BitFlow NEO-PCE-CLB, Hardware Reference Manual

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New Timing Generator Introduction
Version G.5 BitFlow, Inc. NEO-3-1
New Timing Generator
Chapter 3
3.1 Introduction
This section covers the new timing generator (NTG) which can control cameras con-
nected to the Karbon, Neon and Alta. The purpose of this timing generator is to pro-
vide a simple system of controlling a camera’s exposure time and line/frame rate from
the frame grabber. The NTG is fully programmable and is easily controlled from soft-
ware and/or from camera configuration files.
The NTG is based on a completely independent timing generator that is unrelated to
acquisition and the CTabs. This timing generator is easy to program, does not
depend on camera architecture or triggering modes, and offers the granularity and
range that customers need. There is no connection between the NTG and the acquisi-
tion state machine, the CTabs, the VAW/HAW or the camera connected.
The New Timing Generator supports both triggered and free running modes. For trig-
gered modes it supports both the trigger signal for area cameras or the encoder sig-
nal for line cameras.
The NTG requires that the camera be put in one of two modes. If the NTG is going to
control just the line/frame rate, then the camera should be programmed into a “trig-
gered” mode. In this case, the exposure is controlled by the camera. IF the NTG is to
control both the line/frame rate as well as the exposure time, then the camera must
be put into a “pulse width control” mode. In this case, neither the line/frame rate nor
the exposure time are controlled by the camera. They are both completely controlled
by the NTG.
Note: The NTG replaces the on-board timing generator that was prevouisly available
on all boards. The NTG is much more flexible and easier to use. Please contact BitFlow
if you have been using the previous on-board timing generator.