Phantom v2512 User manual

ULTRAHIGH-SPEED CAMERAS
v2512 | v2012 | v1612 | v1212 | v2640 | v1840
UHS MANUAL
When it’s too fast to see, and too important not to.®

PN: ZDOC-64110-MA-0001 Rev 4
Last Updated: November 2018

WWW.PHANTOMHIGHSPEED.COM
Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed Cameras
MANUAL
100 Dey Road
Wayne, NJ 07470 USA
+1.973.696.4500
When it’s too fast to see, and too important not to.®

Written and produced by the Marketing
Department at Vision Research.
The contents of this manual are subject
to change without notification.
PN: ZDOC-64110-MA-0001 Rev 4
Last Updated: November 2018
PHANTOMHIGHSPEED.COM

1 Camera Overview 1
2 Connectors 5
3 Network Setup & Quick Start Guides 7
4 On-Camera Controls & On-Screen Displays 15
5 Working with Phantom CineMags 27
6 Phantom PCC Software: Camera Operation,
Download and File Conversion 33
7 Programmable I/O Signal Architecture 45
8 Measurements with PCC 51
9 Accessories 59
10 FAQs & Support 63
PHANTOMHIGHSPEED.COM

v2512 v2012 v1612 v1212
Max. Resolution 1280 x 800
Fps at Max. Res 25,700 22,600 16,600 12,600
Fps at Reduced
Resolution
1,000,000 at 256x32
with FAST option
(663,250 w/o)
1,000,000 at 128x32
with FAST option
(651,150 w/o)
1,000,000 at 128x16
with FAST option
(626,850 w/o)
820,500 at 128x16
with FAST option
(551,700 w/o)
Minimum Fps 100
CAR 128 x 16
Sensor Size 35.8 mm x 22.4 mm
Pixel Pitch 28 µm size, 12-bit depth
Min. Exposure
1 µs (standard)
265 ns
with FAST option
1 µs (standard)
290 ns
with FAST option
1 µs (standard)
500 ns
with FAST option
1 µs (standard)
500 ns
with FAST option
Straddle Time 375 ns 400 ns 425 ns 550 ns
Native ISO
(122232 SAT
Method)
Monochrome: 32,000D
Color: 6,400D
Adjustable
Exposure Index
(EI)
Mono: 32,000–160,000
Color: 6,400–32,000
Memory 72GB, 144GB, 288GB high-speed internal RAM
CineMag IV (1TB or 2TB), CineMag V (2TB or 8TB) non-volatile memory storage
Power 20–28VDC, 280 watt power supply included
Size & Weight 17 lbs, 8 oz. (8.1 Kg) (without lens)
Operational
Temperature
Operating Temperature: -10 to +50°C
10Gb Ethernet Operation: +5 to +50°C
CineMag V Run/Stop Operation: -10 to +40°C
Storage Temperature: -20 to +70°C
Humidity: 95% non-condensing
Shock Rating Operational: 5.5 G, 11mSec sawtooth, 3 axes, 60 pulses total
Non-Operational: 30 G, 11mSec sawtooth, 3 axes, 60 pulses total
Ethernet Standard Gb Ethernet and 10Gb Ethernet (standard)
Video Two HD-SDI ports on camera; Analog video (NTSC or PAL),
available on Break-out-Box; Component viewfinder port
On-Camera
Controls (OCC) Full OCC menu plus B-Ref, Tools, Playback and Trigger buttons
Programmable
I/O
4 ports; define parameters of F-Sync, Strobe, Event, Pre-trigger, Memgate,
Timecode-out, Ready, Aux, Auto-trigger
Special
Features
SYNC-to-Trigger, Image-Based Auto-Trigger, Burst Mode, PIV Exposure, Continuous
Recording, Multi-Cine with memory partitioning, Quiet Fans
SPECIFICATIONS

v2640 / v1840
Standard Mode
(CDS)
Standard
Binned HS Mode HS Bright Field Mode HS Binned
Max. Resolution 2048 x 1952 1024 x 976 2048 x 1952 2048 x 1944 1024 x 976
Fps at Max. Res 4,855 / 3,320 18,390 / 12,670 6,600 / 4,510 6,600 / 4,510 25,030 / 17,240
Read Out Noise
(e-) 7.2 11.9 18.8 58 29.7
Dynamic Range
(dB) (Typical) 64 66.2 56.7 59.8 58.5
CAR 128 x 8 128 x 16 128 x 8 128 x 8 128 x 16
Sensor Size 27.6 mm x 26.3 mm
Pixel Pitch 13.5 µm size, 12-bit depth
Min. Exposure 1 µs (standard), 499 ns
with FAST option 1 µs (standard), 142 ns with FAST option
Straddle Time 490 ns 696 ns
Native ISO
(122232 SAT
Method)
Mono: 16,000D
Color: 3,200D
Mono: 25,000D
Color: 5,000D
Mono: 12,500D
Color: 3,200D
Mono: 2,500D
Color: 500D
Mono: 25,000D
Color: 5,000D
Adjustable
Exposure Index
(EI)
Mono:
16,000–80,000
Color:
3,200–16,000
Mono:
25,000–125,000
Color:
5,000–25,000
Mono:
12,500–62,500
Color:
3,200–16,000
Mono:
2,500–12,500
Color:
500–2,500
Mono:
25,000–125,000
Color:
5,000–25,000
Memory 72GB, 144GB, 288GB high-speed internal RAM
CineMag IV (1TB or 2TB), CineMag V (2TB or 8TB) non-volatile memory storage
Power 20–28VDC, 280 watt power supply included
Size & Weight 17 lbs, 8 oz. (8.1 Kg) (without lens)
Operational
Temperature
Operating Temperature: -10 to +50°C
10Gb Ethernet Operation: +5 to +50°C
CineMag V Run/Stop Operation: -10 to +40°C
Storage Temperature: -20 to +70°C
Humidity: 95% non-condensing
Shock Rating Operational: 5.5 G, 11mSec sawtooth, 3 axes, 60 pulses total
Non-Operational: 30 G, 11mSec sawtooth, 3 axes, 60 pulses total
Ethernet Standard Gb Ethernet and 10Gb Ethernet (standard)
Video Two HD-SDI ports on camera; Analog video (NTSC or PAL),
available on Break-out-Box; Component viewfinder port
On-Camera
Controls (OCC) Full OCC menu plus B-Ref, Tools, Playback and Trigger buttons
Programmable
I/O
4 ports; define parameters of F-Sync, Strobe, Event, Pre-trigger, Memgate,
Timecode-out, Ready, Aux, Auto-trigger
Special
Features
Correlated Double Sampling (CDS), SYNC-to-Trigger, Image-Based Auto-Trigger, Burst Mode,
PIV Exposure, Continuous Recording, Multi-Cine with memory partitioning, Quiet Fans

Vision Research, Inc. | Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed Camera Manual

Chapter 1: Camera Overview | 1
CAMERA OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed (UHS) Series consists of 1 Megapixel (Mpx) and 4 Mpx cameras.
The 1 Mpx members are the v1212, v1612, v2012 and v2512. With throughputs ranging from 12
to 25 Gigapixels per second (Gpx/sec), these cameras are designed for very high frame rate
applications. They use a proprietary CMOS sensor and have the very high light sensitivity
needed for high-speed applications.
High throughput is important. At any given resolution, a camera with the highest throughput
provides the highest possible frame rates.
The 4 Mpx members are the v1840 and v2640. They are designed to provide exceptional
image detail and quality coupled with high throughput. They also use a proprietary CMOS
sensor that offers flexibility with standard Correlated Double Sampling (CDS) mode, High
Speed, Bright Field and Binned modes that can be switched in software.
All Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed cameras have global electronic shutters.
OPERATING MODES (v1840 / v2640)
The v1840 and v2640 can operate in five different modes, selectable in PCC.
Standard Mode: Standard mode implements Correlated Double Sampling (CDS), providing
the highest dynamic range and lowest noise.
High Speed (HS) Mode: HS mode does not incorporate CDS, but instead provides up to 34
percent increase in throughput.

Vision Research, Inc. | Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed Camera Manual
Binning: Binning groups four pixels in a square to create one large pixel. This
effectively converts the 4 Mpx sensor with a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1952 pixels
to a 1 Mpx sensor with a 1024 x 976 maximum resolution consisting of very large 27
micron (µm) pixels. Both monochrome and color cameras have Binning, however the
image output is monochrome.
Binning is available in two modes, Standard (with CDS) and High Speed (HS).
Bright Field Mode: Bright Field mode is applied on the HS mode. It is specially
engineered with a much larger full well, increasing the maximum Signal-to-Noise
Ratio (SNR). This mode is ideal for clean images in bright to very bright backgrounds.
SENSITIVITY & EXPOSURE INDEX
All UHS cameras are available in monochrome or color versions and have the
Exposure Index (EI) function. Using EI adjusts the tone curves in software without
affecting the native data. It has eight selections to brighten the image by increasing
the camera’s effective ISO.
The UHS-12 cameras have 28 µm pixels, resulting in very high light sensitivity. The
UHS-40 cameras have 13.5 µm pixels, converting to 27 µm pixels and offering higher
sensitivity in Binned mode. Sensitivity and ISO ratings for all Phantom cameras are
measured in accordance with the ISO 12232 SAT method.
CAMERA CONTROL
All Phantom cameras come with PCC software for Ethernet-based setup and control.
The Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed cameras also have an On-Camera Control (OCC)
menu system for use with an attached video monitor. The OCC menu can adjust both
basic and advanced settings. Capture, Play and Save-to-CineMag functions are also
available via the camera’s OCC menu.
IMAGE STORAGE
The Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed cameras can be equipped with 72GB, 144GB or 288GB
of high-speed memory. A camera with 288GB of memory, recording at 10,000 fps at
1280 x 800 can record a single high-speed shot (called a Cine) for almost 20 seconds.
All Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed Series cameras are also compatible with Phantom
CineMag IV and V long recording non-volatile memory. CineMag V is available in 2TB
and 8TB capacities, and can accurately save a 288GB Cine to an attached Phantom
CineMag V in about 4.5 minutes.

Chapter 1: Camera Overview | 3
Data on a CineMag can be downloaded via a Phantom CineStation IV, or the camera,
using 1Gb or 10Gb Ethernet. The 10Gb Ethernet transfers data at up to 600 MB/second on
optimized systems.
Cine Raw files are compatible with many of the video industry’s top editing programs, or
they can be converted to a variety of formats (h264.mp4, Apple ProRes.mov, avi, tiff, etc.)
using PCC software with the camera.
IMAGE MONITORING & VIDEO OUTPUTS
Phantom UHS camera models have two 1.5G HD-SDI outputs on the rear of the camera and
a component video/12V power viewfinder output on the side of the camera. The systems
supported are: 720p at 50, 59.9, 60 Hz, 1080p (also psf and i) at 23.9, 24, 25, 29.9, 30. These
make it easy to use a small on-camera monitor or viewfinder for composing the shot and
watching a smooth playback without being tethered to a computer.
The feed from the video outputs are identical and can show either live video or playback.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Programmable I/O: Assign and define signal parameters. See Programmable I/O Signal
Architecture section for more information.
Image-Based Auto-Trigger (IBAT): Trigger the camera (or a number of connected
cameras) from motion detected within the live image.
Multi-Cine: Support for up to 63 partitions.
Burst Mode: Generate a precise number of frames with every frame sync pulse.
Quiet Fans: Turns the fans off to eliminate vibration.
Continuous Recording: Automatically and continuously saves Cines to external storage.
10Gb Ethernet: 10GBase-T (RJ45) Ethernet port for very fast data transfer.
Exposure in PIV Mode: Also known as Shutter Off Mode, Exposure in PIV turns off the
shutter to maximize achievable exposure with minimal frame overhead.
P12L: The P12L feature is for situations where 12 linear bits of an image need to be
downloaded. For most situations, the standard 10-bit packed method is sufficient, has no
visible data loss and is significantly faster to download.
DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a network protocol enabling the automatic
assignment of IP addresses when using a DHCP router.

Vision Research, Inc. | Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed Camera Manual
A complete cable connector reference and pin-out guide is available in the last
section of this manual.
View of Phantom UHS-12 and UHS-40 rear connector panel.
REAR CONNECTOR PANEL

Chapter 2: Connectors | 5
CONNECTORS
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
K
I
M
P
H
L
O
J
N
Q
TRIGGER
TIME CODE IN
FSYNC /P
READY /P
STROBE /P
TC OUT /P
POWER SWITCH
1Gb ETHERNET
10Gb ETHERNET
PRIMARY DC INPUT
BACKUP DC POWER
CAPTURE PORT
REMOTE CONTROL PORT
RANGE DATA
GPS
HD-SDI 2 HD-SDI 1
TTL Pulse (Rising/Falling Edge), Switch Closure
IRIG-B In (Modulated/Unmodulated)
Programmable I/O (Default: F-Sync)
Programmable I/O (Default: Ready)
Programmable I/O (Default: Strobe)
Programmable I/O (Default: Time Code Out: (IRIG-B)
Off / Auto / On
CAT5 UTP (for control and data transfer)
RJ45 10GBase-T UTP (for control and data transfer)
20-28 Volts DC
20-28 Volts DC Backup
Ready, Strobe, A-Sync, Pre-trigger, NTSC/PAL, Video
RS-232 and Power (for Phantom Remote Control)
Used to stamp images with acquisition data (azimuth and elevation)
GPS input for GPS timing, longitude and latitude
The two HD-SDI ports can act as identical 4:2:2 HD-SDI ports with one set up to provide
an on-screen display to monitor the on-camera controls and camera operation
Assign and define Programmable I/O ports using PCC. Instructions
can be found in the Programmable I/O section of this manual.

Vision Research, Inc. | Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed Camera Manual
SIDE CONNECTOR
VF PWR OR COMPONENT VF
7-pin Fischer provides +12V power and component signal for viewfinders. Also
works with the Phantom YPRPB cable.

Chapter 3: Network Setup & Quick Start Guides | 7
NETWORK SETUP & QUICK START GUIDES
Phantom cameras are typically controlled with PCC software through a dedicated Ethernet
network. PCC is compatible with the 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8.1
and Windows 10 operating systems.
The latest version can be downloaded at: www.phantomhighspeed.com/PCC
1Gb & 10Gb ETHERNET
All Phantom UHS cameras come with standard Gigabit (Gb) Ethernet and 10-Gigabit (10Gb)
Ethernet for use as a secondary means of connection. With 10Gb Ethernet, the Phantom UHS
cameras can achieve significantly higher download speeds, which makes them a great option
for saving large files quickly out of RAM.
The Gb Ethernet and 10Gb Ethernet have separate
ports and different IP configurations, as described
later in this section.
The ‘IP’ and ‘XIP’ addresses assigned to the camera (that begin with 100.100 and 172.16
respectively) can be found on the Serial Number and IP Address label.

Vision Research, Inc. | Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed Camera Manual
ASSIGNING A Gb CAMERA NETWORK
Connecting the Phantom UHS camera to a Gb Ethernet is straightforward, as virtually
all computers will be compatible with no special equipment or drivers involved. The
main thing that needs to be done is to reassign the network settings of the Ethernet
port to detect the IP address range of Phantom cameras.
1. In the Windows ‘Network and Sharing Center,’ select the camera network. This
opens the ‘Ethernet Status’ window.
2. Change the Ethernet IP settings by selecting ‘Properties,’ then ‘TCP/IPv4’
‘Properties,’ then select ‘Use the following IP address.’
3. Enter:
• IP address: 100.100.100.1
• Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0
All other settings should be empty.
Click ‘OK.’
4. Ensure the Windows Firewall is disabled for this connection.
You can now start PCC, which should recognize the connected camera in the ‘Manager’
tab. If you are not working with 10Gb, skip to the following ‘Capturing a Cine’ section.
10Gb ETHERNET
STEP 1: IDENTIFY NETWORK ADAPTER
On cameras with the 10Gb Ethernet option, the first step to working with this feature is
to identify a 10GBase-T network card or adapter for the computer itself.
For desktop (tower) PCs, Vision Research specifically recommends the Intel X540-T2
PCIE card.
Laptop computers must have a Thunderbolt connection available in order to take
advantage of one of the many Thunderbolt > 10GBase-T converters on the market.
At the time of writing, the recommended converter is the Promise Sanlink3-N1
10GBase-T converter (Part# SL3N1GL). This device has one Thunderbolt 3 port for
compatibility with current laptops.
For laptops without a built-in RJ45 port, the adapter may have to be physically
connected before selecting the network.

Chapter 3: Network Setup & Quick Start Guides | 9
STEP 2: INSTALL DEVICE DRIVER
Once the network card or converter is connected, the next step is to install the latest
device driver from the manufacturer’s website. The camera should be powered on and
connected during the driver installation. After the driver is installed, reboot the PC.
A new, unidentified camera network should now be available in the Windows ‘Network and
Sharing Center.’
STEP 3: INSTALL PCC WITH 10Gb PHANTOM DRIVER
The latest version of PCC software should now be installed from the disk that came with
the camera or by running the setup.exe file within the package downloaded (and extracted)
from www.phantom-service.force.com
Click through the prompts, and be careful to click ‘YES’ when the program prompts you to
install the 10 Gigabit Ethernet Driver.
STEP 4: ASSIGNING A 10Gb CAMERA NETWORK
Just like assigning the 100.100 IP range for standard Gb Ethernet, the Phantom 10Gb
Ethernet network needs to be assigned to work in the 172.16 IP range. The camera should
be powered on and physically connected to the 10Gb network card or Thunderbolt adapter.
1. In the Windows ‘Network and Sharing Center,’ select the camera network. This opens
the ‘Ethernet Status’ window.
2. Change the Ethernet IP settings by selecting ‘Properties,’ then ‘TCP/IPv4’ ‘Properties,’
then select ‘Use the following IP address.’
3. Enter:
• IP address: 172.16.0.1
• Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0
All other settings should be empty.
Click ‘OK.’
4. Ensure the Windows Firewall is disabled for this connection.

Vision Research, Inc. | Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed Camera Manual
CAPTURE A CINE
Now that the camera network is set up (via Gb or 10Gb Ethernet), the following steps
will guide you through a simple capture and save process.
ATTACH VIDEO MONITOR
(REQUIRED FOR OCC SETUP/CONTROL)
Connect and power a suitable HD-SDI video monitor and/or viewfinder (not supplied) to
the HD-SDI 1 or VF HD-SDI connectors.
MOUNT PHANTOM CINEMAG
(OPTIONAL)
Insert a Phantom CineMag IV or V if applicable. For detailed instructions, see ‘Working
with Phantom CineMag’ section.
LAUNCH PCC SOFTWARE
Double-click the PCC icon located on the desktop. Camera should be recognized
immediately if connected and network settings are correct.
SELECT CAMERA FOR USE
In the ‘Manager’ tab, double-click the Phantom camera to be used from the ‘Cameras’
group folder. Click the ‘Live’ tab.
DEFINE SENSOR ACQUISITION MODE (v1840 & v2640)
The v1840 and v2640 have five operating modes to select from.
Click the PCC ‘Camera Settings’ and select the desired ‘Sensor Acquisition Mode.’
DEFINE RECORDING PARAMETERS
Click ‘Cine Settings’ and define the following parameters by either selecting the value
from the pull-down selection list or typing a value into the respective data entry field.
1. Set ‘Resolution’ to the required Width x Height.
2. Choose the required ‘Sample Rate,’ ‘Exposure Time’ and ‘Exposure Index.’

Chapter 3: Network Setup & Quick Start Guides | 11
3. Ensure the EDR (Extreme Dynamic Range) is set to zero (0).
4. Set ‘Post Trigger’ to zero (0) by:
• Moving the ‘T’ (Trigger Position) slider to the right, or
• Enter zero (0) into the ‘Last’ data entry field.
Click on the CSR button to perform a Current Session Reference. A CSR provides the
cleanest image at a given setting.
With color cameras, perform a White Balance by right-clicking an area of the image that is
neutral gray or white, as long as it is not 100 percent saturated.
FINE-TUNE SETTINGS
After CSR and White Balance are performed, adjust settings, aperture and/or lighting to
get a good exposure. A CSR must be performed after any camera settings are adjusted.
‘ARM’ CAMERA
Click the ‘Capture’ button to start recording to the camera’s internal RAM memory
(circular buffer).
TRIGGER
At the end of the action, click the ‘Trigger’ button at the bottom of the ‘Live’ panel, or
provide a switch closure or an external trigger signal (TTL pulse) via the Trigger connector.
PLAYBACK AND EDIT CINE
Click the ‘Play’ tab to ‘Scrub’ through the timeline or use the ‘Video Control’ buttons to
locate the first image to be saved.
Click the ‘Mark-in’ button.
Locate the last image of the Cine to be saved.
Click the ‘Mark-Out’ button.
REVIEW EDITED CINE
Select ‘Play, Speed & Options’ and enable (check) ‘Limit to Range.’
Under the ‘Video Control’ buttons, click the ‘Jump to Start’ button and review the
edited Cine.

Vision Research, Inc. | Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed Camera Manual
SAVE TO COMPUTER
Click the large ‘Save Cine...’ button on the bottom of the ‘Play’ panel.
In the ‘Save Cine’ window:
1. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the Cine file.
2. Enter a file name for the Cine file in the ‘File name:’ data entry field.
3. From the ‘Save as Type’ pull-down selection list, select the ‘Cine Raw, *.cine’ file
format.
4. Click the ‘Save’ button to begin downloading the Cine file from the camera.
Confirm that the Cine is saved before deleting from internal memory.
CONFIRM COMPUTER SAVE
Click the ‘Open File’ button.
Navigate to the folder and open the saved Cine file. Review the playback by scrubbing
through the file and viewing the playback.
SAVE TO CINEMAG IV/V
(OPTIONAL)
Click the down-arrow of the ‘Save Cine...’ button.
Select ‘Save RAM Cine to Flash’ (in pop-up window).
Click the ‘Save’ button to save the Cine file onto the Phantom CineMag.
Confirm ‘Flash Cine Save’ before deleting from internal memory.
CONFIRM CINEMAG SAVE
Select the new Flash Cine from the top ‘Play / Cine’ pull-down list or via the ‘Manager’
tab. Double-click the ‘Cine F#’ file under the camera used to record the Cine.
Scrub through Cine file to review.