62 62 APPLICATION NOTE www.baslerweb.com Basler racer Migration Guide This paper describes what to consider when replacing the Basler L100 Camera Link or the Basler runner Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) line scan cameras by a racer camera. It compares the camera series in selected key aspects in order to support your transition to the racer and to minimize the risks during migration. In November 2011 Basler announced our new line scan camera series racer. The racer series will replace the L100 series, one of our most mature camera series, which has been on the market for more than 12 years, and the monochrome variants of the runner series. The technology used in the L100 and runner camera series is based on the same sensors, the Thomson TH7813A (1k mono CCD) and the Thomson TH7814A (2k mono CCD). These sensors have been discontinued by their manufacturer. In order to guarantee a very smooth transition to our racer line scan series, the major characteristics of the racer series, such as resolution, acquisition speed and the data interfaces are entirely equivalent compared to both of the older line scan series. Some other important characteristics, such as the size and the sensitivity, are more sophisticated in the successor so that you can benefit from the latest developments in camera and sensor technologies. Both have been greatly advanced in the last decade, and we can now pass some of these improvements and opportunities on to you. Mechanics Housing Both the L100 and the runner series use the same type of housing with a footprint of 62 mm x 62 mm. The industrial housing of the Basler racer has a width of only 56 mm and a height of 62 mm. The compact racer 56 8 x M4 6.5 40 32.6 Dimensions (in mm) of the racer Camera Link Models 56 42.4 8 x M4 6.5 design will thus save you space when replacing older Basler cameras, or even rival cameras, in your system. The racer is also an ideal fit for multi-camera designs, especially where many line scan cameras are installed side-by-side. The racer features 12 mounting screw holes, two on each side and four at the front that have the same M4 size as on the L100 and runner series. Flexible Mount Concept 4 x M2.5 4 x M4 Dimensions (in mm) of the racer Gigabit Ethernet Models 36 4 x M2.5 4 x M4 The Basler racer has a flexible mount concept. In order to provide you with the highest degree of flexibility, the racer series is not equipped with a mount. Instead, you can choose whether it should be equipped with a C-mount, an F-mount, or an M42 mount. All three mounts are available from Basler as an accessory. 43 43 90 90 1
Users do not need to add heat-sink elements to the camera and can also dispense with cooling fans. At the end of the day, this is very important with regard to minimizing system cost, but also in order to provide better image quality. The typical weight, the temperature range and the vibration resistance remain the same for the racer series. The racer mount adapters provide: Screws located on the outside Allows easy handling Adaptation possible in 90 steps For best azimuthal positioning 4 screw mounting Provides high stability Furthermore, the racer s flexible mount concept gives you the opportunity to design your own mount according to your needs. Especially for line scan applications, such special mount designs are very common. Innovative Heat Dissipation The racer employs a state-of-the-art heat dissipation concept. Combined with the low power consumption of all the internal electronics incl. the CMOS sensors, this series will have a power consumption of max. 6.5 watts when the 12k model is expanded to its maximum. All racer cameras will become only lukewarm when you run them at the highest speed, even this 12k model. Your benefits in terms of the mechanics: Compact and space saving housing For easy integration Low heat generation Better images and less system costs Interfaces The 20, 40 and 62.5 MHz Camera Link clock speeds used in the L100 series have been changed in the racer. For a high level of backward compatibility, the racer will have 32.5, 48 and 65 MHz clock speeds available. To address today s speed and throughput requirements, the racer can also operate at a clock speed of 83.5 MHz with a wide variety of frame grabbers. The racer s clock is selectable by changing software parameters. In this regard, please note that especially at the highest Camera Link frequencies, the camera s interface performance in terms of applicable cable lengths and the Camera Link clock depends on the frame grabber and the cable used. For more information please also take a look at our Power over Camera Link Benefits White Paper in our Download Section on the web at http://www.baslerweb.com/downloads- Dokumente-13469.html?type=7&series=21&model=0 The compact design is supported by the use of SDR Camera Link connectors (mini Camera Link) which also save space and money if cost-efficient SDR cables are used as well. All racer models will also be available with a GigE Vision standard compliant Gigabit Ethernet interface. In addition, all connectors (mini Camera Link, GigE, digital I/O, power supply) are based on the same standards as used in the predecessors and are positioned at approximately the same place on the back of the camera. Comparison of runner (left) and racer (right): The racer s innovative heat dissipation concept keeps the cameras much cooler On both the GigE and the Camera Link models, the power connector is a 6 pin Hirose connector. Basler racer GigE models have a third connector, a 12 pin Hirose connector, which supplies access to its digital input and output ports, e.g., for directly inputting a trigger signal. 2
Please have a look at the racer user s manual for more information: http://www.baslerweb.com/downloads- Dokumente-13469.html?type=3&series=21&model=0 Because the power consumption of the racer is more than two watts less than that of the runner, the existing power supplies of the runner can be reused. Your benefits in terms of the electrics: 12-24V (+/-5%), no extra power supply needed Flexible integration lower system costs Standards Easily available and cost-efficient accessories Choose from a wide variety of frame grabbers Faster imaging is possible and future aspects are covered Replacement GigE Replacement Basic Specifications: racer (2k) runner (1k) runner (2k) ral2048-48gm rul1024-57gm rul2048-30gm Resolution 2048 1024 2048 Sensor Awaiba DR-2k-7 TH7813A TH7814A Sensor Type CMOS CCD CCD Line Rate (max.) 48 khz 57 khz 30 khz Pixel Size 7 μm x 7 μm 10 μm x 10 μm 10 μm x 10 μm Sensor Length 14.3 mm 10.24 mm 20.48 mm A 1k-line is not available on the racer platform, but this can easily be realized by using a specific AOI on the 2k line scan model. As a result, the 2k racer model is able to replace both the 1k and 2k versions of the L100 and the runner series. Please note that setting an AOI will result in a speed increase on the GigE Vision model but not on the Camera Link model. You can easily calculate the frame rates for different AOIs with our Frame rate Calculator tool on our website. Basler racer camera models with higher resolutions, for example a 4k variant, might also be an attractive option for a replacement in some cases, in order to meet some future requirements of your application. Sensitivity racer (2k) Awaiba DR-2k-7* L100/runner(2k) TH7814A** QE [%] @ 545 nm 58.3 67.8 Dark Noise [e-] 15 60.4 Saturation Capacity [ke-] 30 132 Dynamic Range [db] 66 66.8 * averaged data from different data sheets and racer models ** not measured, based on sensor data sheet only When comparing the CCD technology from the TH7814A of the older Basler L100 and runner series with its counterpart, a CMOS-based sensor used for the whole racer series (for example, the DR-2k-7), then we can see a quantum efficiency that is nearly distributed in the same way over the entire range in visible wavelengths. In addition, the CMOS sensor of the racer family demonstrates a slight advantage in the NIR range. Camera Link Replacement Basic Specifications: racer (2k) ral2048-80km L10xk (1k) L10xk (2k) Resolution 2048 1024 2048 Sensor Awaiba DR-2k-7 TH7813A TH7814A Sensor Type CMOS CCD CCD Line Rate (max.) 80 khz 58.5 khz 30 khz Pixel Size 7 μm x 7 μm 10 μm x 10 μm 10 μm x 10 μm Sensor Length 14.3 mm 10.24 mm 20.48 mm 3
Even though the racer has smaller pixels, two of the most important values for vision applications highlight the outstanding image quality of the racer: With an incredibly good Dark Noise of only 15 electrons and a Dynamic Range of 66 db, which is comparable to today s CCD sensors, the racer s low light capabilities are ultimately confirmed. This is especially important for line scan applications dealing with low light. The signal-to-noise curve below also supports this, showing a better sensitivity over nearly the entire range. As a rule of thumb, the focal length must be reduced by a factor of approx. 1.4. For example, if the runner used a 23 mm lens, the racer would need a 17 mm lens. The following examples will give you an overview of what needs to be considered in your system setup prior to a replacement. Situation Initial system setup with a runner or an L100 line scan camera. This means that existing illumination for the L100 or runner cameras can be used with the racer without any modifications. Alternatively, you might be able to modify the light source in your systems and change to more cost-efficient lighting. Your benefit in terms of image quality: Dispense with high power illuminations and use a standard illumination (LED) save money The Signal-to-Noise (SNR) Diagram (Preliminary) New System Setup 1 Lens and distance to the object will remain the same. Result: The Field Of View (FOV) decreases by 7/10 Please note: The values in the SNR diagram for the TH7814A sensor are theoretical and based on its sensor data sheet. Due to the fact that the L100 series is an old camera series, the real values can be expected to be worse. Optics Due to the smaller pixel size, the reproduction scale has changed. Therefore the focal length of the lens in use must be changed in order to change the image circle that covers the sensor properly. New System Setup 2 Lens and Field Of View (FOV) remain the same. Result: Distance to the object increases by 10/7 4
Firmware, Software and Driver Package Popular features such as Multiplier and Divider, which you know from using our L100 and/or runner series, are also available on the racer cameras. The firmware functionality has even been enhanced on the racer models. All racer cameras come with factory settings for Offset and Gain Shading (DSNU/PRNU Correction) sufficient for the majority of line scan applications. To archive best possible image quality you can store additional shading correction user sets for specific operating points directly on the racer. Therefore we recommend taking advantage of this functionality. New System Setup 3 Field Of View (FOV) and distance to the object remain the same. Result: Focal length decreases by 7/10 Please have a look at the racer s User s Manual which gives you more information on all features available and how to utilize them. Your benefits in terms of firmware features: High level of backward compatibility Latest features available Easy to integrate Basler pylon Driver Package Since all interfaces have been integrated into our free Basler pylon driver, the racer series can be easily configured with this popular driver package. The pylon driver has been on the market for many years and has proven itself in thousands of installations. It can be downloaded for free from Basler s website at www.baslerweb.com/downloads/pylon Your benefits in terms of optics: Re-use of the known optics is possible Switching to more cost-effective optics possible In case of migration, we strongly recommend that you adapt your optics to optimize your system setup as much as possible. Suitable lenses for all racer models are available in our accessory portfolio. If additional help is needed regarding optics please contact our support team. Our well-trained service personnel are always ready to help you selecting the right lenses for your application needs. While the runner GigE series could be used with the pylon driver, the L100 Camera Link models needed our older CCT+ tool for configuration. Both the GigE and Camera Link racer models can now be used with Basler pylon, and all racer parameters can be archived and adjusted via the pylon Viewer application. The pylon SDK offers high level C++ interfaces for cameras with a Camera Link interface. This means that the camera s settings can be controlled in the same convenient fashion as Basler FireWire or GigE Vision cameras. The parameters on the Camera Link can alternatively also be configured via a low level register API using read and write commands. The new register layout of the racer camera is the same as that used on the Basler aviator area scan camera series and is explained in detail in the camera s documentation package. Additional new libraries make it simple to handle transport parameters such as the parity bit. Code samples are available for the C, C++, and VB programming languages. 02/2013 Basler AG Germany, Headquarters Tel. + 4102 463 500 Fax + 4102 463 599 sales.europe@baslerweb.com www.baslerweb.com USA Tel. +1 610 280 0171 Fax +1 610 280 7608 sales.usa@baslerweb.com 5 Asia Tel. +65 6425 0472 Fax +65 6425 0473 sales.asia@baslerweb.com