PRIMAVIEW

PRIMAVIEW IS A IMAGE ACQUISITION BOARD THAT PROCESSES DATA FROM VARIOUS ELECTRONIC IMAGE SENSORS.

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Features

• graphic controller with 4 MB VRAM on-board
• Image representation of up to 1600 x 1200 pixels at 256 color setting
• Image representation of up to 1024 x 768 pixels at 16 million color setting
• Compatible with PCIbus Rev. 2.0
• Shared framebuffer interface to video memory
• Image digitalization rate 500kHz to 20MHz
• Image digitalization by means of up to three 8-bit ADCs
• Up to 12 monochrome image sources via three 256x8-bit input LUTs
• Up to 4 RGB sources via three 256x8-bit input LUTs
• Up to 3 PAL or NTSC image sources as CVBS or S-video signals with gamma correction.
• Realtime conversion of image data to monochrome, RGB 8:8:8, 5:6:5 or 5:5:5
• Data-input for digital cameras, monochrome or color, up to 24-bit, scan-synchronized, RS422 signal compatible (PRIMAVIEW+ only).
• Scaler unit for realtime image reduction during acquisition
• Genlock line locked with PLL, externally or pixel synchronized
• Programmable synch-generator for non-standard sensor input
• flexible sync signal conditioning (levels, polarity)
• programmable line length up to 8k
• up to 4k lines
• 4 programmable optoisolated input- and output signals

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General Description

Overview

The PRIMAVIEW board consists of a graphic board with a image acquisition module. The graphic board which is implemented as a PCIbus board, is equipped with a high performance graphic controller with 4MB video memory. With the image acquisition module it is possible to digitize and process different electronic image signals. These signals are then transferred in real time to a window of the video memory. Video sources and non-standard image sensors can be digitalized and stored monochrome and in true color at rates up to 20MHz. The synchronization can be external, by PLL or pixel-synchronous. In contrast to conventional PCIbus framegrabbers without on-board video memory and display, the PCIbus is not used during image data acquisition. The large input bandwidth, an important feature of this board's architecture, allows the easy simultaneous acquisition of a RGB 8:8:8. Furthermore, the image display can take place simultaneously with image data transfer from the graphic memory to the host - which distinguishes it from simpler framegrabbers. Another valuable feature is the storing of images in those sections of the video memory that is not used for display.

Graphic Power

The heart of the board is a high-performance 64bit graphic controller, which addresses 4MB of VRAM. Under Window 3.1 or Windows 95 graphic mode, the graphic memory fulfills the norms of high definition monitors of up to 1'600x1'200 pixels. The pixel bit depth can be set to 8, 16 or 32. The graphic controller also incorporates a standard VGA/SVGA core to ensure complete DOS compatibility.

Shared Framebuffer Interface

The graphic controller provides a "Shared Framebuffer Interface" (SBFI). A Pixel -Stream-Manager developed by LEUTRON VISION converts the data that has been digitalized and processed by the image acquisition module into a suitable format for the graphic memory and writes this data via the Shared Framebuffer Interface in realtime into the VRAM window.

Lock Mask

During image data acquisition the Pixel-Stream-Manager provides a Lock-Mask which is located in an area of the graphic memory not visible on the monitor. The Lock-Mask is defined as a 1-bit plane and specifies which pixels in the currently displayed window are overwritten by live data. This is a cost effective way of accomplishing a type of operation similar to conventional overlay operation without the need for an additional overlay memory. Since the same VRAM is being used for the Lock-Mask, there is the further benefit that the 'overlay memory' has the same bit depth as the image memory (not just 2 or 4 bits as in conventional overlay memories). The MS-Windows 3.1 mouse cursor is continually displayed by means of conventional overlay techniques.

Opto Interface

As with our other image processing boards this board has 4 programmable opto-coupler inputs and outputs. This allows for the easy utilization of this board in an industrial environment. It is therefore possible to easily implement such events as 'start measurement', 'trigger', 'good/bad', 'input/output' etc. One of the four optocoupler inputs can be configured by software as either level or edge triggered. The opto couplers are configured for 5V or 24V operation and has all necessary resistors on board.

PCIbus

All communication as well as the image data transfer take place at high speed over the PCIbus interface of the graphic controller. This ensures that the PRIMAVIEW board can be installed in nearly all modern computer architectures.

Image Aquisition Module

Frame Acquisition in Monochrome and Color up to 20MHz

This plug-in module provides excellent digitalization of image signals of various types at sampling rates from 500kHz to 20MHz. Up to 12 monochrome, 4 RGB or 3 PAL/NTSC/S-Video cameras can be connected. In addition to standard CCIR or RS170 video signals non standard signals can also be digitalized. Depending on the image sensor used the signal can be converted into 8-bit monochrome, color 5:5:5, 5:6:5 or 8:8:8 RGB codes. All data from monochrome or RGB cameras can be adjusted in a look-up table before storing. Digital data from CVBS or S-Video cameras can be stored directly or optionally via two, pre-programmed gamma LUTs. On the contrary to existing multimedia boards, the signal processing circuitry for CVBS- or S-video signals is of superior quality and reaches studio quality. A hardware scaler performs realtime reduction of image size. All settings of the frame acquisition process such as the camera settings, gain and offset, bit depth, sync-generator etc., can be adjusted via software.

Synchronization

The synchronization with the image source is accomplished either by means of glenlock synchronization (line locked), pixel synchronization or externally. The Glenlock process provides for precise synchronization with minimal pixel jitter from excellent image sources. The pixel synchronized image data acquisition requires the transmission of a H and V component as well as a pixel clock from the image source to PRIMAVIEW or invers. This process results in the greatest stability of the image matrix and is particularly suitable for measuring tasks. In keeping with modern "plug and play" technology, all parameters such as input impedance and amplitude as well as the polarity of the H-sync and V-sync signals are programmable. Each of the 4 RGB input channels has a set of H-sync and V-sync input signals as well as a pixel clock input signal. It is actually possible to detect the type of the connected camera cable by software.

Image Sensors with Non-Standard Image Formats

The fact that the sync generator can be flexibly programmed allows for the synchronization of both standard image sensors and a great variety of non-standard sensors. There is vast scope for programming the most common signals such as H-sync, V-sync, H-blank, V-blank, pixel clock, etc. These signals are available on terminals of the video connector of PRIMAVIEW. By means of this feature PRIMAVIEW can be adapted for slowscan and linescan cameras.

Digital Image Signals

A digital input port is available for the acquisiton of up to 24-bit data from digital monochrome or color cameras. Camera signals have to correspond to the RS422 signal standard. The appropriate interface signals as pixelclock, Hsync or Vsync can be received from the camera or supplied by PRIMAVIEW.

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Technical Specifications

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Software

There are graphics drivers for MS-Windows 3.1 and Window 95 and an interactive Windows-program available, that allows the user to acquire images in the common standards and to store and save the most common graphic formats. The Daisy SDK, realised as class library for MS-VC++ or Borland C++ under MS-Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, facilitates the user to incorporate the entire hardware into applications of his own. A comfortable camera editor allows the user to define the technical specifications of a wide range of standard and non standard cameras and use them together with the other software packages. All this software comes with the PRIMAVIEW board. Optional our well-known software packages PICLAB and Vision Trainer are available for PRIMAVIEW.

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Cables and Camera Adapter

Ordering Numbers and Options