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How to Synchronize a Light Source With a Basler ace 2 or boost R Camera | Knowledge Article#

Issue#

If you are triggering a Basler ace 2 or boost R camera and use one of its output signal to trigger a light source, you observe that the image is too dark.

This is more visible when working with reduced exposure times ( below 100 µs). The effect will get stronger the shorter the exposure time is.

Root cause#

When the light source is triggered, it needs some time to reach the targeted brightness. There is often some ramp up, during which a part of the camera exposure occurs under reduced light.

Exposure Time without Timer Delay

Solution#

A possible solution would be to slightly delay the start of the camera exposure until the light reached the desired intensity. To perform this using the Basler ace 2 or boost R, you can use the timers: https://docs.baslerweb.com/timer

  • Timer 1 is the signal that starts the camera exposure - it waits until the light reached the desired brightness.
  • Timer 2 is the output that controls the light source - it starts with the hardware trigger.

Set the following parameters as described below:

Acquisition Control: Enable the frame start trigger and use the Timer 1 Active as a source.

  • Trigger Selector: Frame Start
  • Trigger mode: On
  • Trigger Source: Timer 1 Active
  • Trigger Activation: Rising Edge

In this case, a rising edge during Timer 1 Active state starts the camera exposure.

Counter and Timer Control: Configure here Timer 1 and Timer 2

  • Timer Selector: Timer 1
  • Timer Trigger Source: Line 1
  • Timer Trigger Activation: Rising Edge
  • Timer Delay: Greater or equal than the time required for your light to reach its target intensity, in this example it's called Timer 1 delay

  • Timer Duration: Must be lower than your exposure time

  • Timer Selector: Timer 2

  • Timer Trigger Source: Line 1
  • Timer Trigger Activation: Rising Edge
  • Timer Delay: 0
  • Timer Duration: Timer 1 delay + your exposure time

Digital I/O Control:

  • Line Selector: Line 2
  • Line Mode: Output
  • Line Source: Timer 2 Active (Output signal for your illumination)

The signals now look like this:

Exposure Time with Timer Delay

This configuration also works in free run mode. You must not use an external hardware trigger.

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