PHOTONIS NOCTURN XL User manual

Digital Low-Light CMOS Camera
Engineering User Guide
NOCTURN Digital Low Light CMOS Camera
XL Monochrome Camera Module
May 2015
Doc. No: 200-LC-4019
Version C.04
PHOTONIS Digital Imaging, LLC
6170 Research Road | Suite 208
Frisco, TX USA 75033
T: [phone]
F: [phone]
www.photonis.com

2|
© 2015 PHOTONIS Digital Imaging, LLC.
All Rights Reserved
This document may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of
PHOTONIS Digital Imaging, LLC. The information furnished in this document is believed to be correct
at the time of publication but is not guaranteed and is subject to change without prior notice. No
liability is assumed by PHOTONIS for its use. No claims or warranties are made as to the application of
PHOTONIS products. Customers should verify they have the correct documentation before use.
NVT 200-LC-4019 ©2015 PHOTONIS Digital Imaging LLC
Revision: C.04 All Rights Reserved
Page 2 of 39

Document Revisions |NOCTURN XL Camera | 3
Document Revisions
Date Version
Number
Document Changes
Dec. 12, 2013 A-1 Initial Draft
Jan. 17, 2014 A-2 Initial Release
May 5, 2014 B-1 Update for software version 575
July 2, 2014 C-1 Update for software version 607
August 4, 2014 C-2 Update for software version 610
May 11, 2015 C-3 Update for software version 684
May 13, 2015 C-4 Corrected precision on agc bhipccontrast and blopccontrast controls
PHOTONIS Digital Imaging LLC NVT 200-LC-4019
6170 Research Road Suite 208 Revision: C.04
Frisco, TX USA 75033 Page 3 of 39

4|
Table of Contents
Document Revisions.................................................................................................................................................................3
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................................................4
Safety Summary .........................................................................................................................................................................6
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................................7
Scope and Purpose ..............................................................................................................................................................7
Product Configuration ........................................................................................................................................................8
Product Specifications ........................................................................................................................................................9
Quantum Efficiency...........................................................................................................................................................10
Getting Started with the Camera......................................................................................................................................11
Unpacking Instructions....................................................................................................................................................11
USB Driver Installation .....................................................................................................................................................13
CameraLink®Frame Grabber Setup.............................................................................................................................14
Initial Power Up ..................................................................................................................................................................15
Camera Controls .....................................................................................................................................................................16
Basic Communication Settings.....................................................................................................................................16
Communication Protocol................................................................................................................................................16
Camera Serial Commands ...................................................................................................................................................19
Top Level Commands.......................................................................................................................................................19
Baud Rate Commands......................................................................................................................................................20
Echo Commands................................................................................................................................................................21
CS Commands.....................................................................................................................................................................21
Video Commands ..............................................................................................................................................................26
Picture Commands............................................................................................................................................................28
CameraLink Commands ..................................................................................................................................................29
Analog Video Commands...............................................................................................................................................29
NUC Commands.................................................................................................................................................................30
Temperature Commands................................................................................................................................................30
Transfer Commands..........................................................................................................................................................31
Draw Commands ...............................................................................................................................................................31
AGC Commands .................................................................................................................................................................33
Maintenance.............................................................................................................................................................................36
Storage .......................................................................................................................................................................................37
Quality ........................................................................................................................................................................................38
NVT 200-LC-4019 ©2015 PHOTONIS Digital Imaging LLC
Revision: C.04 All Rights Reserved
Page 4 of 39

Table of Contents
|NOCTURN XL Camera | 5
Acceptance Test Protocol ...............................................................................................................................................38
Warranty................................................................................................................................................................................38
PHOTONIS Digital Imaging LLC NVT 200-LC-4019
6170 Research Road Suite 208 Revision: C.04
Frisco, TX USA 75033 Page 5 of 39

6|
Safety Summary
WARNING and CAUTION statements have been strategically placed throughout the text prior to
operating or maintenance procedures, practices, or conditions considered essential to the protection
of personnel (WARNING) or equipment and property (CAUTION). NOTES emphasize necessary and
important data. CAUTIONS and NOTES appear in the text as applicable. Definitions for WARNINGS,
CAUTIONS and NOTES are as follows:
WARNING
A warning indicates an operation, condition, or statement, etc., which, if
not strictly observed, could result in injury to or death of personnel.
CAUTION
A caution indicates an operation, maintenance procedure, or condition,
etc., which, if not strictly observed, could result in damage to, or
destruction of, equipment or loss of hardware performance or function.
NOTE
A note indicates an essential operating or maintenance procedure,
condition or statement or explanatory text.
NVT 200-LC-4019 ©2015 PHOTONIS Digital Imaging LLC
Revision: C.04 All Rights Reserved
Page 6 of 39

Introduction |NOCTURN XL Camera | 7
Introduction
Scope and Purpose
The NOCTURN XL monochrome (see Figure 1) is a rugged low light camera module that features high-
definition resolution, high sensitivity and high dynamic range with low power consumption. Powered
by PHOTONIS’ 1 inch optical format 1280×1024 pixel (SXGA) Lynx CMOS sensor, the NOCTURN
provides real-time imaging capabilities (from daylight to one quarter moon scene illumination) in the
visible and near infrared spectrum. Its small size, weight and power (SWaP) make this camera module
ideal for integration into aerial, mobile and hand-held surveillance systems.
With its 9.7µm × 9.7µm pixel pitch and <4e- median read noise, the NOCTURN provides unsurpassed
signal to noise at low light with video rates up to 100 frames per second. Leveraging PHOTONIS
expertise in night vision imaging, the NOCTURN electronics incorporates a multitude of functions to
enhance the low light level performance. This camera features automatic gain control (AGC),
automatic exposure control (AEC), high dynamic range (HDR), non-uniformity correction (NUC) and
advanced image enhancement, allowing the NOCTURN to provide continuous situational awareness
without compromising mobility and SWaP. The “XL” version of the NOCTURN has both a CameraLink®
compatible 10-bit digital video output as well as PAL/NTSC analog video output.
Figure 1: Front View of the NOCTURN XL Camera
This user guide provides a detailed overview of the functionality, operation and communication
interface with the camera accessible by a user. The hardware interface for the camera is only briefly
discussed in this guide; the user should refer to the NOCTURN XL Electro-Mechanical ICD for a detailed
description. Please contact PHOTONIS Digital Imaging technical support for details that are not
covered in this guide.
PHOTONIS Digital Imaging LLC NVT 200-LC-4019
6170 Research Road Suite 208 Revision: C.04
Frisco, TX USA 75033 Page 7 of 39

8|
Product Configuration
The “XL” model indicates that the NOCTURN camera has an integrated interface board that can be
used to output digital video over a Camera Link® compatible interface as well as NTSC/PAL composite
video. The back panel of this NOCTURN configuration is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Back Side View of the NOCTURN XL Camera
The user can independently turn on the CameraLink® compatible digital and analog video output via
the serial command over the USB interface. Additionally, the NOCTURN XL is delivered with a tripod
mount adapter that can be easily bolted on to any side of the camera chassis. For full pin-out of the
NOCTURN XL camera please refer to the NOCTURN XL Electro-Mechanical ICD.
The NOCTURN XL can be powered either via the USB interface from a personal computer (cable not
provided) or through the J301 external power and IO connector (see Table1 for power input
specification). The NOCTURN XL Electro-Mechanical ICD provides both the pin-out of and mating
connector part number for J301.
Table1: NOCTURN XL Input Power Specifications
Parameter
Description
Min
Typ
Max
Units
Vin
Input Voltage
5
--
15
V
Icc
Input Current1
--
3502
--
mA
1Digital video output only without image processing enabled
2Measured with 5VDC input
NVT 200-LC-4019 ©2015 PHOTONIS Digital Imaging LLC
Revision: C.04 All Rights Reserved
Page 8 of 39

Introduction |NOCTURN XL Camera | 9
Product Specifications
Detailed specifications for the NOCTURN XL camera are given in Table 2.
Table 2: NOCTURN XL Specifications
Parameter
Specification
Sensor Resolution
1280 × 1024 Pixels
Sensor Pixel Pitch
9.7 µm × 9.7 µm
Sensor Well Capacity
> 25000 e-
Sensor Dynamic Range
> 60 dB
Sensor Read Noise
< 4 e- med. (60fps Mode)
Sensor Quantum Efficiency
> 60% at 600nm
Frame Rate
3
50, 60 or 100Hz with full field resolution (user adjustable)
Sensor Image Lag
< 0.1 %
Sensor Shutter Mode
Rolling
Lens Mount
CS
Dimensions (W × H × D)
34.1 mm × 36.6 mm × 37.4 mm
Weight
< 85 grams
Digital Video Output
10/8 bit Base CameraLink® compatible
Analog Video Output
NTSC/PAL (user configurable)
Communication
Serial via CameraLink® compatible interface or USB
Image Correction
Bad pixel replacement and 2 points non uniformity
correction
Contrast Enhancement
Contrast stretching, equalization and adaptive equalization
Gain Control
Automatic gain and exposure control or manual
Digital Zoom
8X (0.001 increment resolution)4
Synchronization
Frame start trigger (2 to 12V)
Analog output strobe reference (2 to 12V)
Windowing5
Full field of view down to 2 lines vertical resolution
OSD
Full on screen display capability with text, standard
geometrical shape and graphics
Snapshots
On board capture of *.JPG (8b) or *. PGM (8/10b)
3By default the camera is optimized only for 60 and 100fps mode. Please contact PHOTONIS if you need the camera optimized
for 50fps.
4Digital zoom only available in the 60 and 50fps modes
5Feature only available on the digital video output interface with OSD disabled
PHOTONIS Digital Imaging LLC NVT 200-LC-4019
6170 Research Road Suite 208 Revision: C.04
Frisco, TX USA 75033 Page 9 of 39

10 |
Parameter
Specification
Camera/Imaging Start Up Time
< 5 seconds
Operating Temperature
-40° to +60° C
Storage Temperature
-50° to +80° C
Input Voltage
USB powered or external +5 to +15 VDC
Power (Typical)
60/50Hz mode < 1.8W (typ.); 100Hz mode: <2.25W
Quantum Efficiency
The typical quantum efficiency as a function of wavelength for the LYNX CMOS for versions with and
without micro-lenses is shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: LYNX CMOS Quantum Efficiency Curve
NVT 200-LC-4019 ©2015 PHOTONIS Digital Imaging LLC
Revision: C.04 All Rights Reserved
Page 10 of 39