Intensified Retiga Fast 1394 User’s Manual Applicability This document applies to the Intensified Retiga Fast 1394 camera. For the latest updates, please visit WWW.QIMAGING.COM. Notice of Copyright Copyright 2003 Quantitative Imaging Corporation. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication of this document is prohibited. Trademarks and Proprietary Names QImaging, Retiga, and QCapture are trademarks of QImaging.
CONTENTS Intensified Retiga Fast 1394 User’s Manual ...................................................................... i INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 Power Requirements ................................................................................................... 1 Host Requirements ......................................................................................................
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION The QImaging Intensified Retiga digital camera system is a megapixel high quantum efficiency intensified 12-bit FireWire camera for demanding low-light and high-speed imaging applications. The Intensified Retiga utilizes an 18mm Gen III image intensifying photomultiplier tube with high-speed gate control for nanosecond exposures. The photomultiplier tube is fiber-optically coupled to a 2/3 inch megapixel progressive interline CCD.
For Mac OS Computers: • PowerPC-based Macintosh with an OHCI compliant IEEE 1394 port (G4 and iMac models). • iMac models may not provide enough power to cooled cameras. QImaging’s IEEE 1394 HUB may be required to power the camera. Contact QImaging for ordering information. • Mac OS 9.1, 9.2 or X • 256 MB+ RAM • All the G4 and iMac models are equipped with a FireWire card. The supplied IEEE 1394 PCI is not required for Mac OS computers.
QCapture Suite Software The Intensified Retiga Fast 1394 operates on both Windows and Mac OS based systems. QCapture Suite Software for both systems is available at WWW.QIMAGING.COM. The easy-to-use QCapture software gives you complete control over the camera’s settings and image capture functions. QCapture Suite also includes a TWAIN-compliant interface that allows many Windows image-editing applications to acquire images using QImaging cameras.
CHAPTER 2 INSTALLATION IMPORTANT: Follow these steps in order to complete the installation. DO NOT CONNECT the camera until the camera driver is installed. 1. Windows PC users only: Install the IEEE 1394 PCI card - only if necessary. 2. Imaging Software - Install the software and drivers that your new QImaging camera needs to capture images. 3. Intensified Retiga Fast 1394 - Connect the camera to your computer using the supplied IEEE 1394 cable.
If your PC does not have a functioning FireWire port, you must install the IEEE 1394 PCI card that came with your camera. If necessary, install the supplied IEEE 1394 PCI card: • Shut down your computer. • Open the case, and install the supplied IEEE 1394 card into an empty PCI slot. See the user’s manual for your computer for complete instructions on installing new PCI cards. • Restart your computer. Windows should automatically install the appropriate software drivers for the card. Step 2.
Connecting the camera to a PC/MAC desktop or MAC laptop Computer Perform the following for connecting your camera. • Remove the FireWire cable from the camera box, and plug one end of the cable into one of the camera’s FireWire sockets (either socket is fine). FIREWIRE PORTS + A U X 1 3 9 4 Figure 3— Camera FireWire Sockets.
Code 28 or the software not working consistently. In this case, external power must be delivered to the camera which can be accomplished by connecting the camera via one of the following methods.
Computer Port2 Not Connected Port1 Camera 110/240 VAC Figure 7— FireWire and 1394 Power Supply Connection If you purchased an IEEE 1394 HUB, connect your camera as per the following figure. Camera Computer 1394 HUB 110/240 VAC Figure 8— FireWire and IEEE 1394 HUB Connection 2. PCMCIA Card with a 4-pin/6-pin Firewire Port In some cases, laptop computers have a firewire port from a PCMCIA card. Most of these PCMCIA cards allow an external connection directly to the card.
CHAPTER 3 CAMERA BASICS The Intensified Retiga Fast 1394’s image capture capabilities are controlled entirely by your imaging software. This chapter provides basic instructions for working with the camera itself. Turning the Camera On and Off To turn the Intensified Retiga Fast 1394 on, all you need to do is to flip the power switch to the “|” position ensuring that you have the appropriate configuration of “Step 3” in the “Introduction” section.
To attach F-mount optics: If you have a monochrome camera and you have purchased the optional color filter, then carefully thread the color filter to the C-mount ring on the camera. The opposite end of the color filter is a female F-mount connector. Carefully connect your F-mount optics to the open connector of the color filter until it is mounted securely. Use your optics controls to adjust focus.
CHAPTER 4 ADVANCED CAMERA CONTROLS The Intensified Retiga Fast 1394 employs several imaging elements to achieve high dynamic range, high sensitivity imaging with fast gating capabilities. The camera’s electronics can control these elements in concert making it easy for the user to acquire images. Some applications demand sophisticated control over the imaging elements.
Trigger Event (rising edge) Trigger Signal Internally Generated Gate Internally Timed Exposure ttD Figure 11— Synchronous Gate Mode Timing Diagram User Controlled In User Controlled Mode, the CCD’s Electronic Shutter and Image Intensifier Gate are controlled explicitly through the External Trigger Port and Gate Input respectively. This mode allows the user to tailor the activity of the shutter gate to their application.
The Trigger mode is selected in software and determines the trigger source, gate source, and whether the exposure time is controlled by the camera’s or the user’s electronics. Table 1 shows which configuration corresponds to each Trigger Mode. External Trigger Port Triggering the Intensified Retiga Fast 1394 can be done in one of two ways: Synchronous Integration Mode or User Controlled Integration Mode.
Trigger Mode Trigger Source Exposure Control Gate Source Trigger Delay Diagram Continual Intenal to Camera Internal to Camera Internal & synchronous to expose 0 Figure 11 Edge Hi/Lo External Trigger Port Internal to Camera Internal & synchronous to expose User Controlled Figure 11 Pulse Hi/Lo External Trigger Port Length of User Pulse BNC Gate Input Not Applicable Figure 12 Software QCAM API Trigger Event Internal to Camera Internal & synchronous expose 0 Figure 11 Table 1—Trig
din cable and ensure that the pinouts are set correctly from your trigger source. Refer to Appendix A for further details on pin assignments and a diagram of the mini-din connector. There are several ways that you can provide an external pulse to the camera, one of them being via the QImaging External Trigger Board, which is available through QImaging, and another common device is a function generator. To trigger the camera, you need to provide a 5V TTL pulse though the pin stated in Appendix A.
Incident Photons Window Photocathode Microchannel Plate Fluorescent Screen High Power Voltage Supply Fiber Optic Taper CCD Window Figure 13— Diagram of Image Intensifier Tube Assembly Electrical Gain and Offset The Intensified Retiga Fast 1394's electrical gain and offset controls allow the user to map an image's intensities of interest to the camera's digital range.
CHAPTER 5 CARING FOR YOUR CAMERA The Intensified Retiga Fast 1394 camera requires no regular maintenance except occasional external cleaning of the photomultiplier window (the glass window between the camera sensor and the microscope or lens). To clean the photomultiplier tube window: CAUTION — The camera’s photomultiplier, CCD sensor, and circuits are sensitive to static discharge.
CHAPTER 6 TROUBLESHOOTING Resolving Problems with the camera The Green LED is not lit. • Check all the cable connections. • Flip the switch at the back of the camera. • If your camera is still not lit, then your camera may not be receiving the required power. If you have a 1394 Power Supply or you have an IEEE 1394 HUB, connect the camera as listed in Step 3 of the “Introduction” Section. Image occasionally goes bright on one side or stays dark on one side Turn off the overhead lights in the room.
When I operate the camera in a Preview mode, my image is black. What is that? The Intensified Retiga Fast 1394 is extremely sensitive to light, however that does not mean that all your settings should be set to the minimum values. If you operate your camera in a Previw Mode, increase the Intensified Retiga Fast 1394 gain and see if this increases the brightness of your image. If not, try increasing your exposure until you receive an image.
CHAPTER 7 GLOSSARY Binning Binning is a method of increasing camera speed and sensitivity to boost low signals. Binning causes the acquired image to be brighter and smaller, but the resolution will be lower as a result. Because the image is smaller, the image transfer time is reduced significantly. When you select a binning setting in your imaging software, the camera combines data from several pixels in the camera’s CCD into a single super pixel.
See IEEE 1394. IEEE 1394 High bandwidth (40 megabytes/second - 1394a; 80 megabytes/second - 1394b) interface for connecting digital imaging, storage, and other devices to host computers. Image Intensifier An electro-optical vacuum tube which intensifies or amplifies on low light level images. Integration The active collection of photons as done by an image sensor. Iris A diaphragm in the lens that opens or closes to set the aperture (the amount of light that passes through the lens to the CCD).
CHAPTER 8 APPENDICES APPENDIX A: External Trigger Port The external trigger port at the rear of the camera is a 6-pin miniature circular DIN receptacle (AMP 749265-1). The mating connector is a Singatron Enterprises part number 62000-6P, available fromDigikey (www.digikey.
Figure 15— Schematic of External Trigger circuit internal to camera. 23 3 5 1 MINI-DIN 2 4 6 CN8 CN8 PIN REFERENCE 1 : USER VCC 2 : TRIGGER (input) 3 : SYNCA (output) 4 : GROUND 5 : SYNCB (output) 6 : GROUND R37 357R R34 357R GND VCC GND GND HCPL-061A 5 C39 0.1uF 6 U14 8 VCC 7 HCPL-061A 5 C38 0.1uF 6 U13 8 VCC 7 HCPL-061A 3 R33 357R 2 R32 357R U12 R39 237R 3 R38 237R 2 R36 237R 3 R35 237R 2 5 C37 6 0.
Input Signals In order to use the External Trigger Port correctly and ensure external triggering operation for your camera, you need to supply at least 4 input signals through the mini din receptacle. Pin 1 always needs to be powered at a 5V potential, with Pins 4 and 6 always connected to ground. The input signal to begin triggering the camera is through Pin 2 and should be a 5V TTL pulse. Output Signals There are two output signals provided on the Intensified Retiga Fast 1394, SYNC A and SYNC B.
negative pulse determines the length of time the Image Intensifier’s Tube Gate is open and able to pass light. NOTE: You need to provide a ground. Figure 17—Gate Input Connection Gate Input Schematic The following figure illustrates the gate input schematic internal to the Intensified Retiga Fast 1394.
