AVT AVT Dolphin User manual

Brand: AVT

Model: AVT Dolphin

Type: User manual

A new standard in the

world of digital cameras.

AVT Dolphin IEEE 1394 megapixel camera.

AVT Dolphin

The high data rates of 400 Mbit/s, the

remarkable image quality and steadily fal-

ling prices of cameras and interface cards

make FireWire cameras a more and more

popular choice for industrial use.

Sensor

In this class of digital cameras, the

Dolphin F-145 uses one of the most high

performance 2/3 type sensors available on

the market and sets high standards regar-

ding professional criteria such as image

quality, resolution, contrast and low-noise

while at the same time offering high light-

sensitivity. The image rate of 15 full ima-

ges/s is unique in this class. The sensor

used in the Dolphin drastically reduces

blooming and smear and results in the

production of visibly better images.

12-bit A/D converter

A low-noise 12-bit A/D converter allows

the Dolphin to digitize the finest details of

the image sensor pixel-synchronously and

at a high level of quality. The IEEE 1394

interface allows the simple and even

image-synchronous changes to the analo-

gue parameters of the converter such as

gain, offset and white balance (color ver-

sion). The downstream look-up tables

additionally offer arbitrary image manipu-

lation without loss of quality such as the

choice of 10-bit or 8-bit domains, for

example.

Smart Features

The Dolphin's many integrated smart fea-

tures make numerous image processing

tasks possible on the fly, which can lessen

the load on a PC with downstream image

processing capability.

Look-up tables

Up to 63 different LUTs are programmable

in the internal cache of the Dolphin

camera and can be integrated into the

system as needed. LUTs can be created

with a PC (for example with a standard

program like Excel™) and then easily loa-

ded into the camera. The advantages of

the Dolphin's integrated look-up tables

become especially apparent during com-

plex image processing tasks such as the

creation of non-linear characteristic func-

tions for the accentuation of different

image levels (gamma LUT) or during image

or threshold operations.

Sequencing

The LUTs as well as the configuration of

the A/D converter and the image sizes

during partial scans can be switched pic-

ture-perfectly through the use of sequen-

cing. Multi-variable use in industrial

image processing thereby becomes possi-

ble, for example the compensation of

image quality as a consequence of diffe-

rent illuminational colors during complex

image inspection.

Image caching

The Dolphin can save up to 16 high-reso-

lution images to its memory (15 images F-

201). The taking of images and their sub-

sequent read-out is completely seperated

by the image cache and triggering. The

speed of the image read-out can be con-

trolled thus limiting the bus load. The easy

caching of images makes for a much finer

filtering of images.

Shading correction

A further smart feature of the Dolphin is

unique shading correction. Each pixel can

be corrected and the compensation of all

unequal lighting, lenses and more can

take place in the camera on the fly.

Seperate processing on the PC is unneces-

sary and saves time.

The AVT Dolphin Series

Many camera systems shine with impressi-

ve specifications. The differences, howe-

ver, lie in the concept. In the combination

of all components. In the development

know-how. In the precise production. The

Dolphin by Allied Vision Technologies is a

paradigm of innovative technology. Its

unique image data is delivered through

the perfect coordination of all compo-

nents. The Dolphin cameras are available

in b/w (B) and color (C) variations, with

1.4 MPixel and 2.01 MPixel:

● AVT Dolphin F-145B

● AVT Dolphin F-145C

● AVT Dolphin F-201B

● AVT Dolphin F-201C

The AVT Dolphin F-145, available both in

color and black/white, is a C-Mount

camera which is equipped with a 1.45

megapixel SONY 2/3 type progressive CCD

sensor. The AVT Dolphin F-201 uses a 2.01

megapixel 1/1.8 type progressive CCD sen-

sor. All Dolphin F-145 cameras operate

both in 8-bit or 10-bit mode (F-145B: 12-

bit), ensuring extremely high quality ima-

ges. All Dolphin F-201 cameras operate in

8-bit mode, ensuring the highest frame

rate in combination with extremely high

resolution images. The cameras are equip-

ped with an internal frame buffer - to

decouple frame-grabbing from transmis-

sions. A real-time shading correction and

up to 63 user-definable realtime look-up

tables are ideal for smart preprocessing.

With full frame rates up to 15 fps (full

resolution; 12.75 fps F-201B) the AVT

Dolphin family is ideal for high-demand

image processing and factory automation

tasks. With partial scan the frame rate

increases even higher or alternatively, the

bandwidth consumption decreases.

Color versions use sophisticated real-time

color conversion with color correction on

board, ensuring high color fidelity.

An option for RAW image transfers is also

available. This lowers the bandwidth and

increases the image quality when trans-

mitting at 10 bits per pixel.

Last but not least: The Dolphin cameras

are easy to integrate as a result of the AVT

FirePackage.

FireWire™ - the new standard in image

processing.

Introduced to the computer industry by

Apple as early as 1994, the digital connec-

tion technology known as IEEE 1394

(FireWire™ or i.Link™) has become a major

player in the field of industrial image pro-

cessing.

It makes simplest computer compatability

and bidirectional data transfer via plug &

play possible.

Sensor with smear:

Dolphin:

LUT 12-bit <-> 10 bit

Gamma LUT

External connection

and control

Apart from its standard mode of opera-

tion, the Dolphin offers many more sophi-

sticated trigger possibilities. Up to three

inputs and three outputs are available for

the hardware connection to the process.

Apart from the external trigger via an

external signal edge with selectable pola-

rity, the possibility to activate the captu-

ring of an image through the connection

of two signals (e.g. gate and trigger) also

exists. The gate input works as a prepara-

tory input when a part, which needs to be

controlled, comes closer. The trigger acti-

vates when the part is precisely in front of

the camera. A direct connection to an

incremental encoder over three input sig-

nals (Count, Up/Down, Reset) is also pos-

sible.

Delayed flashtrigger

An output on the camera shows the inte-

gration time so that it can be used for the

control of a flash for example. Delayed

flashes can be programmed with the

delayed flashtrigger as well.

Software

The Dolphin comes with a sophisticated

operating system (firmware) which con-

trols all functions of the camera. The large

memory is easily upgradable with client-

specific functions and meets all criteria

regarding optional demands. It doesn't

get any easier than this: the camera

doesn't even need to be opened - with the

help of a small PC program the firmware is

simply uploaded via the serial port of the

Dolphin.

AVT FirePackage

We control both sides of the cable: the AVT

FirePackage is the smart software for inte-

grating IEEE 1394 cameras into applica-

tions. Today digital cameras are just as

easy to use in image processing as analo-

gue cameras and frame grabbers - but with

much better images and higher speeds of

course.

The prerequisites for easy integration are

achieved with the AVT FirePackage.

The Dolphin family and AVT FirePackage

are compatible with all standared image

processing packages such as HALCON,

Active Vision Tools and with manufacturers

such as National Instruments MVTec and

Matrox, who support the FireWire stan-

dard.

Connectors

The 12-HIROSE connector of the Dolphin

directs all digital input and output signals

as well as the optional power supply and

the serial port. Compatible cables (inclu-

ding those to client specifications) up to

17.5 m in lengths are obtainable from

Allied Vision Technologies.

FIF0 - Image caching

AVT FirePackage

ALLIED VISION TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

Marketing and Sales

Taschenweg 2a | D-07646 Stadtroda | Germany

Phone: +49 36428/677-0 | Fax: +49 36428/677-24

www.alliedvisiontec.com | [email protected]

Industrial FireWire™ connector

The connection to the IEEE 1394 bus takes

place over a robust industrial, interlocked

connector with twist protection. The rele-

vant cable with a length of 4.5 m is inclu-

ded with the delivery. Longer cables with

a length of up to 17.5 m are available.

With the use of compact repeaters, the

camera can be placed many meters away.

The image quality does not suffer from

this at all, of course.

Status LEDs

Three status Leds inform of the presence

of power, external triggers and communi-

cation under normal conditions. In the

case of an error, the LEDs visualise inter-

nal errors with flashes. The camera also

includes a temperature sensor which can

be checked via the bus.

Robust construction for hard working

conditions

The internal mechanical and electrical

construction has been designed with hard

industrial environment conditions in

mind.

Highlights

● Dolphin F-145: SXGA+ 1392 x 1040

pixel progressive type 2/3 CCD

● Dolphin F-201: UXGA 1628 x 1236

pixel progressive type 1/1.8 CCD

● Ext. async. trigger / shutter

● Manual gain up to +30 dB (+24 dB

Dolphin F-145C)

● Manual shutter (20μs...

to 4 s)

● 8-bit output

● 16-bit output (10-bit data)

● True partial scan (frame rate increa-

sing)

● 16 frame buffers FIFO

(F-201: 15 frames)

● Real-time shading correction

● Up to 63 progr. look-up tables

● On-board color conversion (Dolphin

F-145C)

● On-board color correction (Dolphin F-

145C)

● Industrial IEEE 1394 connector

● C-Mount

● 12-pin HIROSE

● 3 inputs, 3 outputs; configurable

● Incl. 4.5 m cable

Excel is a trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.

FireWire is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.

The information presented in this document does not form part of

any quotation or contract, is believed to be accurate and reliable,

and may be changed at any time without notice. No liability will

be accepted by the publisher for any consequences of its use.

Publication there of does not convey or imply any licence under

patent or other industrial or intellectual property rights.

Printed in Germany - 03/2007

AVT AVT Dolphin User manual

AVT AVT Dolphin User manual

AVT AVT Dolphin User manual

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