Hardware connections
This section mainly introduces the connection methods between the camera and the computer, the principle of external hardware trigger and wiring examples.
For information about the power supply of the camera, please refer to the detail page of each camera in the Product specifications chapter.
Important
For safety precautions regarding hardware connections, please refer to the Safety Instructions for more details.
Connecting to the computer
USB depth camera
USB connection method 1
Connect the camera directly to the computer’s USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port using a USB cable.
USB connection method 1
USB connection method 2
Connect the camera directly to the USB HUB using a USB cable, and connect the USB HUB to the USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port of the computer. When connecting multiple cameras, it is necessary to use an powered hub that can meet the power supply requirements.
USB connection method 2
Network depth camera
The Percipio network depth camera requires external power supply and some models also support POE power supply.
The camera request an IP address from the DHCP server by default. Before connecting the camera to the computer, make sure that the computer’s network card is set to automatically obtain an IP address (DHCP).
Network connection method 1
Connect the camera directly to the computer’s Gigabit Ethernet interface using a Gigabit Ethernet cable.
About 1 minute after the camera is powered on, the computer and the camera can successfully negotiate and obtain an IP address in the 169.254.xx.xx network segment.
Use the compiled executing file ListDevices.exe in SDK/lib/win/hostapp/x64 directory to enumerate the camera. After confirming the enumeration results of the camera contains its IP address and serial number, run SimpleView_FetchFrame.exe -id <serial number> to view images. The serial number can be obtained from the device label or from the enumeration results.
Network connection method 1
Network connection method 2
Connect the camera and computer to the same Gigabit Ethernet switch using a Gigabit Ethernet cable.
About 1 minute after the camera is powered on, the computer and the camera can successfully negotiate and obtain an IP address in the 169.254.xx.xx network segment.
Use the compiled executing file ListDevices.exe in SDK/lib/win/hostapp/x64 directory to enumerate the camera. After confirming the enumeration results of the camera contains its IP address and serial number, run SimpleView_FetchFrame.exe -id <serial number> to view images. The serial number can be obtained from the device label or from the enumeration results.
Network connection method 2
Network connection method 3
Connect the camera and computer to the same Gigabit Ethernet switch using a Gigabit Ethernet cable. Connect the switch to a router that supports DHCP service, or establish a DHCP server within the local area network.
About 1 minute after the camera is powered on, the computer and the camera can obtain an IP address from the DHCP address server in the 192.168.xx.xx network segment.
Use the compiled executing file ListDevices.exe in SDK/lib/win/hostapp/x64 directory to enumerate the camera. After confirming the enumeration results of the camera contains its IP address and serial number, run SimpleView_FetchFrame.exe -id <serial number> to view images. The serial number can be obtained from the device label or from the enumeration results.
Network connection method 3
Note
If you cannot enumerate the network depth camera or need to modify the IP address of the camera, please refer to Application example: Setting the IP address of the network depth camera.
Connecting to external trigger signals
This section mainly introduces how to connect an external trigger signal to the camera from the aspects of trigger principle, requirements of the trigger signal and connection references.
Trigger principle
The camera trigger interface uses optocouplers for electrical safety isolation. The internal schematic diagram for hardware trigger is shown below. The camera already has integrated current-limiting resistors, so there is no need to connect external current-limiting resistors when using it.
Note
Hardware trigger can be divided into rising-edge trigger and falling-edge trigger. For information on the hardware trigger types supported by different models of Percipio cameras, please refer to the specifications.
For cameras of falling-edge trigger type, the built-in resistor A of TL460-S1-E1 is 4.7kΩ, while the built-in resistor A of the other cameras is 10kΩ.
Requirements of the trigger signal input
The trigger signal input should meet the following requirements:
For cameras of rising-edge trigger type, the trigger input is required to be a high pulse square wave signal, with the rising edge being effective and the pulse width ranging from 10 to 30 milliseconds. To avoid false trigger, the signal’s rising time should not exceed 5 microseconds.
For cameras of falling-edge trigger type, the trigger input is required to be a low pulse square wave signal, with the falling edge being effective and a pulse width ranging from 10 to 30 milliseconds. To avoid false trigger, the signal’s falling time should not exceed 5 microseconds.
The trigger frequency must not exceed the device’s processing capability (which is the frame rate in continuous mode), otherwise the camera will discard the trigger signal and not process it.
Wiring references for trigger input
Rising-edge trigger input
For cameras of rising-edge trigger type, the client can use an interface of PNP type to control the trigger. A wiring reference diagram is shown below. The voltage of the trigger power, unless otherwise specified, can be DC 12V~24V. The client’s output interface should be connected to the TRIG_IN signal line, and the TRIG_OUT signal line should be used as needed.
For cameras of rising-edge trigger type, the client can also use a relay to control the trigger. A wiring reference diagram is shown below. The voltage of the trigger power, unless otherwise specified, can be DC 12V~24V. The client’s output interface should be connected to the TRIG_IN signal line, and the TRIG_OUT signal line should be used as needed.
Falling-edge trigger input
For cameras of falling-edge trigger type, the client can use an interface of NPN type to control the trigger. A wiring reference diagram is shown below. The voltage of the trigger power, unless otherwise specified, can be DC 12V~24V. The client’s output interface should be connected to the TRIG_IN signal line, and the TRIG_OUT signal line should be used as needed.
For cameras of falling-edge trigger type, the client can use a relay to control the trigger. A wiring reference diagram is shown below. The voltage of the trigger power, unless otherwise specified, can be DC 12V~24V. The client’s output interface should be connected to the TRIG_IN signal line, and the TRIG_OUT signal line should be used as needed.
Connection references for trigger output
Rising-edge trigger output
The rising-edge output signal of the camera can trigger the optocoupler. A wiring reference diagram is shown below, where RL is selected based on the trigger power.
The rising-edge output signal of the camera can be connected to the microprocessor as a logic signal. A wiring reference diagram is shown below.
For microprocessors, the camera trigger output has a higher voltage (12V~24V) when it is at a high level. The diagram below uses an NPN transistor to convert the camera trigger output level to the IO voltage required by the microprocessor before inputting it to the microprocessor. When the camera has rising-edge trigger output, the voltage is 12V~24V, and the NPN transistor conducts, pulling the voltage at point A down to 0V, which is then inputted to the microprocessor as a low level. Therefore, when the microprocessor detects a low level, it indicates that the camera has a trigger signal output.
Falling-edge trigger output
The falling-edge output signal of the camera can drive the optocoupler. A wiring reference diagram is shown below, where RL is selected based on the trigger power.
The falling-edge output signal of the camera can drive a relay with a low rated operating current (within the range of 10mA).A wiring reference diagram is shown below, using the DELIXI CDG1-1DD/10A relay as an example.
The falling-edge output signal of the camera can be used as a logic signal input to the microprocessor. A wiring reference diagram is shown below.
For microprocessors, the camera trigger output has a higher voltage (12V~24V) when it is at a high level. The diagram below uses an NPN transistor to convert the camera trigger output level to the IO voltage required by the microprocessor before inputting it to the microprocessor. When the camera has falling-edge trigger output, the voltage is 0V and the NPN transistor is turned off, pulling the voltage at point A to VCC_IO, which is then inputted to the microprocessor as a high level. Therefore, when the microprocessor detects a high level, it indicates that the camera has a trigger signal output.
Connection reference for camera cascade
For working scenario of camera cascade trigger (Master-Slave mode), please refer to the wiring diagram shown in the following figure.
Note
The trigger output interface of the master camera has limited current output capability. It is recommended to use a Trigger Hub when using more than 2 slave cameras.
