MAIA M2
Quick User Guide
EOPTIS / SAL ENGINEERING
Page 10 of 15
MAIA M2
Rev.1.01 - 07/2019
Copyright © 2016-2019
See also section 2.6 Image acquisition for more details on the use of EXTTRIG and FREERUN signals.
2.3.3
S
ERIAL PORT FOR COMMUNICATION WITH CONTROLLER
On the main connector there is a serial port, which allows you to communicate with the controller via point-to-point
connection. The use of this interface is reserved.
2.4
M
ICRO
SD
CARD AND IMAGE FORMAT
The camera saves the images in proprietary RAW format, at max 1fps on a microSD card. The color sensor saves 16 bit
RGB 4:6:4 already debayered. The monochrome sensor can be set to 8 or 12 bits.
The SD card must be removed and inserted ONLY with the camera turned off, i.e. the camera must not be connected
via USB to a PC or other external device nor must there be power from the main connector.
The camera supports 32GB microSD, with FAT32 formatting and 64k clusters (it is the default value used by Windows
for formatting this type of media). The card must be class 10 U3. The following models have been validated:
• Kingston Gold 32GB
• SanDisk Extreme Pro 32GB
• Samsung Pro Plus 32GB.
Operation with other cards of similar or higher specifications is generally possible but not guaranteed. The use of
capacities beyond 32GB is not recommended.
2.5
USB
CONNECTORS
The camera has a USB2.0 connector for transferring the images saved on the SD to the PC, which will see the SD as an
external drive. Access to the card is made by connecting the camera to the PC with a USB A / Micro-B cable. It is not
recommended to power the camera simultaneously from USB and the main connector. The content of the SD is made
visible to the PC when connected. With the USB connection active, the other camera functions are inhibited.
When the camera is powered by USB, two LEDs, indicating the exposure level, flash.
2.6
I
MAGES ACQUISITION
There are two ways of acquiring images, alternatives to each other:
• Continuous (or Freerun): the camera acquires 1fps images
• With external trigger: the camera acquires an image at the rising edge of the EXTTRIG trigger signal. The time
separation between two successive triggers must be greater than or equal to 1s. The exposure of the image
begins typically within 0.3ms from the trigger front.
In both cases, the acquisition takes place simultaneously from the two sensors. The two modes are managed through
the button and the FREERUN and EXTTRIG pins of the connector.
2.7
ACQ
E
LED
S BUTTONS
The ACQ button allows you to:
• Start and stop the Freerun acquisition mode
• Adjust the bit depth of monochrome images (8 or 12 bits)
• Adjust the exposure target between three levels (0.15, 0.20, 0.25)
To start the freerun acquisition, press the button quickly. When the freerun acquisition has been started with the
button, it is necessary to press the button again to stop it. Any events on the EXTTRIG and FREERUN inputs are ignored.
To set the parameters, keep the button pressed for 3s, until the Bit LED flashes. Press the button to move the led to the
desired setting. Confirm by holding the button for 3s. The configuration moves to the exposure level and the Exp LED
flashes. Set to the desired level by pressing the button. Exit the configuration mode by holding the button down for 3s.
