Camera Basics; Operating Modes; Freerun Mode - THORLABS DCU223x Operation Manual And Sdk

2 Camera Basics

This chapter explains the basics of DCx Camera technology.

Operating modes

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Image display modes
Sensor
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Reading out partial images
Digitizing images
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Camera parameters
Firmware and camera start-up
Digital inputs/outputs
USB interface
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2.1 Operating Modes
DCx Cameras support the following operating modes:

Freerun mode

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Trigger mode
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Standby
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2.1.1 Freerun Mode
In freerun mode, the camera sensor captures one image after another at the set frame rate. Exposure and readout/
transfer of the image data are performed in parallel. This allows the maximum camera frame rate to be achieved.
The frame rate and the exposure time can be set separately. The captured images can be transferred one by one
or continuously to the PC. If trigger mode is active, you need to disable it before activating freerun mode.
Note
Note on the schematic diagrams: These illustrations show a schematic view of the image capture sequence. The
sensor exposure and readout times and the transmission times depend on the camera model and settings. The
pre-processing time depends on the API functions you are using (e.g. color conversion, edge enhancement).
For more information on flash timing see the
Continuous mode (live mode)
Images are captured and transferred continuously. You can use the DCxCamera flash outputs.
* Flash function optional. See also
Note
In freerun mode the flash function starts with the second image as the setting of the flash timing depends on the
finish of the first image. If you change the flash timing during operation, the freerun mode will restart. Therefore the
first image after the change is black.
© 2013 Thorlabs GmbH
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Digital In-/Output (Trigger/Flash)
Freerun mode (live mode)
Digital in-/output (trigger/flash)
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2 Camera Basics
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