National Instruments NI 1483 User manual

NI-1483

NI 1483R User Guide and Specifications
The NI 1483R is an image acquisition device that supports Base, Medium, Full, and Extended Full
(80-bit) configuration Camera Link-compatible cameras. The NI 1483R is comprised of an
NI FlexRIOTM FPGA module and an NI FlexRIO adapter module (NI 1483). This document explains
how to install and configure the NI 1483R, how to acquire images using a LabVIEW FPGA example
VI, and lists the specifications for the NI 1483.
Figure 1. NI 1483R
Required Components
The following items are necessary to set up and use the NI 1483R:
❑NI FlexRIO adapter module (NI 1483)
❑NI FlexRIO FPGA module
❑The following software packages:
– LabVIEW 2010 or later
– LabVIEW FPGA Module 2010 or later
– NI-RIO 4.0 or later driver software
– NI-IMAQ 4.6.1 or later driver software, included with NI Vision Acquisition Software
September 2011
– (Optional) NI Vision Development Module 2010 or later for creating machine vision
applications
Refer to Step 1. Install Application Software and Driver for information about software support.
NI FlexRIO
FPGA Module NI 1483RNI 1483 + =

NI 1483R User Guide and Specifications 2 ni.com
❑One of the following system considerations:
– PXI/CompactPCI or PXI Express/CompactPCI Express chassis with a PXI/CompactPCI or a
PXI Express/CompactPCI Express embedded controller
– MXI kit and a PC running Windows 7/Vista/XP/2000
❑Cables for connecting a Camera Link-compatible camera to the NI 1483. Refer to the Connectivity
Options section for a list of applicable cables and accessories.
Step 1. Install Application Software and Driver
Before installing the NI 1483, you must install the application software and device driver. Install the
software in the following order:
1. LabVIEW—Refer to the LabVIEW Release Notes for installation instructions for LabVIEW
and system requirements for the LabVIEW software. Refer to the LabVIEW Upgrade Notes for
additional information about upgrading to the most recent version of LabVIEW for Windows.
Documentation for LabVIEW is available by selecting Start»All Programs»National
Instruments»LabVIEW»LabVIEW Manuals.
2. LabVIEW FPGA Module—Refer to the LabVIEW FPGA Module Release and Upgrade Notes
for installation instructions and information about getting started with the LabVIEW FPGA
Module.
Documentation for the LabVIEW FPGA Module is available by selecting Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»LabVIEW»LabVIEW Manuals.
3. NI-RIO—Refer to the NI-RIO Readme on the NI-RIO installation media for system requirements
and installation instructions for the NI-RIO driver.
Documentation for the NI-RIO driver software is available by selecting Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»NI-RIO.
4. NI-IMAQ—Refer to the NI Vision Acquisition Software Release Notes on the NI Vision
Acquisition Software installation media for system requirements and installation instructions for
the NI-IMAQ driver.
Documentation for the NI-IMAQ driver software is available by selecting Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»Vision»Documentation»NI-IMAQ.
5. (Optional) NI Vision Development Module—Refer to the NI Vision Development Module
Readme on the NI Vision Development Module installation media for system requirements and
installation instructions.
Documentation for the NI Vision Development Module is available by selecting Start»All
Programs»National Instruments»Vision»Documentation»NI Vision.
Step 2. Install the NI 1483
This section describes how to unpack and install the NI FlexRIO FPGA module and the NI 1483.
Note You must install the software before installing the hardware. For software installation
information, refer to Step 1. Install Application Software and Driver.

©National Instruments Corporation 3 NI 1483R User Guide and Specifications
Unpacking
The NI FlexRIO FPGA module and the NI 1483 are shipped in antistatic packages to prevent
electrostatic discharge from damaging device components. To prevent such damage when handling
the device, take the following precautions:
• Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object, such as your computer
chassis.
• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis before removing the device
from the package.
Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
Remove the device from the package and inspect the devices for loose components or any other sign
of damage. Notify National Instruments if the device appears damaged in any way. Do not install a
damaged device into the chassis.
Store the NI FlexRIO FPGA module and NI 1483 in the antistatic envelopes when not in use.
Installing the NI FlexRIO FPGA Module
Complete the following steps to install an NI FlexRIO FPGA module:
Note You must install the software before installing the hardware. For software installation
information, refer to Step 1. Install Application Software and Driver.
Caution Refer to the Read Me First: Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility document packaged
with your PXI/PXI Express chassis or device before removing equipment covers or connecting or
disconnecting any signal wires.
1. Power off and unplug the PXI/PXI Express chassis. Refer to your chassis manual to install or
configure the chassis.
2. Identify a supported PXI/PXI Express slot in the chassis. Figure 2 shows the symbols that indicate
the slot types for a PXI/PXI Express chassis.
Figure 2. Symbols for PXI Express/PXI Express Hybrid/PXI Slots
1 PXI Express System Controller Slot
2 PXI Peripheral Slots
3PXI Express Hybrid Peripheral Slots
4 PXI Express Peripheral Slots
5 PXI Express System Timing Slot
181716151312111098765432
NI PXIe-1065
3
1
H
14
HHH
2 234 51

NI 1483R User Guide and Specifications 4 ni.com
If you are using a PXI Express chassis, you can place PXI devices in the PXI slots. If a PXI device is
hybrid slot compatible, you can use the PXI Express Hybrid slots. PXI Express devices can be placed
only in PXI Express slots and PXI Express Hybrid slots. Refer to the chassis documentation for details.
Tip PXI NI FlexRIO FPGA modules are compatible with PXI slots and PXI Express Hybrid slots.
PXIe NI FlexRIO FPGA modules are compatible with PXI Express slots and PXI Express Hybrid
slots. National Instruments does not recommend using NI FlexRIO FPGA modules in PXI Express
System Timing slots because the boards do not have timing features.
3. Remove the filler panel of an unused PXI/PXI Express slot.
4. Touch any metal part of the chassis to discharge any static electricity.
5. Place the PXI/PXI Express module edges into the module guides at the top and bottom of the
chassis, and slide the module into the chassis until the module is fully inserted, as shown in
Figure 3.
Figure 3. Installing an NI FlexRIO FPGA Module in the PXI/PXI Express Chassis
6. Secure the device front panel to the chassis front panel mounting rail using the front-panel
mounting screws.
7. Plug in and power on the PXI/PXI Express chassis.
Confirming the Device is Recognized
To confirm that the device is recognized, complete the following additional steps:
1. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»Measurement & Automation to open
Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
2. Expand Devices and Interfaces.
3. Verify that the device appears under Devices and Interfaces»RIO Devices.
Installing the NI 1483
Complete the following steps to connect the NI FlexRIO adapter module to the NI FlexRIO FPGA
module.
1. Gently insert the guide pins and the high-density card edge of the NI 1483 into the corresponding
connectors of the NI FlexRIO FPGA module, as shown in Figure 4. The connection may be tight,
but do not force the adapter module into place.
1 PXI/PXI Express Chassis
2 PXI/PXI Express System Controller
3NI FlexRIO FPGA Module
4 Front-Panel Mounting Screws
5Module Guides
6 Power Switch
3
PXI-1000B
5
6
4
1
2

©National Instruments Corporation 5 NI 1483R User Guide and Specifications
Figure 4. Installing the NI 1483
2. Tighten the captive screws on the NI 1483 to secure it to the NI FlexRIO FPGA module.
Step 3. Connect Signals
This section describes the Base configuration 26-pin SDR connector, the Medium/Full configuration
26-pin SDR connector, and the 15-pin D-Sub connector on the NI 1483.
SDR Connectors
Figure 5 shows the NI 1483 Base configuration 26-pin SDR connector assignments. Refer to Table 1 for
a description of the signals.
Figure 5. NI 1483 Base Configuration SDR Connector Pin Assignments
1 NI FlexRIO Adapter Module (NI 1483)
2CaptiveScrew
3Guide Pin
4 PXI/PXI Express Chassis
5 NI FlexRIO FPGA Module
PXI-1000B
5
1
3
4
2
DGND
X(0)+
X(1)+
X(2)+
XCLK+
X(3)+
SerTC–
SerTFG+
CC(1)+
CC(2)–
CC(3)+
CC(4)–
DGND
DGND
X(0)–
X(1)–
X(2)–
XCLK–
X(3)–
SerTC+
SerTFG–
CC(1)–
CC(2)+
CC(3)–
CC(4)+
DGND
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14

NI 1483R User Guide and Specifications 6 ni.com
Figure 6 shows the NI 1483 Medium/Full configuration 26-pin SDR connector assignments. Refer to
Table 2 for a description of the signals.
Figure 6. NI 1483 Medium/Full Configuration SDR Connector Pin Assignments
Table 1. NI 1483 Base Configuration SDR Signal Descriptions
Signal Name Description
X<3..0>± Base configuration data and enable signals from the camera to the NI 1483.
XCLK± Transmission clock on the Base configuration chip for Camera Link
communication between the NI 1483 and the camera.
SerTC± Serial transmission to the camera from the NI 1483.
SerTFG± Serial transmission to the NI 1483 from the camera.
CC<4..1>± Four LVDS pairs, defined as camera inputs and NI 1483 outputs, reserved
for camera control. On some cameras, the camera controls allow the
NI 1483 to control exposure time and frame rate.
Table 2. NI 1483 Medium/Full Configuration SDR Signal Descriptions
Signal Name Description
Y<3..0>± Medium configuration data and enable signals from the camera to the
NI 1483.
YCLK± Transmission clock on the Medium configuration chip for Camera Link
communication between the NI 1483 and the camera.
Z<3..0>± Full configuration data and enable signals from the camera to the NI 1483.
ZCLK± Transmission clock on the Full configuration chip for Camera Link
communication between the NI 1483 and the camera.
DGND
Y(0)+
Y(1)+
Y(2)+
YCLK+
Y(3)+
100 Ωdifferential termination with pin 20
Z(0)+
Z(1)+
Z(2)+
ZCLK+
Z(3)+
DGND
DGND
Y(0)–
Y(1)–
Y(2)–
YCLK–
Y(3)–
100 Ω differential termination with pin 7
Z(0)–
Z(1)–
Z(2)–
ZCLK–
Z(3)–
DGND
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14

©National Instruments Corporation 7 NI 1483R User Guide and Specifications
D-Sub Connector
The 15-pin female high-density D-Sub connector connects to general purpose digital I/O, which
includes four TTL I/O lines, two optically isolated inputs, and two RS-422 quadrature encoder inputs.
Table 3 shows the connector assignments and descriptions.
Table 3. NI 1483 15-pin D-Sub Connector Pin Assignments
Connector Pin Signal Name Description
1TTL I/O 0 TTL external trigger/Digital I/O line.
2Iso Input 0+ 30 V isolated input only line.
3Phase A+ Quadrature encoder Phase A positive
connection for single-ended or differential
signals. Can also be used as a digital input for
triggering.
4Phase B– Quadrature encoder Phase B negative
connection for differential signals.
5NC No connection.
6TTL I/O 1 TTL external trigger/Digital I/O line.
7TTL I/O 2 TTL external trigger/Digital I/O line.
8Iso Input 1+ 30 V isolated input only line.
9Phase B+ Quadrature encoder Phase B positive
connection for single-ended or differential
signals. Can also be used as a digital input for
triggering.
10 TTL I/O 3 TTL external trigger/Digital I/O line.
11 Digital Ground Direct connection to digital ground on the
NI 1483.
12 Iso Input 0–
Iso Input 1–
Isolated reference.
13 Phase A– Quadrature encoder Phase A negative
connection for differential signals.
14 Digital Ground Direct connection to digital ground on the
NI 1483.
15 NC No connection.
1
6
11
5
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NI 1483R User Guide and Specifications 8 ni.com
Connectivity Options
National Instruments recommends that you use the following cables to connect your camera to the
26-pin SDR connectors on the NI 1483:
• MDR to SDR Camera Link cable (part number 199745A-05)
• SDR to SDR Camera Link cable (part number 199746A-05)
Note To ensure the high-speed signaling of the Camera Link interface, National Instruments
recommends that you purchase a Camera Link cable rather than build a custom cable.
You can use the NI 1483 with the following I/O accessories:
• NI 17xx 5m Pigtail breakout cable (part number 197818-05)
• NI 17xx Unshielded Screw Terminal Breakout with 2M Cable (part number 780261-01)
Step 4. Using the NI 1483R with a LabVIEW FPGA Example VI
This section demonstrates how to use an existing LabVIEW FPGA example project to acquire images
with the NI 1483R.
Note Examples available for your device are dependent on the device-specific minimum software
requirements. For more information about software requirements for your device, refer to Step 1.
Install Application Software and Driver.
Each NI 1483R example project includes:
• A LabVIEW FPGA VI that can be compiled and run on FPGA hardware
• A Host VI that runs in LabVIEW for Windows and interacts with the LabVIEW FPGA VI
Note In software, NI FlexRIO adapter modules are referred to as IO Modules.
Complete the following steps to run an example that acquires an image with the NI 1483.
1. Connect a Camera Link camera capable of outputting a 1-tap, 10-bit image to the NI 1483. Ensure
that the camera is powered on.
2. This example shows how to use a frame trigger to acquire images from the camera. To use an
external trigger source, connect the TTL I/O 0 pin on the D-Sub connector to the trigger source
using either a breakout cable or terminal block. If you do not have an external trigger source, you
can trigger the camera with a software trigger.
3. Launch LabVIEW.
4. In the Getting Started window, click Find Examples to display the NI Example Finder.
5. In the NI Example Finder window, select Directory Structure.
6. Browse to the example folder for the NI 1483 by selecting FlexRIO»IO Modules»NI 1483.
7. Select 1-Tap 10-Bit Camera with Frame Trigger, then 1-Tap 10-Bit Camera with Frame
Trigger.lvproj.
8. In the Project Explorer window, expand the tree view for the FPGA target you are using. If your
target does not appear, complete the following steps to create and configure a new FPGA target.
a. In the Project Explorer window, right-click My Computer and select New»Targets and
Devices.
b. Select the type of FPGA target you intend to use and click OK.
c. Expand the tree view for the PXIe-7965R and the tree view for the target you created.

©National Instruments Corporation 9 NI 1483R User Guide and Specifications
d. Hold down the Ctrl key and click the 100 MHz Clock, Host DMA 16, and 1-Tap 10-Bit
Camera with Frame Trigger (FPGA).vi.
e. Select Edit»Copy from the menu bar.
f. Select the new FPGA target you created.
g. Select Edit»Paste from the menu bar.
h. Right-click on IO Module (None) under the FPGA target you created and select Properties.
i. Enable the Enable IO Module checkbox.
j. Select the NI 1483 under the list of IO Modules.
k. Click Clock Selections in the Category list.
l. Select 40 MHz Onboard Clock for Clock 40 MHz and select 100 MHz Clock for the Image
Data Clock.
m. Click OK.
n. Right click on 1-Tap 10-Bit Camera with Frame Trigger (FPGA).vi and select Create Build
Specification.
9. Expand the Build Specifications tree view. Right-click 1-Tap 10-Bit Camera with Frame
Trigger (FPGA), and, select Build from the drop-down menu.
Note Depending on your hardware configuration, compiling may take 30 minutes to an hour.
10. In the Project Explorer window, double-click 1-Tap 10-Bit Camera with Frame Trigger
(Host).vi under My Computer to open the host VI. The VI uses the NI PXIe-7965R as the FPGA
target. If you are not using the NI PXIe-7965R, complete the following steps to change the FPGA
target.
a. In the host VI front panel window, select Window»Show Block Diagram to open the VI
block diagram.
b. On the block diagram, right-click the Open FPGA icon (PXIe-7965R) and select Configure
Open FPGA VI Reference.
c. In the Configure Open FPGA VI Reference window, click the Browse Project button in the
Open VI section.
d. In the Select VI window that opens, expand the tree view for your device, select the VI under
your device and click OK.
e. Click OK in the Configure Open FPGA VI Reference window.
f. Save the VI.
11. On the front panel, select your FlexRIO device from the RIO Device drop-down listbox.
12. In the Image Width and Image Height spin boxes, enter the values that match the camera output.
13. The value of the Trigger Pulse Width (us) spin box will control the pulse width of the frame
trigger that is sent to the camera on Camera Link control line 1. Set this value to satisfy the pulse
width requirements of the camera in use.
14. Set the Start Serial Server button to true to enable the serial server. The button illuminates when
true. You can use the serial server to communicate with the camera, and configure the camera using
the configuration utility provided by the camera manufacturer.
15. On the front panel of the 1-Tap 10-Bit Camera with Frame Trigger (Host).vi, click the Run
button to run the VI. Check if the Module Enabled and Initalized status indicators are lit. If
Module Enabled is not lit, verify the NI 1483 adapter module is properly connected to the
NI FlexRIO FPGA module. If Initalized is not lit, verify the camera is properly connected and
powered on.