Adimec Camera Link OPAL Series, Operating And Users Manual

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OPERATING AND USER MANUAL OPAL FAMILY
69
OPTION: AEC/VEM
Option: AEC/VEM 10.
Introduction 10.1
The AEC option is available on all OPAL family members. This application note describes the
functionality of the option.
AEC stands for Automatic Exposure Control. In the OPAL camera series this breaks down into two
basic functionalities:
• Automatic Gain Control
• Automatic Integration time Control
The VEM option is available on the monochrome OPAL family members only.
VEM stands for Video Enhancement Module. This function optimizes contrast for the whole image
based on real-time measurements made on a predefined window within the image.
The camera can be operated as any standard OPAL camera for setting the parameters described in
this Application Note.
In this Application Note the following abbreviations will be used:
AGC: Automatic Gain Control
AIC: Automatic Integration time Control
AEC: Automatic Exposure Control: the combination of both AIC and AGC
Performance 10.2
AEC 10.2.1.
The Automatic Exposure Control is fully configurable. The measurement window can be set; the auto
exposure setpoint is adjustable. These parameters are common for both Automatic Gain Control and
Automatic Integration time Control.
Both AIC and AGC can be enabled separately. The AIC will control in discrete steps. Therefore it is
advised to always have both AGC and AIC enabled; in this configuration the AGC will act as a fine-
tuning mechanism for the AIC. If the AIC is enabled and AGC is disabled, gain will be set to last gain
set by the automatic gain control or manual gain.
This figure indicates the control loop of AEC. Figure 10.1:
VEMWIN
AECWIN
CCD
AEC
_
M
E
AN
V
E
M_
ME
A
N
VE
M
_
PE
AK_
M
IN
IM
U
M
MEASUREMENT
IMAGE-DATA
TO
N
TO
F
F
AGC
AIC
VEM
GAIN / BLACKLEVEL
EQUAL TO
MEASUREMENT
WINDOW OR
COMPLETE IMAGE
COMPLETE IMAGE
DIGITAL IMAGE OUT
AEC
_
G
A
VEM
_
G
A
VEM
_
B
L
A
C
K
=> SETPOINT !