Micron/A10 Digital Data Channel - FLIR ThermoVision Micron User Manual

ThermoVision® Micron/A10 User's Guide 412-0006-10 Version 130

8 MICRON/A10 DIGITAL DATA CHANNEL

Micron/A10 provides a digital data channel that provides thermal imagery in digital format.
This channel can be used in conjunction with commercially-available digital frame grabbers,
digital displays, or custom receive electronics. Again, for Micron/A10 users with embedded or
specialty applications that require custom control software, a Software Developer's Kit (SDK)
and an Interface Control Document (ICD) are available to support your development efforts.
The digital data channel can be configured to output 14-bit data after application of calibration
terms. This mode is most useful for external signal-processing and/or analysis of the camera
output. The digital channel can also be configured to provide 8-bit data after application of
video processing algorithms (e.g. "smart scene", white-hot/black-hot polarity, image orientation,
isotherms, and on-screen symbols). The 8-bit data is essentially a digital version of the video
stream provided on the analog video channel and is therefore more appropriate than the 14-bit
data for interfacing to a digital display.
The digital data channel employs serial low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS). The channel
consists of three signal lines – a clock, a composite sync (frame sync and line sync), and serial
data. A serial-in-parallel-out (SIPO) module is available from Indigo Systems for converting the
serial data to 14-bit parallel LVDS output (plus frame sync, line sync, and pixel clock). The
parallel data can be captured using a frame-grabber board installed in a PC. Two commercial
frame grabbers are currently supported: Bitflow Road Runner PCI 12 and National Instruments
PCI-1422. Cabling and software configuration files for either frame grabber are available from
Indigo Systems.
Indigo also offers an optional digital data converters such as the Ethernet Module and Firewire
Module. The Ethernet Module connects the Micron/A10 digital output directly to a LAN using
standard CAT-5 LAN cable. The Firewire Module reformats the Micron/A10 digital output so
that it is compliant with the IEEE-1394 standard (see Figure 6: Micron/A10 and Ethernet
Module). Using either the Ethernet Module or the FireWire Module allows for digital output and
camera control via the Micron/A10 Camera Control software directly to a PC.
For users intending to interface directly to the camera's serial digital data channel, detailed
timing and format information is provided in the ICD (ISC doc. 102.0005.03). Information on
the timing and data format of the parallel output is also provided in separate ICD specific to the
SIPO module (ISC doc. 333.0008.19). Please contact Indigo Systems Customer Support to
request either of these documents.
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