GigE Polarization Camera

1. Preparation

1.1 PC Minimum/Recommended Specifications (TBD)

1) CPU: Intel Core i3 (minimum), i5 or higher (recommended)

2) RAM: 2GB or more (minimum), 8GB or more (recommended)

3) O/S: Windows 7 (32bit/64bit) or higher

4) LAN Card: Intel PRO/1000xT or higher

5) VGA: FHD support (minimum), UHD support or higher (recommended)

1.2 SDK

• To use a Crevis GigE camera, you can acquire images and control the camera using the SDK (MCam40) provided by Crevis or an image library that supports GigE Vision (Cognex, HALCON, Matrox, Euresys, etc.).

• Crevis SDK download link: http://www.crevis.co.kr/kor/support/download/MCam40_SDK.zip

1.3 Cable

• A CAT 5E or higher network cable is required for data communication.

• External power (DC 12V ±10%) can be applied separately through the 6Pin connector.

• When using PoE (Power over Ethernet), do not apply external power to the 6Pin connector.

1.4 Firewall and Antivirus

• To ensure stable packet transmission, firewalls and anti-virus programs must be turned off or exceptions made.

• How to set up a firewall ① Windows 7: Start → Control Panel → Windows Firewall → Turn Windows Firewall on or off

② Windows 8 or later: Start → Control Panel → Windows Defender Firewall → Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off

1.5 Precautions

• Operating temperature: 0℃ ~ +40℃ Data output may change depending on ambient temperature changes, so keep the temperature constant. For more stable operation, we recommend using a heat sink larger than 40mm x 60mm x 10mm.

• Connecting two or more cameras via an Ethernet hub may cause bandwidth issues.

• UDP communication does not guarantee data transmission. [Note] To reduce packet loss, etc., be sure to set up the camera and network environment by referring to the Installation Guide provided when installing the SDK.

• To use the filter driver, run it with administrator privileges. [Note] CamGuide automatically runs with administrator privileges.

• Large packet size minimizes packet loss. However, the camera's packet size must be lower than the network card's jumbo frame or jumbo packet size. [Reference] Recommended packet size: 8192Kbyte based on 9KByte of jumbo frame (jumbo packet)

• LED status window ① You can check the current status of the camera through the LED on the back of the camera. ② If the camera does not operate or images cannot be acquired, check the LED status.

Connecting power	Incorrect IP settings or Setting camera IP	normal connection (Wait for image acquisition)	Acquiring image (Top LED blinking)

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Product Overview

• Sony CMOS Polarized Sensor Camera

• Supports ROI Scan and X, Y Reverse mode

• Supports Free-run and Trigger Mode

• Supports defective pixel correction function

• GigE Vision Protocol compatible

• Supports External Trigger Mode (via 6pin circular connector)

• Status LED support

• Power supply : DC 12V ± 10% or PoE (Power over Ethernet

• System Block

2.2 Main Specifications

3. Camera Interface

3.1 Back Panel

* RJ45 Connector

• Direct & Cross Cable support

• poE support (IEEE 802.3af)

• Supports CAT 5 UTP (to improve stability, use of CAT 5E or higher STP cable is recommended)

3.2 Camera DC IN & External I/O Pin Map

3.3 LED Status

3.3 External I/O internal circuit

• Input

• Output

4. Camera Functions

4.1 Device Control

This function allows you to monitor various conditions of the camera or control the status of the device.

4.1.1 Device Link Throughput Limit

You can define the maximum bandwidth of images transmitted from the camera to the host. It can be changed in Byte/Sec units.

4.1.2 Device Temperature

This function monitors the current temperature of the parts selected in ‘Device Temperature Selector’. The moment you execute ‘Temperature Update Selector’, temperature information is immediately returned as a Celsius (℃) value including decimal points.

4.2 Image Format Control

This is a function that allows you to change the settings for the camera's image output size and format.

4.2.1 ROI (Region Of Interest)

By setting Width, Height, Offset X, and Offset Y, only the desired image area can be output.

As the output image size gets smaller, the frame rate increases.

4.2.2 Reverse X, Y

This is a function that reverses the left/right or top/bottom of the video and outputs it. In the case of the color model, the image is output with the ‘Bayer Pixel Order’ changed according to the ‘Reverse Mode’.

1) When Reverse (Bayer RG → Bayer GR)

2) When Reverse Y mode is set to True, the top/bottom of the video is reversed. (Bayer RG → Bayer GB)

4.2.3 Pixel Format

This is a function that allows you to change the pixel format of the video. Because there is a difference in the amount of image data transmitted for each pixel format, the transmission speed and bandwidth may vary.

Mono8	Mono10
8-bit image data into 8bits Descrpition : 8-bit monochrome unsigned Pixel Size : 1byte Pixel Value range : 0 to 255	10-bit image data into 16-bits Description : 10-bit monochrome unsigned Pixel Size : 2byte Pixel Value range : 0 to 1023

Mono12	12-bit image data into 16-bits Description : 12-bit monochrome unsigned Pixel Size : 2byte Pixel Value range : 0 to 4095
Mono10 Packed	2 X 10-bit data packed into 24bits (Y1, Y2) Description : 10-bit packed monochrome unsigned Pixel Size : 3 bytes for two pixels Value range : 0 to 1023
Mono12 Packed	2 X 12-bit data packed into 24bits (Y1, Y2) Description : 12-bit packed monochrome unsigned Pixel Size : 3 bytes for two pixels Value range : 0 to 1023

4.2.5 Test Pattern

At the intermediate stage of image processing, the image is replaced with a test pattern and transmitted. Even if the Test Pattern function is activated, functions related to image acquisition such as ROI size, trigger input, and ‘Acquisition Frame Rate’ are valid. Test Pattern images are created in 8bit gray level (0~255DN).

• Off: Sensor image

• On : Test Pattern

* Ramp size may vary depending on pixel format.

4.3 Acquisition Control

This is a function that allows you to set the method of acquiring images from the camera. You can define the number of image frames to acquire.

1) Single Frame

Each time the ‘Acquisition Start’ command is input, one image is captured and transmitted. Since acquisition stops automatically after transmitting only one image, a separate ‘Acquisition Stop’ command is not required.

If ‘Trigger Mode’ is ‘On’, the light is exposed and transmitted by the trigger. When Trigger Mode is ‘Off’, new images can be acquired and transmitted with only the ‘Acquisition Start’ command.

2) Multi Frame & Acquisition Frame Count

Each time the ‘Acquisition Start’ command is input, images are captured and transmitted as many as defined in ‘Acquisition Frame Count’. A separate ‘Acquisition Stop’ command is not required because acquisition stops automatically after transmitting the specified number of images. However, if the ‘Acquisition Stop’ command is input during grab, it stops after reading and transmitting the frame being exposed. If ‘Trigger Mode’ is ‘On’, it is exposed and transmitted by the input trigger.

3) Continuous

From the time the ‘Acquisition Start’ command is input, images are captured and transmitted at the cycle defined in ‘Acquisition Frame Rate’. If the ‘Acquisition Stop’ command is entered during grab, the currently exposed image will be read out and transmitted, and then acquisition will be stopped. If the ‘Acquisition Stop’ command is entered at the end of exposure, acquisition will end after the ongoing readout is completed. If ‘Trigger Mode’ is ‘On’, the light is exposed and transmitted by the trigger.

4.4 Trigger Mode Control

Controls image acquisition and output timing. Image acquisition methods largely include external synchronization (Trigger Mode = On) and internal synchronization (Trigger Mode = Off, Free-run Mode) modes, and acquisition delay or transmission delay can be set.

* Hardware Delay

4.4.1 Trigger Mode

‘Trigger Mode’ is a function that controls the exposure of the image sensor.

If ‘Trigger Mode’ is set to ‘Off’, the camera operates in Free-run Mode. In Free-run mode, an Internal VD is created at the maximum frame rate that can operate with the current settings. At the same time, an exposure signal is generated for the set ‘Exposure Time’ and input to the image sensor. Periodic exposure is performed by the generated exposure signal, and the exposed image is read and transmitted to the host.

On the other hand, if Trigger Mode is set to 'On', the camera operates in Trigger Mode. In trigger mode, the exposure start point or exposure time is determined by the external trigger input. After exposure is completed, frames are read and transmitted in the same way as in Free-run mode. For detailed timing, refer to p.22 <Timing Diagram of Trigger Signals>.

4.4.2 Trigger Source

Define the source of the trigger signal. Applies when Trigger Mode is set to On.

• Hardware trigger = 6 pin connector input > Line1: Trigger input is received through pin 2 (Trigger +) and pin 5 (Trigger -). The trigger voltage level range is from a minimum of 2.5V to a maximum of 24V. > Line2: Outputs a strobe signal through pin 3 (Strobe -) and pin 4 (Strobe +).

• Software trigger = Host Software Trigger Command Creates a trigger inside the camera through the input Software function. In this setting, ‘Exposure Mode’ is only supported as ‘Timed’ shutter mode.

4.4.3 Trigger Delay

This function delays trigger operation inside the camera by the value set in 'Trigger Delay' from the trigger input point. If 'Trigger Delay' is set to a value other than 0 and a new trigger signal is input while the existing trigger is delayed, the existing trigger delay continues and the new trigger is ignored. In other words, if the delay time is longer than the trigger period, the frame rate may decrease because triggers are missed. For the detailed timing diagram, refer to P.23 <Timing Diagram of Trigger Signals>.

4.4.4 Transfer Delay

This is a function that delays the start of image packet transmission during the stage of transmitting images that have completed image pre-processing inside the camera. When multiple camera videos are input from a single host, the input timing can be adjusted to distribute the input points.

Since the input value of the parameter is in Clock units, refer to the formula below to convert to time.

𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑦(𝑛𝑠) = 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 × 10𝑛𝑠

4.5 Exposure Control

4.5.1 Exposure Mode

This function allows the camera to select the exposure method. If ‘Trigger Source’ is set to ‘Line1’, ‘Timed’ and ‘Trigger Width’ can be set respectively. However, if ‘Trigger Source’ is set to ‘Software’, it only operates as a ‘Timed’ shutter.

In the ‘Timed’ shutter method, exposure occurs only for the time set in ‘Exposure Time’. The trigger simply specifies when to start the exposure. On the other hand, in the ‘Trigger Width’ shutter method, the pulse width of the trigger signal becomes the effective exposure time.

4.5.2 Exposure Time

Set the camera exposure time. This time only applies when ‘Exposure Mode’ is set to ‘Timed’. In Free-run Mode, if the Exposure Time becomes longer than the Frame Period, the Frame Rate decreases.

The actual exposure signal inside the camera is generated by the ‘HD’ timer. Since this ‘HD’ timer is related to the readout size in the horizontal direction, generally, the smaller the Image Width, the shorter the period of the HD signal. Additionally, when changing parameters related to video transmission bandwidth (ex. Pixel Format, Device Link Throughput Limit, etc.), the period of the HD signal changes.

4.5.4 Exposure Auto

This is a function that allows the camera to automatically adjust ‘Exposure Time’ to maintain the desired brightness.

Can be set when ‘ExposureMode’ is set to ‘Timed’. And ‘Exposure Time’ changes only in the time between ‘Auto Exposure Time Lower Limit’ and ‘Auto Exposure Time Upper Limit’.

4.5 Digital I/O Control

This function allows you to set camera external I/O signals. The input/output direction of each I/O is fixed, and the logical specifications of signals through the I/O port can be changed.

4.5.1 Line Debouncer Time

This is a function to remove (debouncing) chattering noise from the camera's external trigger line. Only signals that maintain the state for the time set in ‘Line Debouncer Time’ are accepted as valid inputs. Since the Line Debouncer Timer checks the state transition of the Trigger Line, it receives a trigger delayed by the time set in ‘Line Debouncer Timer’.

4.6 Timer Control

Timer Control allows you to change the settings of the strobe signal output from the camera. When 'Trigger Mode' is Off (Free-run Mode), the Timer Flash signal generation point can be selected as Exposure Start or 'Internal VD Start'. (Refer to <Timing Diagram of Free-run Mode>.) Since this point is earlier than the shutter operation point, a Timer Delay may be required to synchronize with the lighting.

On the other hand, when 'Trigger Mode' is On, the Timer Flash generation position can be selected as the exposure start point or trigger signal detection point (state transition point). If the Timer is generated by an external trigger, 'Timer Delay' can be used to synchronize with the actual exposure section. (Refer to <Timing Diagram of Trigger Signals>.)

4.7 Counter Control

This is a function that allows you to monitor the series of processes in which the camera receives trigger input, exposes, and transmits images with a step-by-step counter. It is also possible to check for signal input that exceeds camera specifications, such as trigger input with a cycle faster than the frame speed.

1) When Exposure Mode = Timed

2) #3 Trigger signal is ignored because it was input during exposure of #2 Trigger signal.

1) When Exposure Mode = Trigger Width

2) #3 Trigger signal was input with a cycle faster than the minimum cycle of the camera. So the camera is #3

The trigger is treated as a bad trigger and the image of #2 is transmitted without stopping.

4.8 Event Control

Event notification is a function that sends an event packet from the camera to the host in each specific event situation. Since the Event Packet is transmitted through a different channel from the image transmission channel, simultaneous transmission with the image packet is possible.

4.9 Analog Control

You can change the analog and digital characteristics of the video signal. It mainly lists functions that can change the properties of image pixels.

4.9.1 Gain

While Gain can change the sensitivity of the image without deteriorating the frame rate, image noise can also increase. The camera’s gain consists of Analog Gain and Digital Gain, respectively, and can be selected through ‘Gain Selector’.

4.9.2 Black Level

‘Black Level’ is a function that allows you to set the offset of the camera’s sensitivity. ‘Black Level’, like Gain, consists of Analog Black Level and Digital Black Level and can be selected through ‘Black Level Selector’.

4.9.3 Gamma

This function is used to adjust Gamma Correction. You can correct the contrast of camera images.

4.9.4 Noise Reduction Filter

This function allows you to reduce video noise through a noise filter. When activated, it is reflected from the next frame and the sharpness of the image may be slightly reduced.

4.10 LUT Control

The LUT (Look Up Table) function is a function that converts digitally converted pixel values ​​into a table by matching them 1:1 with the input value and output value. Pixel values ​​are replaced with the LUT Value (Output Image) defined for each Index (Input Image) in the Table. For color models, the luminance component is loaded into the LUT memory.

Ex) When using a table with values ​​in the form of y=2x, low-light pixels can see an improvement in sensitivity, while high-light pixels become saturated, resulting in loss of dynamic range.

4.11 Defect Pixel Correction

This function allows you to manage the camera’s defect pixels. At the time of shipment, corrections are made for defective pixels. However, the user can compensate by additionally defining pixels that he or she considers to be bad pixels. Up to 128 bad pixels for each camera can be stored in Flash PROM.

4.12 User Set Control

This function is used to save or load the values ​​of parameters set by the user.

4.13 Low-Latency Mode

You can select a method to load and read image data pre-processed in the FPGA into an Image Buffer (Frame Buffer) of approximately 512MB. The initial value is ‘Low-latency Mode Enable’ is ‘True’. This is a method of transmitting images as soon as the Packet Size is entered into the Buffer. On the other hand, if ‘Low-latency Mode Enable’ is set to ‘False’, it becomes ‘Full-Block Mode’ and all image frames must be buffered before transmission.

The time and timing for imaging, readout, and preprocessing are the same for both modes, but the timing for starting transmission to the host is different. In other words, there is a difference in the total time required from trigger input to host reception.

If the host needs to receive video input from multiple cameras, the best way is to use a multi-port host card with a dedicated chipset attached to each port. If not, the packet transmission of each camera must be distributed so as not to exceed the maximum bandwidth of the host (receiver). For example, by applying different ‘Transfer Delays’ in ‘Full-Block Mode’, the image transmission time can be distributed. In this case, the host receives images sequentially.

4.14 Polarization

Crevis GigE polarization camera provides polarization function through Crevis SDK (MCam40).

You can select Output Format in the Polarization tab within the CamGuide program.

1) AoP: Outputs the average value of the angle of light incident on the sensor, and the DN value changes depending on the angle of the imaged object.

2) DolP: Outputs the degree of polarization of the light incident on the sensor as a brightness value. The more polarized the light, the more saturated the output image.

* Before using polarizing film * After using polarizing film

3) Intensity (S0): Outputs the intensity of light incident on the sensor, which is the same expression method used by existing black and white cameras.

4) Degree: Images for each angle of 0˚, 45˚, 90˚, 135˚ are output simultaneously.

When outputting video using the Degree method, you can acquire and stop the image with Degree Start/Stop.

5. Camera Appearance

# APPENDIX.A (Parameter List)

Camera Parameter List

UserSetSave Command RW Save the User Set specified by UserSetSelector to the non-volatile memory of the device.

# APPENDIX.B (SDK Installation)

1. Install SDK

• Download link: http://www.crevis.co.kr/kor/support/download/MCam40_SDK.zip

• Install the installer program appropriate for your operating system MCam40_SDK_V4.6.0(x64).exe: Installer for Windows 64-bit MCam40_SDK_V4.6.0(x86).exe: Installer for Windows 32-bit * The version may be updated in the future.

2. How to connect camera communication

2.1 Run CamGuide

• Select Device View Tab. If there is no camera in the GIGE:Interface_GigEVision list, click to recheck.

2.2 Select and Connect Camera: Double-click the camera you want to set up.

2.3 Camera Settings

• Select Feature Properties Tab.

* For detailed explanation, refer to CamGuide manual.

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