Serial Communication; Rs-644 Serial Communication; Making The Serial Connection - Basler A400K User Manual

2.6 RS-644 Serial Communication

The A400k is equipped for RS-644 serial communication via the frame grabber as specified in the
Camera Link standard. The RS-644 serial connection (SerTC/SerTFG) 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 Plus (CCT+) 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
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 read/write command format that can be used to change
camera modes and parameters directly from your own application via the serial connection using
the API delivered with the frame grabber. See Section
command format.

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 CCT+ 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 Plus to detect and use the port, the char-
acteristics of the port must comply with the Camera Link standard and the DLL called
for in the standard must be present.
When the camera is powered on or when a camera reset is performed, your PC may
receive some random characters on the serial interface. We recommend clearing
the serial input buffers in your PC after a camera power on or reset.
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.
Basler A400k
DRAFT
4.1 provides some basic information about the configuration tool.
Camera Interface
4.3 for details on the binary read/write
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