Camera File Generator, Attribute Actions and Default Pulse Generation: when are they handled?

[Andy Peters]

I'm creating a camera file for a custom camera.  I'm using a PCI-1426 card.

I want to use CC1 as a "trigger."  When the camera sees a pulse on CC1, it reads out the detector, then sends the image to the computer.

It makes sense that this pulse on CC1 occurs after the "Snap" button is pressed (in MAX or the Camera File Generator).  So I figured that setting up a simple pulse on CC1 in Default Pulse Generation in the Camera File Generator would do what I want.  But when I monitor the Camera Link SerTC line and the CC1 line, I don't see CC1 toggling as I expect.

Also: I've set up a handful of Attributes which are used to configure my camera.  (For example, one attribute selects either "real image" or "test pattern.")  These attributes have an associated Serial Action.  My impression is that when you press "Snap," all of the current values for each attribute that has a Serial Action, as well as what's set up under Serial Initialization, are handled, and are sequentially set to the camera.  Is this really what's happening?

So with respect to those Serial Actions, when is a Default Pulse Generation handled?

If one chooses "Grab" instead of "snap," then are the attributes sent to the camera, and then the default pulses handled?

Thanks in advance,
-a

[Allison_S]

Andy,

    This is Allison -- we have been communicating over e-mail.  I just spoke with our R&D rep and have many of your answers for you.  Using CC1 as a trigger, and you suspected, is the most common method.  Setting it up in the default section, though, will not do what you want.  When you open the camera file generator, you will notice that there is a Camera Control tab, within it an attributes section.  When you open a camera file, you can see the tree structure of many of the settings.  The one of interest would be the section called Camera Control.  When the user chooses Continuous or Control in MAX, the serial settings sent for each are what you see when you click on those selections.

    For instance, if I open the 1426 card, and the camera file for the Ademic 1000M single and click the Control settings, the serial commands that are sent appear in the pulse generation section on the right.  These commands are sent at the start of the acquisition (low for 10 ticks of the clock, high for IntegrationTime*50-1250 ticks).  This will send the needed high pulse onto the CC1 line.

    Your assumptions are correct, at the beginning of the acquisition (Snap or Grab) the serial commands are handled.  The Pulse Generation settings are more of a trigger for the acquisition, so they are sent just before each frame (in that they are what starts the frame acquisition).  If you have more questions I would recommend calling me through your service request -- it would be easier to answer questions in more detail there.  Thank you!

-Allison S.

Applications Engineering