Multiple USB, I/O triggered camera

[dagata-mining]

Hi,

I've been trying to set up multiple usb3 cams Alvium-1800 319U-c . I'm using hardware triggering that is pulsing at 5fps (coming from and arduino mcu) to initiate a capture with a fix exposure time. I'm using Linux Ubuntu 20.04. When I launch a ros node or python script or cpp exe or Vimba Viewer with only one camera it works fine and camera is properly working with desired behavior. However, when I try with more than 1 camera, I can't get the proper behaviour on other cameras, sometimes they are running a 50FPS or sometimes they are frozen... (All cameras are working individually)

I'm using the same xml file for all cams except I'm changing the GUID.

<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<SettingsStruct>
    <PersistType Value="0" Description="Persist all features" />
    <MaxIterations Value="5" Description="How often implementation shall try to write values to specific feature (due to complex feature dependencies, multiple write operations are sometimes necessary)" />
    <Logging Status="On">
        <LoggingFile Value="-" Description="Name and/or path for logging file" />
        <LoggingLevel Value="4" Description="All messages will be logged (Info, Error, Warning, Debug, Trace)" />
    </Logging>
</SettingsStruct>
<CameraSettings CameraID="DEV_1AB22C008D32" CameraModel="1800 U-319c" FeatureCount="132">
    <FeatureGroup Count="52">
        <Feature Name="AcquisitionFrameRateEnable" Type="Boolean" Access="R/W">False</Feature>
        <Feature Name="AcquisitionMode" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">Continuous</Feature>
        <Feature Name="AutoModeRegionHeight" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">1544</Feature>
        <Feature Name="AutoModeRegionOffsetX" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">0</Feature>
        <Feature Name="AutoModeRegionOffsetY" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">0</Feature>
        <Feature Name="AutoModeRegionWidth" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">2064</Feature>
        <Feature Name="BalanceWhiteAuto" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">Off</Feature>
        <Feature Name="BalanceWhiteAutoRate" Type="Float" Access="R/W">100.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="BalanceWhiteAutoTolerance" Type="Float" Access="R/W">5.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="BlackLevel" Type="Float" Access="R/W">0.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ColorInterpolation" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">HighQualityLinear5X5</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ColorTransformationEnable" Type="Boolean" Access="R/W">False</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ContrastBrightLimit" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">4095</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ContrastConfigurationMode" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">Expert</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ContrastDarkLimit" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">0</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ContrastEnable" Type="Boolean" Access="R/W">False</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ContrastShape" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">4</Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceIndicatorLuminance" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">10</Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceIndicatorMode" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">Active</Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceLinkThroughputLimit" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">200000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceLinkThroughputLimitMode" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">On</Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceUserID" Type="String" Access="R/W"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="ExposureAuto" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">Off</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ExposureAutoMax" Type="Float" Access="R/W">9000011.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ExposureAutoMin" Type="Float" Access="R/W">168.485001</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ExposureMode" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">Timed</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ExposureTime" Type="Float" Access="R/W">9948.525391</Feature>
        <Feature Name="Gain" Type="Float" Access="R/W">8.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="GainAuto" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">Off</Feature>
        <Feature Name="GainAutoMax" Type="Float" Access="R/W">24.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="GainAutoMin" Type="Float" Access="R/W">0.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="Gamma" Type="Float" Access="R/W">1.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="Height" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">1544</Feature>
        <Feature Name="Hue" Type="Float" Access="R/W">0.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="IntensityAutoPrecedenceMode" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">Minimizenoise</Feature>
        <Feature Name="IntensityControllerAlgorithm" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">Mean</Feature>
        <Feature Name="IntensityControllerOutliersBright" Type="Float" Access="R/W">0.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="IntensityControllerOutliersDark" Type="Float" Access="R/W">0.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="IntensityControllerRate" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">100</Feature>
        <Feature Name="IntensityControllerRegion" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">FullImage</Feature>
        <Feature Name="IntensityControllerTarget" Type="Float" Access="R/W">10.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="IntensityControllerTolerance" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">5</Feature>
        <Feature Name="MaxDriverBuffersCount" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">64</Feature>
        <Feature Name="OffsetX" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">0</Feature>
        <Feature Name="OffsetY" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">0</Feature>
        <Feature Name="PixelFormat" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">RGB8</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ReverseX" Type="Boolean" Access="R/W">False</Feature>
        <Feature Name="ReverseY" Type="Boolean" Access="R/W">False</Feature>
        <Feature Name="Saturation" Type="Float" Access="R/W">1.000000</Feature>
        <Feature Name="TestPendingAck" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">0</Feature>
        <Feature Name="UserSetDefault" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W">Default</Feature>
        <Feature Name="Width" Type="Integer" Access="R/W">2064</Feature>
    </FeatureGroup>
    <SelectorGroup Count="5" SelectedFeatures="20">
        <Selector Name="BalanceRatioSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="1">
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Red" Feature="BalanceRatio" Type="Float">1.723145</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Blue" Feature="BalanceRatio" Type="Float">2.213867</SelectorCombination>
        </Selector>
        <Selector Name="ColorTransformationValueSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="1">
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Gain00" Feature="ColorTransformationValue" Type="Float">1.000000</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Gain01" Feature="ColorTransformationValue" Type="Float">0.000000</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Gain02" Feature="ColorTransformationValue" Type="Float">0.000000</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Gain10" Feature="ColorTransformationValue" Type="Float">0.000000</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Gain11" Feature="ColorTransformationValue" Type="Float">1.000000</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Gain12" Feature="ColorTransformationValue" Type="Float">0.000000</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Gain20" Feature="ColorTransformationValue" Type="Float">0.000000</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Gain21" Feature="ColorTransformationValue" Type="Float">0.000000</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Gain22" Feature="ColorTransformationValue" Type="Float">1.000000</SelectorCombination>
        </Selector>
        <Selector Name="CorrectionSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="5">
            <SelectorCombination Entry="DefectPixelCorrection" Feature="CorrectionSet" Type="Enumeration">Preset</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="DefectPixelCorrection" Feature="CorrectionSetDefault" Type="Enumeration">Preset</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="FixedPatternNoiseCorrection" Feature="CorrectionMode" Type="Enumeration">Off</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="FixedPatternNoiseCorrection" Feature="CorrectionSet" Type="Enumeration">Preset</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="FixedPatternNoiseCorrection" Feature="CorrectionSetDefault" Type="Enumeration">Preset</SelectorCombination>
        </Selector>
        <Selector Name="LineSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="6">
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Line0" Feature="LineMode" Type="Enumeration">Input</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Line0" Feature="TriggerSource" Type="Enumeration">Line0</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Line1" Feature="LineMode" Type="Enumeration">Input</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Line1" Feature="TriggerSource" Type="Enumeration">Line0</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Line2" Feature="LineMode" Type="Enumeration">Input</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Line2" Feature="TriggerSource" Type="Enumeration">Line0</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Line3" Feature="LineMode" Type="Enumeration">Input</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="Line3" Feature="TriggerSource" Type="Enumeration">Line0</SelectorCombination>
        </Selector>
        <Selector Name="TriggerSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="7">
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionStart" Feature="TriggerMode" Type="Enumeration">Off</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionStart" Feature="LineMode" Type="Enumeration">Input</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionStart" Feature="TriggerSource" Type="Enumeration">Line0</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionStart" Feature="TriggerActivation" Type="Enumeration">RisingEdge</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionEnd" Feature="TriggerMode" Type="Enumeration">Off</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionEnd" Feature="LineMode" Type="Enumeration">Input</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionEnd" Feature="TriggerSource" Type="Enumeration">Line0</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionEnd" Feature="TriggerActivation" Type="Enumeration">FallingEdge</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionActive" Feature="TriggerMode" Type="Enumeration">Off</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionActive" Feature="LineMode" Type="Enumeration">Input</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionActive" Feature="TriggerSource" Type="Enumeration">Software</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="AcquisitionActive" Feature="TriggerActivation" Type="Enumeration">RisingEdge</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="FrameStart" Feature="TriggerMode" Type="Enumeration">On</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="FrameStart" Feature="LineMode" Type="Enumeration">Input</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="FrameStart" Feature="TriggerSource" Type="Enumeration">Line0</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="FrameStart" Feature="TriggerActivation" Type="Enumeration">RisingEdge</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureStart" Feature="TriggerMode" Type="Enumeration">Off</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureStart" Feature="LineMode" Type="Enumeration">Input</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureStart" Feature="TriggerSource" Type="Enumeration">Software</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureStart" Feature="TriggerActivation" Type="Enumeration">RisingEdge</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureEnd" Feature="TriggerMode" Type="Enumeration">Off</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureEnd" Feature="LineMode" Type="Enumeration">Input</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureEnd" Feature="TriggerSource" Type="Enumeration">Software</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureEnd" Feature="TriggerActivation" Type="Enumeration">RisingEdge</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureActive" Feature="TriggerMode" Type="Enumeration">Off</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureActive" Feature="LineMode" Type="Enumeration">Input</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureActive" Feature="TriggerSource" Type="Enumeration">Software</SelectorCombination>
            <SelectorCombination Entry="ExposureActive" Feature="TriggerActivation" Type="Enumeration">RisingEdge</SelectorCombination>
        </Selector>
    </SelectorGroup>
    <IgnoredFeatures Count="67">
        <Feature Name="AcquisitionFrameCount" Type="Integer" Access="None"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="AcquisitionFrameRate" Type="Float" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="AcquisitionFrameRateMode" Type="Enumeration" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="AcquisitionStart" Type="Command" Access="W"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="AcquisitionStatus" Type="Boolean" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Selector Name="AcquisitionStatusSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="1"></Selector>
        <Feature Name="AcquisitionStop" Type="Command" Access="W"></Feature>
        <Selector Name="AutoModeRegionSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="4"></Selector>
        <Selector Name="BlackLevelSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="1"></Selector>
        <Selector Name="ColorTransformationSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="2"></Selector>
        <Feature Name="CorrectionDataSize" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="CorrectionEntryType" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="CorrectionMode" Type="Enumeration" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceFamilyName" Type="String" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceFirmwareID" Type="String" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Selector Name="DeviceFirmwareIDSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="1"></Selector>
        <Feature Name="DeviceFirmwareVersion" Type="String" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Selector Name="DeviceFirmwareVersionSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="1"></Selector>
        <Feature Name="DeviceGenCPVersionMajor" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceGenCPVersionMinor" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceLinkSpeed" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceManufacturerInfo" Type="String" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceModelName" Type="String" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceReset" Type="Command" Access="W"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceSFNCVersionMajor" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceSFNCVersionMinor" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceSFNCVersionSubMinor" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceScanType" Type="Enumeration" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceSerialNumber" Type="String" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceTemperature" Type="Float" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Selector Name="DeviceTemperatureSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="1"></Selector>
        <Feature Name="DeviceVendorName" Type="String" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="DeviceVersion" Type="String" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileAccessBuffer" Type="Raw" Access="None"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileAccessLength" Type="Integer" Access="None"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileAccessOffset" Type="Integer" Access="None"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileOpenMode" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileOperationExecute" Type="Command" Access="W"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileOperationResult" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileOperationSelector" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileOperationStatus" Type="Enumeration" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileProcessStatus" Type="Enumeration" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileSelector" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileSize" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="FileStatus" Type="Enumeration" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Selector Name="GainSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="3"></Selector>
        <Feature Name="HeightMax" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Selector Name="IntensityControllerSelector" Type="Enumeration" SelectedFeatures="4"></Selector>
        <Feature Name="LineInverter" Type="Boolean" Access="None"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="LineSource" Type="Enumeration" Access="None"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="LineStatus" Type="Boolean" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="LineStatusAll" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="PayloadSize" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="PixelSize" Type="Enumeration" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="SensorHeight" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="SensorWidth" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="StreamAnnounceBufferMinimum" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="StreamAnnouncedBufferCount" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="StreamBufferHandlingMode" Type="Enumeration" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="StreamID" Type="String" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="StreamIsGrabbing" Type="Boolean" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="StreamType" Type="Enumeration" Access="R"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="TriggerSoftware" Type="Command" Access="W"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="UserSetLoad" Type="Command" Access="W"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="UserSetSave" Type="Command" Access="None"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="UserSetSelector" Type="Enumeration" Access="R/W"></Feature>
        <Feature Name="WidthMax" Type="Integer" Access="R"></Feature>
    </IgnoredFeatures>
</CameraSettings>

Set up:

[BernardoLuck]

Hi,
how are you connecting the cameras to the PC? with a USB hub? We strongly recommend the use of a dedicated USB3 controller, for each camera. If you are using a hub, then you will to reduce the bandwidth with the feature DeviceLinkThroughPutLimit, you can start with 60'000'000. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended to follow the instruction from the following document: https://cdn.alliedvision.com/fileadmin/content/documents/products/cameras/various/appnote/USB/USB-Camera-Handling-Linux-Application-Note.pdf

BR

Bernardo

[dagata-mining]

Hi Bernardo,
Yes I've tried with different bus and I'm not using hubs. Its not a bandwidth problem as I'm trying to have 5fps for both cameras and I'm getting one with 5fps (clearly working with the io triggering) and the second one is running a 50FPS (io triggering not working).

[dagata-mining]

Figured out a way to make in work in vimbaviewer by clicking quicksetting Edge. But then I save my XML and when I reimport it the camera is not triggering anymore

[Teresa-AlliedVision]

Hi,
aside from the XML files (unless they are essential to your application), you can use the UserSet Features to set the right settings and save them as the default. Then the camera will automatically load these settings when it gets powered on.
In the VimbaViewer you can find the settings under UserSetControl.

1. Adjust settings as wanted
2. UserSetControl->UserSetSelector: Select one of the user sets
3. Execute UserSetSave
4. Under UserSetDefault: Select the UserSet that you just saved the settings into

Cheers,
Teresa

[dagata-mining]

Although it could be a work around I don't thing it's really efficient. I've tried it but User set save remains greyed out with the camera is not running

[dagata-mining]

Hi, how are you connecting the cameras to the PC? with a USB hub? We strongly recommend the use of a dedicated USB3 controller, for each camera. If you are using a hub, then you will to reduce the bandwidth with the feature DeviceLinkThroughPutLimit, you can start with 60'000'000. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended to follow the instruction from the following document: https://cdn.alliedvision.com/fileadmin/content/documents/products/cameras/various/appnote/USB/USB-Camera-Handling-Linux-Application-Note.pdf

BR

Bernardo

By playing with Vimba Viewer for couple of hours, I've come to realize that the cameras enter in the Trigger mode I want only when I'm clicking on "Quick Settings : Trigger Mode :Edge" I've tried to look in the cpp example QT Viewer to find out what the button onclick function was doing but really can't find it anywhere. Any idea on what this function does?

[Teresa-AlliedVision]

Hi,
you can't save into the "Default" set. Under UserSetSelector you need to select for example UserSet1 and then you can save all current settings into that UserSet1. Then under UserSetDefault you can select UserSet1 and the camera will start with that selection of settings, even after being powered down.

The trigger settings for HW trigger are the following, I will write the feature name and what value/enum it needs to be set to:

1. TriggerSource: "Line1" (to select GPIO1, chose different Line for different GPIO)

• TriggerMode: "On"

• TriggerSelector: "FrameStart"

• TriggerActivation: "RisingEdge"

In the Trigger IO tab in the Trigger section these are Source, Mode, Selector, Activ. respectively. This should be what the quick settings in the Viewer set it to. Setting the source needs to be first, otherwise you can't set the trigger mode, but the rest of the settings don't need to be in a particular order.
This is an example on how it would look in the feature tree:

Cheers,
Teresa

[dagata-mining]

Thanks,
So I got it to work on the VimbaViewer! I had a hard time to make it work with the CPP api. So anyone out there with this problem you need to open the camera so you get the cam pointer, but but make sure the camera has not started the image acquisition (StartContinousImaging function) before setting your TriggerSource: "Line1" TriggerMode: "On" TriggerSelector: "FrameStart" TriggerActivation: "RisingEdge". I am using ROS avt-vimba and I had to modify the source code so the cam would not be recording when changing these parameters. (Only passing the parameters through the existing node will not work). I'll try to commit on the https://github.com/astuff/avt_vimba_camera so that it get resolved.

Also this issue did help me understand what was goind on:

astuff/avt_vimba_camera#97

[Teresa-AlliedVision]

Hello,
just to piggyback off this for people who would like to switch to the CPP or C API for performance:
The Vimba SDK Installation already includes a number of programming examples and the manuals for the languages.
Cheers and happy to hear it worked out,
Teresa