Active Silicon AS-BCAM-3SG42-00-A Oriole 3x AF-Zoom HD SDI Board Camera User Guide
- May 15, 2024
- Active Silicon
Table of Contents
Active Silicon AS-BCAM-3SG42-00-A Oriole 3x AF-Zoom HD SDI Board Camera
Product Information
- Specifications
- Model: Oriole 3x AF-Zoom HD-SDI Board Camera
- Version: 1.0, January 2024
- Resolution: HD-SDI
- Power Supply: 12V
- Connector Types: JST-Molex, MMCX, BNC
Product Usage Instructions
- Evaluation Kit Contents
- The Evaluation Kit (AS-BCAM-3SG42-EVAL-A) contains all the parts needed to evaluate the Oriole 3x AF-Zoom HD-SDI Board Camera with Global Shutter. Note that the evaluation kit does not include the camera, this needs to be ordered separately.
- Please check that you have all the parts listed below:
- Harrier Evaluation Board
- 10-way/15-way JST-Molex cable
- MMCX-BNC adapter cable (actual part may vary)
- Harrier Evaluation Board Overview
- The Harrier Evaluation Board connects to the camera using the supplied 10-way/15-way JST-Molex cable. It provides power and a serial connection to the camera.
- The evaluation board is powered by a 12V power supply via a barrel connector.
- The power switch on the board controls the camera power. Serial communication with the camera is established through a USB mini-module.
- Setting up the System
- Connect the camera header connector (J203) to the Harrier Evaluation board I/O connector (J103) using the provided cable.
- For analog output, connect the J301 (Analog) BNC socket on the Harrier Evaluation Board to an analog display.
- For HD-SDI output, use the MMCX to BNC adapter cable and connect it to the J300 (MMCX socket) on the camera and then to an HD-SDI monitor using a suitable cable.
- Connect the power supply barrel connector to the Harrier Evaluation Board power input connector (J306).
- Set the power switch on the board to OFF initially.
- Plug in and switch ON the power supply on the board. The PWR ON LED should light up.
- The camera will go through a power-up sequence with audible mechanical noises, and the video outputs will start working shortly after.
FAQs
- Q: What should I do if the camera does not power up?
- A: Check all connections, ensure the power supply is functioning correctly, and try power cycling the camera again.
- Q: Can I use a different power supply with the Harrier Evaluation Board?
- A: It is recommended to use the specified 12V power supply to ensure proper functionality.
Introduction
- This guide is designed to get you quickly up and running with the Oriole 3x AF-Zoom HD-SDI Board Camera (AS-BCAM-3SG42-00-A) and its evaluation kit (AS-BCAM-3SG42-EVAL-A).
- This document should be read in conjunction with the technical reference manual for this camera and other documents available on Active Silicon’s website, (see Oriole 3x AF-Zoom HD-SDI Board
- Camera with Global Shutter – Downloads section): https://www.activesilicon.com/products/oriole-af-zoom-hd-sdi-board-camera-global-shutter/.
Evaluation Kit Contents
The Evaluation Kit (AS-BCAM-3SG42-EVAL-A) contains all the parts needed to
evaluate the Oriole 3x AF-Zoom HD-SDI Board Camera with Global Shutter. Note
that the evaluation kit does not include the camera, this needs to be ordered
separately.
Please check that you have all the parts listed below:
- Harrier Evaluation Board (Figure 3)
- 10-way/15-way JST-Molex cable (connects the camera to the evaluation board, Figure 4)
- MMCX to BNC adapter cable (Figure 5)
- USB Type A to mini USB Type B cable
- Multi-region 12V power supply (please fit the adapter suitable for your region)
Overview
Harrier Evaluation Board Overview
- The Harrier Evaluation Board connects to the camera using the supplied 10-way/15-way JST-Molex cable (J103). This provides the power and serial connection to the camera.
- The evaluation board is powered by the 12V power supply via a barrel connector (J306).
- This supply also powers the camera via the Power Switch (SW302). When the Power Switch (and evaluation board power supply) is switched ON the PWR ON LED will illuminate and the camera will be powered.
- Serial communication with the camera is provided by the USB mini module which converts a host PC
- USB connection to a serial connection to the camera.
- For more information please see the Harrier Evaluation Board datasheet on the Active Silicon website. (see Evaluation Kit for the Oriole 3x AF-Zoom HD-SDI Board Camera – Downloads section).
Setting up the System
To get the Oriole 3x AFZ SDI Board Camera running, please follow the instructions below:
- Connect the camera header connector (J203) to the Harrier Evaluation board I/O connector (J103) using the 10-way/15-way JST-Molex cable.
- For analog camera output, connect the J301 (Analog) BNC socket on the Harrier Evaluation Board to an analog monitor/display using a suitable cable.
- For HD-SDI camera output, connect the MMCX to BNC adapter cable to J300 (MMCX socket) on the Oriole 3x AFZ SDI Board Camera; connect the BNC socket of the adapter to a HD-SDI capable monitor/display using a 75 Ohm HD-SDI digital video quality BNC cable.
- For serial communications with the camera, use the mini USB–USB Type-A cable to connect the mini USB socket on the Harrier Evaluation Board to a PC. The USB PWR LED should light up indicating a live connection to the PC. Three serial interfaces will appear as COM ports on the PC and be accessible to PC software (baud rate 9600 default) – one of these (usually the higher number) will be the COM port connected to the camera. These COM ports can be tested using the HarrierControl command line software; this application can be downloaded from www.activesilicon.com. from the Software page.
- Connect the power supply barrel connector to the Harrier Evaluation Board power input connector (J306).
- Set the Harrier Evaluation Board power switch (SW302) to OFF (left viewed from above).
- Plug in the power supply and switch ON the Harrier Evaluation Board power switch (SW302). The PWR ON should light up.
- The camera will make audible mechanical noises as it goes through its power-up sequence and after a short time, the video outputs will be working.
- If an analog monitor is connected to the Harrier Evaluation board, and the camera analogue output is set ON you will see the camera output on the analog monitor.
- If the HD-SDI output is connected you will see the camera output on the HD-SDI monitor/display.
VISCA/Serial Communication
- To evaluate VISCA/serial control connect the camera header connector (J203) to the Harrier Evaluation board I/O connector (J103) using the 10-way/15-way JST-Molex cable. Use the mini USB–USB Type-A cable to connect the mini USB socket on the Harrier Evaluation Board to a PC.
- The USB PWR LED should light up indicating a live connection to the PC. Three serial interfaces will appear as COM ports on the PC and be accessible to PC software. The COM port number is assigned by the Windows operating system. Windows Device Manager (section: Ports (COM & LPT)) can be used to identify the actual COM port number assigned for the serial connection to the camera.
- The camera uses the TTL interface – usually, this is the highest COM port number assigned and is set to 9600 baud by default. The HarrierControl command line software can be used to send VISCA commands to the camera via the COM port.
Using the HarrierControl Application
- Go to the Active Silicon website and find the Software page, or the camera product page for the Oriole 3x AF-Zoom HD-SDI Board Camera and download the HarrierControl application.
- Unzip the HarrierControl folder into a suitable folder on your PC. The HarrierControl application is only supported on Windows 10/11. You may need to install the latest drivers from FTDI.
- These are available here: https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX.htm.
- The HarrierControl application is a Windows command line program that relies on several DLL files also included in the HarrierControl folder. The best way to run the application is in a Windows Command Prompt shell; this can be found under Windows
- Start button in Start->Windows System->Command Prompt, or you can search the applications/start for CMD.
- Run the Command Prompt application and change the drive/directory to the HarrierControl folder.
- Connect the Oriole 3x AF-Zoom HD-SDI Board Camera to the PC and power up the camera.
The HarrierControl application can be used with command-line arguments as follows:
HarrierControl [P1] [P2] [P3] [P4]
Argument [P1]: This specifies the type of Interface/Serial communication to be used.
- /? displays help text.
- /h displays help text.
- /H displays help text.
COMx COM port x selected, (x=2-255).
Argument [P2]: This specifies the Baud Rate of the serial port. Valid values are 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600 and 115200.
Argument [P3]:
- This is the VISCA command that is to be sent to the camera.
- The application requires VISCA commands to be entered in a comma-delimited format; the commas are removed before sending the commands.
- Each number is treated as a hexadecimal number.
- To work in PowerShell the comma-separated VISCA command should be enclosed in double quotation marks: ” command “
- For information on suitable VISCA commands please refer to the camera documentation.
Example:
- C: \Tools\HarrierControl>harriercontrol COM6 9600 81,09,00,37,FF
- Tx: [ 81 09 00 37 ff ]
- Rx: [ 90 50 00 4e 3c 00 04 ff]
Opening the Camera On-Screen Menu (OSD) system
- The camera VISCA command set includes commands (CAM_MENUKey) for opening and operating the camera in the Camera On-Screen Menu (OSD) system.
- Using these commands, the menu can be opened, the selection moved up, down, left, right and the highlighted item selected.
- In the HarrierControl folder, there is a batch file Harrier_Camera_OSD_Demo.bat that can be used to more easily operate the OSD from the command line.
- To open the menu system, send the CAM_MENUKey Menu command and the OSD menu will open.
- Browse the menu by using the CAM_MENUKey up, down, left, and right commands to move the selection and the CAM_MENUKey menu command to select options and sub-menus.
- To apply the results permanently to the camera you must ‘Save’ the settings on each OSD screen.
Technical Support
- In case of any issues, please contact Active Silicon Technical Support by email at techsupport@activesilicon.com.
CONTACT
- Headquarters:
- Active Silicon Ltd
- Pinewood Mews, Bond Close, Iver,
- Bucks, SL0 0NA, UK.
- Tel: +44 (0)1753 650600
- Fax: +44 (0)1753 651661
- Email info@activesilicon.com.
- Website: www.activesilicon.com.
- North America:
- Active Silicon, Inc.
- 479 Jumpers Hole Road, Suite 301,
- Severna Park, MD 21146, USA.
- Tel: +1 410-696-7642
- Fax: +1 410-696-7643
- Email: info@activesilicon.com.
- Website: www.activesilicon.com.
- Version 1.0, January 2024
References
- Imaging products, embedded systems & solutions | Active Silicon
- Imaging products, embedded systems & solutions | Active Silicon
- Imaging products, embedded systems & solutions | Active Silicon
- Gobal Shutter Board Camera 3x Zoom | Active Silicon
- Software | Product Range | Active Silicon
- D2XX Drivers - FTDI
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