INTERFACING JAI CV-A1 CCD WITH NI1409 CARD

[mohannandigana]

We are interfacing Jai CV-A1 CCD with NI1409:

While trying to grab with Measurment & Autimation, it is showing :

"Aquisition Error:
can't lock on video source"

We followed the instructions given in website:

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/conceptd.nsf/webmain/59C26040B9E0B81C86256BB300825633


A similar question is posted earlier and the solution says not only BNC connection but also PCLOCK pin to be connected. If this is one of the solution, how do we do it.

[Scott_R]

Hello,

With the JAI CV-A1 camera, you should be connecting the PCLK signal, because that signal is used to synchronize the acquisition. You are likely getting the video lock error because the camera requires a clocking signal to synchronize its outputs. All of your signal connections should occur through the 68-pin VHDCI connector. There are two primary ways to do this, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 in the document that you referenced.

The first method makes use of an IMAQ A6822 breakout box to connect to the 68-pin connector of your 1409. The BNC connectors on the 6822 can be connected to separate BNC signals for VIDEO 0, HSYNC, VSYNC, and PCLK. To do this, you will need a 12-pin Hirose connector that is broken out into those respective signals. The Hirose connector will then be plugged into the 12-pin connector on your camera.

The second method requires a particular cable that connects from the 68-pin connector of the PCI 1409 directly to the 12-pin Hirose connector and has a separate Hirose connector that will be used to power the camera. This cable is the IMAQ A8014 Cable, and is available from National Instruments.

Try one of those two methods and let me know if you have any additional questions on this issue. Either method will connect your PCLK signal.

Regards,
Scott R.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[mohannandigana]

Thanks for your advise how to post the message in reply mode. I will follow the instructions in reply mode not to make multiple postings.

I am herewith enclosing the manual of the Jai CV-A1 CCD.

[Scott_R]

Hello,

When you connected your camera, did you connect the serial connector on the back of the camera to one of your COM serial ports on the computer? It looks as though the JAI configuration utility that you are using makes use of serial communication. Be sure to connect that signal and send your configuration commands that way. So you should have two connections from your camera to the 1409: the serial cable from the trigger input to the COM port and the cable connecting your Gain/DC In/Sync connector to the 68-pin connector of the PCI 1409 card.

Try those connections and then use the configuration tool and try to acquire images in MAX. Let me know if you have any additional questions on this issue.

Regards,
Scott R.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[mohannandigana]

Thanks.

We have connected the Jai CV-A1 CCD with NI1409 card as given in the manual. We are purchased from NI the following

1. NI1409 card with IMAQ 3.1 version
2.188633-04 Cable Assy, IMAQ A8014 Cbl for connection to Sony and JAI Camera
3.IMAQ-BNC-1, Analog Camera Cable, 2 m

we are connecting the 68 pin to 12 pin to the CV A1 CCD. The BNC connector is used to get the output. The power supply is connected as shown in the attachment.
Please let us know how to connect as indicated in your support. Do we have to buy any additional cable for this connection.

[Scott_R]

Hello,

You will also need the 6-pin female hirose connector to DSUB 9-pin female connector cable. That cable is needed to send serial commands to the camera via the JAI configuration utility software. If you do not have that cable connecting the camera to your serial port, you will not be able to use the JAI software with your camera.

Regards,
Scott R.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[mohannandigana]

Thanks for your support. Right now we are using a cable from NI 68 pin to 12 pin which is connected to NI1409 (68 pin)while 12 pin is connected to the Jai CV A1. The NI card had only one BNC connector. Suppose if we purchase this additional 6 pin cable, which can be connected to CV A1 and where do we connect the output of the cable. The NI 1409 does not have the facility to incorproate this. Kindly advise. Is this cable is available from NI or we have to obtain from Jai.

[mohannandigana]

The cable currently we have is A8014 as shown in attachment. Please let us know how to use for 6 pin connections

[Scott_R]

Hello,

The 6-Pin Hirose connector should be available from JAI. This cable connects your camera to the a 9-pin serial port and will enable you to use the JAI camera configuration utility. This cable does not connect to the PCI 1409 and is not used with the NI-IMAQ software. That connection is purely so that you can use the software that JAI provides for their cameras. I would suggest contacting JAI to obtain the cable that will allow you to configure the camera using their utility software. Once you have configured the camera using their utility, you can use the connection to the PCI 1409 to acquire images in Measurement and Automation Explorer. The JAI utility can be used to modify settings for scanning format, trigger modes, readout modes, shutter speed, pixel clock output, sync on/off, programmable exposure, manual gain, AGC, and Gamma for that camera.

Regards,
Scott R.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[mohannandigana]

The 6-Pin Hirose connector should be available from JAI. This cable connects your camera to the a 9-pin serial port and will enable you to use the JAI camera configuration utility. This cable does not connect to the PCI 1409 and is not used with the NI-IMAQ software. That connection is purely so that you can use the software that JAI provides for their cameras. I would suggest contacting JAI to obtain the cable that will allow you to configure the camera using their utility software. Once you have configured the camera using their utility, you can use the connection to the PCI 1409 to acquire images in Measurement and Automation Explorer. The JAI utility can be used to modify settings for scanning format, trigger modes, readout modes, shutter speed, pixel clock output, sync on/off, programmable exposure, manual gain, AGC, and Gamma for that camera.

Regards,
Scott R.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

SUPPORT NEED FROM SCOTT R

We have purchased the 6-pin Hirose and 9-Pin serial port from Jai to interface the CCD with NI1409. We went to the Jai utility tool and carried the settings as indicated but we again had a problem. After using the 6-pin Hirose connector we could not able to open the CCD. We are enclosing the jpg image which still shows the same for further advise from NI.

Regards