Photron FASTCAM-512 PCI User manual

FASTCAM-512PCI
Hardware Manual
Rev.1.06E

The copyright of this manual is held by PHOTRON LIMITED.
Product specifications and manual contents are subject to change without notice.
PHOTRON LIMITED bears no responsibility for any results by using our products nor by applying this manual to any operations.

FASTCAM-512PCI Hardware Manual
Preface
Thank you for your purchase of Photron’s high-speed camera system, the “FASTCAM-
512PCI”.
This manual contains the operating instructions and warnings necessary for using the
system. Before using the system, please read the entire manual.
If any part of this manual is unclear, contact Photron using the contact information
printed at the back of the manual.
After you finish reading the manual, store it in a safe place along with the warranty card
and refer back to it when necessary.
The FASTCAM-512PCI High-Speed Video Camera System will prove itself a truly
powerful imaging tool, providing solutions for engineers and scientists in such fields as
general research and development, designing, manufacturing, quality assurance,
scientific researches, medical and biological researches, and space and aeronautical
engineering. The FASTCAM-512PCI seamlessly connects to a PC, becoming an
integral part of the computer, and when combined with it’s easy-to-use control software
provides an image recording and processing system for analyzing captured fast moving
or high-speed events immediately, a task which has often proven difficult with
conventional video systems.
You will find this new recording technology most useful to capture images of high-speed
subjects for subsequent slow-motion observation, motion analysis, and image
processing applications. This manual presents the technical details of the
FASTCAM-512PCI system and how to operate it.
Remarks:
1. For the best use of the FASTCAM-512PCI, please read through this manual.
2. The content of this manual is based on the best knowledge of the manufacturer.
However, in case any error or missed information is found in this manual, please
inform the manufacturer of such shortcomings immediately. Notwithstanding the
above, the manufacturer is not responsible for any results of the use of this
equipment.
3. Copying all or any part of this manual without permission is prohibited.
4. The content of this manual may be changed any time without prior notice.
5. The manufacturer assumes no responsibility for any direct or indirect damages or
loss of profit resulting from the use of this equipment
6. The manufacturer assumes no responsibility for any result of the use of this
equipment.
7. Copying all or any part of the software included in this system without prior written
permission by the author is an infringement of copyright.

FASTCAM-512PCI Hardware Manual
Using the System Safely and Correctly
In order to prevent injury to yourself and others, and to prevent damage to property,
carefully observe the following safety precautions.
Photron has given its full attention to the safety of this system. However, the extent of
damage and injury potentially caused by ignoring the content of the safety precautions
and using the system incorrectly is explained next. Please pay careful attention to the
content of the safety precautions when using the system.
This symbol indicates actions that carry the risk that a person could receive a
serious injury.
This symbol indicates actions that carry the risk that a person could receive a moderate
injury, or that damage to physical property might occur.
The safety precautions to be observed are explained with the following symbols.
This symbol indicates actions that require caution.
This symbol indicates actions that are prohibited and must be avoided.
This symbol indicates actions that must always be performed.
Caution
Warning

FASTCAM-512PCI Hardware Manual
■ Do not insert metallic objects inside, or pour liquids such as water on, the system.
Doing so can cause fire, electric shock, or malfunction from short circuit or heat.
■ Do not disassemble or modify the system.
There are high voltages inside the system that can cause electric shock.
Warning

FASTCAM-512PCI Hardware Manual
■ Do not set the system in a location where the temperature gets unusually hot.
trunk and inside of a car can get especially hot in summer.
Doing so can cause the outer case and internal components to deteriorate or cause a fire.
■ Do not place the system in a location prone to oily smoke or steam, or in a location with a lot
of humidity or dust.
Oil, moisture, and dust conduct electricity, which can cause a fire or electric shock.
■ Ambient temperature 0-40° C, humidity 85% RH or lower, maximum altitude 2,000m or lower.
In addition, if exceeding these limits, use in a condensation-free environment.
Doing so can cause malfunction.
■ Do not store the equipment in a location where the temperature goes below -20°C or higher
than 60°C.
Also, prevent condensation from forming during shipment
■ This device is for indoor use, do not use it outdoors.
Do not use in a location that has dust.
Doing so can cause malfunction.
■ When shipping, remove the connecting cable and use the original packaging or a dedicated
carrying case.
Do not ship the equipment in an environment where the temperature goes below
0°C or higher than 40°C. Also, prevent condensation from forming during shipment
Caution

FASTCAM-512PCI Hardware Manual
Image sensor products are sensitive to and at risk of being damaged by Electrostatic
Discharge (ESD).
When handling or cleaning the image sensor, please confirm the following precautions.
■Imaging sensors must be handled in an ESD safe area. Do NOT use
non-ESD apparatus for handling or cleaning the sensor.
■Do NOT use a cleaning apparatus of electrostatic adsorption type (electrified
brush etc.).
■Discharge the human body static electrification before handling or cleaning
works. (e.g. touch the grounded metal.)
■For loose particle contamination, remove particles from the glass by using
an ionized air stream.
■For awful dirt, wipe gently using the synthetic fiber with Isopropyl Alcohol
(IPA). (The coating of the glass surface might peel off when rubbing
strongly.)
About Sensor Cleaning

FASTCAM-512PCI Hardware Manual
Table of contents
Chapter 1. Set Up................................................................................... 1
1.1. About the System’s Components and Accessories ..........................................2
1.1.1. Unpacking ................................................................................................. 2
1.2. About the Camera .........................................................................................3
1.2.1. Grabber Board........................................................................................... 3
1.2.2. Camera Head and Camera Cable............................................................. 4
1.2.3. Accessories................................................................................................. 5
1.2.4. Connector Specifications........................................................................... 6
1.3. Installation of Hardware ...............................................................................9
1.3.1. Installing Grabber Board in PC ............................................................... 9
1.4. Setup for Multiple-Camera Recording......................................................... 11
1.4.1. Master/Slave Mode Setup ....................................................................... 12
1.4.2. Connection of Multiple Cameras ............................................................ 13
1.4.3. Setting Up Camera ID Numbers............................................................ 17
1.4.4. Setting Up Software................................................................................ 18
1.4.5. Tips on Multiple-Camera Sync Recording ............................................. 22
1.5. Random Reset Trigger Mode .......................................................................23
Chapter 2 Appendix........................................................................... 25
2.1. Specifications ..............................................................................................26
2.1.1. Basic Specifications................................................................................. 26
2.1.2. Specifications –Recording System......................................................... 27
2.1.3. Other Specifications................................................................................ 28
2.1.4. Frame Rate vs. Image Resolution .......................................................... 29
2.1.5 Frame Rate and Image Size .................................................................... 30
2.1.6. Resolution and Shutter Speed................................................................ 31
2.1.7. Frame Rate vs. Number of Recorded Frames and Record Duration .... 32
2.2. Dimensions..................................................................................................37
2.2.1. Camera Head (Millimeters) .................................................................... 37
2.2.2. Grabber Board (Millimeters) .................................................................. 38
2.3. Timing of Recording Operations..................................................................39
2.3.1 Timing Charts for Recording Operations................................................ 39
2.3.2. Sync Timing in Multi-Camera Operations............................................. 43
2.3.3. Delay of Vertical Sync and Trigger Signals in Multiple-Camera Operation...... 43
2.3.4 Recording Interval in Random Center and Random Manual Trigger Modes ..... 44
Chapter 3 Contacting Photron ............................................................. 45
3.1 Contact Information .....................................................................................46

FASTCAM-512PCI Hardware Manual
- 1 -
Chapter 1. Set Up
1.1. About the System’s Components and Accessories
1.2. About the Camera
1.3. Installation of Hardware
1.4. Setup for Multiple Camera Recording
1.5. Random Reset Trigger Mode

FASTCAM-512PCI Hardware Manual
- 2 -
1.1. About the System’s
Components and Accessories
1.1.1. Unpacking
Refer to the attached packing list for this product's standard components and accessories.