xiMU - Technical Manual Version 2.10
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4.3.
Acquisition modes
4.3.1.
Free-Run
Also known as continuous acquisition. In this mode the sensor delivers a constant stream of image data at the maximum speed
available by the current bandwidth, without any external trigger. Each image exposition is started automatically when possible.
For all sensors the exposure of the next frame overlaps with the data readout of the previous frame.
This Overlapped mode gives the highest number of frames per second (FPS).
figure 4-1, acquisition mode - free run
In this mode the timing depends on minimum of Exposure Time and Data Readout Time.
4.3.2.
Triggered Acquisition
Unlike in the free-run, each image exposition can also be triggered with an input trigger signal. In this mode, the sensor waits in
stage until the trigger signal arrives. Only then, the exposure is started, which is followed by the data readout.
4.3.2.1.
Software Trigger
The trigger signal can be sent to the sensor using a software command. In this case, common system related latencies and jitter
apply.
4.3.2.2.
Hardware Trigger
A hardware trigger can be send to the sensor using the digital input described in
. Triggering by hardware is usually used to reduce latencies as well as jitter in applications that require the most
accurate timing.
ex
po
su
re
rea
do
ut
ex
po
su
re
rea
do
ut
ex
po
su
re
rea
do
ut
FRAME_ACTIVE
EXPOSURE_ACTIVE
EXPOSURE_PULSE
FRAME_TRIGGER_WAIT
BUSY
ACQ running
internall state
t
EXP
acqusition start
acqusition stop
t
RD
