
shield, unwanted signal can be introduced into them either by small amounts of light leaking
under the light shield or by signal electrons diffusing into the transfer region from the adjacent
pixels.