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4MEG VIDEO MODEL 12
Flexible Image Capture, Processing, and Display Board for the PC

Picture of the 4MEG VIDEO Model 12 board

INNOVATIONS

  • 4 thru 256 Megabytes of Configurable Image Memory
  • 2 to 50 MHz Sample & Display Rate
  • 4 to 8K Pixels/Line (31K optional)
  • 1 Line/Image to 16,000 Lines/Image
  • 9,000 Frames/Second at 32 x 32
  • Digital Signal Processor On-Board
  • Dual TMS320C40 Processor Option
  • Programmable Video Formats

APPLICATIONS

  • High Frame Rate Motion Analysis
  • Automated Inspection & Sorting
  • Calibrated Image Measurement
  • High Resolution Cine Loops
  • Scientific Image Analysis
  • Character Recognition
  • Document Processing
  • Medical Imaging

4MEG VIDEO Model 12 offers a flexible image processing platform for system integrators, OEMs, VARs, and imaging engineers. A programmable video timing generator allows image acquisition from many different video sources including line scan cameras, high resolution cameras, high frame rate cameras, medical imaging equipment, or from graphics CRTs. The image memory can be configured to accept one or many images (depending on resolution). A 12 MIPS TMS320C25 digital signal processor accelerates image processing functions including user-programmed custom algorithms. The architecture allows for parallel processing in a multiple board configuration.

MULTI-MODE CAPTURE & DISPLAY

4MEG VIDEO Model 12 is the latest evolutionary step in the 4MEG VIDEO series. The analog and digital input can be sampled at rates up to 50 MHz. The pixel clock can be selected from either the video camera (or other external source) or an onboard generator. The Model 12 can genlock to composite video, composite sync, or to horizontal and vertical drive signals from almost any video source and format. Alternatively, the Model 12 can generate a variety of capture or display video formats including RS-170, CCIR, RS-330, and RS-343-almost any video format can be generated (within the 50 MHz pixel clock limit). The generation of video formats, coupled with the unique ability to isolate image capture from image display, provides the ability to acquire nonstandard images (line-scan, high frame rate, high resolution) in one format and display in a different format on both standard video and VGA monitors.

An external TTL level trigger can be used to initiate image sequence capture or other functions. A TTL level external output can control strobes, sound an alarm, or initiate defective part removal.

Programmable video resolution is provided in 4 pixel increments. The Model 12 can capture an image as small as 1 line by 4 pixels, or as large as 16,000 lines by 31K pixels-limited only by memory and sampling constraints. An optional 4 input multiplexer allows selection of one of 4 analog video inputs and one of 4 pixel clocks for precise acquisition from multiple cameras. Interfaces to almost all digital cameras including those with up to 16 bits per pixel are available as user installable options.

FEATURES



ACCELERATED ONBOARD PROCESSING

4MEG VIDEO Model 12 accelerates image processing with a 12 MIPS (50 MHz) Texas Instruments TMS320C25 Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The high-speed math-intensive processor can be downloaded with user-written custom programs. The DSP is programmed in assembly language for optimum performance. A 32K word onboard program memory is provided. The 4MEG VIDEO Model 12 allows execution of algorithms on the DSP while the PC performs other tasks. Multiple boards (up to 8) can be configured for maximum performance, parallel processing.

CONFIGURABLE IMAGE MEMORY

4 thru 256 megabyte image memory boards can be configured to accept a few large images or a multitude of small images. The image memory can also be used to store intermediate processing results, menus, or overlays. A bit-plane write protect feature allows text and overlays to be written over image data. Multiple boards (up to 8) can be configured for up to 1024 megabyte image sequences.

Image memory is accessed by the PC or the TMS320C25 in 64K byte blocks. A memory offset register permits the window to be located at any 16K byte boundary. Data paths for video acquisition, display, and processing are provided: only one of these three paths can be accessed at any one time. During image acquisition, the display is driven with live video.

Processing is performed during blanking intervals to maintain an uninterrupted display.

4MEG VIDEO Model 12 SOFTWARE

4MIPTOOL is a menu-driven program allowing basic capture and display with the ability to examine image buffers. (Included)

QUICK SET VIDEO programs provide predefined configurations for nonstandard cameras and nonstandard video applications. (Included)

4MIP is a powerful, interactive, menu-driven program that has an extensive set of image processing functions, and is easily enhanced with user-developed custom menus and scripted algorithms. Functions include sequential capture and display, calibrated measurement, processing, enhancement, archiving, and printing of imagery. (Optional)

4MOBJIPL "C" library provides the programmer with easy board access and control, under either DOS or Windows, eliminating the need for board-level programming. An image processing library provides a wealth of ready-to-run image enhancement, analysis, graphical, and load/save operations. (Optional)

Downloading the TMS320C25 with user-developed programs is supported by 4MIP, 4MIPTOOL, and 4MOBJIPL software.

Call for a third party software list.

SPECIFICATIONS


VIDEO ACQUISITION/DISPLAY

  • 2 to 50 MHz sample/display rate
  • 1 to 16,000 lines/field or frame
  • 4 to 8K pixels/line (31K optional)
  • 9,000 frames/second (32 x 32)
  • RS-170, CCIR, RS-330, & RS-343 in/output
  • Acquire & display nonstandard formats
  • Programmable timing & resolution
  • Genlock to external video sources
  • Generate master video timing
  • Pseudo-color display on RGB monitor
  • Non-destructive overlay cursor
  • Trigger signal input and output
  • Analog or digital inputs
  • Optional 4 input video and pixel clock multiplexer

ONBOARD PROCESSOR/ACCELERATOR

  • Texas Instruments TMS320C25 DSP
  • 12 million instructions per second (50 MHz)
  • 16-bit arithmetic with 32-bit accumulation
  • 32K word program memory
  • Direct image memory access
  • Download custom software

DUAL/SINGLE COPROCESSOR OPTION

  • One or two TMS320C40 DSPs
  • 4 or 8MB triple ported image memory on TMS320C40 global buses
  • 1 or 2MB static ram on TMS320C40 local buses
  • Dual port ram for TMS320C40 to PC data transfer and control

IMAGE MEMORY

  • 4 thru 256 megabyte add-on memory boards
  • Programmable image sizes
  • Bit-plane write protect (64 megabyte only)

CAMERA/VIDEO INTERFACE OPTIONS

Interface to Cidtec, Cohu, Dage-MTI, Dalsa, DVC, EG&G Reticon, Hamamatsu, Hitachi, Kodak, JC Labs, Loral Fairchild, Nec, Panasonic, PCO, Philips, Pulnix, Sierra Scientific, Sony, Texas Instruments, Xillix, Xybion and MORE! Interface to CT, MR, and ultrasound medical imaging equipment as well as VCRs. Some options require an interface card.

Block Diagram of the 4MEG VIDEO Model 12
4MEG VIDEO Model 12 Block Diagram

EPIX is continually expanding capabilities.

Call or fax for more information.

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