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Falcon 4 Camera User's Manual
Camera Operation
Exposure Controls
Exposure Control modes define the method and timing of how to control the sensor integration
period. The integration period is the amount of time the sensor is exposed to incoming light before
the video frame data is transmitted to the controlling computer.
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Exposure control is defined as the start of exposure and exposure duration.
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The start of exposure can be an internal timer signal (free-running mode), an external
trigger signal, or a software function call trigger.
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The exposure duration can be programmable (such as the case of an internal timer) or
controlled by the external trigger pulse width.
The Falcon4 camera can grab images in one of three ways. The three imaging modes are
determined using a combination of the Exposure Mode parameters (including I/O parameters),
Exposure Time and Frame Rate parameters.
Description
Frame Rate
Exposure Time
Trigger Source
Internal frame rate and exposure
time
Internal, programmable
Internal programmable
Internal
External frame rate and exposure
time
Controlled by external
pulse
External
External
EXSYNC pulse controlling the frame
rate. Programmed exposure time.
Controlled by external
pulse
Internal programmable
External
Figure 9: Exposure controls
Internally Programmable Frame Rate and Internally Programmable Exposure
Time (Default)
Frame rate is the dominant factor when adjusting the frame rate or exposure time. When setting
the frame rate, exposure time will decrease, if necessary, to accommodate the new frame rate.
When adjusting the exposure time the range is limited by the frame rate.
Note:
The camera will not set frame periods shorter than the readout period.
Camera Features:
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TriggerMode = Off
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AcquisitionFrameRate = 30 (for example)
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ExposureMode = Timed
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ExposureTime = 10000 (for example)
Preliminary