Mega
Plus
®
Model 1.4i
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
The
Mega
Plus Camera is a high-resolution solid-state camera designed for scientific and
industrial imaging applications. The system consists of a DC powered Camera Head with a 68
pin digital interface. There are no manual user controls on the camera, however the camera is
operated by commands sent through a serial communication link. The Camera works with either
an RS232 or RS422 serial communications command input.
The operation of the
Mega
Plus Camera is very similar to the operation of a 35mm film camera. In
a film camera, the film is exposed by opening the shutter for a specific amount of time. The
shutter then closes and the film is advanced to the next frame. In the
Mega
Plus Camera, a built-
in electromechanical shutter is used the same way. The shutter opens exposing the sensor, and
then closes while the image captured by the sensor is sent to a frame store device. The shutter
in the
Mega
Plus Camera can be controlled internally or externally.
The Camera Head features a high-resolution Charge-Coupled-Device (CCD) array containing
1,317 (H) x 1,035 (V) light sensitive elements (pixels). These pixels are 6.8 microns square and
have a center-to-center spacing of 6.8 microns (100% fill ratio). Using a high quality lens with the
Mega
Plus Camera will produce the best possible resolution.
The equal horizontal and vertical geometry simplify measurements taken with the camera. The
benefit of having a 100% fill ratio is reduced aliasing, improved subpixel accuracy, and a 100%
light sensitive area. The Camera output has an 8-bit digital video output containing 256 levels of
gray for each pixel. Exposure is adjustable from 1 millisecond to 100 seconds in 1-millisecond
increments using the internal exposure control. Exposure times from 1 millisecond to the longest
time practical can be had by using an external exposure control signal.
The camera can be triggered asynchronously to capture high-speed events. Separate exposure
and readout cycles can be achieved by using a pulsed illumination light source such as a strobe.
An external strobe flash unit can be synchronized through a BNC connector on the rear panel of
the camera. This dramatically improves picture quality when the object being photographed is in
motion.
The
Mega
Plus Camera is ruggedly designed and can accommodate moderate amounts of shock
and vibration. Gaskets protect the camera’s interior components from dust, contaminants and
EMI.
1.2 How to Use This Manual
WARNINGS, CAUTIONS and NOTES
As you read this manual, you will notice that some of the information is presented as a
WARNING, CAUTION or NOTE. It is important that you understand the significance of these
terms.
A
WARNING
is important to the safety of anyone operating the Camera and should not be
disregarded under any circumstances.
A
CAUTION
is intended to alert you to an operation or condition that may cause loss of data or
harm to your Camera.
A
NOTE
contains information that is important to the operation of your Camera.
91000050-002 Revision A
1-1
USER’S MANUAL
Summary of Contents for 1.4i
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