Mikrotron MC136 Series User manual

MC136x/MC137x
HighSpeed Memory Camera With GigEVision Interface
G
Gi ig gE EV Vi is si io on n
G
Ge en nI IC Ca am m
R
Re ef fe er re en nc ce e M Ma an nu ua al l
MC136x/MC137x Camera Manual Rev. 1.0
Copyright 2009 Mikrotron GmbH
Mikrotron GmbH
Landshuter Str. 20-22
D-85716 Unterschleissheim
Germany
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.mikrotron.de

Table of contents
1. Introduction ..........................................................................................................................3
1.1. General Target .......................................................................................................................3
1.2. GEN<i>CAM Specification...................................................................................................4
1.3. Interface Type .......................................................................................................................4
2. Feature description ........................................................................................................5
2.1. Camera Information .............................................................................................................5
2.2. Image Size Controls.............................................................................................................8
2.3. Acquisition and Trigger Controls......................................................................................12
2.4. Record Controls..................................................................................................................16
2.5. Stream Controls..................................................................................................................19
2.6. Analog Controls...................................................................................................................21
2.7. Camera State......................................................................................................................24
3. General Programming Guide ..............................................................................25
3.1. Camera States....................................................................................................................25
3.2. State Transformations........................................................................................................26
4. Record Programming Guide ................................................................................27
4.1. Continuous Recording, single sequence........................................................................27
4.2. Continuous Recording with more than one sequence..................................................29
4.3. Single Recording................................................................................................................30
4.4. Triggered Recording...........................................................................................................30
5. Streaming Programming Guide .........................................................................31
6. Summarize of the features .....................................................................................33

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1. Introduction
Today's digital cameras are packed with much more functionality than just delivering an image.
Processing the image and appending the results to the image data stream, controlling external
hardware, and doing the real-time part of the application have become common tasks for machine
vision cameras. As a result, the programming interface for cameras has become more and more
complex.
The goal of GenICam is to provide a generic programming interface for all kinds of cameras. No
matter what interface technology (GigE Vision, Camera Link, 1394 DCAM, USB, etc.) they are
using or what features they are implementing, the application programming interface (API) should
be always the same.
GEN<i>CAM as a standard for the definition of software and hardware (cameras) is becoming
increasingly important.
Our cameras of the production line MC136x and MC137x are GigE Vision complient cameras. The
GigE Vision standard uses Ethernet as the hardware interface to connect a camera to its host.
GigE Vision is based on GEN<i>CAM which ensures compatibility to a wide range of programming
interfaces and applications.
The description of this manual covers the Mikrotron cameras from the series
MC136x and MC137x
1.1. General Target
The configuration, status and control capabilities of the cameras are accessible by a number of
camera 'features'. This manual gives you an overview of the features defined in the MC136x and
MC137x. Special functions of the cameras will be descriped in detail to give you all informations
you may need to realize your software projects with our cameras.
There are a number of standard features, wich are common to all GigE Vision complient cameras.
For example, there areare features to configure the communication over the Ethernet interface. Not
all of this features are descriped in this manual. They are descriped in detail in the document
'GEN<i>CAM Standard Features Naming Convention' which can be downloaded from the
homepage of the GEN<i>CAM organisation (http://www.genicam.org/).
Please use a GEV-Viewer to show all possible features of the camera ( e.g. GEVPlayer from
Pleora).
This specification provides the definitions of all camera related features and show you how to use
them for your programming.

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1.2. GEN<i>CAM Specification
This manual is based on the
GEN<i>CAM Standard Features Naming Convention, Version 1.2.1, 2008-08-19
from the GEN<i>CAM Organisation at www.genicam.org.
1.3. Interface Type
Each feature is accessible by a specific interface. Each interface has a number of attributes
descriping the current value/state and capabilities (e.g. value range) of a feature. The following
interfaces are currently defined in the GenICam standard (each one is given with the typical
widget used to map it on a graphical user interface):
Interface Type Widget
IInteger maps to a slider with value, min, max, and increment
IFloat maps to a slider with value, min, and max plus a physical unit
IString maps to an edit box showing a string
IEnumeration maps to a drop down box
ICommand maps to a command button
IBoolean maps to a check box
IRegister maps to an edit box showing a hex string
ICategory maps to an entry in a tree structuring the camera's features
IPort maps to the camera port and is typically not shown graphically

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2. Feature description
This chapter describes the features from the feature list in chapter 2 in detail.
The methods you may use to read from and write to the features depend on the functions provided
by the API of the GigE Vision SDK of your choice. Because the GigE Vision interface is
standardize there are a number of different SDK's from different vendors you can use to
communicate with the camera.
The following description of the features gives you the 'raw' format for the commands and values
you will send to the camera or you will get from it. Each write command to the camera is receipt by
an ACK (0x06). Each read command returns the current value of the requested features followed
by a trailing ACK. If a command fails a NACK (0x15) is returned.
The format of the values you will get from the functions of the API of your choice may be differ
from this description. Please read the documentation of your SDK for details how they handle
read/write commands to the camera.
2.1. Camera Information
DeviceVendorName
This feature provides the manufacturer name.
Feature name DeviceVendorName
Access Read only
Interface IString
Unit --
Range --
Response „Mikrotron GmbH\0“
Note the string is limited by a trailing „\0“
DeviceModelName
This feature provides the model name.
Feature name DeviceModelName
Access Read only
Interface IString
Unit --
Range --
Response e.g. „MC1366\0“
Note the string is limited by a trailing „\0“

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DeviceManufacturerInfo
This feature provides extended manufacturer information. Here it is the position of Mikrotron
GmbH.
Feature name DeviceManufacturerInfo
Access Read only
Interface IString
Unit --
Range --
Response „85716 Unterschleissheim, Germany\0“
Note the string is limited by a trailing „\0“
DeviceVersion
This feature provides the version.
Feature name DeviceVersion
Access Read only
Interface IString
Unit --
Range --
Response e.g. „Version 1.0.0\0“
Note the string is limited by a trailing „\0“
DeviceID
This feature provides the serial numbe.
Feature name DeviceID
Access Read only
Interface IString
Unit --
Range --
Response e.g. „01234\0“
Note the string is limited by a trailing „\0“
DeviceScanType
This feature specifies the scan type of the sensor.
Feature name DeviceScanType
Access Read only
Interface IEnumeration
Unit --
Range Areascan or Linescan
Response 0
Note Areascan
Linescan

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CameraHeadReset
This feature ist used to reset the camera and to put it in its power up state.
Feature name CameraHeadReset
Access Write only
Interface ICommand
Unit --
Range --
Response
Note

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2.2. Image Size Controls
SensorWidth
This feature indicates the effective width of the sensor in pixels.
Feature name SensorWidth
Access Read only
Interface IInteger
Unit pixel
Range --
Response 1280
Note
SensorHeight
This feature indicates the effective height of the sensor in pixels.
Feature name SensorHeight
Access Read only
Interface IInteger
Unit pixel (hex)
Range --
Response 1024
Note
WidthMax
This feature represents the maximum width (in pixels) of the image after horizontal binning,
decimation or any other function changing the horizontal dimensions of the image.
Feature name WidthMax
Access Read only
Interface IInteger
Unit pixel
Range --
Response 1280
Note
HeightMax
This feature represents the maximum height (in pixels) of the image after vertical binning,
decimation or any other function changing the vertical dimensions of the image.
Feature name HeightMax
Access Read only
Interface IInteger
Unit pixel
Range --
Response 1024
Note

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Width
This feature represents the actual image width expelled by the camera (in pixels).
Feature name Width
Access Read/Write
Interface IInteger
Unit pixel
Range 96...1280
Response 1280
Invalidation RecordMaxFrames, RecordMaxFramesPerSequence,
AcquisitionFrameRateMax, AcquisitionFrameRateRaw,
ExposureTimeMax, AcquisitionSource
Precondition CameraState = Idle
Note •The value must be 96 modulo. (decimal 96,192,...)
•Additionally Width can be set to the full sensor width which is
1280 pixel.
•Width + OffsetX ≤WidthMax
Height
This feature represents the actual image height expelled by the camera (in pixels).
Feature name Height
Access Read/Write
Interface IInteger
Unit pixel
Range 1... 1024
Response e.g. 0400
Invalidation RecordMaxFrames, RecordMaxFramesPerSequence,
AcquisitionFrameRateMax, AcquisitionFrameRateRaw,
ExposureTimeMax, AcquisitionSource
Precondition CameraState = Idle
Note Height + OffsetY ≤HeightMax
OffsetX
This feature represents the horizontal offset from the origin to the AOI – Area Of Interest (in
pixels).
Feature name OffsetX
Access Read/Write
Interface IInteger
Unit pixel
Range 0... 1152
Response e.g. 0
Invalidation RecordMaxFrames, RecordMaxFramesPerSequence,
AcquisitionFrameRateMax, AcquisitionFrameRateRaw,
ExposureTimeMax, AcquisitionSource
Precondition CameraState = Idle
Note - The value must be 96 modulo. (decimal 0,96......1152)
- Width + OffsetX ≤WidthMax

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OffsetY
This Feature represents the vertical offset from the origin to the AOI – Area Of Interest (in pixels).
Feature name OffsetY
Access Read/Write
Interface IInteger
Unit pixel
Range 0... 1022
Response e.g. 0
Invalidation RecordMaxFrames, RecordMaxFramesPerSequence,
AcquisitionFrameRateMax, AcquisitionFrameRateRaw,
ExposureTimeMax, AcquisitionSource
Precondition CameraState = Idle
Note Height + OffsetY ≤HeightMax
PixelFormat
This feature indicates the format of the pixel to use during the acquisition.
Feature name PixelFormat
Access Read only
Interface IEnumeration
Unit --
Range --
Response
Note Mono8 ←monocrome
BayerGR8 ←color
PixelCoding
This feature indicates the coding of the pixels in the image. The camera returns frame data in raw
format, that means in the native format of the sensor. The color version of the camera uses a
'Bayer Filter' in front of the sensor. The data returned by this camera type includes the color
information in coded form, so the user has to convert the image to RGB by himself,
This value must always be coherent with the PixelFormat register.
Feature name PixelCoding
Access Read only
Interface IEnumeration
Unit --
Range --
Response
Note Mono <- monochrome
Raw <- color

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PixelSize
This feature indicates the total size in bits of a pixel of the image. This value must always be
coherent with the PixelFormat register.
Feature name PixelSize
Access Read only
Interface IEnumeration
Unit --
Range --
Response
Note Bpp8
PixelColorFilter
This feature indicates the type of color filter that is applied to the image. This value must always be
coherent with the PixelFormat register.
Feature name PixelColorFilter
Access Read only
Interface IEnumeration
Unit --
Range --
Response
Note None ←monochrome

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2.3. Acquisition and Trigger Controls
AcquisitionMode
This feature controls the acquisition mode of the device. It defines the number of frames to capture
during an acquisition and the way the acquisition stops. Actually only the acquisition mode
'Continuous Mode' is supported.
In Continuous Mode frames are captured continuously without stopping.
Acquisition can be stopped by anAcquistionStop command.
Feature name AcquisitionMode
Access Read/Write
Interface IEnumeration
Unit --
Range Continuous
Response Continuous
Invalidation
Precondition CameraState = Idle
Note
AcquisitionSource
This feature defines the streaming source of frame data from the camera.
Feature name AcquisitionSource
Access Read/Write
Interface IEnumeration
Unit --
Range Live, Memory
Response e.g. 00
Invalidation AcquisitionStart
Precondition CameraState = Idle
Note Live
Frame data is streamed directly from the camera to host without
buffering.
Memory
Frame data is streamed from the camera internal frame buffer to
the host.

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AcquisitionFrameRateMax
This feature represents the upper limit of the frame rate(in hertz) of the camera in dependency of
the current camera settings.
Feature name AcquisitionFrameRateMax
Access Read only
Interface IInteger
Unit Hz (fps – frame per second)
Range --
Response e.g. 500
Invalidation AcquisitionFrameRateRaw
Note
AcquisitionFrameRateRaw
This feature defines the current frame rate (in hertz) of the camera.
Feature name AcquisitionFrameRateRaw
Access Read/Write
Interface IInteger
Unit Hz (fps – frame per second)
Range 1... AcquisitionFrameRateMax
Response e.g. 500
Invalidation ExposureTimeRaw, ExposureTimeMax
Precondition CameraState = Idle, AcquisitionFrameRateMax
Note
ExposureMode
This feature is used to set the exposure mode of the camera.
Currently there is only Timed exposure available. The exposure duration time is defined by the
feature ExposureTimeAbs,
The camera MC136x and MC137x suport only the Timed mode now. Default value is Timed.
Feature name ExposureMode
Access Read/Write
Interface IEnumeration
Unit --
Range Timed
Response Timed
Invalidation
Precondition CameraState = Idle
Note

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ExposureTimeMax
This feature represents the upper limit Exposure time (in us) at which the Frames can be captured.
Feature name ExposureTimeMax
Access Read only
Interface IInteger
Unit microseconds - us
Range --
Response e.g. 1944
Invalidation ExposureTimeRaw
Note
ExposureTimeRaw
This feature is used to set the Exposure time (in microseconds). This controls the duration where
the photosensitive cells are exposed to light.
Feature name ExposureTimeRaw
Access Read/Write
Interface IInteger
Unit microseconds - us
Range 2… ExposureTimeMax
Response e.g. 2
Invalidation
Precondition CameraState = Idle or LIVE, ExposureTimeMax
Note
AcquisitionStart
This feature starts the frame acquisition. The frame source is specified byAcquisitionSource.
Feature name AcquisitionStart
Access Write only
Interface ICommand
Unit --
Range --
Response --
Invalidation CameraState
Precondition CameraState = Idle, AcquisitionSource
Note if AcquisitionSource is LIVE, then CameraState become:
IdleAcquisitionStartLive
if AcquisitionSource is MEMORY, then
IdleAcquisitionStartStreaming

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AcquisitionStop
This feature stops the Acquisition of the device at the end of the current frame. If no Acquisition is
in progress, the command is ignored.
Feature name AcquisitionStop
Access Write only
Interface ICommand
Unit --
Range --
Response --
Invalidation CameraState
Precondition CameraState = Live or Recording or Streaming
Note CameraState Idle

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2.4. Record Controls
RecordMode
This feature defines the record operation mode. There are two modes:
-single recording
In this mode the cameras internal buffer is filled with frames untill the end of the buffer is reached.
Afterwards, the camera stopps recording.
-continuous recording
In this mode the cameras internal buffer is filled with frames. When the end of the buffer is reached
recording continuous at the start of the buffer.
Feature name RecordMode
Access Read/Write
Interface IEnumeration
Unit --
Range Single, Continuous
Response Continuous
Invalidation RecordNumberOfSequences, RecordMaxFrames,
RecordMaxFramesPerSequence
Precondition CameraState = Idle
Note Single
Continuous(default)
if single recording, RecordNumberOfSequences is set to1
sequence automatically
RecordNumberOfSequences
This feature defines the number of different sequences that will be recorded.
The default value is one sequence. Possible values are 1, 2, 4 or 8 sequences.
Feature name RecordNumberOfSequences
Access Read/Write
Interface IEnumeration
Unit
Range One, Two, Four, Eight
Response e.g. One
Invalidation
Precondition CameraState = Idle
Note

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RecordTrailer
This feature defines the number of frames to record after a record stop trigger is detected. The
default value is 0.
Feature name RecordTrailer
Access Read/Write
Interface IInteger
Unit number of picture
Range 0… (RecordMaxFramesPerSequence-1)
Response e.g. 0
Invalidation
Precondition CameraState = Idle, RecordMaxFramesPerSequence
Note
RecordMaxFrames
This feature indicates the maximal number of frames that can be recorded in sum of all defined
sequences.
Feature name RecordMaxFrames
Access Read only
Interface IInteger
Unit number of picture
Range --
Response e.g. 3274
Note
RecordNumberOfFrames
This feature indicates the number of recorded frames in sum off all defined sequences.
Feature name RecordNumerOfFrames
Access Read only
Interface IInteger
Unit number of picture
Range --
Response e.g. 3274
Note

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RecordMaxFramesPerSequence
This feature indicates the maximal number of frames, that can be recorded in one sequence.
Feature name RecordMaxFramesPerSequence
Access Read only
Interface IInteger
Unit number of picture
Range --
Response e.g. 3274
Note
RecordNumberOfFramesPerSequence
This feature indicates the number of recorded frames in one sequence.
Feature name RecordNumberOfFramesPerSequence
Access Read only
Interface IInteger
Unit number of picture
Range --
Response e.g. 3274
Note
RecordStart
This feature starts the recording to the camera internal buffer. Recording will start at the first of the
number of defined sequences.
Feature name RecordStart
Access Write only
Interface ICommand
Unit --
Range --
Response --
Invalidation CameraState
Precondition CameraState = Idle or Live,
Note
RecordStop
This feature stops the recording mode.
Feature name RecordStop
Access Write only
Interface ICommand
Unit --
Range --
Response --
Invalidation CameraState
Precondition CameraState = Recording
Note

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2.5. Stream Controls
StreamSequenceSelector
If streaming from the camera to the host is selected, this feature defines the index of the sequence
the frames are read from.
Feature name StreamSequenceSelector
Access Read/Write
Interface IInteger
Unit
Range 0 .. 7
Response e.g. 0
Invalidation RecordNumberOfFramesPerSequence, StreamStartNumber,
StreamEndNumber
Precondition CameraState = Idle
Note
StreamStartNumber
This feature defines the frame start number at which streaming from a sequence buffer to the host
should start. The frame number is relative to each buffer and starts with 0.
Feature name StreamStartNumber
Access Read/Write
Interface IInteger
Unit number of picture
Range 0... StreamEndNumber
Response e.g. 0
Invalidation RecordNumberOfFramesPerSequence, StreamStartNumber,
StreamEndNumber
Precondition CameraState = Idle, StreamSequenceSelector,
StreamEndNumber
Note StreamStartNumber ≤StreamEndNumber
StreamEndNumber
This feature is used to set the number of the last frame for stream.
Feature name StreamEndNumber
Access Read/Write
Interface IInteger
Unit number of picture
Range StreamStartNumber... RecordNumberOfFramesPerSequence
Response e.g. 0
Invalidation
Precondition CameraState = Idle, StreamSequenceSelector,
StreamStartNumber, RecordNumberOfFramesPerSequence
Note StreamStartNumber ≤StreamEndNumber ≤
RecordNumberOfFramesPerSequence

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StreamSingleFrame
This feature is used to read a single frame from a sequence buffer. The frame to read is absolutely
addressed by its frame number. To read a frame set this feature to the requested frame number.
Feature name StreamSingleFrame
Access Read/Write
Interface IInteger
Unit number of picture
Range 0... RecordNumberOfFramesPerSequence-1
Response e.g. 0
Invalidation
Precondition CameraState = Idle, StreamSequenceSelector,
StreamStartNumber, RecordNumberOfFramesPerSequence
Note StreamSingleFrame ≤
RecordNumberOfFramesPerSequence-1