DVC DigitEyes Series User manual

Technical Manual for
DVC’s DigitEyes Cameras
Manual Number: 86-0001-03
Release Date: December 29, 1996
DVC Company
7101 Midwood Parkway
Austin, TX 78736
Phone : [phone]
Fax No: 512-288-2961
e-mail: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.dvcco.com

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Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION:..............................................................................................................................1
2. CAMERA SPECIFICATIONS:..........................................................................................................2
2.1 OPTICAL ...........................................................................................................................................2
2.2 DIGITAL VIDEO OUTPUT ...............................................................................................................3
2.3 ANALOG VIDEO OUTPUT...............................................................................................................3
2.4 ELECTRICAL ....................................................................................................................................3
2.5 MECHANICAL ..................................................................................................................................3
3. DVC CAMERA FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION .............................................................................4
3.1 CCD SENSOR:......................................................................................................................................4
3.1.1 Integration:..................................................................................................................................4
3.1.2 Parallel Transfer:.........................................................................................................................4
3.1.3 Readout:.......................................................................................................................................4
3.2 VIDEO PRE-PROCESSING: ......................................................................................................................4
3.3 ANALOG VIDEO PROCESSING:...............................................................................................................5
3.4 VIDEO DIGITIZATION:...........................................................................................................................5
3.5 SYNC AND POWER BOARD: ...................................................................................................................5
4. TC-245 CCD DETAILS ......................................................................................................................6
4.1 TC-245 CCD FUNCTIONAL DETAILS ....................................................................................................6
4.2 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION:.........................................................................................................8
4.2.1 Image Sensing and Storage Area:.................................................................................................8
4.2.2 Multiplexer with Transfer Gates and Serial Register:...................................................................8
4.2.3 Correlated-Clamp-Sample-and-Hold (CCSH) Amplifier with Charge Detection Nodes:..............10
5. DVC CAMERA OPTIONS AND SPECIAL MODIFICATIONS....................................................11
5.1 TYPICAL MODE CONTROL TABLES...........................................................................................11
5.1.1 “N” Field Integration, Pulse Driven Integration & Asynchronous Reset :..................................11
5.1.2 “N” Field Integration; 4 values of “N”, Two-speed Electronic Shutter, Pulse Driven Integration
& Asynchronous Reset: .......................................................................................................................12
5.2 ELECTRONIC SHUTTERING MODE:............................................................................................12
5.3 PULSE DRIVEN INTEGRATION MODE:.......................................................................................14
5.4 N FIELD INTEGRATION:...............................................................................................................15
5.5 ASYNCHRONOUS RESET AND GENLOCK ...............................................................................................17
5.5.1 Standard Mode:..........................................................................................................................17
5.5.2 Asynchronous Reset Mode:.........................................................................................................17
5.5.3 Genlock Mode:...........................................................................................................................18
5.6 GAIN AND OFFSET........................................................................................................................19
5.6.1 Standard Configuration:.............................................................................................................19
5.6.2 Manual External Gain Control:..................................................................................................19
5.6.3 Manual External Offset Control:................................................................................................20
5.6.4 Computer Driven External Gain Control:...................................................................................21
5.6.5 Computer Driven External Offset Control:.................................................................................22
5.6.6 Automatic Gain Control (AGC):.................................................................................................23
5.7 REMOTE CONTROL BOX:.............................................................................................................24
5.8 CUSTOM CABLE SPLITTER (“Y” CABLE): .............................................................................................25
5.9 GAMMA CORRECTION.........................................................................................................................27
5.9.1 Definition:..................................................................................................................................27
5.9.2 Gamma Equations:.....................................................................................................................27

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5.9.3 Fixed Gamma Settings in DVC Cameras:...................................................................................28
5.9.4 Adjustable Gamma Setting in DVC Cameras:.............................................................................28
5.10 ACCESS PORTS : ..........................................................................................................................29
5.10.1 Access port for analog gain control :........................................................................................29
5.10.2 Access port for analog offset control:.......................................................................................29
5.10.3 Access port for digital gain control:.........................................................................................29
5.10.4 Accesss port for digital offset control:......................................................................................30
5.10.5 Access port for adjustable analog Gamma control :..................................................................30
6. DVC CAMERA IMAGE PROCESSOR COMPATIBILITY..........................................................30
6.1 IBM (PCI).........................................................................................................................................30
6.2 IBM-PC ............................................................................................................................................31
6.3 MAC (PCI) .......................................................................................................................................31
6.4 VME.................................................................................................................................................31
6.5 SUN (S-BUS)....................................................................................................................................31
6.6 SGI DIGITAL......................................................................................................................................31
7. ORDERING INFORMATION & MODEL INDEX ........................................................................32
7.1 DVC “DIGITEYES” CAMERA MODEL INDEX................................................................................32
8. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (ADAPTED FROM DVC’S WWW SITE) ..................33
8.1 PRODUCT INFORMATION ............................................................................................................33
8.1.1 What is the "DigitEyes" product series? .....................................................................................33
8.1.2 What are the differences between the DVC-0A, DVC-08 and DVC-10 products? ........................33
8.1.3 I've heard your cameras described as "upgradeable". What does that mean to the user?............33
8.1.4 What kind of a warranty is available on DVC products?.............................................................34
8.1.5 Are your cameras available in board form for OEM applications?.............................................34
8.2 SYSTEM ISSUES.............................................................................................................................34
8.2.1 What is the minimum system configuration I need to use DVC cameras?....................................34
8.2.2 Should I use a digital or an analog camera?...............................................................................35
8.2.3 What are the benefits of using a digital camera?........................................................................35
8.2.4 Do I need a frame grabber to use digital cameras? ....................................................................36
8.2.5 How should I go about selecting a frame grabber for my application?........................................36
8.2.6 Do I need to cool the camera?....................................................................................................36
8.3 PRODUCT FEATURES....................................................................................................................37
8.3.1 What is the single, most important reason to buy a DVC camera vs. the "competition"?.............37
8.3.2 Can you define the term signal-to-noise ratio ?..........................................................................37
8.3.3 How are Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and sensitivity related?....................................................38
8.3.4 How do the DVC cameras compare with the "mega-pixel" cameras ?.........................................38
8.3.5 Do I need a digital output camera to benefit from the higher signal-to-noise ratio of DVC
cameras?.............................................................................................................................................39
8.3.6 What is the best way to "benchmark" the DVC camera vs. the “competition" in a side-by-side
comparison?........................................................................................................................................39
8.3.7 What is meant by Equivalent Number of Bits (ENOBs) ? ............................................................39
8.3.8 How does the signal-to-noise ratio (in dB) relate to Equivalent Number of Bits (ENOBs)?.........40
8.3.9 Why would I need to control the Gain of the Camera in my application?....................................40
8.3.10 How is the “Back Focus distance” set on DVC’s DigitEyes cameras ?.....................................41
8.3.11 How do I access the user adjustable controls?..........................................................................42
8.3.12 What user adjustable controls are available within the camera?...............................................43
8.4 CCD RELATED QUESTIONS .........................................................................................................45
8.4.1 What CCD sensor is used in the “DigitEyes” cameras? Who manufactures it ?..........................45
8.4.2 What other kinds of CCD sensors are out there ?........................................................................45
8.4.3 How do Frame Transfer CCDs compare with Interline Transfer CCDs?.....................................45
8.4.4 What is meant by the dynamic range of a CCD ?........................................................................46

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8.4.5 What is the image format of the CCD ? ......................................................................................47
8.4.6 What is meant by pseudo-interlaced operation ?.........................................................................47
8.4.7 Can the pseudo-interlaced operation be disabled ? ....................................................................48
8.4.8 What is anti-blooming ?..............................................................................................................48
8.4.9 Can anti-blooming be disabled ?................................................................................................50
8.4.10 What is meant by integration time ?..........................................................................................50
8.4.11 What is the integration time in the standard mode of operation ? .............................................50
8.5 OPTIONS .........................................................................................................................................51
8.5.1 What non-standard modes of integration are available ?............................................................51
8.5.2 What is the difference between electronic shuttering and pulse driven integration ?...................51
8.5.3 Do I need a frame grabber for non-standard integration modes ?...............................................51
8.5.4 What is the image format (size) during electronic shuttering and pulse driven integration ?.......51
8.5.5 Can I use genlock/asynchronous reset & electronic shuttering simultaneously ?.........................51
8.5.6 What is genlock and how does it work ?......................................................................................51
8.5.7 What is auto-iris and how does it work ?.....................................................................................52
8.5.8 What is GAMMA - it sounds like Greek to me ?..........................................................................52
8.5.9 What options are available to control the Digital Video gain and offset ?...................................52
9. APPENDIX A: CAMERA CONNECTOR INFORMATION..........................................................53
9.1 PIN ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE DB-37 DIGITAL VIDEO CONNECTOR..........................................................53
9.2 PIN ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE POWER SUPPLY CONNECTOR......................................................................53
9.3 CONNECTOR PART NUMBERS...............................................................................................................53
10. APPENDIX B: CAMERA TIMING DIAGRAM...........................................................................54
11. APPENDIX C: CAMERA SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM ..................................................................55
12. APPENDIX D: CAMERA MECHANICAL DRAWINGS.............................................................56
13. APPENDIX E: CAMERA PERFORMANCE DATA (VM-700A PLOTS) ...................................57
14. WARRANTY: .................................................................................................................................61

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List of Figures
FIGURE 2-1: CAMERA SPECTRAL RESPONSE................................................................................................2
FIGURE 3-1: DIGITAL CAMERA BLOCK DIAGRAM.........................................................................................4
FIGURE 4-1: TC-245 BLOCK DIAGRAM (TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 1994).......................................................6
FIGURE 4-2: TC-245 MECHANICAL DRAWING (TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 1994) ............................................7
FIGURE 4-3: TC-245 GATE LEVEL DRAWING (TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 1994)..............................................9
FIGURE 4-4: TC-245 CCSH AMPLIFIER CIRCUIT (TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 1994)......................................10
FIGURE 5-1: SHUTTER MODE TIMING DIAGRAM ........................................................................................12
FIGURE 5-2: SHUTTER MODE DETAILS (VERTICAL BLANKING INTERVAL)...................................................13
FIGURE 5-3: PULSE DRIVEN INTEGRATION MODE ......................................................................................14
FIGURE 5-4: "N" FIELD INTEGRATION MODE.............................................................................................15
FIGURE 5-5: ASYNCHRONOUS RESET MODE TIMING DIAGRAM...................................................................17
FIGURE 5-6: MANUAL EXTERNAL GAIN CONTROL CURVE..........................................................................19
FIGURE 5-7: MANUAL EXTERNAL OFFSET CONTROL CURVE.......................................................................20
FIGURE 5-8: EXTERNAL GAIN CONTROL CURVE ........................................................................................21
FIGURE 5-9: EXTERNAL OFFSET CONTROL CURVE.....................................................................................22
FIGURE 5-10: REMOTE CONTROL BOX (TOP VIEW)....................................................................................24
FIGURE 5-11: TYPICAL APPLICATION USING THE SPLITTER..........................................................................25
FIGURE 5-12: GAMMA CORRECTION CURVES.............................................................................................27
FIGURE 5-13: ACCESS PORTS (TOP VIEW)..................................................................................................29
FIGURE 8-1: SKETCH SHOWING CAMERA BOARDS ......................................................................................43
FIGURE 8-2: VIDEO BOARD ADJUSTMENTS................................................................................................44
FIGURE 8-3: EXPOSURE CURVE SHOWING THE DYNAMIC RANGE OF THE CAMERA .......................................46
FIGURE 8-4: IMAGING AREA, SHOWING PSEUDO-INTERLACED OPERATION...................................................47
FIGURE 8-5: ANTI-BLOOMING CURVE ........................................................................................................49
FIGURE 9-1: POWER SUPPLY CONNECTOR PINOUT DIAGRAM......................................................................53
FIGURE 10-1: CAMERA TIMING DIAGRAM..................................................................................................54
FIGURE 11-1: CAMERA SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM ............................................................................................55
FIGURE 12-1: CAMERA MECHANICAL DRAWINGS ......................................................................................56
FIGURE 13-1: CAMERA NOISE SPECTRUM (MIN. GAIN, BANDWIDTH = 10KHZ TO FULL)..............................57
FIGURE 13-2: CAMERA NOISE SPECTRUM (MIN. GAIN, BANDWIDTH = 10KHZ TO 4.2MHZ).........................58
FIGURE 13-3: CAMERA NOISE SPECTRUM (MAX. GAIN, BANDWIDTH = 100KHZ TO 4.2MHZ) ......................59
FIGURE 13-4: CAMERA NOISE SPECTRUM (MAX. GAIN, BANDWIDTH = 10KHZ TO FULL).............................60
List of Tables
TABLE 5-1: "Y" CABLE: PINOUT OF CAMERA SIDE DB-37 CONNECTOR (MARKED "C") ................................25
TABLE 5-2: "Y" CABLE: PINOUT OF REMOTE BOX DB-37 CONNECTOR (MARKED "R").................................26
TABLE 5-3: "Y" CABLE: PINOUT OF DIGITAL DB-37 CONNECTOR (MARKED "D").......................................26
TABLE 7-1: DVC-0A ORDERING EXAMPLE ...............................................................................................32
TABLE 7-2: DVC-10 ORDERING EXAMPLE................................................................................................32
TABLE 9-1: PIN ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE DB-37 (FEMALE) DIGITAL VIDEO CONNECTOR..............................53
TABLE 9-2: POWER SUPPLY CONNECTOR (5 PIN DIN)................................................................................53
TABLE 9-3: CONNECTOR PART NUMBERS & MATING PART INFORMATION...................................................53

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1. Introduction:
DVC Company, a San Diego, California based manufacturer of cost-effective, rugged video
cameras, thanks you for purchasing from the “DigitEyes" series of digital and analog video
cameras.
This series of cameras is based on the premise that to-day's high-end image processing
applications DEMAND cameras that are designed for the maximum accuracy and repeatability
that can be achieved with to-day's CCDs. DVC's moderately priced cameras occupy a niche
BETWEEN the low-end "security and surveillance" cameras which are inexpensive but
inaccurate, and the expensive, non real-time, high resolution cameras that might be "overkill" for
many applications.
The 30 frames/sec video data is provided as 10 or 8 bit parallel, differential RS-422 data which is
"plug-and-play" compatible with industry-standard image processors and a simultaneous RS-170
composite video signal (Signal-to-Noise ratio ≥62 dB @ 0.5 lux, 100 IRE ). The digital data,
pixel clock, enable line, enable frame and field index signals are accessible via DB-37
connector. Manual (or remote) external gain / offset or Automatic Gain Control (AGC) functions
that can provide nearly 30 dB of gain are available with the RS-170 output to "tune" the dynamic
range of the camera to the application. This provides an optimum match between the dynamic
range & sensitivity of the camera and the requirements of the application - in some cases,
optimum imagery is obtained under low-light conditions in real time (30 frames per second)
without an external image intensifier !
The TC-245 CCD imager has a 755(H) X 484(V) interlaced image format and has on-chip
correlated clamp sample & hold circuitry that minimizes noise. The CCD has a full well of
>80,000 electrons and a noise floor of <30 electrons (at 25°C). It has no "dead" pixels or
"blemishes" that are found in low-end security and surveillance CCD cameras.
The CCD is physically mounted in a cavity within a high-precision opto-mechanical plate to
eliminate the stability problems that are caused by using imprecisely aligned cameras in high-
end applications. On-camera digitization using the CCD pixel clock eliminates pixel jitter,
improves repeatability and brings sub-pixel accuracy to image processing applications.
The DVC-0A (analog only RS-170 model) is upgradeable to the DVC-08 or DVC-10 models
which are 8 or 10 bit digital RS-422 cameras with simultaneous RS-170 output. The camera can,
literally, "grow" with your application ! Shuttering, Pulse driven integration, cooling to -25°C,
genlock (for multiple camera synchronization, removal of the sensor faceplate for UV
applications are options that are available upon request. All DVC cameras come with a standard
2 year warranty and use industry-standard C-mount lenses.
In today's state-of-the-art digital video applications, the parallel 8 or 10 bit digital data can be
serialized and transmitted via fiber optic cable or over other channels. This is achievable without
any degradation of the signal quality over long distances.
This manual applies to all three of the DigitEyes cameras. Since the Analog Video Output is
common to all three cameras, any reference to the Analog Video Output applies equally to all
three cameras. References to the Digital Video Output applies only to the DVC-08 and DVC-10
cameras.

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2. CAMERA SPECIFICATIONS:
2.1 OPTICAL
Optical Filtering IR filter (optional; see Figure 2-1 & 2-3)
Spectral Response See Figure 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3
Sensitivity (without IR filter) @ 2850°K 0.5 Lux (0.05 fc) @ CCD for 100 IRE video
(Signal-to-Noise Ratio ≥62 dB)
Figure 2-2: TC-245 CCD Spectral Responsivity Curve (Texas Instruments, 1994)
S pectral response inVisible region
(UV res pons e obs erved to 200nm with CCD faceplate removed;
IR Responseobservedto1100nm)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Wavelength(nm)
WithoutIR Filter
With IR Filter
Figure 2-1: Camera Spectral Response

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2.2 DIGITAL VIDEO OUTPUT
Digital Video Output (14.31818 Mbytes/sec) Ten or Eight bit parallel differential (RS-422)
Gamma 1.0 (linear)
AGCNone
2.3 ANALOG VIDEO OUTPUT
RS-170 Composite Video : 1Vp-p; 75ΩResolution: 565 TVL (H); 350 TVL (V)
Gamma (set at the factory) 0.45 (standard); 0.6 (optional); 1.0 (optional)
AGC (set at the factory) None (standard); 30 dB (optional)
Signal to Noise Ratio (no AGC, Gamma = 1) ≥62 dB (See VM-700 plots; Appendix E)
2.4 ELECTRICAL
Timing RS-170, 2:1 Interlaced
Power Supply Voltages &
Current requirements ±12 V DC each @ 250 mA steady state
+ 5 V DC @ 250 mA steady state.
Clock Rate 14.31818 MHz
Synchronization Internal crystal @ 14.31818 MHz
Genlock (Optional) Reverts to crystal lock w/o External Sync.
2.5 MECHANICAL
Weight (without lens) 1 lb. (approx.)
Temperature limits (operating) -10°C to 50°C
Temperature limits (storage) -30°C to 70°C
Dimensions 4¾" X 3¾" X 2½"
Lens mount Industry standard C- mount
Camera mount ¼ - 20 threaded hole
Digital Video Connector DB-37, female connector (See Appendix A)
Power Supply Connector 5 pin DIN connector (see Appendix A)
Analog Video Connector BNC female connector
IR FilterSpecifications
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
350400450500550600650700750800850
Wavelength (nm)
Transmission (%)
Figure 2-3: IR Filter Characteristics

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3. DVC Camera Functional Description
3.1 CCD Sensor:
Light from the scene is brought into focus at the imaging plane of the CCD. An optical block
(optional) filters out the IR component of the light.
The following functions take place within the CCD:
3.1.1 Integration:
During the integration period (1/60 sec.), charges are integrated in the active pixel wells of the
Imaging Area. The amount of charge that is integrated in each active pixel well is proportional to
the illumination received at each active pixel site on the CCD. Anti-blooming pulses during the
horizontal and vertical blanking areas trigger the anti-blooming gates that are an integral part of
the active pixel elements.
3.1.2 Parallel Transfer:
During the Vertical Blanking interval, the entire charge matrix that was integrated in the previous
field (1/60 sec) is shifted to the opaque storage area of the CCD. This is accomplished by a
series of 242 pulses, each of which causes the charge matrix to shift down by one line. This
process takes approximately 68µsec.
3.1.3 Readout:
In the following field, the charges are transferred from the storage area of the CCD to on-chip
serial shift registers and then sequentially to the detection nodes where they are made available
as signal voltages. Note: While one field is being read out from the Storage Area, the other field
is being integrated in the Imaging Area of the CCD.
3.2 Video Pre-processing:
The low-level video signal voltage from the CCD is fed through a high-speed sample-and-hold
amplifier, clamped (for black reference) and amplified before further video processing. It is in
CCD Sensor
3 Channel
S/H 3 Channel pre- amplifier:
Gain
Clamping
White Balance
Black Balance
3 : 1
Analog
multiplexer
Digital Video Amp:
Digital Gain
Digital Offset
Video Processor:
Gain & Offset
Gamma
Sync Insertion
(optional)
AD-10 or AD-08
board:
Analog/Digital
conversion
TTL to RS-422
drivers:
single ended TTL
to parallel,
differential, RS-
422
Linear Voltage
Regulators
Imaging
Area
Storage
Area
Timing and control logic:
Clock generation
Generation of all CCD control signals
Genlock PLL (optional)
Exposure control
Sensor and Video Board
Sync & Power Board
Analog to Digital Board
RS-170 Output
Processed
Analog Video
Multiplexed
Analog Video
Pre-amp
Video
CCD
Video
Serial
Parallel
S/H signals Clamp Multiplex signals Clock
Clock, Enable Line, Enable Frame, Field
Id
+12V, -12V, +5V
DIN Connector
(Power Supply)
DB-37
connector
(Digital Video)
Digital Video
(8 or 10 bits)
Serial
Driver
Parallel
Driver
Figure 3-1: Digital Camera Block Diagram

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this section that the three channels of video must be "equalized" before they can be multiplexed
into a single channel of video. In order to accomplish this, two channels are provided with
variable gain and offset; one channel (considered the reference channel) has a fixed gain and
offset. The two variable channels are adjusted by means of the White Balance and Black
Balance potentiometers until all the three channels are properly matched.
3.3 Analog Video Processing:
The signal from the pre-processor stage is fed to the Video Processor which performs the
following functions related to the Analog (RS-170) video:
• Gamma Correction
• Gain and Offset Control
• AGC & Auto-iris (optional)
• Sync Insertion - the Composite Sync signal is added to the Output Video Signal to create
Composite Video.
• Video Output Driver - The Video Processor is directly capable of driving a 75Ωco-axial
cable. It is recommended that the cable be terminated in its characteristic impedance of 75Ω
at the receiving end (the monitor or other receiving device).
3.4 Video Digitization:
The low-level video signal voltage from the pre-processor is clamped (for black reference) and
amplified on the Sensor & Video Board before Analog-to-Digital conversion (on the optional
Analog to Digital board). The Digital Video Data is latched and converted to an RS-422 format
for transmission as a balanced, differential signal along a cable which consists of shielded
twisted pairs.
3.5 Sync and Power Board:
This board performs the following functions:
• Voltage Regulation: Input voltages (+12V, -12V and +5V) are converted into several positive
and negative voltages required by the CCD and in the video processing circuits.
• Generation of CCD timing signals
• Generation of Video timing signals
• Asynchronous Reset function
• Genlock function
• Electronic Shutter function
• Pulse Driven Integration function
• TTL to RS-422 conversion of digital video data, and all handshaking signals (clock, csync,
field index, enable line & enable frame).