User`s manual

PC2-CamLink User's Manual Part II: Sapera LT • 99
Camera Files Distributed with Sapera
The Sapera LT CDROM includes camera files that are compatible to PC2-CamLink supported
cameras. When using CamExpert, you may use the camera files (CCA) provided to generate a camera
configuration file (CCF) that describes the desired camera and frame grabber configuration.
DALSA continually updates their camera application library that contains application information and
prepared camera files. Along with the camera search utility on the DALSA web site, a number of
camera files are ready to download from the DALSA FTP site
[
ftp://ftp.dalsa.com/public/Sapera/CamFile_Updates]. Camera files are ASCII text and can be read
with Windows Notepad on any computer without having Sapera installed.
Overview of Sapera Acquisition Parameter Files (*.ccf or *.cca/*.cvi)
Concepts and Differences between the Parameter Files
There are two components to the legacy Sapera acquisition parameter file set: CCA files (also called
cam files) and CVI files (also called VIC files, i.e., video input conditioning). These files store video-
signal parameters (CCA) and video conditioning parameters (CVI), which in turn simplifies
programming the frame grabber acquisition hardware for the camera in use. Sapera LT 5.0 introduces
a new camera configuration file (CCF) that combines the CCA and CVI files into one file.
Typically, a camera application will use a CCF file per camera operating mode (or one CCA file in
conjunction with several CVI files, where each CVI file defines a specific camera operating mode). An
application can also have multiple CCA/CCF files so as to support different image format modes
supported by the camera or sensor (such as image binning or variable ROI).
CCF File Details
Files using the “.CCF” extension (Camera Configuration file) are essentially the camera (CCA) and
frame grabber (CVI) parameters grouped into one file for easier configuration file management. This
is the default camera configuration file used with Sapera LT 5.0 and the CamExpert utility.
CCA File Details
DALSA distributes camera files using the “.CCA” extension (CORECO Camera files) that contain all
the parameters describing the camera video signal characteristics and operation modes (i.e., what the
camera outputs). The Sapera parameter groups located within the file are:
• Video format and pixel definitions.
• Video resolution (pixel rate, pixels per line, and lines per frame).
• Synchronization source and timings.
• Channels/Taps configuration.
• Supported camera modes and related parameters.
• I/O hardware signal assignment.
CVI File Details