Camera Synchronization - Teledyne FLIR A68 Series User Manual

Camera Synchronization

There are two schemes in which A68/A38 cameras can be configured to acquire images
in synchronization with other cameras:
Slave: in this scheme, the A68/A38 camera waits for events; when the specified event
is detected, a frame request is issued to the sensor and the resulting frame is output.
Current cameras support two synchronization events:
• External input frame trigger: an electrical pulse on an input pin. The pulse must
have a minimum (configurable) duration (lineDebouncingPeriod) to be
considered valid, in order to provide some tolerance to line noise.
• PTP trigger: the A68/A38 can be configured to acquire images starting at a given
time. When enabled
among multiple devices. Once a set time has been reached
(timestampModuloStartTime) , this triggers a PTP event that triggers the output
of a frame. PTP events can then be generated automatically at a certain rate.
Master: in this scheme, the A68/A38 generates an electrical pulse on its output pin
whenever it starts acquiring a frame. This pulse can be used for several purposes; for
example, it can be used by other camera(s) to start exposure of their sensor, which
provides for much more precise synchronization between cameras.
Cameras can be in free-running or in frame-on-demand mode; see the Sensor Readout
Alignment Mode section for more information.
Note: Both Master and Slave schemes can be used simultaneously, in a
daisy chain configuration. For example, an A68/A38 can be both a slave
(wait for an external trigger pulse) and a master (generate a pulse to
trigger another camera).
To enable the external input frame or PTP trigger, set the Trigger Mode (TriggerMode)
feature, available in CamExpert in the Trigger Control Features category, to On.
FLIR A68/A38 Series IR Camera User's Manual
(ptpMode = Automatic), PTP allows a common time base
Features and Configuration Options • 77