Serial Communication; Making The Serial Connection; Rs-644 Serial Communication - Basler A202K Manual

Camera Interface

2.6 RS-644 Serial Communication

The A202 is equipped for RS-644 serial communication via the frame grabber as specified in the
k
Camera Link standard. The RS-644 serial connection in the Camera Link interface is used to issue
commands to the camera for changing modes and parameters. The serial link can also be used
to query the camera about its current setup.
The Basler Camera Configuration Tool is a convenient, graphical interface that can be used to
change camera modes and parameters via the serial connection. The configuration tool is
installed as part of the camera installation procedure shown in the booklet that is shipped with the
camera. Section 4.1 provides some basic information about the configuration tool. Detailed
instructions for using the tool are included in the on-line help file that is installed with the tool.
Basler has also developed a binary command protocol that can be used to change camera modes
and parameters directly from your own application via the serial connection using either the API
delivered with the frame grabber or the Basler CPA driver. (See Section 4.2 for details on the
binary command format.) We recommend that you use the CPA driver because the binary
command protocol is implemented in the CPA driver. The CPA driver is part of the Camera
Configuration Tool.

2.6.1 Making the Serial Connection

Frame grabbers compliant with the Camera Link specification are equipped with a serial port
integrated into the Camera Link interface that can be used for RS-644 serial communication. The
characteristics of the serial port can vary from manufacturer.
If you are using the Basler Camera Configuration Tool to configure the camera, the tool will detect
the characteristics of the serial port on the frame grabber and will determine the appropriate
settings so that the tool can open and use the port.
In order for the Camera Configuration Tool to detect and use the port, the character-
istics of the port must comply with the Camera Link standard and the DLL called for
in the standard must be present.
If you are configuring the camera using binary commands from within your application software,
your software must be able to access the frame grabber serial port and to determine the
appropriate settings so that it can open and use the port. Please consult your frame grabber's
documentation to determine the port access method and the port characteristics.
2-14
DRAFT
k
BASLER A202