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Tau Camera User`s Manual

1. 1 75 40 39 0 51 16 18 n 537 13 64 PIN 1 87 2X 45 290 PIN 49 COLUMN 0 17 37 IN 2X M1 6X0 35 6H MINOR DIAMETER PIN 50 1 ROW 256 7 020 A COLUMN 324 2520 558 6 401 14 17 1 75 FPA ACTIVE 32 6 78 44 45 AREA 320x240 DIAGONAL e OPTICAL F O V EE 750 _19 05 OPTICAL X 45 PIN 2 C 3189 IC ROWO 8 100 ROWO 2X M2X0 4 6H Y 157 COLUMN 0 FPA ACTIVE AREA COLUMN 324 NEAR AND FAR SIDES __ 100 320x240 MINOR DIAMETER 2 54 9 020 1 49 44 45 37 85 51 65 42 OPTICAL 537 13 64 1 100 2 54 2X M2X0 4 6H Y 157 MINOR DIAMETER 020 C B M A 30 15 Tau Camera Core Interface Description Document 35mm Sheet 1 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 D 6
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4. L L IALL 7 lIntroduction TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 1 2 Tau User s Manual 1 Introduction 1 1 Tau Specifications e 320 H x 256 V 160 H x 128 V uncooled microbolometer sensor array 25 x micron pixels e Spectral band 7 5 13 5um e NEdT Performance lt at f 1 01 e Input voltage range 4 0 6 0 VDC e Power Consumption 1 0 Watts nominal at room temperature using SV input e Time to image 3 seconds e Operating Temperature Range 40 C to 80 C e Weight lt 72 grams with either the 5mm 9mm 13mm or 19mm lens option Note The Tau camera is an export controlled item In order to increase the Camera s exportability a Slow Video version of Tau is available The frame rate is reduced to approximately 9 Hz This change allows Tau to be exported without US export license to most countries Please contact FLIR for additional information e Analog video output NTSC 820 x 240 30Hz Slow Video rate 7 5Hz is available for exportability or PAL 320 x 256 25Hz Slow Video rate B 3Hz is available for exportability Note The NTSC analog video format is default for cameras with analog video The FLIR Camera Controller GUI software allows you to select between NTSC or PAL video output formats e Digital video output 8 14 bit serial LVDS CMOS or BT 656 e Remote camera control RS 232 interface FLIR Camera Controller
5. 692 Pose 78 252 17998 Min 5916 Ave 6529 Save Currently Displayed Image Take Snapshot Take Snapshot Snapshots 1 2 3 are taken sequentially Retrieve Snapshot Retrieve Snapshot Snapshot 2 Erase Snapshots 5 hot All 3 camera snapshots are erased rase onepsnots CAUTION Do not cycle camera hard or soft reset until this completes Image capture Part 41320019H SPXXX Sy Connected MSCOMM et Size 324x256 Figure 3 10 FLIR Camera Controller GUI Analog Video Tab Save Currently Displayed Image Saves an 68 bit bmp file as described above Take Snapshot Take three snapshots sequentially Snapshot memory must be erased before taking new snapshots snapshots will not overwrite memory Retrieve Snapshot Snapshot 15 retrieved and displayed one at a time Erase Snapshot Snapshots will stay in the camera until erased This button will erase all the snapshots from the camera allowing new snapshots to be taken TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 19 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual 3 11 AGC Tab The AGC tab shown in Figure 3 11 controls the Automatic Gain Control AGC mode or algorithm along with selectable parameters Only one mode can operate at a time and is selected by clicking one of the Algorithm buttons in the upper left portion of the window Parameters for given mode are
6. Tau Camera UWser s Manual FLIR inc 70 Castilian Drive Goleta CA 93117 Phone 888 747 FLIR 888 747 3547 International 1 805 964 9797 www flir com www corebyindigo com Document Number TAU 0035 00 10 GORE BY Version 120 p Issue Date January 2010 This document is controlled to FLIR Technology Level EAR 1 The information contained in this document is proprietary and or restricted and pertains to a dual use product controlled for export by the Export Administration Regulations EAR This document and data disclosed herein or herewith is not to be reproduced used or disclosed in whole or in part to anyone without the written permission of FLIR Systems Inc Diversion contrary to US law is prohibited US Department of Commerce authorization is not required prior to export or transfer to foreign persons parties or uses otherwise prohibited FLIR Inc 2010 All rights reserved worldwide No parts of this manual in whole or in part may be copied photocopied translated or transmitted to any electronic medium or machine readable form without the prior written permission of FLIR Inc Names and marks appearing on the products herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of FLIR Inc and or its subsidiaries All other trademarks trade names or company names referenced herein are used for identification only and are the property of their respective owners Liberation fonts are copyright 2009 by R
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8. OPICAL 024 146 90 38 014 ENRANCE m PUPIL 1 308 750 11 37 19 05 OPTICAL 2x 45 xx PIN 2 a ROW 0 303 3189 2X M2X0 4 6H Y 157 7 69 1 50 ROW 0 8 100 NEAR FAR SIDES 38 COLUMN 0 FPA ACTIVE AREA MINOR DIAMETER NI i e 096 320 240 020 B A C 2 45 1 75 a 01018 T 1 49 37 85 1 693 OPTICAL 2X M2X0 4 6H Y 157 MINOR DIAMETER 020 C e 010 C Tau Camera Core Interface Description Document 25mm Sheet 1 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 D 5 Tau User s Manual Appendix D Mechanical IDD Reference NOTES UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED 1 INDICATED DIMENSIONS ARE FOR AN ARRAY SIZE OF 320x256 POSITIONAL TOLERANCES ALSO APPLY FOR 160x120 ARRAY SIZE 2 25 02 69 08 0 51 2 CONNECTOR INTERFACE HIROSE 50 PIN DF12 50DS 0 5V 86 MATING S CONNECTOR P N DF12 5 0 50DP 0 5V 86 FOR PIN OUT DESIGNATIONS SEE TAU CAMERA USERS GUIDE INDICATED ALLOWABLE TRAVEL FOR FOCUS lenn 7 4 1 59 02 uu
9. See http 7 www corebyindigo com tau TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 D 1 Appendix D Mechanical IDD Reference Tau User s Manual FLIR D 2 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual Appendix D Mechanical IDD Reference NOTES UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED 9 703 0 500 3820 0197 BWD 2 44 5 FOR FOCUS 0960 125 _ 0492 _ 4 26 1 1679 1 FPA IMAGE PLANE 320x256 22 35 8800 6 400 2520 E __ FPA ACTIVE AREA mE 0000 2079 n 1 1 0 665 0262 8100 ud SILICON WINDOW ACTIVE AREA 4976 M24x0 5 6g THIS DOCUMENT IS CONTROLLED TO FLIR TECHNOLOGY LEVEL 2 THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT PERTAINS TO A DUAL USE PRODUCT CONTROLLED FOR EXPORT BY THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS EAR FLIR TRADE SECRETS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS AS A MATTER OF LAW DIVERSION CONTRARY TO US LAW IS PROHIBITED US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AUTHORIZATION IS NOT REQUIRED PRIOR TO EXPORT OR TRANSFER TO FOREIGN PERSONS OR PARTIES UNLESS OTHERWISE PROHIBITED Tau Camera Mechanical Interface Control Document WFOV Sheet 1 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 D 3 Tau User s Manual Appendix D Mechanical IDD Reference NOTES UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED 1 TOLERANCES ALSO APPLY FOR 160x120 ARRAY SIZE 2 CONNE
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11. Figure 3 5 Flat Field Imminent Symbol External Sync Mode The Tau External Sync camera provides the ability to either accept or output a Disable Slave Master frame synchronization signal on pin 21 of the 50 pin Hirose connector or pin 26 of the Photon Replicator board This functionality can also be disabled The designed signal levels are OV and 3 3V Disabled The camera will turn off frame synchronization Slave The camera will accept a frame synchronization signal on the interface connector The camera output will be frozen if the camera is in slave mode and no external synchronization signal is received The focal plane array readout cycle starts when the external synchronization signal is received and the camera will continue the output cycle until the frame is complete The frame sync signal embeded in the respective digital output should be used to acquire digital data not the external sync 1 0 Maximum external sync input rates are up to 29 980 Hz for NTSC and 27 25 Hz for PAL The Slow Video versions of the Tau camera will have the same external sync frame rates but the image data output will be at 1 4 the rate NTSC or 1 3 the rate PAL Master The camera will output a frame synchronization signal on the interface connector when configured as a master The output pulse width will be 100 ns at the standard frame rates 27 970 Hz for NTSC 25 000 for PAL Operating Mode The Tau camera will freeze
12. 1 49 13mm f1 25 HAR COATING FoV HxV 160 120 17 x14 37 85 FoV HxV 320 240 34 26 19mm f1 1 M29x1 0 FoV m 160x120 12 x10 HxV 320x240 24 x18 592 15 04 u L 100 2 54 2X 2 0 4 6H Y 157 MINOR DIAMETER eo 2 020 010 C Tau Camera Core Interface Description Document 5mm 19mm Sheet 1 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 D 4 Tau User s Manual Appendix D Mechanical IDD Reference NOTES UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED 1 INDICATED DIMENSIONS ARE FOR AN ARRAY SIZE OF 320x256 POSITIONAL 2 36 02 TOLERANCES ALSO APPLY FOR 160x120 ARRAY SIZE 59 840 5 2 CONNECTOR INTERFACE HIROSE 50 PIN DF12 50DS 0 5V 86 MATING e CONNECTOR P N DF12 5 0 50DP 0 5V 86 FOR PIN OUT DESIGNATIONS A SEE TAU CAMERA USERS GUIDE 3 INDICATED ALLOWABLE TRAVEL FOR FOCUS m 1 23 02 31 1 0 5 WAN 1 75 M ned HP 44 45 597 the 1 1 09 13 64 ROW 256 27 691 290 COLUMN 0 2X 459 2X M1 6X0 35 6H 7 37 MINOR DIAMETER id 020 PIN 50 e 010 A ROW 256 COLUMN 324 ee 558 1 75 V FPA ACTIVE 43 55 70 1 85 a 1 50 44 45 AREA 320x240 a onan
13. 39V XVIN v9xQ ag Buiugs qu uelpua Big s y se 03 peau 3 4 942 ueipue UaqsAs 3509 242 ued y HVd VHsWV9 99X0 dsay 3 1 843 5395 5199 1INIOdaIWN LLI GGX eq 3 s xeu sea g 395 xeu qunoy e3 g uondiuosag quauunBuy uomounJ TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 0n e sapo eges 5 gt 0n eu 0n Appendix B Serial Communication Technical Details uoneindogiHOo o 9 LIHOLO sorg E uongindogo o tu 2 sedg pieuseuujo1oriu 1 0 sex g 8 PUO PS LOOOXO QOOOXO dsay aig 3 4000 01 c PWO 195 pjousaJu 3 xeu quauunBuy 8 dsay quno Buiuo3ws woj uBiu spjousauug 9 ur eaJnqeuaduua3 pue e se uone ndod au 5195 195 ogne eua pue Jo piousauua jergeds aui 5188 5399 uondiuosag 22258 t g 19 1 SIAVHVd HOLIMS NIV9 Q IOHS3HHI xeu uonmounJ TAU 0035 00 10 version 120
14. This is the most sophisticated algorithm and for most imaging situations the best all around choice This factory default along with the default parameter settings should be used in general imaging situations In Automatic image contrast and _ Once Bright brightness are optimized automatically as the scene varies This mode provides an AGC which is based on histogram equalization algorithm Controls for the J Manual ITT Mean gray scale mid point Max Gain AGC gain and Plateau Value are enabled Algorithm e Automatic Auto Bright Linear Histogram The histogram equalization used in the automatic mode scales the 14 bit to 8 bit transfer function based on the number of pixels in a bin The more pixels in a bin the higher the gain But the Plateau value 1 the pixels bin limit when the transfer function is maximized Normally 250 is the plateau value for imaging cameras when more contrast is desired This algorithm analyzes the scene content in real time and redistributes the dynamic range of the scene The goal of this redistribution is that every one of the 255 bins of display dynamic range has an equal number of pixels in it This method tends to give better scene contrast under conditions where the scene statistics are bimodal for example a hot object imaged in a cold background It should be noted that the heat range in a given scene 15 not divided evenly across the grey levels sent to be displayed Instead
15. s Manual 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Step 7 Click Next gt at the Setup Welcome 12 FLIR Camera Controller GUI InstallShield Wizard ema Welcome to the InstallShield Wizard for FLIR When the installer finishes loading Follow Camera Controller GUI the prompts The InstallShield R Wizard will install FLIR Camera Controller GUI on your computer To continue click Next WARNING This program is protected by copyright law and international treaties Ces step 8 Enter your User Name Organization and i FLIR Camera Controller GUI InstallShield Wizard select your access security E EE amp Click Next gt Please enter your information User Name oseySBc42 Organization Right Stuff inc Install this application for Anyone who uses this computer all users Only for RoseySBc42 InstallShield Step Select Destination Folder if differe nt 12 FLIR Camera Controller GUI InstallShield Wizard th an th e d efa u It Destination Folder Then click Next gt gt Click Next to install to this Folder or click Change to install to different folder e Install FLIR Camera Controller GUI to C Program Files FLIR Systems Camera Controller GUI InstallShield TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 3 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual step 10 Review the settings you have entered for th S n sta On Ready
16. simple operational scenarios to use an inexpensive wall powered adapter This type of adapter is what is included with the Accessory Kit The connector pin out tables indicate where power Is to be applied PVWR_IN GND pins The camera operating in a steady state condition consumes less than 1W of power During start up or when the shutter is operating for the camera s periodic calibration peak power levels of SW sustained for less than one second are typical Caution Reversing the polarity of the input power will damage the cameras internal power supply This damage will not be covered under the camera warranty Table 5 1 Input Power Requirements Baseline Parameter Value Minimum voltage Absolute minimum is 4 V Maximum voltage Absolute maximum is 6 V Nominal Load Power lt 1 0W Typical power is 0 85 mW with digital output enabled ONLY The Tau core is tested per EN55022 Class B for radiated emission with and without the rear cover The emissions are below the Class B limit with the back cover off and below the Class A limit with the back cover on It is the responsibility of the systems integrator to verify EMI EMC compliance at the system level 5 2 Hirose 50 Pin Connector In the Tau cameras simplest form no accessories attached one connector provides the electrical interface This connector is 50 pin Hirose board to board style connector per Hirose Part Number DF12 50DS 0 5V 86 Hirose offers a variety o
17. the AGC algorithm analyzes the scene and distributes the dynamic range to best preserve statistical scene content populated regions of the histogram and display a redistributed scene representation Once Bright In this mode the brightness level is calculated as the mean of the current scene at the execution of the command when the Once Bright button is selected The scene 15 mapped to the analog video using a linear transfer function Image contrast can be adjusted by the Contrast slider This is the only user adjustable parameter Upon entry into the once bright mode the currently stored value of contrast 15 applied i e the power on defaults the last saved values Auto Bright In this mode the brightness level is calculated as the mean of the current scene just as in Once Bright mode The difference with Auto Bright is that the values selected for the start and end of the linear transfer function are automatically updated in real time not only at the start of AGC mode selection The Brightness Bias offsets the displayed image in intensity Upon entry into the auto bright mode the currently stored values of Contrast and Brightness Bias are applied i e the power on defaults or the last saved values Manual In this mode image Contrast gain and Brightness level are entered completely manually via the sliders The scene is mapped using a linear transfer function Upon entry into the manual mode currently stored values of b
18. 03 Both of these computer based frame grabber boards require third party software not offered or supported by FLIH FLIR supplies camera setup files for both the IMAQ and Bit Flow frame grabber boards but FLIR does not formally support their use nor do we claim or guarantee that these setup files will be suitable for any particular use or application Refer to http www corebyindigo com service softwareupdates cfm TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 4 1 4 Tau Digital Data Channel Tau User s Manual 4 2 Using the Legacy LVDS Digital Data Channel Note The following instructions assume that you have purchased the optional serial to parallel out SIPO accessory module with parallel data cable and Photon Replicator Board If you are using custom cabling and or interface electronics contact FLIR Customer Support at 805 964 9797 if you need additional assistance Follow the steps in paragraph 3 1 Operation of the Tau Camera using the Video Power Com VPC Module Accessory Kit on page 3 1 for basic operation of the Tau camera After verifying that the camera is operating properly disconnect power from the 1 0 Module Step 1 Connect the SIPO accessory module directly to the three row DB 15 connector on the Interface Module labeled DIGITAL DATA as shown below A cable is NOT required Module To camera SIPO Module To frame grabber board ____ step 2 Connect the parallel data cable to the mating co
19. Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI 3 13 Thermal Tab The Tau cameras except the Tau D have a rough thermal measurement capability The Spot Meter reports the temperature viewed by the four pixels in the center of the image The Isotherm mode enables special colorization of objects in the scene that are above a specified threshold File View Camera Tools Help FLIR EID a 1 Select Thermal tab 2 2 Select Mode Spot Meter Mode Upper 65 Off Lower rm Fahrenheit Orc O Celsius Co y Gain Switch Values Hi Low Thresh 440 eC High Low POP 20 _ Digital __ Thermometer Low Hi Thresh 100 Low High 95 Thermal emperature 4 1 C Image capture Part 41320019H SPXXX FPA WS Connected MSCOMM complete Size 324x256 Figure 3 13 FLIR Camera Controller GUI ROI Tab Spot Meter The Spot Meter must be on before either the thermal Digital readout or Thermometer can be displayed oelect either Fahrenheit or Celsius to enable the Spot Meter select Digital and or Thermometer to display the symbols on the analog display Gain Switch Values are used to control the High Gain Low Gain switch points The table switch is enabled using the Gain Mode switch on the Setup tab Note The factory settings have hysteresis in the table switch settings Changing the
20. January 2010 B 10 Tau User s Manual Appendix B Serial Communication Technical Details B 4 1 Byte Count Bytes e On all incoming and outgoing messages the Byte Count Bytes are used to specify the total number of data bytes in the packet Note The number of data bytes in the packet is not equal to the total number of bytes in the packet For example a No Op serial command contains zero data bytes e The Byte Count must be an even number from to Ox1F4 500 decimal 4 2 CRC Bytes e On all incoming and outgoing messages two cyclical redundancy checks CRCs are calculated using CCITT 16 initialized to O e CRC1 is calculated using only the first 6 bytes of the packet e CRC2 is calculated using all previous bytes in the packet i e bytes through B 5 Example of the format of a serial message Table B 5 describes the bytes that are transferred when the FFC MODE SELECT OxOB command is issued to the camera to set the mode to Auto OxO1 and to get the FFC mode Table B 5 Sample FFC MODE SELECT Command oet Message sent to camera Ox6E OxOB OxOO OxO2 OxOF OxO8 OxOO 0x01 Ox10 Ox21 Hesponse from camera to set message Process Ox6E OxOB OxOO OxO2 OxOF OxO8 OxOO 0x01 0x10 0x21 Get Message sent to camera Process Response from camera to get message Process TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 B 11 Appendix B Serial Communication Technical Details Tau User s Manua
21. contextually made available depending on which mode 15 selected The Region of Interest ROI for the AGC mode is adjustable as well see paragraph 3 12 1 Select AGC tab 2 Select AGC Tau Camera Controller File View Camera Tools Help Linear Parameters 3 T Automatic Contrast once Bright Auto Bright o idco Manual ems Linear Histogram AGC Automatic Parameters Thermal 8192 Plateau Value 50 10 1000 Brightness Bias Mean 127 0 255 Max Gain 8 0 255 Image capture Ppart 41320019H SPXXx FPA 2 Connected MSCOMM complete Size 324x258 Figure 3 11 FLIR Camera Controller GUI AGC Tab Note FLIR has invested heavily in designing high quality AGC algorithms The default mode Automatic along with the default parameter settings for the Automatic AGC mode have been proven to offer the best image quality for generalized scene imaging Also be aware that you can make AGC adjustments that will configure the Tau camera to produce no image all black or all white Restoring the Factory Defaults on the Setup Tab will return the camera to its factory default state and likely restore normal camera operation 3 20 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI AGC Modes The Tau provides six AGC algorithms for Image Optimization Automatic
22. e Available in both Slow and Full frame rate versions e Lens selection limited to 5 mm 160 only 8 mm 13 mm and 19 mm e Available in both 160 x 128 and 320 x 256 formats e Thermal measurement features Spot Meter and Isotherms are not enabled e Snapshot feature is not enabled e 25mm domm 65mm lenses and lensless core not available e FLIR splash screen at startup Figure 1 2 Tau Camera as delivered showing 50 pin Hirose Connector and Back Cover 1 4 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 1 Introduction 1 2 2 Tau Lens Configurations The Tau camera is available with different lenses providing different fields of view the Slow Video or 9 Hz option for license free exportability and also 160 x 128 resolution at a reduced price a 160 x 128 25 x 20 1 25 320 x 240 48 x 37 160 x 128 17 x 14 72g 13 mm 1 25 320 x 240 34 x 26 160 x 128 12 x 10 19 mm 1 25 320 x 240 24 x 18 1 4 320 x 240 18 x 14 135 9 320 240 4 8 x 3 7 Note The Tau camera lenses are sealed to IP67 1 meter Boresight features are available on Tau VVFOV cameras See Mechanical IDD Heference on page D 1 Contact FLIR CVS Customer Support or your local FLIR sales representative for information on available Tau camera configurations part numbers and ordering information 1 3 Software accessory SDK for Windows amp Embedded The Tau Software Developer s Kit SDK P
23. portions of the image that is not being currently viewed B 6 4 DDE filter The commands to control the DDE filter settings are DDE GAIN to control the gain DDE_THRESHOLD to control the DDE filter threshold and SPATIAL_THRESHOLD to control the spatial threshold of the DDE filter The image remains unchanged when the value of the DDE gain is and 17 The image becomes unfocused unsharpened when the value is between 1 and 15 The image becomes more sharpened when the value is above 17 Increasing the DDE threshold will make the edges sharper For threshold values between and about 50 the effect on the image is lesser and has a greater effect above approximately 50 Increasing the spatial threshold value will make the image look smoother B 12 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual Appendix B Serial Communication Technical Details The DDE filter has an automatic mode that when activated controls the DDE Gain using a combination of the Dynamic DDE setting and the scene dynamic range The valid range of the Dynamic DDE setting is from 1 to 63 Dynamic DDE settings between 1 and 16 provide image smoothing with a setting of 1 providing the most smoothing A Dynamic DDE setting of 17 turns off the Dynamic DDE Dynamic DDE setting between 18 and 39 sets the imaging mode DDE Gain between 16 and 40 A Dynamic DDE setting of 40 or greater provides maximum enhancement but image artifacts may also be enhanced giving an imag
24. receiving status The Tau camera also provides 8 bit and 14 bit digital data options including CMOS BT 656 and the Legacy Photon LVDS See Tau Digital Data Channel on page 4 1 All the above lenses are sealed to IP67 1 meter All lenses except the 25mm and 35mm are diamond like coated for superior abrasion resistance while the 25mm and 35mm are High Durability coated TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 1 1 uoneoynuepiL sJejeu 022 ERE uonoejeg 5 6702 8 WWOOL B susjoui uoniubooou siejou0 c oum uoneognuepi sJejeu 6 EN uoniubooeg siejeu 061 O48 Cel uono390 519 9000 _ 51919 02 ua uoniuDooou sio1 eui AO3H sue n d Op L emen rn inue 5109 09S 99 uoniubooeu s4gejeu 211 is UE uonoejeg s4ejeu uoneoygnuepi s4ejeu uoniufooeu sjejeu p B der MET uonoejeg sjejeu 002 M 92 NOH er uonoejeg sJejeu uoneognuepi s4ejeui p T 2 gt 0 E 0 gt 5 2 F nn a uon2ejeq sJejeu Aq sue
25. to Install the Program Th en cl n stal The wizard is ready to begin installation ie FLIR Camera Controller GUI InstallShield Wizard If you want to review or change any of your installation settings click Back Click Cancel to exit the wizard Current Settings Setup Type Destination Folder C Program Files FLIR Systems Camera Controller GUT User Information Name RoseySBc42 Company Right Stuff inc InstallShield step 11 Once installation is complete click Finish The InstallShield Wizard has successfully installed FLIR Camera Controller GUI Click Finish to exit the wizard lt Back Cancel step 12 The CP210x_VCP setup exe USB driver installer will start at this point Silicon Laboratories CP210x VCP Drivers for Windows 2000 XP 2003 Ser screen 2000 XP 2003 Server Vista The InstallShield Wizard will copy Silicon Laboratories When the installer finishes loading Follow CP210x VCP Drivers for Windows 2000 XP 2003 _ erver Vista onto your computer To continue click Next the prompts to finish the installation Success Em Installation completed successfully lt Back Cancel A otep 13 Installation is complete You can start the application or create a shortcut to the application via the Start All Programs FLIR Systems Camera Controller GUI path All Programs FLIR Systems 4 o Camera Controller GUI Microsoft Word 3
26. 4 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI 3 4 Connecting the Tau to a PC wia the VPC Module The following steps assume that you have installed the FLIR Camera Controller GUI software and the USB driver on your PC as described in the proceeding paragraphs 3 3 step 1 Follow the steps in paragraph 3 1 2 Connecting the Tau Camera page 3 1 About two seconds after the USB cable from the camera is connected to your PC you should see video on your monitor Verify that the camera 15 producing an image step Launch the FLIR Camera Controller GUI software by selecting Start Programs FLIR Systems Camera Controller GUI Note The FLIR Camera Controller GUI remembers the last COM port that successfully communicated with a Tau camera and will use that port as the default when the application starts If the connected camera is no longer on that port the port setting pop up window will appear asking for you to select the proper port setting When the FLIR Camera Controller GUI is started the Status tab of the utility should return data similar to the following Camera Controller i x File View Camera Tools Help FLIR Status Status System Status an Video EJ uas AGC y Thermal Part Serial Number FPA Temp e NotConnected MSCOMM Parti x Figure 3 2 FLIR Camera Controller GUI Status
27. CTOR INTERFACE HIROSE 50 PIN DF12 50DS 0 5V 86 MATING CONNECTOR P N DF12 5 0 50DP 0 5V 86 FOR PIN OUT DESIGNATIONS SEE TAU CAMERA USERS MANUAL T 0 0 0 48 89 PPS gt ELI 1 09 27 69 M29X1 0 6h 06090 060 MINOR DIAMETER 0 03 014 E 2X 45 7 1 52 B 2106 13 25 _ 003 2652 2x 6H PIN 49 i 26 87 MINOR DIAMETER 9 014 a er 020 A C ROW 256 ROW 256 COLUMN 324 COLUMN 0 2520 Dew 522 536 FPA M 13 25 T361 J 945 AREA 320x240 24 44 45 1014 24 1 50 38 1 11 28 07 OPTICAL L 13 25 TO FLAT 750 PIN 2 1905 was AVAILABLE LENSES ALL LENSES SEALED TO IP67 L HAR HARD CARBON LIKE COATING 7 69 1325 amos 2X M2X0 4 6H 157 100 ROW 0 5mm f1 25 HAR COATING NEAR AND FAR SIDES 8 100 COLUMN 324 SHOWN 2 54 1OWI MINOR DIAMETER FPA ACTIVE AREA FoV HxV 160x120 43 x35 re 060 001 1 52 0 03 7 060 320 240 9111 1125 HAR COATING e zi oV Hx x120 25 x20 010 7 ae 014 FoV HxV 320 240 48 x37
28. GUI software available for free download at www corebyindigo com service softwareupdates cfm e The VPC accessory used for USB connectivity requires that the driver is installed before using This driver is installed as part of the FLIR Camera Controller GUI installation e 2x and 4x Digital Zoom with electronic pan tilt analog video e Dynamic Digital Detail Enhancement DDE The latest information concerning specifications accessories camera configurations and other information can be found in the Tau Thermal Imaging Camera Core Data Sheet at http www corebyindigo com products uncooledcores cfm 1 NEdT at the camera output measured with FLIR s proprietary noise reduction applied in the as shipped configuration Typical performance is approximately 35mK with f 1 0 optics 2 The WFOV Tau lens options 5mm 9mm 13mm and 19mm have a nickel plated magnesium lens flange which is not rated for salt fog If salt fog exposure is expected please contact your sales repre sentative and order the corrosion resistant version of these lenses TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 1 3 7 lIntroduction Tau User s Manual 1 2 Available Tau Configurations 1 2 1 Tau D Configurations The Tau D configuration is a reduced feature set Tau camera designed for large volume OEM customers Tau D outputs only digital video analog video output is not present e 8 bit and 14 bit LVDS output is active e 656 output 15 active
29. LIR Camera Controller GUI shown below provides the ability to modify Tau camera modes Image Orientation Dynamic Digital Detail Enhancement DDE Pan amp Zoom Video On Off Polarity LUT Video Color Video Standard NTSC PAL FFC Warn Time 1 Select Video 2 Select Analog Video 24 Tau Camera Controller File View Camera Tools Help FLIR Orientation Polarity LUT Invert Flip the image vertical J Flip 9 WhiteHot _ Revert Flip the image horizontally om Pan amp Zoom FFC Unzoom Warning 60 Frames uis Q Zoom 2x Q Zoom 4x Dynamic DDE 17 mid 63 Thermal Value 1 53 7 Video OnJOff Video Standard O off Part 41320019H SPXXX gt Connected MSCOMM Ready Gize 324x256 Figure 3 7 FLIR Camera Controller GUI Analog Video Tab TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 13 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual Image Orientation Mode Image Orientation mode selections are provided Select one or both to change the orientation of the video image Invert The normal image is flipped vertically The Orientation pixel on the upper left corner of the detector array Invert Flip the image vertically is displayed on the lower left corner of the video 7 Revert Flip the image horizontally display in Invert mode Invert is used when mounting the camera upside down Invert appl
30. TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI 3 7 Setup Tab The Setup tab shown below provides the ability to do the following Modify the Flat Field Correction FFC Save the settings to the camera s non volatile memory 24 Tau Camera Controller File View Camera Tools Help FLIR Flat Field Correction Setup FFC Interval 3600 frames Low Gain 350 frames FFC Interval Operating Mode Real Time Frozen we on Temp change 10 0 1 C J DoFFC AGC Scratch Pad isi Disable Thermal Slave Master Gain Mode O Auto Low High Read Write Save Settings Factory Defaults Reset Camera Connected MSCOMM Ready Part 41 32001 5 Lo p Figure 3 4 FLIR Camera Controller GUI Setup Tab TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 9 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual Flat Field Correction Mode Tau includes internal Flat Field Correction mechanisms for periodically improving image quality via a process Called flat field correction FFC During FFC a small Quad Quo Ostend calibration flag a shutter rotates in front of the detector FFC Interval 3600 ones array presenting a uniform temperature a flat field to every Ee d 350 frames detector element While imaging the flat field the camera Temp change ip 04 updates correctio
31. Tab TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 5 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual Step 3 Step 4 Connect to your camera by selecting Connect from the mera menu Camera File View Camera Tools Help 7 Disconnect Status If you want the FLIR Camera Controller GUI Camera Controller to automatically connect when it is started View select Settings from the Tools menu then check the Automatically connect startup box in the Settings Framework tab Clear Log Connection Status connection polling status logging and FLIR Veneer style RM RR cian tenes CINE connect startu Show 25 Lines in the logger Cancel January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI 3 5 Troubleshooting the FLIR Camera Controller GUI If the FLIR Camera Controller GUI does not link with the camera you may see the popup shown at the right which indicates that the GUI has not been able to communicate with the Tau camera Verify the items in the following checklist Is the camera properly cabled to the host PC Verify that you selected the proper port if it was not detected automatically Select Advanced then Next gt in the Tools Connection dialog box Also try disconnecting and then re connecting the cable to the PC If the GUI was
32. This mode is most useful for external signal processing and or analysis of the camera output The digital channel can also be configured to provide 8 bit data after application of video processing algorithms Automatic AGC mode white hot black hot polarity image orientation Invert but not Revert and DDE filtered The 8 bit data is essentially a digital version of the video stream provided on the analog video channel and is therefore more appropriate than the 14 bit data for interfacing to a digital display The digital data channel employs serial low voltage differential signaling LVDS The channel consists of three signal lines a clock a composite sync frame sync and data valid and serial data This is a modern high speed interface employing a twisted pair current loop architecture National Semiconductor offers a good introduction and overview in the following document http www national com appinfo lvds files lvds ch1 pdf A serial in parallel out SIPO module is available from FLIR for converting the serial data to 14 bit parallel LVDS output plus frame sync line sync and pixel clock The parallel data can be captured using a frame grabber board installed in a PC One frame grabber possibility is the National Instruments IMAQ PCI 1422 board using digital interface cable part number 308 0041 3 00 Another frame grabber option is the Bit Flow RoadRunner Model 14 M board using digital interface cable part number 308 0016 00
33. V 1 Frame Line 282 Field 2 Frame Line 283 Field2 Line 0 266 282 NEN F 1 283 525 1 1 243 active lines Even Frame Line 525 Field2 Line 242 E393 3 4 5 9 LINE 3 This FIFO is outside the Registers forced BT 656 Formatter PixelsPerLine 0 640 into 1085 1 720 X BT 656 Data Cb Y Cr Y BT 656 Formatter Any Clock Enable Any Clock BT 656 Clock 50 625MHz 8 15 m NOTES The FIFO Write Clock can be any value as long as it is derived from and locked to 50 626MHz The FIFO must store at least 1440 bytes and must be filled at a minimum rate of 1 byte per 27MHz clock period faster is OK A full line must be made available every 1 716 27MHz clock periods Since the BT 656 Formatter has no knowledge of upstream video timing no data shall be written into the FIFO until the first active line line 1 field 1 of video is available after reset Incoming video must conform to the active blank times specified in the Timing section of this document Figure 4 4 BT 656 Video Formatter Timing and Block Diagram 4 6 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 4 Tau Digital Data Channel 4 5 XP Bus Setting CMOS Digital Interface The CMOS interface is a parallel output that allows the user to access 8 bit AGC corrected data or 14 bit data The signal levels are 3 3 V CMOS logic and are intended to drive XP boards mounted directly to the Tau camera CMOS 15 not intend
34. amera operating conditions Manual In Manual FFC mode the camera does not perform FFC automatically based on specified values of temperature change or expired time The FFC will be performed once upon startup then again using the internal shutter when the Do FFC button is clicked Note Large camera temperature excursions cause the camera to perform the FFC operation even with Manual mode selected typically at temperature crossings near and 40 External In External FFC mode a uniform source blackbody must be placed in front of the camera The image of this uniform source will be subtracted from all subsequent images This feature is useful if there are lens or lens mount non uniformities that are not corrected by an internal FFC The camera will not perform an FFC process on startup if the saved state of the camera is External mode FFC 3 10 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI The Tau camera displays an on screen symbol called the Flat Field Imminent symbol prior to performing an automatic operation As shown in Figure 3 5 it is the green square in the upper right of the video output and is displayed nominally 2 seconds prior to the FFC operation The duration of the FFC Imminent Symbol can be set using the FFC Warn Time setting in the Analog Video tab Setting the Warn Time to less than 15 turns off the warning see paragraph 3 8
35. art Number 110 0102 46 enables camera control using one of several programming languages including VB6 VB net C and C MFC Code examples are included to help illustrate how some of the camera control functions can be used The FLIR Camera Controller GUI is an example of an application created using the Photon SDK Refer to http 7 www corebyindigo com service softwareupdates cfm 1 4 Unpacking Your Tau Camera The Tau camera is typically delivered as a standalone product no documentation 15 included Documentation and utilities such as the latest version of this User s Manual the FLIR Camera Controller GUI and Mechanical Interface Description Documents are available for download from the www corebyindigo com website Please unpack the camera heeding customary Electrostatic Sensitive Device ESD precautions including static safe work station and proper grounding The Tau camera 1 packaged in foam to prevent damage during shipping It is also placed in a conductive anti static bag to protect from electrostatic discharge damage TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 1 5 7 lIntroduction Tau User s Manual Caution Disassembling the camera can cause permanent damage and will void the warranty Operating the camera outside of the specified input voltage range or the specified operating temperature range can cause permanent damage The camera 15 not sealed Avoid exposure to dust and moisture This camera conta
36. bles camera control using one of several programming languages including VB6 VB net C and C MFC Code examples are included to help illustrate how some of the camera control functions can be used The FLIR Camera Controller GUI is an example of an application created using the Photon SDK Refer to http 2 www corebyindigo com service softwareupdates cfm 2 4 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI 3 1 Operation of the Tau Camera using the Video Power Com VPC Module Accessory Kit The Tau VPC Module is an interface for the camera to provide power and obtain video lt also facilitates serial communication for more advanced camera command and control via the free downloadable FLIR Camera Controller GUI In this first section we will discuss installing the VPC Module applying power and obtaining analog video USB cable VPC Module Video cable Socket head cap screws M1 6 x 0 35 x 6 mm Figure 3 1 Tau Camera and VPC Module Accessory Kit 3 1 1 Installing the VPC Module Step 1 Plug the VPC Module into the mating 50 Hirose Connector on the back of the Tau camera step 2 Install the two socket head cap screws to secure the VPC Module Note Use only 1 6 x 0 35 x mm screws Longer screws will damage the camera 3 1 2 Connecting the Tau Camera Plug the Video cable into the mating connector on the back of the camera Attach the other end to a compatible v
37. d m xeu uomounJ January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual a 5 t c o Ss T x Q Q 4 444EXO 01 OOOOXO sseuquBiug 4400X0 01 45023009 GOOO0XO UOUUS suJnjaJ JOU pOOOXO OOOXO qyBiuq o3ne 2000 0 3uBiuq LOOOXO ujeJBoasiu 0000 0 paJeqjuun pa3JeAult 4q 7L 90X0 10 7 GOXO pa348Aut 119 8 OXO paJe3yun 319 EOXO jo 319 8 LOXO 3ld p OOXO dseH Bumes bs pa3Je ut 119 8 SOINI GOXO 18S pe3J48Aut 110 7 SOINO 29V 3s0g 419 8 SONI OXO 99 949 a q p SOINI 99 3800 9 18 LOXO pe qesip OOXO Bumes jauueuo 0 ag 3 WAU eOOOXO 3 COOOXO 3 LOOOXO OOOOXO xeu quno quauunBuy sseu1uBiuq 893 s3es pue s38c 45 4 y s3es pue s38c uoneziuumndo 5188 pue 5185 jsnoauesnuuis pue 969 18 SOW sjeuBis
38. d GUI Tau User s Manual Window Editor Use the mouse to drag the green ROI rectangle to any location the FPA The size of the ROI rectangle in pixels is displayed To change the size of the ROI rectangle drag one of the corner or side bubbles Lx indow editor drag the circles to resize drag the center to move AGC ROI Coordinate Values The settings use an X Y coordinate system with 0 0 being at the center of the sensor array The upper two numbers ROI Coordinate Values marked left top are the pixel coordinates of the upper left top 20 10 left corner of the ROI rectangle The lower two numbers marked right bottom define the lower right right bottom 55 45 corner of the ROI rectangle In the example at the right the ROI is specified as a ROI rectangle 66 x 65 pixels located 2O pixels to the left and 10 pixels down from the center of the FPA Cartesian Coordinates The new AGC ROI size setting is not active until the Set button Is pressed The AGC ROI may be set independently for Unzoom Zoom 2x and Zoom 4x The AGC ROI may be set anywhere in the full array size even outside the zoom window The Pan and Tilt function will attempt to move the Zoom AGC ROI to remain centered on the zoom window If the camera is being used in zoom mode it is recommended that the zoom AGC ROI be set to the same size as the zoom window 3 24 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 3
39. d voltage levels Serial Communications Protocol e The required serial port settings are shown in Table B 1 e The camera does not generate an outgoing message except in reply to an incoming message e The camera generates an outgoing reply to each incoming message e All messages both incoming and outgoing adhere to the packet protocol defined in Table B 2 and the subparagraphs that follow The first byte i e the Process byte is transmitted first followed by the rest of the bytes in the order specified e All multi byte arguments defined herein uses big endian ordering MSB first e The serial inter byte timeout is factory set to 100ms e Only use the function commands listed in Table B 4 Unsupported commands may corrupt the camera s software e For reference only a sample command and response is shown in Table 5 Table B 1 Serial Port Settings Parameter TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 B 1 Appendix B Serial Communication Technical Details Tau User s Manual Table B 2 Serial Packet Protocol Comments Reserved LIUC RN 3 Status Byte For all reply messages the camera sets the Status Byte as shown in Table B 3 to indicate the receipt of the previous incoming message Table B 3 Status Byte Definition Status Byte Value hex Definition Description configuration B 2 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau Use
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41. e with some fixed pattern noise 5 6 5 Spare Serial Communications Channel The camera provides a spare serial communications port consisting of the signals RX2 TX2 and GND Note This serial communications channel is intended for communication with RS 232 controllable systems B 6 6 Digital data The DIGITAL OUTPUT MODE command allows the users to select one of the following digital data options e 14 bit data e 86 bit data e digital off e 14 bit unfiltered e O bit inverted e 14 bit inverted e 14 bit inverted unfiltered e XP channel setting TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 B 13 Appendix B Serial Communication Technical Details Tau User s Manual FLIR B 14 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Appendix Tau with Photon Accessories C 1 Operation of the Tau camera using the Photon development kit Backward compatibility with existing Photon equipment allows Photon users to connect to the Tau camera to provide power and obtain video lt also facilitates serial communication for more advanced camera command and control via the free downloadable FLIR Camera Controller GUI In this first section we will discuss simply applying power and obtaining video Hemove the lens cap Remember to replace the lens cap when the camera is not in use to prevent accidental scratching and dust contamination Using the Development Kit s Interface Cable and I O Module plug one end of the Interface Cable i
42. ebent eor 1 4 1 3 Software accessory SDK for Windows amp Embedded 1 5 1 4 Unpacking Your Tau Camera 1 9 2 Optional Tau Accessories 2 1 Tau Video Power Com VPC Accessory 2 1 eA lau vv and 2 2 2 3 Backward compatible Photon accessories 2 3 2 4 Software accessory SDK for Windows amp Embedded 2 4 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI 3 2 Remote control of the Tau Camera sss 3 2 3 3 Installing the FLIR Camera Controller 501 3 2 3 4 Connecting the Tau to a PC via the VPC Module 3 9 3 9 Troubleshooting the FLIR Camera Controller GUI 3 7 3 6 Operation of the FLIR Camera Controller GUI 3 8 BaF CCU TaD 3 9 Ovo elo TaD e Q 3 13 3 9 Digital Video Tab meme enn n 3 17 3 IO mage Capture ute 3 19 3 11 AGC 3 20 eer 3 23 CMM uio 3 25 4 Tau Digital Data Channel A l Legacy rm 4 1 4 2 Using the Legacy LVDS Digital Data Channel 4 2 4 3 Legacy LVDS Di
43. ed to drive cable An XP board reference design is available upon request Table 4 2 shows the connector pin definitions with CMOS enabled Note The optional discrete input pins should be unloaded when using the CMOS output Table 4 2 50 pin Hirose connector interface with CIVIOS output enabled Signal Name RS232_TX CMOS LINE VALID unused LVDS CLK P LVDS SYNC P LVDS DATA P 1 38 CMOS_CLK unused eon wo uw fef m unused DGND DISCRETEO 2 EXTERNAL_SYNC CMOS_DATA11 CMOS DATAS DGND CMOS DATAS CMOS CMOS DATA1 DGND O e 4 6 8 e A 6 CO OF 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 CMOS DATA7 39 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 4 7 4 Tau Digital Data Channel Tau User s Manual Note Figure is not to scale CLK duty cycle is 4 7 Data may be latched on the rising or falling edge of CLK 95 062 nsec 10 519 t iie t 3 7 clock t t FE 6 7 clock CLK LINE VALID CMOS DATA1 3 ____ 7 Pix 1 Pix2 o CMOS DATAO 13 0 12 0 13 0 13 0 n 79 159 319 or639 Figure 4 5 CMOS Line Timing normal clock configuration Note Figure is not to scale 1 frame rate gt 1 clock lt FRAME_VALID LINE VALID idle time DATA3 DATAO uoo uer ee 59 119 239 479 5 variable
44. edHat and are used under authority of the GNU public license Information about these fonts and the GNU public license can be found at https www redhat com promo fonts This product is protected by patents design patents patents pending or design patents pending If you have questions that are not covered in this manual or need service contact FLIR CVS Customer Support at 805 964 9797 for additional information prior to returning a camera This documentation is subject to change without notice This equipment must be disposed of as electronic waste Contact your nearest Commercial Vision Systems Inc representative for instructions on how to return the product to FLIR for proper disposal This document is controlled to FLIR Technology Level EAR 1 The information contained in this document is proprietary and or restricted and pertains to a dual use product controlled for export by the Export Administration Regulations EAR This document and data disclosed herein or herewith is not to be reproduced used or disclosed in whole or in part to anyone without the written permission of FLIR Systems Inc Diversion contrary to US law 15 prohibited US Department of Commerce authorization is not required prior to export or transfer to foreign persons parties or uses otherwise prohibited Table of Contents 1 Introduction 1 1 SPCCICALIONS RI T TEST 1 3 1 2 Available Tau Configurations etsi d
45. een square is displayed on your video monitor as a warning that the FFC is going to take place Use this function to set the number of analog video frames 33ms NTSC 4O0ms PAL during which the warning will be displayed The time period specified in frames can range from O to 30 000 frames The factory setting of 60 frames equates to a two second warning Setting the Warn Time to less than 15 turns off the warning FFC Dynamic Digital Detail Enhancement DDE filter The DDE algorithm sets edge enhancement dynamically Dynamic DDE proportional to the number of bins occupied in the 1 7 mic 53 In a high dynamic range scene the gain will be higher than in a low dynamic range scene This allows faint Value 1 63 38 details to be visible in high dynamic range scenes without increasing temporal and fixed pattern noise in low dynamic range scenes The DDE filter operates independently from the AGC and will enhance edges without effecting brightness or contrast The valid range of Dynamic DDE setting 15 from 1 to 63 with 17 being the neutral setting where the filter has no effect Settings below 17 will smooth the image reducing the appearance of sharp edges Higher DDE settings will enhance all image non uniformities resulting in a very detailed but grainy picture especially in high dynamic range scenes Typical factory settings are between 25 and 30 Settings from 18 to 39 are normal imaging modes
46. f mating connectors including their SFM L SMT and SFSD style products The primary Tau connector at the rear of the camera 15 Identified in the figure below Hirose connector a See Figure 5 2 MEE Figure 5 1 50 Pin Hirose Connector Interface DF12 50DS 0 5V 86 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 5 1 5 Overview of the Electrical Interface Tau User s Manual Table 5 2 below identifies the function of each pin on the standard surface mount mating connector Hirose DF12 50DS 0 5V 86 Table 5 2 50 pin Hirose Connector Interface of the Tau Camera Signal Name Signal Definition Pine Signal Name Signal Definition seral cornmuhicauon Primary serial communication TX transmit data output 57600 HSe3e RX y baud receive data input 57600 baud 5 17 6 18 27 37 Ground 28 38 DGND Ground 41 45 42 Digital Port1 clock positive Digital Port1 clock negative EN Eg 13 Digital Port Output data 1 Digital Port Output data 1 15 19 21 23 s es em fep eme _ Ls es Ls per Wem 9 pe s ue eue E MOXULL LO Be ro Ol Pin 1 Pin 49 Pin 50 Pin 2 Figure 5 2 Mechanical Definition for 50 Interface Board 5 2 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 5 QOverview of the Electrical Interface 5 3 Analog Video Out
47. gital Data Channels 4 3 4 4 XP Bus Setting BI 656 Digital Interface 4 5 4 5 XP Setting CMOS Digital Interface 4 7 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Table of Contents Tau User s Manual 4 6 Discrete 1 0 4 9 5 Overview of the Electrical Interface sisti 5 1 Hirose 50 Pin Connector meme enne 5 1 AANG m 0 3 5 4 Command and Control Channel sss 0 3 9 9 LVDS Digital Data Channel __ _ _ _6 _ 0 3 Parallel Digital Data Channel sees 0 3 Pin out Definitions 1 1 I O Module 3838 001 8 00 2 0 Hm A 1 Serial Communication Technical Details 1 1 Serial Communications Primary Interface B 1 Serial Communications Protocol sees B 1 M B 2 B 4 Function Byte B 3 B 5 Example of the format of a serial message B 1 1 Description of Serial Commands cece cece eee eee B 12 Tau with Photon Accessories 1 C 1 Operation of the Tau camera using the Photon development Kit 1 Remote control of the Tau camera menn C 2 Co
48. gnal Definition PARI Table A 2 1 0 Module Video Connector Pin Out Ping Signal Name Signal Definition Sleeve VIDEO_RTN analog video return Table 3 1 0 Module Serial Connector Pin Out 85232 Receive channel RS232 Transmit channel Digital Ground Spare do not connect TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 A 1 Appendix A Pin out Definitions Tau User s Manual Table A 4 1 Module Digital Data Connector Pin Out Pin Signal Definition 1 Digital data sync LVDS high 2 Digital data 1 output channel LVDS high 3 Digital data 2 output channel LVDS high Digital output channel clock LVDS high Digital data sync LVDS low 7 Digital data 1 output channel LVDS low Digital data 2 output channel LVDS low Digital output channel clock LVDS low Digital ground input power connected to power connector pin input power return connected to power connector sleeve Spare do not connect 514 15 Spare do not connect x x as w gt O A 2 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Appendix Serial Communication Technical Details B 1 Serial Communications Primary Interface The camera is capable of being controlled remotely through an asynchronous serial interface consisting of the signals named RX TX and GND using 3 3 volt signal levels Note The camera is compatible with most RS232 drivers receivers but does not implement signaling levels compliant with the RS232 standar
49. gt 63 127 255 or 511 PAL Figure 4 6 CMOS Frame Timing 4 8 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 4 Tau Digital Data Channel 4 6 Discrete I O By default the Tau camera not have discrete input functions loaded The eight discrete input output pins with functions are defined by the discrete control file which is available for download and installation These functions are not intended to be compatible with Tau cameras using CMOS output The discrete control file is defined in Table 4 3 Table 4 3 Discrete Control Functions 30 pin 50 Connector Connector Photon Replicator Tau Name Name ae memes qme 3 memes memes meer emm memes wma EBENEN ELM EN 1 This function is a backward compatible function with Photon The voltage level of this pin controls the look up table LUT applied to the analog image The pin has a pull up so that the open state is High 3 3 V When this pin is High the analog image will use the White hot LUT When this pin is Low the analog image will use the Black hot LUT The camera will power up in the saved default state and switch to the discrete input defined state when the pin state 15 changed 2 This function is a backward compatible function with Photon The voltage level of this pin controls the zoom state applied to the analog image The pin has a pull up so that the open state is High 3 3 V When this pin is High
50. hall be is in Figure 4 2 Word Index jf eng Bit Index 2 1 2 3 4 5 s 8 9 p 5 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 o i 3 s Data Clk Sync Fl Fl Iz Data Out vee spa is s 8 7 6 5 3 3 1 o Bs popu nop 8 6 5 4 2 2 1 0 F z frame sync logic high on the first four words starting the frame logic low otherwise L line sync logic high during valid pixel data logic low otherwise Figure 4 1 Digital Data Timing TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 4 3 4 Tau Digital Data Channel Tau User s Manual External Frame sync not required Idle time Idle time Frame time Idle time Pixe 0328 MM Line time Figure 4 2 Digital Data Format _ ll SD DATA amp SD FSYNC Normal Mode 1109 5 Inverted Mode SD DATA amp SD FSYNC Toc 1to5ns Figure 4 3 Legacy LVDS Detailed Digital Data Timing 4 4 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 4 Tau Digital Data Channel 4 4 XP Bus Setting BT 656 Digital Interface The BT 658 parallel output is a common interface which will drive many LCD displays The data is digitally encoded NTSC PAL video and will have AGC DDE symbols and color included Table 4 1 shows the connector pin definitions with BT 656 enabled Also shown in the table are the optional discrete input pin
51. has the zoom feature but the CMOS and LVDS do not Pan amp Zoom Pan When in either zoomed mode you can move the zoomed array region within the full array area This digitally simulates panning and tilting Panning and tilting are defined as moving the camera image in the horizontal and vertical axes respectively The Pan Tilt limits for 320 cameras are the same in both 2x and 4x mode The Pan Tilt limits for 160 cameras are 40 30 or the same as the Fine range You can adjust the vertical and horizontal sliders to move the zoomed array region When the fine box is not checked the slider controls move the zoomed image from edge to edge of the full sized array Checking the fine box increases the sensitivity of the slide control so that the zoomed array moves one half the total range but all step values are achievable Simple experimentation while viewing the displayed image will quickly give you familiarity with this feature 3 14 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Note the Spot Meter function always reports values from the center of the full array Pan Tilt moves the image but not the location of the Spot Meter If Pan Tilt is being used the Spot Meter readings will not be correct Flat Field Correction FFC The Tau automatically performs flat field corrections see paragraph Flat Field Correction Mode on page 3 FFC Warring 60 james 10 A gr
52. htness Bias Automatic Parameters Used for fine tuning the Automatic Parameters Automatic Linear Histogram and Logarithmic modes these settings are contextually active depending on which AGC Plaeau 10 10 1000 algorithm is selected Each of their settings is described above Me as they pertain to the particular Algorithm ITT eem 100 0 255 0 255 Gain 3 22 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI 3 12 ROI Tab The Tau camera allows the user to set a Region of Interest ROI or a rectangle of pixels on the sensor array that the AGC algorithm will use for its calculations The ROI can be set for either the entire frame size 0 0 320 256 or some smaller portion as shown below The ROI tab shown in Figure 3 12 provides both a Window Editor and text entry coordinates to control the size and location of the Region of Interest ROI 1 Select AGC tab 2 Select ROI Window editor Camera Controller _______ Ix l File View Camera Tools Help S FLIR aa Thermal ROI Coordinate Values left top TEN right bottom az I1 Cartesian Coordinates la Image capture part 41320019H SPXXX 2 m Connected MSCOMM complete Size 324x256 Figure 3 12 FLIR Camera Controller GUI ROI Tab TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 23 3 Basic Operation of the Tau an
53. ideo monitor s composite video input If your monitor has an RCA input connector a BNC to HCA adapter can be used Power light Analog video out Plug the mini USB plug into the mating connector on the back of the camera Connect the other end of the cable to a USB port on the computer At this point n D you are only using the power from the USB port USB cable to computer TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 1 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual 3 2 Remote control of the Tau Camera The Tau camera with the VPC Module Accessory accommodates advanced camera control through a Universal Serial Bus USB interface A user can control the camera through this interface using their own software and hardware by following the Serial Communication Protocol and command structure defined in Appendix B This requires programming skills and a strong technical background The user can also use the FLIR Camera Controller GUI offered as a free download from FLIR using a Windows based PC with a standard USB port This software provides remote control of various camera features and modes The FLIR Camera Controller GUI software is compatible with Windows XP with Net Framework version 2 0 or later The GUI will prompt the user to update to the latest Net Framework Note We recommend that Windows Update is turned on keeping the operating system current If your embedded or specialty applications require custo
54. ies to analog BT 656 CMOS and LVDS video Revert The normal image is flipped horizontally The pixel on the upper right corner of the detector array is displayed on the upper left corner of the video display in Revert mode Hevert mode produces a mirror image of Normal mode use for applications where the camera is imaged through a fold mirror Revert applies to analog and BT 656 video only Note Any time the image orientation mode is changed a flat field correction takes place Pan amp Zoom Zoom The Tau 320 Select to camera has a built in 2x and 4x digital zoom enter offsets capability The Tau 160 camera has a built in 2x digital zoom The Zoom checkboxes are ees EDO used to turn on off the camera zoom With the Unzoom box checked the Tau camera Sip M de c displays the full sensor array image NTSC 320 x 240 pixels PAL 320 256 pixels When the Zoom 2x box is checked a smaller central region of the sensor array 15 mapped Fine Center nm to the video output creating the zoom effect LN For NTSC and PAL video formats in 2x zoom MEER mode 160 x 120 and 160 x 128 pixels Pan respectively are mapped to the analog video slider output When the Zoom 4x box is checked 80 x 60 NTSC and 80 x 64 PAL pixels respectively are mapped to the analog video output This reduced region of the array is called the zoomed array region The BT 656 video also
55. ins electrostatic discharge sensitive electronics and should be handled appropriately 1 6 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 e Optional Tau Accessories 2 1 Tau Video Power Com VPC Accessory The Tau VPC Module is the first thing many users will use to connect to their Tau camera and for some customers it may be the only thing they will ever need The VPC Module provides connection to a host computer for power command control and digital image capture it has a direct connection for analog video output For instructions on installing the VPC Module refer to paragraph 3 1 Operation of the Tau Camera using the Video Power Com VPC Module Accessory Kit on page 3 1 Mini USB MCX coaxial Figure 2 1 Tau VPC Module Installed on a Tau camera Connector Type USB mini 5 pin Power over USB nominal draw 180mA at 5V peak load at startup at SV Serial communications baud rate 5 600 Baud or 921600 Baud Hot swap protected Windows Service for automatic detection supported through SDK Table 2 1 Miniplug Microplug NEM MM permits distinction of Micro A and Micro B Plug Type A connected to Ground Type B not connected 1 Pin 4 of mini USB connector may be not connected connected to GND or used as attachment identification at some portable devices TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 2 1 2 Optional Tau Accessories Tau User s Manual 2 2 Ta
56. iuosag quauunBuy uomounJ TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 0 t 0n e sapo eges 5 Tau User s Manual a 5 t c o Ss T x Q Q 4 S930N Xp 403408 ge aa seg lOH Xv 3488 L2 Oe dol 6 1 81 savg Xv 3081 21 9 GL vL 3468 gr av dol OL sag 437 6 8 ewou uuomog 9 ewou G 7 3 1 doj e g O sag 8J82 4 uo 10110 9 G 7 doj g e L O sex ig squno9 ur jaxid Jo 5 ul anjen aungeuaduuaa 3096 SUON 000 63 SUON 99g JO3euriuuoue 4038J8uunN O Jay 03 O SUON 009 o3 s eBueg 2180 Sate O SUON eoooxo J83auuouuJ8au1 2OOOXO Ajuo LOOOXO ejdsip OOOOXO SUON xeu quauunBuy dsay S Vo puX 195 c PWI 199 8 dsay
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58. l B 6 Description of Serial Commands B 6 1 Camera Defaults The RESET FACTORY DEFAULTS command sets the current settings to the factory default values In order to save these values as power up defaults it is necessary to do a SET DEFAULTS command B 6 2 AGC algorithms Use the AGC_TYPE command to select one of the following AGC algorithms e Automatic e Once Bright e Auto Bright e Manual e inear B 6 3 Pan and Tilt The PAN AND TILT command controls this feature in the camera when the image is zoomed It does not have any effect when the image is not zoomed The center of the screen is considered as coordinate 0 0 A positive number is needed to pan right and negative number to pan left A pan value of 1 pans to the right by one column and a pan value of 1 pans to the left by one column from the center of the image A positive number is needed to tilt downwards and a negative number to tilt upwards A tilt value of 1 tilts downwards by one row and a tilt value of 1 tilts upwards by one row from the center of the image When the image is being panned or tilted the ROI moves along with these coordinates The limits for the zoom ROI have been set to one and a half times the number of rows and columns in the video This is to enable a user to pan and tilt the zoomed portion of the image without any change in the AGC if the image being looked at does not change This also means that the AGC of the image is also determined by
59. launched before the cable was connected close the GUI connect the cable then re launch the GUI Is the Baud rate set correctly Baud rate must be set in the Tools Connection dialog box The Tau camera supports Baud rates of 57600 and 921600 Is the port already in use by another application Shut down any other applications that may be using the port Also multiple instances of the FLIR Camera Controller GUI Program can be instantiated using different ports so be sure the camera you are interested in controlling is actually connected to the physical port Is the Tau camera power on verify that the camera is producing an image on a separate monitor Also at camera power up you can hear two sets of a click click sound separated by about O seconds as the internal shutter performs its on power up calibration If you don t hear these Photon GUI Camera Connection FLIR Select Control Interface and Device Control Connection Serial 85 232 Advanced Use the advanced option if you want to select your customized device step by step v Connect to the camera using the selected device after closing the wizard Next Camera Connection iX FLIR Select Control Interface and Device Select a Control Interface Advanced The selected interface has multiple devices available Please select a device Interfaces MSCOMM 1 device Connect t
60. m control software a Software Developer s Kit SDK is available Those intending to generate their own custom software are encouraged to read the remainder of this section regarding the FLIR Camera Controller GUI to better understand the camera modes and parameters 3 3 Installing the FLIR Camera Controller GUI step 1 If you have another version of the FLIR Camera Controller GUI loaded on your PC you should uninstall it using the Windows Uninstall utility via the Windows Control Panel before proceeding with this installation This is an important step as camera malfunction is possible if you do not remove any older versions of Tau or Omega Micron A10O software step Using your favorite WWW browser navigate to the following URL http www corebyindigo com service softwareupdates cfm Step 3 Click the Download Tau GUI Zip file 6 MB link step 4 When the File Download prompt appears choose Save lt is recommended that you create a new empty directory such as FLIR Camera Controller GUI Installable Files on your desktop for download step 5 Extract the Installable files using WinZip or other available software step 6 Open the directory where you saved e GE way ee a the Installable files Double click the 7 setup exe file to begin installation Address Tau GUI Elo CP210x VCP Win2K XP 52K3 setup exe 3 2 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User
61. n coefficients resulting in a more uniform Low Gain array output The video image 1 frozen during the entire Temp change 10 0 1 C process which takes less than a second and it resumes DoFFC automatically thereafter Hepeating the FFC operation often prevents the imagery from appearing grainy This is especially important when the camera temperature is fluctuating such as immediately after turn on or when ambient temperature is drifting FFC can be controlled manually at any time using the Do FFC command button Tau provides three FFC modes Auto the Automatic FFC mode the camera performs FFC whenever its temperature changes by a specified amount or at the end of a specified period of time whichever comes first When this mode is selected input windows are available in the FLIR Camera Controller GUI for specifying the temperature change and the number of frames that trigger automatic FFC The temperature change is specified in degrees with valid values in the range O to 100 in O 1 degree increments The time period is specified in analog video frames 33ms NTSC 40 PAL with valid values in the range O to 30 000 frames The second set of Auto FCC parameters labeled Low Gain apply to Tau P cameras with the auto gain switch enabled Note FLIR recommends using the factory default values for the two automatic FFC parameters if possible These values were selected to maintain a high degree of image quality over all c
62. nd structure defined in Appendix B This requires programming skills and a strong technical background The user can also use the FLIR Camera Controller GUI offered as a free download from FLIR using a Windows based PC with the standard serial communications and components provided in the Development Kit This software provides remote control of various camera features and modes The FLIR Camera Controller GUI software is compatible with Windows XP The PC must have a spare serial communications port or you must use the Tau VPC module USB accessory Note A USB to Serial port adapter is acceptable but the data communication rate must be set to 57600 BAUD If your embedded or specialty applications require custom control software a Software Developer s Kit SDK is available Those intending to generate their own custom software are encouraged to read the remainder of this section regarding the FLIR Camera Controller GUI to better understand the camera modes and parameters C 3 Connecting the serial communications interface using the development kit You should have successfully operated the camera and obtained live video on a monitor as described in paragraph C 1 Operation of the Tau camera using the Photon development kit on page C 1 The only additional hardware required for serial communication is a serial cable connected as shown below To PC serial COM port RS232 To Camera m Attach one end of a standard RS 232 serial
63. nnecting the serial communications interface using the development kit C 2 Mechanical IDD Reference 1 Tau Camera Mechanical Interface Control Document WFOV 3 Tau Camera Core Interface Description Document 5mm 19mm 4 Tau Camera Core Interface Description Document 25mm 5 Tau Camera Core Interface Description Document 35mm 6 iv TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 1 introduction The Tau camera is a long wavelength 8 14 microns uncooled microbolometer camera designed for infrared imaging applications that demand absolute minimum size weight and power consumption It is available with multiple different lens focal length options as well as lens less not shown and narrow field of view NFOV options The Tau Software Developer s Kit SDK enables camera control using one of several programming languages including VB6 VB net C and C MFC The FLIR Camera Controller GUI is an example of an application created using the SDK See Software accessory SDK for Windows amp Embedded page 2 4 9mm 13mm 19mm 48 HFOV 34 HFOV 24 HFOV 65 mm 65mm 25mm 35mm 18 HFOV 13 HFOV 7 HFOV 100 100mm 4 6 HFOV Figure 1 1 Tau Cameras The camera provides power in video out capability which means that one need only apply input voltage to receive analog video For those applications requiring serial control the Tau camera includes a serial interface RS 232 for transmitting camera commands and
64. nnector on the SIPO module Connect the other end to the frame grabber board installed in your PC Note The parallel data cable is specific to a particular frame grabber Contact the manufacturer of the frame grabber to make sure you have the correct cable step 3 Follow instructions included with the frame grabber for selecting the camera configuration file included with the SIPO module step 4 Reapply power to the Interface Module This will power up both the Tau camera and the SIPO module and digital data will begin streaming Step 5 If desired change the digital data mode using the FLIR Camera Controller GUI software in the Digital Video tab 4 2 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 4 Tau Digital Data Channel 4 3 Legacy LVDS Digital Data Channels The camera provides two LVDS digital ports e Port 1 consists of the signals DATA_CLK DATA_SYNC and DATA1_QUT e Port DATA2_OUT and DATA2 OUT is currently undefined do not connect to these signals Note 14 bit and amp bit timing and format are identical except only 8 bits LSBs are available 8 bit mode DATA2_OUT and DATA2 OUT are currently undefined do not connect to these signals All signals in the digital data interface employ low voltage differential signaling LVDS The clock rate of DATA CLK is 73 636 MHz The timing of the digital data interface is shown in Figure 4 1 and Figure 4 3 The format of the digital output s
65. nto the mating connector on the back of the camera Connect the other end of the Interface Cable to the mating connector on the 1 0 Module labeled CAMERA Module 333 0018 00 To video monitor To camera To power supply 206 0001 20 Attach one end of a standard BNC cable to the video port labeled VIDEO on the 1 0 Module Attach the other end to a compatible video monitor s composite video input If your monitor has an RCA input connector a BNC to RCA adapter can be used Plug the power supply into an electrical outlet Insert the circular plug at the other end of the power supply into the power jack labeled POWER on the 1 0 Module and tighten the locking screw finger tight The camera will take 2 seconds to produce an image after you apply power You should see an initial splash screen with the FLIR logo displayed and then live long wave infrared video will follow Point the camera in different directions and notice the imagery If the video image appears low in contrast point the camera at a target with high thermal contrast such as at a person TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 C 1 Appendix C Tau with Photon Accessories Tau User s Manual C 2 Remote control of the Tau camera The Tau camera accommodates advanced camera control through an HS 232 serial interface A user can control the camera through this interface using their own software and hardware by following the Serial Communication Protocol and comma
66. o lec gt image Capture gt 7 Status 3 Camera Type Tau 324x256 23 aa 2 Select Digital Video Camera Digital Output Q off 14 Bit Filtered c 14 Bit Raw Video o Bus Output Noe Brese cmos AGC enam Thermal Connected MSCOMM Ready Part amp 41320019H SPXOOX TA 324 256 Figure 3 9 FLIR Camera Controller GUI Digital Video Tab Camera Digital Output Note The Revert feature is not available in digital video Note AGC mode will only affect the digital data output if Camera Digital Output mode is set to 8 bit data Off The digital data stream coming from the Tau camera is turned off TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 17 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual 8 bit Data from the 320 x 240 NTSC or 320 x 256 PAL video pixels is provided after application of the current Automatic Gain Control AGC and Dynamic Detail Enhancement DDE The 8 bit data is essentially a digital version of the same data provided on the analog video channel 14 bit Filtered Data from 324 x 256 pixels Is provided prior to video processing modes in the 8 bit data described above The 14 bit data is the filtered data to include the Dynamic Detail Enhancement DDE and will appear gray when saving 16 bit TIFF files See Tau Digital Data Channel on page 4 1 14 bit Raw Data from 324 x 256 pixels is provided prior to all video
67. o the camera using the selected device sounds it s likely the Tau camera is not being powered correctly If you cannot initiate serial communication with the camera after verifying these items refer to the frequently asked questions FAQ at http www corebyindigo com Tau TauFAGs All cfm or contact FLIR Customer Support at 805 964 9797 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual 3 6 Operation of the FLIR Camera Controller GUI When the FLIR Camera Controller GUI successfully links to the camera you will see the window shown below At the bottom of the application window you should see Camera and FPA status The GUI provides five tabs allowing for camera control as described below 24 Tau Camera Controller IX File view Camera Tools Help FLIR Status j m System Status Setup Ready for acquisition Video AGC Thermal Part 41320019H SPXXX Serial 724 FPA Temp _ 3 3 Part 41 32001 SH SPXXX 5 324 256 Camera Part indicates the specific camera configuration connected Camera Serial This is the serial number of the camera currently connected to the FLIR Camera Controller GUI FPA Temperature The camera s Focal Plane Array FPA temperature The connection status Camera status Camera Part FPA Temp and FPA Size are displayed at the bottom of all tabs 3 8 January 2010
68. onents With this accessory kit the user will need a standard BNC cable for analog video output and a standard RS 232 serial COM cable for advanced configuration using the free downloadable FLIR Camera Controller The Photon Replicator Board adapts the 50 Tau connector to a Samtec connector that allows the use of existing Photon cables and accessories 1 The Photon Replicator Board accepts 6 24V The Tau core input voltage is 4 6V without the replica tor board attached TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 2 3 2 Optional Tau Accessories Tau User s Manual Figure 2 3 Digital Data Serial to Parallel Module or SIPO FLIR s optional serial in parallel out SIPO module p n 333 001 7 00 converts the serial LVDS into parallel data The SIPO mates directly to the 1 0 module s digital data port and furnishes 68 pin connector that can be attached to a frame grabber via a digital interface cable This accessory facilitates capture of the LVDS serial digital data channel from the Tau camera and mirrors it in a parallel format used with computer based capture boards These boards require third party software not offered or formally supported by FLIR Refer to Chapter 4 for details on known compatible frame grabbers and interface cables as well as software setup files for the compatible frame grabbers 2 4 Software accessory SDK for Windows amp Embedded The Tau Software Developer s Kit SDK p n 110 0133 16 ena
69. port 9 pin PC cable to the communications port labeled RS 232 on the 1 0 Module Attach the other end to the serial port on your PC This cable should be a standard RS 232 cable not a cross over configured serial cable or null modem cable 2 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Appendix Mechanical IDD Reference Due to export restrictions limited data is available at www corebyindigo com additional data can be obtained from your local sales representative or application engineer Figure D 1 and Figure D 2 provide important mechanical information for lens designers Shown with lens flange M24 x 0 5 thread for shuttered cameras Kk d ______ P 1 33 Vacuum window 0 026 Silicon Focal Plane surface Datum top of camera frame M2 0 x 0 4 Alignment holes 1 00 0 90 0 80 0 70 0 60 0 50 0 40 0 30 0 20 0 10 0 00 Relative Power Spectral Response 7 0 8 0 9 0 10 0 11 0 12 0 13 0 14 0 15 0 Wavelength in micrometers microns Figure D 2 Spectral Response Curve from a Typical Tau Camera The following Mechanical Description Documents detail the outline and mounting for the Tau cameras These documents are provided for reference only You should consult your local sales representative or application engineer to obtain current IDD information Also the Tau Thermal Imaging Camera Core Data Sheet available from the website contains important mechanical interface data as well
70. processing and does not include the Dynamic Detail Enhancement DDE The 14 bit data is the raw data and will also appear gray when saving 16 bit TIFF files See Tau Digital Data Channel on page 4 1 XP Mode Select 3 18 The Tau camera has 18 XP pins on the 50 pin Hirose connector The XP mode uses number of these pins to output parallel digital image data BT 656 The BT 658 parallel output is a common interface which will drive many LCD displays The data is digitally encoded NTSC PAL video and will have AGC DDE symbols and color included CMOS The CMOS interface is a parallel output that allows the user to access 8 bit AGC corrected data or 14 bit data The signal levels are O 3 3 V CMOS logic and are intended to drive XP boards mounted directly to the Tau camera CMOS is not intended to drive a cable An XP board reference design is available upon request January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI 3 10 Image Capture Tab The Image Capture tab on the FLIR Camera Controller GUI shown below allows you to capture three 8 bit AGC corrected images to camera memory for retrieval to a host computer The images will be 8 bit grayscale only without symbols 1 Select Video 2 Image Capture B Tau Camera Controller File View Camera Tools Help s analog video bigital video Status P amp af
71. put The Tau camera can be configured to provide either NTSC or PAL analog video output These analog output standards allow direct video connection to common video display or recording devices such as TV monitors and VCRs Typically an analog monitor input signal is provided over a coaxial cable and uses either an RCA consumer based electronics or BNC generally associated with professional or scientific equipment style connector When the VIDEO LO signal is tied to ground the analog video signal meets the timing and voltage requirements of either NTSC or PAL protocol The FLIR Camera Controller GUI software allows you to select between NTSC or PAL video output formats The NTSC analog video format is the default in all cameras If you are creating a custom cable to carry the analog video signal from the Tau camera to your monitoring or recording device you should use 75 Ohm characteristic impedance coaxial cable and terminate into 75 Ohm monitor These specifications represent standard video cabling and 1 0 and will likely be the default for any generic video receiving hardware you purchase Per the pin function table you will use the VIDEO LO and VIDEO pins for the analog video output signal Specific video characteristics are given in the table below Table 5 3 Video parameters Parameter NTSC Monochrome equivalent RS 1 70A CCIR displayed detector samples 320 H x 240 V 320 H x 256 V Note Analog output is al
72. r s Manual Appendix B Serial Communication Technical Details 5 4 Function Byte The list of valid commands that can be set in the Function Byte is shown in Table B 4 For all reply messages the camera will echo back the Function Byte of the previous Incoming message For all commands in which the byte count is listed in Table B 4 as either or some non zero value the camera will change the value of the specified parameter according to the incoming data bytes if there are any i e the camera shall set the parameter or it will reply with the current value of the parameter if the incoming message contains no data bytes 1 the camera shall get the parameter TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 B 3 Tau User s Manual a 5 t c o Ss T x 4 2000 0 LOOOXO si DunuByauy q ne y 390N 044 pier 3814 5395 5385 193138 3GOW 934 Buiyoqyms ou eOOOXO 2000 0 0 3u02 eBueJ oiuuBu p aua 5185 pue 195 NIV9 VOXO uleg LOOOXO 0000XO0 UOISUBA JOUlUJ AA Z4 9 sag
73. rightness and contrast are applied i e the power on defaults or the last saved values Linear Histogram Image contrast and brightness gain and level optimized automatically based upon scene statistics using a linear transfer function Controls for the ITT Mean sets grey scale midpoint and Max Gain AGC gain are adjustable by entering the value in the Automatic Parameters section The Linear Histogram algorithm uses scene statistics to set a global gain and offset contrast and brightness for the image Upon entry into the linear histogram mode the currently stored values are applied i e the power on defaults or the last saved values TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 21 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual Note In Manual mode and Once Bright mode the brightness setting must be updated as the camera temperature changes To avoid this issue it is recommended to use Automatic or Auto Bright modes when possible Also AGC mode will only affect the digital data output if the Digital Video output mode is set to 8 bit data The 14 bit digital data bypasses the AGC sections of digital processing Linear Parameters Used for fine tuning the Auto Bright Once Bright and Manual modes these settings are contextually active depending on which Algorithm is selected Each of their settings is described above Linear Parameters Contrast 0 1 0 255 it Brightness 92 Brig
74. rker or lighter for temperature extremes this is sometimes referred to as Polarity Other color LUTs are available as shown below Figure 3 8 shows each of the LUTs as displayed in Test Pattern Ramp Mode starting with the upper left White Hot Black Hot Fusion Rainbow Globow Ironbow1 lronbowe Sepia Color 1 Color2 Ice Fire and Rain Select one of these LUTs from the pull down menu to view your image displayed using the LUT you choose White Hot Black Hot Color1 Color2 Ice Fire Figure 3 8 Look Up Table Options simple experimentation with this feature while viewing the video image will give you familiarity Hemember that you must click the Save Settings button on the Setup tab to save the LUT settings as default at power up Note The setting of the Polarity LUT mode will not affect the digital data output 3 16 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI 3 9 Digital Video Tab Tau offers a LVDS interface digital output that can be configured in four modes Changing these modes will have no effect on the analog NTSC or PAL signal In order to access the digital output you must use an advanced interface as described in Chapter 4 Tau Digital Data Channel See the Tau Electrical Interface Control Document 102 PS220 41 for information on how to access digital video for LVDS BT 656 and CMOS File View Camera Tools Help FLIR 1 Select Video Analog Vide
75. s Figure 4 4 details BT B56 format and timing Table 4 1 50 pin Hirose connector interface with 656 output enabled Signal Name Signal Name RS232_TX DISCRETE6 DGND e RS232_RX unused LVDS_CLK_P LVDS_SYNC_P 1 LVDS_DATA_P 14 unused DGND DISCRETEO EXT SYNC X DISCRETE2 O 00 2 2 DISCRETEA 6 DGND BI656 DATA7 656 DATAS 2 BT656_DATAS BT656_DATA DGND BT656_CLK DGND VID_OUT_H DGND 47 49 MAIN_PWR_RIN 1 1 3 5 7 9 2 1 2 3 24 5 2 7 28 9 30 1 3 3 34 5 3 7 3 9 1 3 5 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 4 5 4 Tau Digital Data Channel Tau User s Manual 1716 clocks 27MHz 63 55us line H Control Signal 63 55us line x 525 lines 29 97 ms frame Start of digital line Start of digital active line EAV Code Blanking SAV Code Cosited Pixels EAV Code 4 clocks 268 clocks pla clocks 1440 clocks 1716 clocks 0 for field 1 1 for field 2 V 1 during vertical blanking H at SAV H 1 at EAV P3 PO protection bits V XORH P2 F XORH P1 F XORV PO F XOR V XOR H Ev E NN Number V sav Field 1 rame Lin _ ia 0 Active Frame Line 21 Field1 Line 0 20 blank lines oud T nd 4 20 01110 rame Line 263 ine DS anis 21 23 o 1 0 264 265 1 1 LINE 266 Blanking
76. se settings can result in oscillatory behavior or the camera may get stuck in either high or low Gain Mode TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 25 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual FLIR 3 26 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 4 Tau Digital Data Channel The Tau camera provides three digital data channels The Legacy LVDS channel is common with the FLIR Photon camera The BT 656 channel output is a digitally encoded analog format which contains image symbol and color information The CMOS channel is a parallel image data output 4 1 Legacy LVDS Output The Tau camera provides a digital data channel that outputs the camera s data in a digital format compatible with FLIR Photon tools and accessories This channel can be used in conjunction with commercially available digital frame grabbers digital displays or custom receive electronics For Tau users with embedded or specialty applications that require custom control software a Software Developer s Kit SDK is available to support your development efforts The SDK accessory is described in the Accessories portion of this User s Manual Using the Digital Data Channel is an advanced regime that should only be attempted by qualified customers The Appendices contain details for the Digital Data Channel The digital data channel can be configured to output 14 bit data after application of calibration Non Uniformity Correction or NUC terms
77. the analog frame imaged when Frozen is selected Live video ONT TON PES will cease and the frozen frame will persist To return the camera to live video select Real Time video mode Save Settings After using the FLIR Camera Controller GUI to change camera modes and settings to your desired values use the Save Settings save Settings button to store your current selections as new power up defaults The next time the camera is powered the Tau camera will remember these saved settings If you do not click Save Settings the changes you make via the FLIR Camera Controller GUI will be valid only for the current session Cycling power to the camera will revert to the previously saved settings TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 11 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual Factory Defaults The Factory Defaults button restores the camera s settings to the initial values specified by the manufacturer Factory Defaults If you want the factory default settings to become the power up defaults first click the Factory Defaults button then click the Save Settings button Reset Camera The Reset Camera button restarts the camera software and is nearly identical to cycling power Reset Camera Test Pattern A Test Pattern mode is provided to verify test Pattern camera electronics The Test Pattern mode will not persist off Ramp over a power cycle Off No test pattern is provided in this mode This is
78. the analog image will use the Zoom 1x state When this pin is Low the analog image will use the Zoom state The camera will power up in the saved default state and switch to the discrete input defined state when the pin state 15 changed 3 This function is required for effective use of shutterless Tau cameras positive going edge pulse to this pin will direct the camera to perform the Do FFC function Ox12 4 This pin is normally at V and changes to V when the FCC imminent icon is present on the analog image The FFC Warn time command Ox3C controls both the analog icon and the state of this pin O This pin is used to enable additional control of the camera The default state is auto matic FFC mode with this pin held at 3 3 V by an internal pull up When this pin is pulled low the camera will change to Manual FFC mode issuing the FFC Mode Select command 0x11 O2manual 71 Automatic The camera will power up in the saved de fault state and switch to the discrete input defined state when the pin state is changed 6 Not defined Connection of either 3 3 V or O V to this pin will not have an effect on camera operation TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 4 9 4 Tau Digital Data Channel Tau User s Manual FLIR 4 10 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 5 Overview of the Electrical Interface 9 1 Input Power The Tau camera operates from DC power per the specifications given below It is common in
79. the normal mode for viewing thermal Imagery Ramp In this ramp mode the test pattern shown below and in the Color LUT section that follows is provided at the analog and digital data channels pix 0 0 0 pix 639 0 et m pix 25 408 16383 pix 25 409 0 Figure 3 6 Ramp test pattern example for Top Portion of Tau Ramp Image Digital values shown apply to the optional 14 bit digital data stream The above ramp pattern repeats 19 times in the complete 320 x 256 image Note The ramp test pattern is intended primarily for verifying the output of the digital data channel The pattern will not necessarily look as shown above when displayed on an analog video monitor particularly if an Automatic Gain Control AGC mode other than Automatic is selected The above image 15 a horizontal slice of the full displayed image Gain Mode The Tau camera has two gain ranges High gain mode is designed to maximize contrast for imaging applications Low gain mode has lower contrast but a higher dynamic range and is designed for viewing hot targets Auto gain mode allows the Tau camera to switch between Low and High gain mode based the scene being viewed Auto mode is controlled by the Gain Switch Values in the Thermal tab See Thermal Tab on page 3 25 3 12 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI 3 8 Analog Video Tab The Analog Video tab on the F
80. u WFOV Locking Ring and Tool 421 0041 00 Tau Locking Ring Accessory with o ring 421 0042 00 Lock Nut Tool Type 2 O25 O ring not included The locking ring is designed to mount a Tau WFOV camera into a bulkhead The M29 x 1 0 thread on the outside of the lens mount flange is placed through the clearance hole in the bulkhead and the o ring seals the camera to the face The locking ring accessory is made of Delrin so as not to scratch the nickle plating on the Tau camera lens flange Scratching the external nickle plating can compromise the coating and make the Tau camera more susceptible to corrosion The lock nut tool will attach to a torque wrench for proper tightening Torque the locking ring to 4 0 in lbs 2 2 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Tau User s Manual 2 Optional Tau Accessories 2 3 Backward compatible Photon accessories The following are accessories that offer a development environment and extended features for your Tau camera oo DUE X r 5 6 Figure 2 2 Photon Replicator Kit Cable Tau to I O Module 6 foot length Part Number 3O8 0076 02 Input Output 1 0 Module Part Number 333 001 8 00 AC DC Power Supply Part Number 206 0001 20 IEC Line Cord Part Number 208 0004 02 Photon Replicator Kit Part Number 250 0324 00 Wearsaver Part Number 250 01 94 00 Not Shown Rear Cover The Photon Replicator kit p n 421 0045 00 includes all of the above comp
81. ways NTSC PAL compatible Changes for reduced frame rate and reduced size array do not effect analog video format 5 4 Command and Control Channel Remote control of the Tau camera is provided via a RS 232 serial interface consisting of signals named RX TX and GND using 3 3 volt signal levels Chapter 3 provides information regarding remote control using the FLIR Camera Controller GUI Appendix B describes the serial communications protocol in detail for the Tau camera 5 5 LVDS Digital Data Channel Tau provides a digital channel with real time serialized digital video The camera outputs either O bit or 14 bit data using the SD_CLK SD_FSYNC and SD_DATA signals Conversion of the digital data to a parallel format for data acquisition requires a serial to parallel converter accessory Information regarding the digital data interface is provided in Chapter 4 5 6 Parallel Digital Data Channel TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 5 3 5 Overview of the Electrical Interface Tau User s Manual FLIR 5 4 January 2010 TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 Appendix A Pin out Definitions 1 1 0 Module 333 0018 00 e Camera Connector See Chapter 5 Power Connector Mates to Switchcraft 5760 Miniature Power Plug e Video Connector Mates to 75Q BNC twist on plug e Serial Connector Mates to DB9 e Digital Data Connector Mates to Three How DB 15 Female Table 1 1 0 Module Power Connector Pin Out Signal Name Si
82. where the edge enhancement can be tuned for the scene Use the slider to adjust the setting or select the text field and type in the desired setting Note In 14 bit Raw mode selecting the DDE mode will not affect the digital data output Video On Off This feature allows you to turn off the analog video output which will result in some power video OnJOIT savings approximately 55mW On CO off Video Standard Choose the video standard for ideo Standard your system NTSC TAU 0035 00 10 version 120 January 2010 3 15 3 Basic Operation of the Tau and GUI Tau User s Manual Polarity LUT The Tau camera detects and images the temperatures a given scene Within the Camera these temperatures are mapped as determined by the AGC algorithm selected to a range of O to 255 values In a black and white display mode this range 15 converted to shades of grey with for example O being totally black and 255 being totally white The to 255 grayshades range sensed is referenced to a Look Up Table LUT permanently stored in the camera to convert the scene to a video image Different LUTs are available to change the appearance of the displayed image The most common selection is either White Hot hotter objects appear brighter than cooler objects in the video display or Black Hot hotter objects appear darker than cooler objects Since the difference between these two modes simply reverses the choice of da

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