Important Information
Warranty
The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming
instructions, due to defects in materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced
by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not
execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives notice of such defects during the warranty period.
National Instruments does not warrant that the operation of the software shall be uninterrupted or error free.
A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the factory and clearly marked on the outside
of the package before any equipment will be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will pay the shipping costs
of returning to the owner parts which are covered by warranty.
National Instruments believes that the information in this manual is accurate. The document has been carefully reviewed
for technical accuracy. In the event that technical or typographical errors exist, National Instruments reserves the right to
make changes to subsequent editions of this document without prior notice to holders of this edition. The reader should
consult National Instruments if errors are suspected. In no event shall National Instruments be liable for any damages
arising out of or related to this document or the information contained in it.
EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN, NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS
ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMER’S RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED
BY FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE
CUSTOMER. NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS,
OR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF. This limitation of the liability of
National Instruments will apply regardless of the form of action, whether in contract or tort, including negligence.
Any action against National Instruments must be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues. National
Instruments shall not be liable for any delay in performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control. The warranty
provided herein does not cover damages, defects, malfunctions, or service failures caused by owner’s failure to follow
the National Instruments installation, operation, or maintenance instructions; owner’s modification of the product;
owner’s abuse, misuse, or negligent acts; and power failure or surges, fire, flood, accident, actions of third parties,
or other events outside reasonable control.
Copyright
Under the copyright laws, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, storing in an information retrieval system, or translating, in whole or in part, without
the prior written consent of National Instruments Corporation.
Trademarks
BridgeVIEW™, ComponentWorks™, CVI™, IMAQ™, LabVIEW™, NI-IMAQ™, RTSI™, and StillColor™ are trademarks
of National Instruments Corporation.
Product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
WARNING REGARDING MEDICAL AND CLINICAL USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS
National Instruments products are not designed with components and testing intended to ensure a level of reliability
suitable for use in treatment and diagnosis of humans. Applications of National Instruments products involving medical
or clinical treatment can create a potential for accidental injury caused by product failure, or by errors on the part of the
user or application designer. Any use or application of National Instruments products for or involving medical or clinical
treatment must be performed by properly trained and qualified medical personnel, and all traditional medical safeguards,
equipment, and procedures that are appropriate in the particular situation to prevent serious injury or death should always
continue to be used when National Instruments products are being used. National Instruments products are NOT intended
to be a substitute for any form of established process, procedure, or equipment used to monitor or safeguard human health
and safety in medical or clinical treatment.
How to Use the NI-IMAQ Manual Set..........................................................................ix
Organization of This Manual.........................................................................................ix
Conventions Used in This Manual.................................................................................x
National Instruments Documentation ............................................................................xi
Chapter 1
About the NI-IMAQ Software.......................................................................................1-1
Fundamentals of Building Applications with NI-IMAQ...............................................1-2
The NI-IMAQ Libraries ..................................................................................1-2
Chapter 2
Generic Functions..........................................................................................................2-2
Low-Level Functions.....................................................................................................2-5
Acquisition Functions......................................................................................2-5
Attribute Functions..........................................................................................2-6
Buffer Management Functions........................................................................2-6
Interface Functions..........................................................................................2-7
Utility Functions..............................................................................................2-7
© National Instruments Corporation
v
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Contents
Chapter 3
High-Level Signal I/O Functions.................................................................... 3-13
Advanced Programming Examples............................................................................... 3-14
Performing a Grab Using Low-Level Functions............................................. 3-15
Performing a Sequence Acquisition Using Low-Level Functions.................. 3-15
Performing a Ring Acquisition Using Low-Level Functions ......................... 3-16
Appendix A
StillColor
Customer Communication
Glossary
Index
NI-IMAQ User Manual
vi
© National Instruments Corporation
Figures
Figure 3-2.
Figure 3-3.
Figure 3-6.
Figure 3-7.
Snap Programming Flowchart...............................................................3-7
Grab Programming Flowchart...............................................................3-9
Signal I/O Function Programming Flowchart.......................................3-14
Composite StillColor Snap Programming Flowchart............................3-17
Figure A-1. Classical Decoding................................................................................A-4
Figure A-2. StillColor Decoding...............................................................................A-4
Figure A-3. White Light and the Visible Spectrum..................................................A-7
Tables
Table 1-1.
Import Libraries.....................................................................................1-3
Interface Naming Convention ...............................................................3-2
Table 3-1.
© National Instruments Corporation
vii
NI-IMAQ User Manual
About This Manual
NI-IMAQ software is a powerful application programming interface (API)
between your image acquisition application and the National Instruments
image acquisition (IMAQ) devices. This manual explains how to use your
NI-IMAQ software.
How to Use the NI-IMAQ Manual Set
To install your software and documentation set, you should begin by
reading the setup and test document included with your hardware and the
NI-IMAQ release notes. These documents contain information about how
to install your software and hardware. Then read Chapter 1, Introduction,
of the your hardware user manual, which contains a flowchart that
illustrates the sequence of steps you should take to learn about and get
started with NI-IMAQ.
When you are familiar with the material in this manual, you can use the
Organization of This Manual
The NI-IMAQ User Manual is organized as follows:
•
and lists the application development environments compatible with
NI-IMAQ, describes the fundamentals of creating NI-IMAQ
to build these applications, and tells you where to find sample
programs.
•
•
functions and briefly describes each function.
Chapter 3, Programming with NI-IMAQ, contains an overview of the
NI-IMAQ library, a description of the programming flow of NI-IMAQ,
and programming examples.
•
Appendix A, StillColor, describes the different methods you can use to
acquire a color image using the IMAQ PCI/PXI-1408 and National
Instruments StillColor technology, explains basic color theories, and
describes the different output options supported by StillColor.
© National Instruments Corporation
ix
NI-IMAQ User Manual
About This Manual
•
•
•
Appendix B, Customer Communication, contains forms you can use to
and manuals.
The Glossary contains an alphabetical list and description of terms
used in this manual, including abbreviations, acronyms, metric
prefixes, mnemonics, and symbols.
The Index contains an alphabetical list of key terms and topics in this
manual, including the page where you can find each one.
Conventions Used in This Manual
The following conventions are used in this manual:
This icon to the left of bold italicized text denotes a note, which alerts you
to important information.
bold
Bold text denotes menus, menu items, or dialog box buttons or options.
Bold italic text denotes a note, caution, or warning.
bold italic
italic
Italic text denotes emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction to a key
concept.
italic monospace
monospace
Italic text in this font denotes that you must supply the appropriate words
or values in the place of these items.
Lowercase text in this font denotes text or characters that are to be literally
input from the keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and
syntax examples. This font is also used for the proper names of disk drives,
paths, directories, programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names,
functions, variables, filenames, and extensions, and for statements and
comments taken from program code.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
x
© National Instruments Corporation
About This Manual
National Instruments Documentation
The NI-IMAQ User Manual is one piece of the documentation set for your
system. You could have any of several types of documents, depending on
the hardware and software in your system. Use the documents you have as
follows:
•
Your IMAQ hardware documentation—These documents have
detailed information about the IMAQ hardware that plugs into or is
connected to your computer. Use these manuals for hardware
installation and configuration instructions, hardware specification
information, and application hints.
•
Software documentation—Examples of software documentation you
might have are the LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI documentation,
the ComponentWorks documentation, the IMAQ Vision
documentation, and the NI-IMAQ documentation. After you have set
up your hardware system, use either the application software
(LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI) or the NI-IMAQ documentation to
help you write your application. If you have a large and complicated
system, it is worthwhile to look through the software documentation
before you configure your hardware.
•
Accessory installation guide or manuals—If you are using accessory
products, read the installation guides. They explain how to physically
connect the relevant pieces of the system. Consult these guides when
you are making your connections.
Related Documentation
The following document contains information you may find useful as you
read this manual:
•
Microsoft Visual C++ User Guide to Programming
Customer Communication
National Instruments wants to receive your comments on our products
and manuals. We are interested in the applications you develop with our
products, and we want to help if you have problems with them. To make it
easy for you to contact us, this manual contains comment and configuration
forms for you to complete. These forms are in Appendix B, Customer
Communication, at the end of this manual.
© National Instruments Corporation
xi
NI-IMAQ User Manual
1
Introduction to NI-IMAQ
This chapter describes the NI-IMAQ software and lists the application
development environments compatible with NI-IMAQ, describes the
fundamentals of creating NI-IMAQ applications for Windows 95 and
Windows NT, describes the files used to build these applications, and tells
you where to find sample programs.
About the NI-IMAQ Software
Thank you for buying a National Instruments image acquisition (IMAQ)
device, which includes NI-IMAQ software. NI-IMAQ is a set of functions
that controls the National Instruments plug-in IMAQ devices for image
acquisition and Real-Time System Integration (RTSI) bus multiboard
synchronization.
NI-IMAQ has both high-level I/O functions for maximum ease of use and
low-level I/O functions for maximum flexibility and performance.
Examples of high-level functions are snap and grab image acquisition.
Examples of low-level functions are buffer setup and video configuration.
NI-IMAQ enhances the performance of National Instruments IMAQ
devices because it lets multiple devices operate at their peak performance.
NI-IMAQ includes a buffer and data manager that uses sophisticated
techniques for handling and managing image acquisition buffers so that you
can simultaneously acquire and process data. NI-IMAQ uses direct
memory access (DMA) to transfer all data.
NI-IMAQ is a library of routines that work with National Instruments
IMAQ devices. NI-IMAQ contains methods for overcoming difficulties
ranging from simple device initialization to advanced high-speed real-time
image acquisition. The number of services you need for your applications
depends on the types of IMAQ devices you have and the complexity of your
applications.
© National Instruments Corporation
1-1
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 1
Introduction to NI-IMAQ
Application Development Environments
This release of NI-IMAQ supports the following Application Development
Environments (ADEs) for Windows 95 and Windows NT:
•
•
•
•
•
•
LabVIEW version 4.x and higher
LabWindows/CVI version 4.x and higher
BridgeVIEW version 1.x and higher
Borland C/C++ version 4.0 and higher
Microsoft Visual C/C++ version 2.0 and higher
Microsoft Visual Basic version 4.0 and higher
Note
Although NI-IMAQ has been tested and found to work with these ADEs, other
ADEs or higher versions of the ADEs listed above may also work.
If you are using Visual Basic, NI-IMAQ support is provided by the
ComponentWorks IMAQ hardware interface control. Please consult the
ComponentWorks IMAQ Vision documentation for more information.
Files on the NI-IMAQ software media may be compressed. Always run the
NI-IMAQ installation utility to extract the files you want. For a brief
description of the directories produced by the install programs and the
names and purposes of the uncompressed files, consult the readme.txt
file on your installation CD or diskettes.
Fundamentals of Building Applications with NI-IMAQ
The NI-IMAQ Libraries
The NI-IMAQ for Windows 95/NT function libraries are dynamic link
libraries (DLLs), which means that NI-IMAQ routines are not linked into
the executable files of applications. Only the information about the
NI-IMAQ routines in the NI-IMAQ import libraries is stored in the
executable files.
Import libraries contain information about their DLL-exported functions.
They indicate the presence and location of the DLL routines. Depending
on the development tools you are using, you may give the DLL routines
information through import libraries or through function declarations. Your
NI-IMAQ software kit contains function prototypes for all routines.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
1-2
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 1
Introduction to NI-IMAQ
Creating an Application
This section outlines the process for developing NI-IMAQ applications
using C for Windows 95 and Windows NT. Detailed instructions on
creating project and source files are not included. For information on
creating and managing project files, consult the documentation included
with your particular development environment.
When programming, use the following guidelines:
•
You must define the constant _NIWIN prior to including any
NI-IMAQ header files. You can define this constant in your source files
by using the #definedirective; that is, #define_NIWIN. Or, you
can add the definition to your project file’s preprocessor definitions if
your environment supports this feature.
•
•
All C source files that use NI-IMAQ functions must include the
NIIMAQ.Hheader file. Add this file to the top of your source files.
You must add the IMAQ.LIBimport library to your project. Some
environments allow you to add import libraries simply by inserting
them into your list of project files. Other environments allow you to
specify import libraries under the linker settings portion of the project
file.
•
When compiling, you will need to indicate where the compiler can find
the NI-IMAQ header files and shared libraries. Most of the files you
need for development are located under the NI-IMAQ target
installation directory. If you choose the default directory during
installation, the target installation directory is C:\Program Files\
National Instruments\NI-IMAQ. The include files are located
under the includesubdirectory. The import libraries are located
under the lib\<environment>subdirectory for the following
platforms:
Table 1-1. Import Libraries
Development Environment
Microsoft Visual C++
Borland C++
Directory
lib\msc
lib\bc
© National Instruments Corporation
1-3
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 1
Introduction to NI-IMAQ
Sample Programs
Please refer to the readme.txtfile located in your target installation
directory for the latest details on NI-IMAQ sample programs. These
programs are installed in the samplesubdirectory under the target
installation folder if you elected to install the sample files.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
1-4
© National Instruments Corporation
2
Software Overview
This chapter describes the classes of NI-IMAQ functions and briefly
describes each function.
Introduction
NI-IMAQ functions are grouped according to the following classes:
•
•
Generic functions
High-level functions
–
–
–
–
–
Snap functions
Grab functions
Ring and sequence functions
Signal I/O functions
Miscellaneous functions
•
Low-level functions
–
–
–
–
–
Acquisition functions
Attribute functions
Buffer management functions
Interface functions
Utility functions
The generic and high-level functions appear within each function class in
the logical order you might need to use them. The low-level functions
appear within each function class in alphabetical order.
© National Instruments Corporation
2-1
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 2
Software Overview
Generic Functions
Use generic functions in both high-level and low-level applications.
imgInterfaceOpen
Opens by name an interface as specified
in the IMAQ Configuration Utility.
imgSessionOpen
imgClose
Opens a session of an unknown type and
returns a session ID.
Closes a session or interface and unlocks
and releases all buffers associated with
the data type.
High-Level Functions
Use high-level functions to quickly and easily capture images. If you need
more advanced functionality, you can mix high-level functions with
low-level functions.
Snap Functions
Snap functions program the session to capture all or a portion of a single
frame or field to the user buffer.
imgSnap
Performs a single frame and field
acquisition.
imgSnapArea
Performs an area-specific frame or field
acquisition.
Grab Functions
Grab functions start a continuous image acquisition to a user buffer. Any
frame or field can be copied from the grab buffer to another user buffer.
imgGrabSetup
Configures and optionally starts a
continuous acquisition.
imgGrab
Performs a transfer from a continuous
acquisition session. Call this function
only after calling imgGrabSetup.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
2-2
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 2
Software Overview
imgGrabArea
Performs a transfer from a continuous
acquisition. Call this function only after
calling imgGrabSetup.
Ring and Sequence Functions
Ring and sequence functions start and stop a continuous acquisition of
multiple fields or frames.
imgRingSetup
Prepares a session for acquiring
continuously and looping into a buffer
list.
imgSequenceSetup
Prepares a session for acquiring a full
sequence into the buffer list.
imgSessionStartAcquisition
Starts a session acquisition identified by
the session ID.
imgSessionStopAcquisition
Stops a session acquisition identified by
the session ID.
Signal I/O Functions
Signal I/O functions control the trigger lines on IMAQ devices.
imgSessionTriggerConfigure
Configures an acquisition to start based
on an external trigger.
imgSessionLineTrigSourceConfigures triggering per line for
acquisition from a line scan camera.
imgSessionTriggerClear Disables all triggers on the session.
imgSessionTriggerDrive Configures the specified trigger line to
drive a signal out.
imgSessionTriggerRead
imgSessionWaitSignal
Reads the current value of the specified
trigger line.
Waits for a signal to be asserted. This
function will return when the specified
signal is asserted.
© National Instruments Corporation
2-3
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 2
Software Overview
imgSessionWaitSignalAsync
imgPulseCreate
Monitors for a signal to be asserted and
invokes a user-defined callback when the
signal is asserted.
Configures the attributes of a pulse. A
single pulse consists of a delay phase
(phase 1), followed by a pulse phase
(phase 2), and then a return to the phase 1
level.
imgPulseDispose
imgPulseRate
Disposes of a pulse ID.
Converts delay and width into delay,
width, and timebase values needed by
imgPulseCreate.
imgPulseStart
imgPulseStop
Starts the generation of a pulse. You must
call imgPulseCreatefirst to configure
the pulse.
Stops the generation of a pulse.
Miscellaneous Functions
Miscellaneous functions set and get the acquisition window’s region of
interest and return information such as session status and buffer sizes.
imgSessionStatus
imgSessionSetROI
imgSessionGetROI
Gets the current session status.
Sets acquisition origin and dimension.
Gets acquisition origin and dimension.
imgSessionGetBufferSize Gets the minimum buffer size needed for
frame buffer allocation.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
2-4
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 2
Software Overview
Low-Level Functions
Use low-level functions when you require more direct hardware control.
Acquisition Functions
Use acquisition functions to configure, start, and abort an image
acquisition, or examine a buffer during an acquisition.
imgMemLock
Locks all session-associated image
buffers in memory in preparation for an
acquisition.
imgMemUnlock
Unlocks all session-associated buffers.
imgSessionAbort
Stops an asynchronous acquisition or
synchronous continuous acquisition
immediately.
imgSessionAcquire
Starts acquisition synchronously or
asynchronously to the frame buffers in
the associated session buffer list.
imgSessionConfigure
imgSessionCopyArea
imgSessionCopyBuffer
Specifies the buffer list to use with this
session.
Copies an area of a session’s buffer to a
user-specified buffer.
Copies a session’s image data to a user
buffer format.
imgSessionExamineBuffer Extracts a buffer from a live acquisition;
lets you lock a buffer out of a continuous
loop sequence for processing when you
are performing a ring (continuous)
acquisition.
imgSessionReleaseBuffer Releases a buffer that was previously held
with imgSessionExamineBuffer.
© National Instruments Corporation
2-5
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 2
Software Overview
Attribute Functions
Use attribute functions to examine and change NI-IMAQ or camera
attributes.
imgGetAttribute
Returns an attribute for an interface or
session.
imgGetCameraAttributeNumeric
Gets the value of numeric camera
attributes.
imgGetCameraAttributeString
Gets the value of camera attributes.
imgSessionGetLostFramesList
Gets information about frames that were
overwritten during a continuous
acquisition.
imgSetAttribute
Sets an attribute for an interface or
session.
imgSetCameraAttributeNumeric
Sets the value of numeric camera
attributes.
imgSetCameraAttributeString
Sets the value of camera attributes.
Buffer Management Functions
Use buffer management functions to set up objects such as buffer lists and
buffers.
imgCreateBuffer
imgCreateBufList
Creates a user frame buffer based on the
geometric definitions of the associated
session.
Creates a buffer list that is passed to
imgSessionConfigure.
imgDisposeBuffer
imgDisposeBufList
Disposes of a user frame buffer.
Purges all image buffers associated with
this buffer list.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
2-6
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 2
Software Overview
imgGetBufferElement
Gets an element of a specific type from a
buffer list.
imgSessionClearBuffer
Clears a session’s image data to the
specified pixel value.
imgSetArrayPointerValue Constructs an array of 32-bit pointers
(a Visual Basic helper function).
imgSetBufferElement
Sets a buffer list element of a given type
to a specific value.
Interface Functions
Interface functions load and control the selected IMAQ device and
cameras. These functions use information stored by the IMAQ
Configuration Utility.
imgInterfaceLock
Locks a logical interface so that another
process cannot use it.
imgInterfaceQueryNames Returns the interface name identified by
the index parameter.
imgInterfaceReset
imgInterfaceUnlock
Performs a hardware reset on the
interface type and returns a status,
either good or bad.
Unlocks a logical interface, allowing
another process to use it.
Utility Functions
Use utility functions to display an image in a window, save an image to a
file, or to get detailed error information.
imgPlot
Plots a buffer to a window given a native
window handle.
imgSessionSaveBufferEx Saves a buffer of a session to disk in a
native operating system-specific format
such as bitmap or tag image file format
(TIFF).
imgShowError
Returns a null terminated string
describing the error code.
© National Instruments Corporation
2-7
NI-IMAQ User Manual
3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
This chapter contains an overview of the NI-IMAQ library, a description
of the programming flow of NI-IMAQ, and programming examples.
Flowcharts are included for the following operations: snap, grab, sequence,
ring, and StillColor acquisitions.
Introduction
The NI-IMAQ API is divided into two groups, the high-level functions
and the low-level functions. With the high-level functions, you can write
programs quickly without having to learn the details of the low-level API
and driver. The low-level functions give you finer granularity and control
over your image acquisition process, but you must understand the API and
driver in greater detail.
Note
The high-level functions call low-level functions and use certain attributes that
are listed in the high-level function description in the NI-IMAQ Function
Reference Manual. Changing the value of these attributes while using low-level
functions will affect the operation of the high-level functions.
High-Level Functions
The high-level function set supports four basic types of image acquisition:
•
•
Snap acquires a single frame or field to a buffer.
Grab performs an acquisition that loops continually on one buffer; you
obtain a copy of the acquisition buffer by grabbing a copy to a separate
buffer that can be used for analysis.
•
•
Sequence performs an acquisition that acquires a specified number of
buffers, then stops.
Ring performs an acquisition that loops continually on a specified
number of buffers.
The high-level function set also allows simple triggered acquisitions and
the generation of external signals on the trigger lines.
© National Instruments Corporation
3-1
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
Low-Level Functions
The low-level function set supports all types of acquisition and can be
used to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Create a custom acquisition sequence or ring
Create and manage your own buffers
Set session and interface attributes to adjust image quality and size
Start a synchronous or asynchronous acquisition
Extract buffers out of a live acquisition for analysis
Set up and control triggered acquisitions
Establishing Interface Connections and Sessions
To acquire images using the high-level or low-level functions, you must
first learn how to establish a connection to an interface and create a session.
See the Interface Functions and Session Functions sections in this chapter
for information on how to manage interfaces and sessions, then refer to the
high-level or low-level samples for information on acquiring images.
Interface Functions
Use interface functions to query the number of available interfaces,
establish a connection to, control access to, and initialize hardware such as
the PCI/PXI-1408. All interfaces in NI-IMAQ are specified by a name. By
default, the system creates default names for the number of boards in your
system. These names observe the convention shown in Table 3-1.
Table 3-1. Interface Naming Convention
Interface Name
Board Installed
img0
img1
...
Board 0
Board 1
...
imgn
Board n
You can edit existing or create new interfaces by using the IMAQ
configure the board serial number and the default state of a particular
interface.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
3-2
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
Before you can acquire image data successfully, you must open an interface
by using the imgInterfaceOpenfunction. imgInterfaceOpenrequires
an interface name and returns a handle to this interface. NI-IMAQ then uses
this handle to reference this interface when using other NI-IMAQ
functions.
To establish a connection to the first board in your system, use the
following program example:
INTERFACE_ID
interfaceID;
if (imgInterfaceOpen(“img0”, &interfaceID) == IMG_ERR_GOOD)
{
… user code …
imgClose(interfaceID, FALSE);
}
This example opens an interface to img0. When the program is finished
with the interface, it closes the interface using the imgClosefunction.
For a complete list of the available interface functions, refer to the
NI-IMAQ Function Reference Manual.
Session Functions
Use session functions to configure the type of acquisition you want
to perform on a particular interface. After you have established a
connection to an interface, you need to create a session and configure it
to perform the type of acquisition you require.
To create a session, call the imgSessionOpenfunction. This function
requires a valid interface handle and returns a handle to a session.
NI-IMAQ then uses this session handle to reference this session when using
other NI-IMAQ calls.
To create a session, use the following example program:
INTERFACE_ID
SESSION_ID
interfaceID;
sessionID;
if (imgInterfaceOpen(“img0”, &interfaceID) == IMG_ERR_GOOD)
{
if (imgSessionOpen(interfaceID, &sessionID) == IMG_ERR_GOOD)
{
… user code …
imgClose(sessionID, FALSE);
}
imgClose(interfaceID, FALSE);
}
© National Instruments Corporation
3-3
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
This example opens an interface to img0and then creates a session to
acquire images. When the program is finished with the interface and
session, it then closes both handles using the imgClosefunction.
For a complete list of the available session functions, refer to the NI-IMAQ
Function Reference Manual.
Managing Buffers
Buffer management can be performed either by you or automatically by
NI-IMAQ. If the high-level acquisition routines (imgSnap, imgGrab,
imgSequenceSetup, and imgRingSetup) are initiated with NULL
pointers for buffer addresses, NI-IMAQ will automatically allocate a buffer
and return the value of the buffer pointer to you. After you have a buffer
pointer, you can use this pointer in successive calls.
For greater control of the acquisition buffers, such as creating buffers larger
than the image size for adding borders, you can create them by calling a
memory allocation routine (for example, malloc) or using the low-level
function imgCreateBuffer. When creating buffers using either approach,
dispose of the buffers using freeor imgDisposeBufferwhen applicable
to free PC memory for maximum performance.
Camera Attributes
The camera attributes allow you to control camera functions, such as
integration time and pixel binning, directly from NI-IMAQ. These camera
attributes are camera-specific and can also be set in the IMAQ
Configuration Utility on the Advanced tab. Information about specific
attributes for your camera is contained in <my camera>.txt, which can
be found in the ni-imaq/camera infodirectory. For more information
about camera attributes and their uses, please consult your camera
documentation.
Note
Currently, camera attributes are supported only by the IMAQ PCI-1424.
The camera attribute file lists all attributes for the camera. Each attribute
description contains four fields—Attribute Name, Description,
Data Type, and Possible Values. The Attribute Name field contains the
of the attribute—String, Integer, or Float. String indicates that there are
several valid values for this attribute that are expressed as strings. The list
of valid values is indicated in Possible Values. Integer indicates that the
NI-IMAQ User Manual
3-4
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
attribute value is a numeric value of type integer. Float indicates that the
attribute value is a numeric value of type floating point. The valid integer
and float values are indicated in Possible Values.
Use the imgSetCameraAttributeStringand
imgGetCameraAttributeStringfunctions to set and get the value of
String, Float and Integer attributes. Use the
imgSetCameraAttributeNumericand
imgGetCameraAttributeNumericfunctions to set and get the value of
Float and Integer attributes.
Note
The spelling and syntax of the Attribute Name and string values must match the
camera attribute file exactly.
NI-IMAQ Status Signals
NI-IMAQ has several status signals that can be used to trigger the
generation of a pulse or invoke a callback function. Acquisition in
Progress indicates that the board is acquiring image data. This signal goes
TRUE when the board initiates the acquisition either through a software or
hardware triggered start. When the last piece of image data is transferred to
memory, this signal goes FALSE. If the acquisition is a sequence,
acquisition in progress will stay TRUE throughout the acquisition until the
entire sequence is completed. Acquisition Done is the reverse of
Acquisition in Progress. This signal goes TRUE when the last piece of
data is transferred to memory indicating that the acquisition has completed.
Frame Start and Frame Stop indicate the status of an acquisition on a
buffer basis. Frame Start indicates that a buffer is being acquired. This
signal goes TRUE when the first valid pixel is detected by the board (even
if this pixel is not in the current region of interest). The signal goes FALSE
when the last valid pixel is detected by the board. If the acquisition is a
sequence or a ring, Frame Start will pulse for every buffer in the
acquisition. Frame Done is the reverse of Frame Start and indicates when
the image is transferred from the camera to the IMAQ board.
Buffer Complete indicates when the image data has been transferred to
memory and is available for image processing. Buffer Complete will go
TRUE when the data in an image buffer has been transferred to memory
(either onboard or system memory, depending on the acquisition).
© National Instruments Corporation
3-5
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
Figure 3-1 illustrates the values of the signals during a three-buffer
sequence acquisition.
AQ_IN_PROGRESS
Board Initiates
Acquisition
All Image
Data In
Memory
FRAME_START
First Valid
Pixel Acquired
By Board
Last Valid
Pixel Acquired
By Board
FRAME_DONE
BUF_COMPLETE
AQ_DONE
Buffer 1
Data In
Memory
Buffer 0
Data In
Memory
Buffer 2
Data In
Memory
Board Initiates
Acquisition
All Image
Data In
Memory
Figure 3-1. NI-IMAQ Status Signals
You can use the NI-IMAQ status signals for many purposes. Pulses can be
generated based on the assertion of any of these signals. This allows you to
generate specific timing pulses based on acquisitions to control other
aspects of your system, such as a strobe light. Furthermore, you can
configure callback functions that are invoked based on any of these signals.
For example, you may want to initiate an image processing routine as soon
as an image is in memory. You can configure a callback containing image
processing code to be invoked when Buffer Complete is asserted.
Introductory Programming Examples
This section introduces some examples for performing the different types
of image acquisition. The error codes that NI-IMAQ returns are not
included in the examples. In your programs, always check the return code
for errors.
Note
You can find these code examples in the ni-imaq\samplesdirectory.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
3-6
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
High-Level Snap Functions
A snap acquires a single image into a memory buffer. Snap functions
include imgSnapand imgSnapArea. Use these functions to acquire a
valid session handle.
When you invoke a snap, it initializes the board and acquires the next
incoming video frame (or field) to a buffer. A snap is appropriate for
low-speed or single-capture applications where ease of programming
is essential. Figure 3-2 illustrates a typical snap programming order.
imgInterfaceOpen opens
and configures the interface
according to the file setup by the
IMAQ Configuration Utility.
imgInterfaceOpen
imgSessionOpen
imgSessionOpen opens a session that
will be used for all acquisition and configuration.
imgSnap acquires an image into a buffer. The
buffer may be passed into imgSnap or automatically
allocated by NI-IMAQ. If no buffer is passed into
imgSnap, it will automatically snap into a new buffer
and return a pointer to the buffer.
imgSnap
User-Specific Functions
User-specific image processing
imgClose
imgClose closes the interface and session.
Figure 3-2. Snap Programming Flowchart
The hlsnap.cexample demonstrates how to perform a single snap using
imgSnap. The example opens an interface and a session and then performs
a single snap. The buffer pointer that is passed to imgSnapis initialized to
NULL, which instructs imgSnapto automatically allocate a buffer for the
image. The size of the buffer is calculated based on the region of interest
(ROI) and the rowPixel attributes: ROI height multiplied by rowPixel
multiplied by the number of bytes per pixel. When you open a session, the
ROI values are initialized from the acquisition window (ACQWINDOW)
dimensions that are configured in the IMAQ Configuration Utility. The
ACQWINDOW dimensions will vary depending on the type of camera you
are using.
© National Instruments Corporation
3-7
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
The sample then calls a process function to analyze the image. When the
program is finished, it calls imgClosewith the interface handle and sets
the freeResources flag to TRUE. This instructs NI-IMAQ to free all of the
resources associated with this interface, which releases the session as well
as the memory buffer allocated by imgSnap.
High-Level Grab Functions
A grab is a continuous high-speed acquisition of data to a single buffer in
host memory. Grab functions include imgGrabSetup, imgGraband
imgGrabArea. You can use these functions to perform an acquisition that
loops continually on one buffer. A copy of the acquisition buffer is
obtained by grabbing a copy to a separate buffer. To use these functions,
you must have a valid session handle.
Calling imgGrabSetupinitializes a session for a grab acquisition.
After imgGrabSetup, each successive grab will copy the last acquired
buffer into a user buffer where you can perform processing on the image. A
grab is appropriate for high-speed applications where you need processing
performed on only one image at a time. Figure 3-3 illustrates a typical grab
programming order.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
3-8
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
imgInterfaceOpen opens
and configures the interface
according to the file setup by the
IMAQ Configuration Utility.
imgInterfaceOpen
imgSessionOpen opens a session that
imgSessionOpen
imgGrabSetup
will be used for all acquisition and configuration.
imgGrabSetup configures the interface for a
continuous acquisition.
imgSessionStartAcquisition starts
the acquisition into a driver buffer.
imgSessionStartAcquisition
imgGrab copies the contents of the driver buffer
to a user buffer. This function can be synchronized
to a vertical blank or initiated asynchronously. The
buffer can be passed into imgGrab or automatically
allocated by NI-IMAQ. imgGrab can be called
multiple times for high-speed acquisition.
imgGrab
User-Specific Functions
imgSessionStopAcquisition
imgClose
User-specific image processing
(Loop)
imgSessionStopAcquisition stops
the grab function.
imgClose closes the interface and session.
Figure 3-3. Grab Programming Flowchart
The hlgrab.c example demonstrates how to perform a grab using
imgGrabArea. The example performs multiple grabs until an appropriate
condition is met. The program configures the session to perform a grab
operation by calling the imgGrabSetupfunction. The program then
calculates the area to grab using the current ROI, rowPixels, and
BYTESPERPIXEL, and the acquisition is started by calling
imgSessionStartAcquisition. In this example, we allocate our
the acquisition is complete, it stops. The program then frees the user buffer
and all of the resources associated with this interface by calling imgClose.
© National Instruments Corporation
3-9
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
High-Level Sequence Functions
Sequence functions include imgSequenceSetup,
imgSessionStartAcquisitionand imgStopAcquisition. A
sequence initiates a variable-length and variable-delay transfer to multiple
buffers. You can configure the delay between acquisitions with
SequenceSetupand specify both the buffer list that will be used for
transfers and the number of buffers. After imgSequenceSetup, you can
monitor the status of the transfer and perform processing on any of the
process all buffers simultaneously.
A sequence is appropriate for applications where you need to perform
processing on multiple images. You can configure a sequence to acquire
every frame or skip a variable number of frames between each image.
Figure 3-4 illustrates a typical sequence programming order.
imgInterfaceOpen opens
and configures the interface
according to the file setup by the
IMAQ Configuration Utility.
imgInterfaceOpen
imgSessionOpen opens a session that
will be used for all acquisition and configuration.
imgSessionOpen
You must set up your buffer list and the
number of the frames/fields that need to
be skipped between each acquisition.
Buffer list setup
imgSequenceSetup initiates a sequence to a
programmable number of buffers. These buffers can be
created either by the driver (using imgCreateBuffer
or passing a NULL) or by you.
imgSequenceSetup
imgSessionStatus
imgSessionStatus gives the current status of
the sequence, including the buffer number of the last buffer
that was successfully transferred. With this information,
you can determine which buffer you want to process.
User-Specific Functions
User-specific image processing.
(Loop)
imgClose
imgClose closes the interface and session.
Figure 3-4. Sequence Programming Flowchart
NI-IMAQ User Manual
3-10
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
The HLSeq.cexample demonstrates how to perform a sequence
acquisition using imgSequenceSetup. The example sets up a sequence
that uses 10 user-allocated buffers. Unlike the ring example, each buffer in
the sequence has its own skip count associated with it. The skip count is the
number of frames to skip prior to acquiring the next image. The acquisition
is started at setup time and the setup call is synchronous.
High-Level Ring Functions
Ring and sequence functions include imgRingSetup,
imgSessionStartAcquisitionand imgStopAcquisition. Use
these functions to perform a continuous acquisition that loops or stops after
a certain number of images have been captured.
A ring initiates a continuous high-speed acquisition to multiple buffers.
Calling imgRingSetupinitiates a ring. imgRingSetupspecifies both the
buffer list that will be used for transfers and the number of buffers. After
imgRingSetupis called, you can monitor the status of the transfer and
perform processing on any of the buffers in the ring. A ring is appropriate
for high-speed applications where you need to perform processing on every
image. You must use multiple buffers because processing times may vary
depending on other applications and processing results. You can configure
each acquisition.
For certain applications, you can temporarily extract a buffer from the ring
to prevent it from being overwritten during the ring’s next pass. Use the
imgSessionExamineBufferand imgSessionReleaseBuffer
functions to do this. Figure 3-5 illustrates a typical ring programming order.
© National Instruments Corporation
3-11
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
imgInterfaceOpen opens
and configures the interface
according to the file setup by the
IMAQ Configuration Utility.
imgInterfaceOpen
imgSessionOpen opens a session that
imgSessionOpen
imgRingSetup
will be used for all acquisition and configuration.
imgRingSetup sets up a ring acquisition to a
programmable number of buffers. These buffers
can be created either by the driver (using
imgCreateBuffer or passing a NULL)
or by you.
imgSessionStartAcquisition starts
imgSessionStartAcquisition
imgSessionStatus
the acquisition into a driver buffer.
imgSessionStatus gives the current status of
the ring, including the buffer number of the last buffer
that was successfully transferred. With this information,
you can determine which buffer you want to process
or copy to a private location.
User-Specific Functions
imgSessionStopAcquisition
imgClose
User-specific image processing
(Loop)
imgSessionStopAcquisition stops
the ring function.
imgClose closes the interface and session.
Figure 3-5. Ring Programming Flowchart
The HLRing.cexample demonstrates how to perform a ring acquisition
using imgRingSetup. The example sets up a ring containing six buffers
and sets the skip count to three, which causes the program to acquire on
every third frame. Unlike the sequence example, the skip count is set to the
same value for every buffer in the ring. A skip count is the number of frames
skipped prior to acquiring an image to a buffer. The program then loops,
waiting for the next buffer to be acquired. The imgSessionStatus
function queries NI-IMAQ for the buffer number of the last valid buffer that
has been acquired. The last valid buffer is defined as the buffer that contains
NI-IMAQ User Manual
3-12
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
the most recent video image. This process will continue until a designated
condition is met and then the acquisition stops.
High-Level Signal I/O Functions
The signal I/O functions fall into two categories, triggering acquisitions
and driving the external trigger lines. Triggered acquisitions allow images
to be acquired precisely when an external event occurs, such as a sensor
activating. The driving of external trigger lines allows external devices to
be controlled in sync with the image acquisition. For example, a strobe light
could be fired when a sequence acquisition begins.
Any of the four types of acquisitions can be initiated from an external
trigger source by using imgSessionTriggerConfigure. For sequence
and ring, just the first buffer in the list can be triggered or each buffer in the
list can be triggered. After using this function to set up the trigger, any
acquisition performed on the session will wait for a trigger. Use
imgSessionTriggerClearto remove the trigger settings from the
session.
Some applications need to send signals out from the IMAQ hardware to an
external device. Many types of signals can be driven out of the trigger lines
by using imgSessionTriggerDrive. This function takes a trigger line
This can be a steady state value of high or low or it can be one of the internal
state signals of the hardware, such as acquisition in progress. When specific
pulses need to be generated, imgPulseCreateand imgPulseStartcan
be used.
Figure 3-6 shows the outline of a program that waits for an external trigger
on line 1 before acquiring a single image. It also configures the driver to
assert RTSI trigger line 3 when the acquisition is finished. The
trigsnap.c example contains C code that implements this program.
© National Instruments Corporation
3-13
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
imgInterfaceOpen opens and configures the
interface according to the file set up by the
IMAQ Configuration Utility.
imgInterfaceOpen
imgSessionOpen
imgSessionOpen opens a session that
will be used for an acquisition.
imgSessionTriggerConfigure configures the
session so that an acquisition will not occur until a trigger
is received on external trigger line 1.
imgSessionTriggerConfigure
imgSessionTriggerDrive
imgSessionTriggerDrive configures the session
so that RTSI trigger line 3 will be driven high when the
acquisition has completed.
imgSnap starts the acquisition. The actual snap will
imgSnap
User-Specific Functions
imgClose
not occur until the trigger is received.
User-specific image processing.
imgClose closes the session and interface.
Figure 3-6. Signal I/O Function Programming Flowchart
Advanced Programming Examples
You can use low-level functions or combine high-and low-level functions
for more advanced programming techniques, including snap, grab,
sequence, ring, and color image acquisitions.
Performing a Snap Using Low-Level Functions
The LLSnap.c example demonstrates how to perform a snap acquisition
using low-level calls. The example sets up a single-frame acquisition to a
buffer allocated by NI-IMAQ. The program retrieves the acquisition
window width of the selected camera and aligns it on a 32-bit boundary.
You must align both the acquisition window width and rowPixels on a
32-bit boundary to ensure that your image is acquired properly. The
software does not perform this alignment for you unless you select a scaling
option. Although the IMAQ Configuration Utility performs this alignment
NI-IMAQ User Manual
3-14
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
for you when you acquire an image with it, you must perform the alignment
yourself if you use window widths not aligned on a 32-bit boundary.
After the program sets the ROI, it locks the memory and acquires the
image. If you choose to plot the image using the imgPlotfunction,
you must align the image width on a 32-bit boundary as well.
Performing a Grab Using Low-Level Functions
The LLGrab.cexample demonstrates how to perform a grab acquisition
using low-level calls. The example sets up a continuous acquisition to a
single user-allocated buffer.
As described in the low-level snap example, the program retrieves the
acquisition window width of the selected camera and aligns it on a 32-bit
boundary. The program creates a buffer list to describe the acquisition
buffers. Next, the program sets the ROI to the acquisition window width.
The program performs a calculation to determine the correct memory
requirements of the user buffer. The program creates the buffer and
configures buffer element 0 for a single continuous acquisition. The
program then locks the memory and starts the image acquisition
asynchronously. The main processing loop of the code shows how to wait
for vertical blank and copy the buffer to an analysis buffer.
Keep your analysis code fast to minimize the number of missed frames
during analysis. If you need more time to examine a buffer, set up a
multiple-buffer ring and call imgSessionExamineBufferto extract
the desired buffer from the live sequence.
Performing a Sequence Acquisition Using Low-Level Functions
The LLSeq.c example demonstrates how to perform a sequence
acquisition using low-level calls. The example sets up a sequence
acquisition to multiple buffers allocated by NI-IMAQ. As described in the
low-level snap example, the program retrieves the acquisition window
width of the selected camera and aligns it on a 32-bit boundary. It creates a
buffer list to describe the acquisition buffers. Next, the program sets the
ROI to the acquisition window width. The program calculates the correct
memory requirements of the frame buffer. However, this is not necessary
if you choose to use the default acquisition window width, rowPixels, and
ROI. In this case, NI-IMAQ will allocate the correct size buffer if you pass
the buffer and configures the buffer list for each buffer element in the ring.
The program locks the memory and starts the image acquisition
asynchronously.
© National Instruments Corporation
3-15
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
The main processing loop of the code shows how to process each buffer
acquired in sequential order.
Performing a Ring Acquisition Using Low-Level Functions
The LLRing.c example demonstrates how to perform a ring acquisition
using low-level calls. The example sets up a continuous acquisition to
multiple buffers allocated by NI-IMAQ.
As described in the low-level snap example, the program retrieves the
acquisition window width of the selected camera and aligns it on a 32-bit
boundary. It then creates a buffer list to describe the acquisition buffers.
Next, the program sets the ROI to the acquisition window width. The
program calculates the correct memory requirements of the frame buffer.
However, this is not necessary if you choose to use the default acquisition
window width, rowPixels, and ROI. In this case, NI-IMAQ will allocate the
correct size buffer if you pass a NULL as the size parameter to
imgCreateBuffer. The buffer is created and the buffer list is configured
for each buffer element in the ring. The memory is locked and the image
acquisition is started asynchronously.
The main processing loop of the code shows how to wait for the first buffer
to be filled and subsequently processed. NI-IMAQ returns a value of
0xFFFFFFFFas the IMG_ATTR_LAST_VALID_BUFFER attribute until
the successful acquisition of the first buffer. To guarantee that you wait for
the acquisition of a new buffer in a ring with more than one buffer, you can
loop on the attribute IMG_ATTR_LAST_VALID_BUFFER until it
changes. If your buffer analysis requires many computations, call
imgSessionExamineBufferto extract the desired buffer from the live
sequence. When using imgSessionExamineBuffer, the buffer requested
is literally pulled from the looping sequence for the duration of the analysis.
Use imgSessionReleaseBufferto return the buffer to the continuous
sequence.
StillColor Snap Programming
You can use the high-level snap function to acquire StillColor images from
either composite or RGB video sources. As shown in Figure 4-6, acquiring
a StillColor image is identical to acquiring a monochrome image except for
two session attribute settings. For more information on StillColor, see
Appendix A, StillColor.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
3-16
© National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 3
Programming with NI-IMAQ
imgInterfaceOpen opens
and configures the interface
according to the file setup by the
IMAQ Configuration Utility.
imgInterfaceOpen
imgSessionOpen opens a session that
imgSessionOpen
imgSetAttribute
will be used for all acquisition and configuration.
imgSetAttribute configures the StillColor
mode to acquire a StillColor image from
a composite source using the attribute
IMG_ATTR_COLOR_MODE.
imgSetAttribute configures the image
representation for 32-bit RGB mode using the attribute
IMG_ATTR_COLOR_IMAGE_REP.
imgSetAttribute
imgSnap
imgSnap acquires an image into a buffer. The
buffer may be passed into imgSnap or automatically
allocated by NI-IMAQ. If no buffer is passed into
imgSnap, then imgSnap will automatically snap into
a new buffer and return a pointer to the buffer.
User-Specific Functions
User-specific image processing.
imgClose
imgClose closes the interface and session.
Figure 3-7. Composite StillColor Snap Programming Flowchart
The SCSnap.cexample demonstrates how to perform a single, composite
StillColor snap. The example first opens an interface and a session. The
example then uses imgSetAttributeto enable and configure StillColor
mode to acquire a composite image. The example also configures the
image data representation to 32-bit RGB mode. imgSnapacquires a
StillColor image and returns the image data in the buffer. After the example
processes the image, it calls imgCloseto close the handles and free all of
the resources associated with the interface.
© National Instruments Corporation
3-17
NI-IMAQ User Manual
A
StillColor
This appendix describes the different methods you can use to acquire a
color image using the IMAQ PCI/PXI-1408 and National Instruments
StillColor technology, explains basic color theories, and describes the
different output options supported by StillColor.
Introduction
You can use two basic video camera types for color acquisition—RGB
cameras and composite color video cameras.
An RGB camera delivers the three basic color components—red, green
and blue—on three different wires. This type of camera often uses three
independent CCD sensors to acquire the three color signals. RGB cameras
are used for very accurate color acquisition.
A composite color camera transmits the video signal on a single wire. The
signal is composed of two components that are added together. These
components are:
•
A monochrome video signal that contains the gray level information
from the image and the composite synchronization signals. This signal
is the same as a standard monochrome video signal, such as RS-170
(NTSC) or CCIR-601 (PAL).
•
A modulated signal that contains the color information from the image.
The format of this signal depends on your camera. The three main
color standards are as follows:
–
–
–
M-NTSC (also called NTSC), which is used mainly in the US
and Japan
B/G-PAL (also called PAL), which is used mainly in Europe,
India, and Australia
SECAM, which is used mainly in France and the former Soviet
Republics. SECAM is only used for broadcasting, so SECAM
countries often use PAL as the local color image format.
© National Instruments Corporation
A-1
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Appendix A
StillColor
StillColor
StillColor is a technique you can use to acquire color images from
composite color video or RGB cameras using the PCI/PXI-1408
monochrome device. Use StillColor Composite mode to acquire color
images from a composite color video camera. Use StillColor RGB mode
to acquire color images from an RGB camera. StillColor composite
acquisition results in an image of much higher quality than the traditional
color decoding that can be obtained with a color image acquisition board.
To acquire a color image, the PCI/PXI-1408 acquires multiple frames from
the camera. Your computer CPU then processes the frames using the
StillColor algorithm and creates a single color image. Because StillColor
uses your computer CPU to process the image, the acquisition time for a
single image depends on your system performance. You can acquire
StillColor composite images at rates of up to 2 frames/s and StillColor
RGB images at rates of up to 10 frames/s.
You can use StillColor in applications that require high-quality images of
still or very slowly moving objects. StillColor supports many different
image representations used in scientific or industrial applications, such as
RGB bitmap and single plane hue, saturation, luminance, and intensity.
StillColor also supports image averaging of up to 128 frames to increase the
dynamic range of the StillColor image. See the Introduction to Color
section later in this appendix for more information on image
representations.
StillColor Composite
In a composite color video signal, the color information (chroma) is
modulated in phase and amplitude around a sub-carrier frequency of
3.58 MHz (NTSC) or 4.43 MHz (PAL). The modulated signal is then
added to the luminance information and the entire signal including
synchronization pulses is transmitted on a single line.
Traditional Color Decoding
On the receiver side or in your IMAQ board, the luminance and the chroma
signals must be separated before the color image can be decoded and
rebuilt. However, the modulated color information and some of the
high-frequency luminance information share the same frequency range
around the sub-carrier frequency. This sharing makes it impossible to
separate the two signals perfectly and, therefore, perfect reconstruction of
the original color image is not possible.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
A-2
© National Instruments Corporation
Appendix A
StillColor
All of the traditional ways to separate the two signals result in visual
artifacts on the final picture. Techniques such as frequency-band filtering
or comb filtering can minimize some of these artifacts, but most techniques
are optimized to obtain the best picture for visualization of a continuous
acquisition. The composite color formats are designed so that artifacts
resulting from one frame are almost cancelled by artifacts in following
frames. This system takes advantage of the slow response time of the
human eye to obscure most of these problems.
The situation is different in a single frame acquisition where a single image
is needed. A single image usually clearly shows the result of a bad
techniques are:
•
•
Reduced luminance bandwidth, resulting in a blurry image.
Cross-color modulation where rapidly changing colors affect the
luminance of the image, as shown on the edges of the parrot’s head
in Figure A-1.
•
Cross-luminance modulation where rapidly changing luminance
(stripes) results in irritating random color patterns, as shown on the
black and white stripes around the parrot’s eye in Figure A-1.
© National Instruments Corporation
A-3
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Appendix A
StillColor
Figure A-1. Classical Decoding
Figure A-2. StillColor Decoding
Note
You can find color versions of the illustrations in this appendix in the online
version of this document included with your NI-IMAQ software kit.
Both pictures are approximately 80 by 80 pixels in size and are acquired
using an NTSC composite video signal. Figure A-1 uses classic decoding
algorithms including bandpass/bandstop and comb filtering. Figure A-2
was acquired using the PCI/PXI-1408 and the StillColor algorithm.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
A-4
© National Instruments Corporation
Appendix A
StillColor
Why StillColor?
StillColor is optimized for single-frame acquisition. A StillColor
Composite acquisition acquires multiple consecutive frames. Assuming
that all frames represent the same scene of still objects, the algorithm then
uses knowledge about the composite color format to perfectly separate the
color and the luminance information.
In an NTSC video signal, two consecutive frames representing the same
object will contain the same luminance information but will have chroma
signals that are opposite in phase. By adding the two frames together, the
chroma information is cancelled, and by subtracting the two frames from
each other, the luminance signal is cancelled. The resulting separation is
now perfect, as shown in Figure A-2.
Color and luminance separation is more complex in a PAL video signal.
The IMAQ device must acquire three consecutive frames, but the same
perfect separation of the color and luminance information can be achieved
after manipulation of these images.
After separating the color and luminance signals, the StillColor algorithm
then decodes and rebuilds the color image. As shown in Figure A-2, the
result does not show any of the artifacts encountered in traditional color
decoding methods.
Composite Color Acquisition
color images from an NTSC or PAL composite color video camera.
NI-IMAQ can acquire the multiple frames, decode the color information,
and rebuild the image automatically. The output image can be a simple
RGB color image or one of many image representations supported by
NI-IMAQ. See the Introduction to Color section later in this appendix for
more information on image representations.
You can connect the composite video signal to any of the four input
channels on the PCI/PXI-1408. Since StillColor is used for still scenes, you
can perform only a snap (a single-image acquisition).
© National Instruments Corporation
A-5
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Appendix A
StillColor
StillColor RGB
RGB cameras output a color image using three lines. StillColor RGB will
acquire the three signals and construct a color image. The three lines are
connected to three channels on the PCI/PXI-1408. One frame is acquired
from each of the three channels, which represent the red, green, and blue
planes of the image. StillColor combines these frames to construct the color
image.
RGB Color Acquisition
The PCI/PXI-1408, in conjunction with NI-IMAQ, supports acquisition of
color images from an RGB camera.
The NI-IMAQ driver can acquire the three frames and rebuild the image
automatically. The output image can be a simple RGB color image or
one of many image representations supported by the driver. See the
Introduction to Color section later in this appendix for more information
on image representations.
For a StillColor RGB snap, connect the three camera channels—red, green,
and blue—to Video 1, Video 2, and Video 3, respectively, on the
PCI/PXI-1408 device. Specify a channel for the video synchronization
signal by selecting that channel as the sync source using the Operating
Mode tab in the IMAQ Configuration Utility. A typical RGB camera
includes the composite video synchronization signal in the green signal.
You can also use other synchronization sources, such as an external
composite video signal that can be connected to Video 0 or an external TTL
composite synchronization signal that can be connected to the CSYNCIN
pin of the DSUB connector. (See Chapter 4, Signal Connections, of your
hardware user manual for signal connection information.)
Introduction to Color
Color is the wavelength of the light we receive in our eye when we look at
an object. In theory, the color spectrum is infinite. Humans, however, can
see only a small portion of this spectrum—the portion that goes from the
red edge of infrared light (the longest wavelength) to the blue edge of
ultraviolet light (the shortest wavelength). This continuous spectrum is
called the visible spectrum, as shown in Figure A-3.
NI-IMAQ User Manual
A-6
© National Instruments Corporation
Appendix A
StillColor
Figure A-3. White Light and the Visible Spectrum
White light is a combination of all colors at once. The spectrum of white
light is continuous and goes from ultraviolet to infrared in a smooth
transition. You can represent a good approximation of white light by
selecting a few reference colors and weighting them appropriately. The
most common way to represent white light is to use three reference
components, such as red, green, and blue (R, G, and B primaries). You can
simulate most colors of the visible spectrum using these primaries. For
example, video projectors use red, green, and blue light generators, and an
RGB camera uses red, green, and blue sensors.
The perception of a color depends on many factors, such as:
•
Hue, which is the perceived dominant color. Hue depends directly on
the wavelength of a color.
•
Saturation, which is dependent on the amount of white light present in
a color. Pastels typically have a low saturation while very rich colors
have a high saturation. For example, pink typically has a red hue but
has a low saturation.
•
•
Luminance, which is the brightness information in the video picture.
The luminance signal amplitude varies in proportion to the brightness
of the video signal and corresponds exactly to the monochrome
picture.
Intensity, which is the brightness of a color and which is usually
expressed as light or dark. For example, orange and brown may have
the same hue and saturation; however, orange has a greater intensity
than brown.
© National Instruments Corporation
A-7
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Appendix A
StillColor
Image Representations
Color images can be represented in several different formats. These formats
can contain all color information from the image or they can consist of just
one aspect of the color information, such as hue or luminance. The
following image representations can be produced using NI-IMAQ and
StillColor.
RGB
The most common image representation is 32-bit RGB format. In this
representation, the three 8-bit color planes—red, green and blue—are
packed into an array of 32-bit integers. This representation is useful for
displaying the image on your monitor. The 32-bit integer organized as:
0
RED
GREEN
BLUE
where the high-order byte is not used and blue is the low-order byte.
The system also supports a 24-bit and a 16-bit representation of the RGB
image. The 24-bit representation is equivalent to the 32-bit representation;
however, there is no unused byte. For the 16-bit representation, the image
is packed into an array of 16-bit integers where each 16-bit pixel contains
red, green, and blue, encoded with only five bits each. The most significant
bit of the integer is always 0.
Color Planes
Each color plane can be returned individually. The red, green, or blue plane
is extracted from the RGB image and represented as an array of 8-bit
integers.
Hue, Saturation, Luminance, and Intensity Planes
The hue, saturation, luminance, and intensity planes can also be returned
individually if you want to analyze the image. You can retrieve the data in
8-bit format to reduce the amount of data to be processed or in 16-bit format
to take advantage of the higher precision available when using averaging.
The 16-bit image representation is scaled so that the pixel values are always
positive. The value range is 0 to +32,767, so it is compatible with both
16-bit signed and 16-bit unsigned integers. On average, the 16-bit
representation of a plane is equal to 128 times the 8-bit representation of
the plane from the same image. The 16-bit representation is generally only
NI-IMAQ User Manual
A-8
© National Instruments Corporation
Appendix A
StillColor
used if you are performing averaging on your image. For example,
averaging an image 16 times requires four extra bits (16 = 24 ) to represent
the increased dynamic range. In this case, using the 16-bit representation
may increase the dynamic range of your image.
Luminance, Intensity, Hue, or Saturation are defined using the Red, Green,
and Blue values in the following formulas:
Luminance = 0.299 × Red + 0.587 × Green + 0.114 × Blue
Intensity = (Red + Green + Blue) / 3
Hue = ATN2 (Y, X)
where
Y = (Green - Blue) / 2 and
X = (2 × Red - Green - Blue) / 6
Saturation = X2 × Y2
where
Y = (Green - Blue) / 2 and
X = (2 × Red - Green - Blue) / 6
32-Bit HSL and HSI
You can also pack the three 8-bit Hue, Saturation, and Luminance planes
(HSL) or the three Hue, Saturation, and Intensity planes (HSI) in one array
of 32-bit integers, which is equivalent to the 32-bit RGB representation.
© National Instruments Corporation
A-9
NI-IMAQ User Manual
B
Customer Communication
For your convenience, this appendix contains forms to help you gather the information necessary
to help us solve your technical problems and a form you can use to comment on the product
documentation. When you contact us, we need the information on the Technical Support Form and
the configuration form, if your manual contains one, about your system configuration to answer your
questions as quickly as possible.
National Instruments has technical assistance through electronic, fax, and telephone systems to quickly
provide the information you need. Our electronic services include a bulletin board service, an FTP site,
a fax-on-demand system, and e-mail support. If you have a hardware or software problem, first try the
electronic support systems. If the information available on these systems does not answer your
questions, we offer fax and telephone support through our technical support centers, which are staffed
by applications engineers.
Electronic Services
Bulletin Board Support
National Instruments has BBS and FTP sites dedicated for 24-hour support with a collection of files
and documents to answer most common customer questions. From these sites, you can also download
the latest instrument drivers, updates, and example programs. For recorded instructions on how to use
the bulletin board and FTP services and for BBS automated information, call 512 795 6990. You can
access these services at:
United States: 512 794 5422
Up to 14,400 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity
United Kingdom: 01635 551422
Up to 9,600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity
France: 01 48 65 15 59
Up to 9,600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity
FTP Support
To access our FTP site, log on to our Internet host, ftp.natinst.com, as anonymousand use
documents are located in the /supportdirectories.
© National Instruments Corporation
B-1
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Fax-on-Demand Support
Fax-on-Demand is a 24-hour information retrieval system containing a library of documents on a wide
range of technical information. You can access Fax-on-Demand from a touch-tone telephone at
512 418 1111.
E-Mail Support (Currently USA Only)
You can submit technical support questions to the applications engineering team through e-mail at the
Internet address listed below. Remember to include your name, address, and phone number so we can
contact you with solutions and suggestions.
Telephone and Fax Support
National Instruments has branch offices all over the world. Use the list below to find the technical
support number for your country. If there is no National Instruments office in your country, contact
the source from which you purchased your software to obtain support.
Country
Telephone
Fax
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada (Ontario)
Canada (Québec)
Denmark
Finland
03 9879 5166
0662 45 79 90 0
02 757 00 20
011 288 3336
905 785 0085
514 694 8521
45 76 26 00
09 725 725 11
01 48 14 24 24
089 741 31 30
2645 3186
03 6120092
02 413091
03 5472 2970
02 596 7456
5 520 2635
03 9879 6277
0662 45 79 90 19
02 757 03 11
011 288 8528
905 785 0086
514 694 4399
45 76 26 02
09 725 725 55
01 48 14 24 14
089 714 60 35
2686 8505
France
Germany
Hong Kong
Israel
Italy
Japan
03 6120095
02 41309215
03 5472 2977
02 596 7455
5 520 3282
Korea
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
0348 433466
32 84 84 00
2265886
91 640 0085
08 730 49 70
056 200 51 51
02 377 1200
01635 523545
512 795 8248
0348 430673
32 84 86 00
2265887
91 640 0533
08 730 43 70
056 200 51 55
02 737 4644
01635 523154
512 794 5678
United Kingdom
United States
NI-IMAQ User Manual
B-2
© National Instruments Corporation
Technical Support Form
Photocopy this form and update it each time you make changes to your software or hardware, and use
the completed copy of this form as a reference for your current configuration. Completing this form
accurately before contacting National Instruments for technical support helps our applications
engineers answer your questions more efficiently.
If you are using any National Instruments hardware or software products related to this problem,
include the configuration forms from their user manuals. Include additional pages if necessary.
Name __________________________________________________________________________
Company _______________________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Fax ( ___ ) ________________Phone ( ___ ) __________________________________________
Computer brand____________ Model ___________________Processor_____________________
Operating system (include version number) ____________________________________________
Clock speed ______MHz RAM _____MB
Display adapter __________________________
Mouse ___yes ___no Other adapters installed_______________________________________
Hard disk capacity _____MB Brand_________________________________________________
Instruments used _________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
National Instruments hardware product model _____________ Revision ____________________
Configuration ___________________________________________________________________
National Instruments software product ___________________ Version _____________________
Configuration ___________________________________________________________________
The problem is: __________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
List any error messages: ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
The following steps reproduce the problem: ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
NI-IMAQ Hardware and Software Configuration Form
Record the settings and revisions of your hardware and software on the line to the right of each item.
Complete a new copy of this form each time you revise your software or hardware configuration, and
use this form as a reference for your current configuration. Completing this form accurately before
contacting National Instruments for technical support helps our applications engineers answer your
questions more efficiently.
National Instruments Products
IMAQ hardware _________________________________________________________________
Interrupt level of hardware _________________________________________________________
Address of hardware ______________________________________________________________
Programming choice _____________________________________________________________
NI-IMAQ, IMAQ Vision, LabVIEW, BridgeVIEW, or ComponentWorks version _____________
Other boards in system ____________________________________________________________
Base I/O address of other boards ____________________________________________________
DMA channels of other boards _____________________________________________________
Interrupt level of other boards ______________________________________________________
Other Products
Computer make and model ________________________________________________________
Microprocessor __________________________________________________________________
Clock frequency or speed __________________________________________________________
PCI chipset _____________________________________________________________________
Type of video board installed _______________________________________________________
Operating system version __________________________________________________________
Operating system mode ___________________________________________________________
Programming language ___________________________________________________________
Programming language version _____________________________________________________
Other boards in system ____________________________________________________________
Base I/O address of other boards ____________________________________________________
DMA channels of other boards _____________________________________________________
Interrupt level of other boards ______________________________________________________
Documentation Comment Form
National Instruments encourages you to comment on the documentation supplied with our products.
This information helps us provide quality products to meet your needs.
Title:
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Edition Date: June 1998
Part Number: 371443A-01
Please comment on the completeness, clarity, and organization of the manual.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
If you find errors in the manual, please record the page numbers and describe the errors.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your help.
Name _________________________________________________________________________
Title __________________________________________________________________________
Company _______________________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
E-Mail Address __________________________________________________________________
Phone ( ___ ) __________________________ Fax ( ___ ) _______________________________
Mail to: Technical Publications
National Instruments Corporation
Fax to: Technical Publications
National Instruments Corporation
512 794 5678
6504 Bridge Point Parkway
Austin, Texas 78730-5039
Glossary
Prefix
p-
Meanings
pico
Value
10–12
10–9
10– 6
10–3
103
n-
nano-
micro-
milli-
kilo-
µ-
m-
k-
M-
G-
mega-
giga-
106
109
Numbers/Symbols
+5V
5 V signal
negative of, or minus
ohm
–
Ω
/
per
%
±
percent
plus or minus
positive of, or plus
+
A
A
amperes
AC
alternating current
acquisition window
the image size specific to a video standard or camera resolution
© National Instruments Corporation
G-1
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Glossary
active line region
active pixel region
the region of lines actively being stored; defined by a line start (relative to
VSYNC) and a line count
the region of pixels actively being stored; defined by a pixel start (relative
to HSYNC) and a pixel count
A/D
analog-to-digital
ADC
analog-to-digital converter—an electronic device, often an integrated
circuit, that converts an analog voltage to a digital number
address
character code that identifies a specific location (or series of locations)
in memory
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
antichrominance filter
API
removes the color information from the video signal
application programming interface
AQ_DONE
AQ_IN_PROGRESS
area
signals that the acquisition of a frame or field is completed
signals that the acquisition of video data is in progress
a rectangular portion of an acquisition window or frame that is controlled
and defined by software
array
ordered, indexed set of data elements of the same type
ASIC
Application-Specific Integrated Circuit—a proprietary semiconductor
component designed and manufactured to perform a set of specific
functions for a specific customer
aspect ratio
the ratio of a picture or image’s width to its height
B
b
bit—one binary digit, either 0 or 1
B
byte—eight related bits of data, an eight-bit binary number; also used to
denote the amount of memory required to store one byte of data
back porch
the area of the video signal between the rising edge of the horizontal sync
signal and the active video information
NI-IMAQ User Manual
G-2
© National Instruments Corporation
Glossary
black reference level
the level that represents the darkest an image can get. See also white
reference level.
buffer
bus
temporary storage for acquired data
the group of conductors that interconnect individual circuitry in a
computer, such as the PCI bus; typically the expansion vehicle to
which I/O or other devices are connected
C
C
Celsius
cache
high-speed processor memory that buffers commonly used instructions or
data to increase processing throughput
CCIR
Comite Consultatif International des Radiocommunications—a committee
that developed standards for color video signals
chrominance
CMOS
the color information in a video signal
complementary metal-oxide semiconductor
compiler
a software utility that converts a source program in a high-level
programming language, such as Basic, C or Pascal, into an object or
compiled program in machine language. Compiled programs run 10 to
1,000 times faster than interpreted programs. See also Interpreter.
conversion device
device that transforms a signal from one form to another; for
example, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) for analog input
and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) for analog output
CPU
central processing unit
CSYNC
composite sync signal; a combination of the horizontal and vertical
sync pulses
CSYNCIN
composite sync in signal
composite sync out signal
CSYNCOUT
© National Instruments Corporation
G-3
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Glossary
D
D/A
digital-to-analog
DAC
digital-to-analog converter; an electronic device, often an integrated circuit,
that converts a digital number into a corresponding analog voltage or
current
DAQ
data acquisition—(1) collecting and measuring electrical signals from
sensors, transducers, and test probes or fixtures and inputting them to
a computer for processing; (2) collecting and measuring the same kinds of
electrical signals with A/D or DIO boards plugged into a computer, and
possibly generating control signals with D/A and/or DIO boards in the
same computer
dB
decibel—the unit for expressing a logarithmic measure of the ratio of two
signal levels: dB = 20log10 V1/V2, for signals in volts
DC
direct current
default setting
a default parameter value recorded in the driver; in many cases, the default
input of a control is a certain value (often 0) that means use the current
default setting
DIN
DLL
Deutsche Industrie Norme
dynamic link library—a software module in Microsoft Windows
containing executable code and data that can be called or used by Windows
applications or other DLLs; functions and data in a DLL are loaded and
linked at run time when they are referenced by a Windows application or
other DLLs
DMA
direct memory access—a method by which data can be transferred to and
from computer memory from and to a device or memory on the bus while
the processor does something else; DMA is the fastest method of
transferring data to/from computer memory
DRAM
drivers
dynamic RAM
software that controls a specific hardware device such as an IMAQ or
DAQ device
NI-IMAQ User Manual
G-4
© National Instruments Corporation
Glossary
dynamic range
the ratio of the largest signal level a circuit can handle to the smallest signal
level it can handle (usually taken to be the noise level), normally expressed
in decibels
E
EEPROM
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory—ROM that can be
erased with an electrical signal and reprogrammed
external trigger
a voltage pulse from an external source that triggers an event such as A/D
conversion
F
field
For an interlaced video signal, a field is half the number of horizontal lines
needed to represent a frame of video; the first field of a frame contains all
the odd-numbered lines, the second field contains all of the even-numbered
lines.
FIFO
first-in first-out memory buffer—the first data stored is the first data sent to
the acceptor; FIFOs are used on IMAQ devices to temporarily store
incoming data until that data can be retrieved. For example, an analog input
FIFO stores the results of A/D conversions until the data can be retrieved
into system memory, a process that requires the servicing of interrupts and
often the programming of the DMA controller. This process can take
several milliseconds in some cases. During this time, data accumulates in
the FIFO for future retrieval.
flash ADC
an ADC whose output code is determined in a single step by a bank of
comparators and encoding logic
frame
a complete image; in interlaced formats, a frame is composed of two fields
front porch
the area of a video signal between the start of the horizontal blank and the
start of the horizontal sync
ft
feet
© National Instruments Corporation
G-5
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Glossary
function
a set of software instructions executed by a single line of code that may
have input and/or output parameters and returns a value when executed;
examples of functions are:
y = COS (x)
status = AO_config(board, channel, range)
G
gamma
the nonlinear change in the difference between the video signal’s brightness
level and the voltage level needed to produce that brightness
genlock
circuitry that aligns the video timing signals by locking together the
horizontal, vertical, and color subcarrier frequencies and phases and
generates a pixel clock to clock pixel data into memory for display or into
another circuit for processing
GND
GUI
ground signal
graphical user interface—an intuitive, easy-to-use means of
communicating information to and from a computer program by means of
graphical screen displays; GUIs can resemble the front panels of
instruments or other objects associated with a computer program.
H
h
hour
hardware
the physical components of a computer system, such as the circuit boards,
plug-in boards, chassis, enclosures, peripherals, cables, and so on
HSYNC
horizontal sync signal—the synchronization pulse signal produced at the
beginning of each video scan line that keeps a video monitor's horizontal
scan rate in step with the transmission of each new line
HSYNCIN
hue
horizontal sync input signal
represents the dominant color of a pixel. The hue function is a continuous
function that covers all the possible colors generated using the R, G, and B
primaries. See also RGB.
Hz
hertz—the number of scans read or updates written per second
NI-IMAQ User Manual
G-6
© National Instruments Corporation
Glossary
I
IC
integrated circuit
ID
identification
IEEE
in.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
inches
INL
integral nonlinearity—A measure in LSB of the worst-case deviation from
the ideal A/D or D/A transfer characteristic of the analog I/O circuitry
instrument driver
a set of high-level software functions, such as NI-IMAQ, that controls
specific plug-in computer boards; instrument drivers are available in
several forms, ranging from a function callable from a programming
language to a virtual instrument (VI) in LabVIEW
interlaced
interpreter
a video frame composed of two interleaved fields; the number of lines in a
field are half the number of lines in an interlaced frame
a software utility that executes source code from a high-level language such
as Basic, C or Pascal, by reading one line at a time and executing the
specified operation. See also compiler.
interrupt
a computer signal indicating that the CPU should suspend its current task
to service a designated activity
interrupt level
I/O
the relative priority at which a device can interrupt
input/output—the transfer of data to/from a computer system involving
communications channels, operator interface devices, and/or data
acquisition and control interfaces
IRE
IRQ
a relative unit of measure (named for the Institute of Radio Engineers).
0 IRE corresponds to the blanking level of a video signal, 100 IRE to the
white level. Note that for CIR/PAL video the black level is equal to the
blanking level or 0 IRE, while for RS-170/NTSC video the black level is
at 7.5 IRE.
interrupt request
© National Instruments Corporation
G-7
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Glossary
K
k
kilo—the standard metric prefix for 1,000, or 103, used with units of
measure such as volts, hertz, and meters
K
kilo—the prefix for 1,024, or 210, used with B in quantifying data or
computer memory
kbytes/s
Kword
a unit for data transfer that means 1,000 or 103 bytes/s
1,024 words of memory
L
library
a file containing compiled object modules, each comprised of one of more
functions, that can be linked to other object modules that make use of these
functions.
line count
LSB
the total number of horizontal lines in the picture
least significant bit
luminance
the brightness information in the video picture. The luminance signal
amplitude varies in proportion to the brightness of the video signal and
corresponds exactly to the monochrome picture.
LUT
look-up table—a selection in the IMAQ Configuration Utility that contains
formulas that let you implement simple imaging operations such as contrast
enhancement, data inversion, gamma manipulation, or other nonlinear
transfer functions
M
m
meters
M
(1) Mega, the standard metric prefix for 1 million or 106, when used with
units of measure such as volts and hertz; (2) mega, the prefix for 1,048,576,
or 220, when used with B to quantify data or computer memory
MB
megabytes of memory
Mbytes/s
a unit for data transfer that means 1 million or 106 bytes/s
NI-IMAQ User Manual
G-8
© National Instruments Corporation
Glossary
memory buffer
See buffer.
memory window
continuous blocks of memory that can be accessed quickly by changing
addresses on the local processor
MSB
MTBF
mux
most significant bit
mean time between failure
multiplexer—a switching device with multiple inputs that selectively
connects one of its inputs to its output
N
NI-IMAQ
driver software for National Instruments IMAQ hardware
noninterlaced
a video frame where all the lines are scanned sequentially, instead of
divided into two frames as in an interlaced video frame
NTSC
National Television Standards Committee—the committee that developed
the color video standard used primarily in North America, which uses
525 lines per frame. See also PAL.
NVRAM
nonvolatile RAM—RAM that is not erased when a device loses power or is
turned off
O
operating system
base-level software that controls a computer, runs programs, interacts with
users, and communicates with installed hardware or peripheral devices
P
PAL
Phase Alternation Line—one of the European video color standards; uses
625 lines per frame. See also NTSC.
PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect—a high-performance expansion bus
architecture originally developed by Intel to replace ISA and EISA; it is
achieving widespread acceptance as a standard for PCs and workstations
and offers a theoretical maximum transfer rate of 132 Mbytes/s
PCLK
pixel clock signal—times the sampling of pixels on a video line
© National Instruments Corporation
G-9
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Glossary
PCLKIN
PFI
pixel clock in signal
programmable function input
programmable gain instrumentation amplifier
PGIA
picture aspect ratio
the ratio of the active pixel region to the active line region; for standard
video signals like RS-170 or CCIR, the full-size picture aspect ratio
normally is 4/3 (1.33)
pixel
picture element—the smallest division that makes up the video scan line;
for display on a computer monitor, a pixel’s optimum dimension is square
(aspect ratio of 1:1, or the width equal to the height)
pixel aspect ratio
the ratio between the physical horizontal size and the vertical size of the
region covered by the pixel; an acquired pixel should optimally be square,
thus the optimal value is 1.0, but typically it falls between 0.95 and 1.05,
depending on camera quality
pixel clock
pixel count
divides the incoming horizontal video line into pixels
the total number of pixels between two HYSNCs; the pixel count
determines the frequency of the pixel clock
PLL
phase-locked loop—circuitry that provides a very stable pixel clock that is
referenced to another signal, for example, an incoming HSYNC signal
protocol
the exact sequence of bits, characters, and control codes used to transfer
data between computers and peripherals through a communications
channel
pts
points
R
RAM
random-access memory
real time
a property of an event or system in which data is processed as it is acquired
instead of being accumulated and processed at a later time
relative accuracy
a measure in LSB of the accuracy of an ADC; it includes all nonlinearity
and quantization errors but does not include offset and gain errors of the
circuitry feeding the ADC
NI-IMAQ User Manual
G-10
© National Instruments Corporation
Glossary
resolution
RGB
the smallest signal increment that can be detected by a measurement
system; resolution can be expressed in bits, in proportions, or in percent of
full scale. For example, a system has 12-bit resolution, one part in 4,096
resolution, and 0.0244 percent of full scale.
red, green, and blue—the three primary colors used to represent a color
picture. An RGB camera is a camera that deliver three signals, one for each
primary.
ribbon cable
ROI
a flat cable in which the conductors are side by side
region-of-interest— a hardware-programmable rectangular portion of the
acquisition window
ROM
read-only memory
RS-170
RTSI bus
the U.S. standard used for black-and-white television
Real-Time System Integration Bus—the National Instruments timing bus
that connects IMAQ and DAQ boards directly, by means of connectors on
top of the boards, for precise synchronization of functions
S
s
seconds
saturation
the richness of a color. A saturation of zero corresponds to no color, that is,
a gray pixel. Pink is a red with low saturation.
scaling down circuitry
scatter-gather DMA
SRAM
circuitry that scales down the resolution of a video signal
a type of DMA that allows the DMA controller to reconfigure on-the-fly
static RAM
StillColor
a post-processing algorithm that allows the acquisition of high-quality
color images generated either by an RGB or composite (NTSC or PAL)
camera using a monochrome video acquisition board.
sync
tells the display where to put a video picture; the horizontal sync indicates
the picture’s left-to-right placement and the vertical sync indicates
top-to-bottom placement
© National Instruments Corporation
G-11
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Glossary
syntax
the set of rules to which statements must conform in a particular
programming language
system RAM
RAM installed on a personal computer and used by the operating system,
as contrasted with onboard RAM
T
transfer rate
the rate, measured in bytes/s, at which data is moved from source to
destination after software initialization and set up operations; the maximum
rate at which the hardware can operate
TRIG
trigger signal
trigger
any event that causes or starts some form of data capture
trigger control and
mapping circuitry
circuitry that routes, monitors, and drives the external and RTSI bus trigger
lines; you can configure each of these lines to start or stop acquisition on a
rising or falling edge.
TTL
transistor-transistor logic
U
UV plane
See YUV.
V
V
volts
VCO
voltage-controlled oscillator—an oscillator that changes frequency
depending on a control signal; used in a PLL to generate a stable pixel clock
VI
Virtual Instrument—(1) a combination of hardware and/or software
elements, typically used with a PC, that has the functionality of a classic
stand-alone instrument (2) a LabVIEW software module (VI), which
consists of a front panel user interface and a block diagram program
video line
a video line consists of a HSYNC, back porch, active pixel region, and a
front porch
NI-IMAQ User Manual
G-12
© National Instruments Corporation
Glossary
VSYNC
vertical sync signal—the synchronization pulse generated at the beginning
of each video field that tells the video monitor when to start a new field
VSYNCIN
vertical sync in signal
W
white reference level
the level that defines what is white for a particular video system
See also black reference level.
Y
YUV
a representation of a color image used for the coding of NTSC or PAL video
signals. The luminance information is called Y, while the chrominance
information is represented by two components, U and V representing the
coordinates in a color plane.
© National Instruments Corporation
G-13
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Index
A
D
acquisition functions, 2-5
application development, 1-2 to 1-4
creating applications, 1-3
NI-IMAQ libraries, 1-2
documentation
conventions used in manual, x
how to use NI-IMAQ manual set, ix
National Instruments documentation, xi
organization of manual, ix-x
attribute functions, 2-6
related documentation, xi
dynamic link libraries (DLLs), 1-2
B
buffer management functions
list of functions, 2-6 to 2-7
programming considerations, 3-4
bulletin board support, B-1
E
electronic support services, B-1 to B-2
e-mail support, B-2
example programs
advanced programming examples,
3-14 to 3-17
C
camera attributes, 3-4 to 3-5
color, A-6 to A-9. See also StillColor.
definition, A-6
low-level grab functions, 3-15
low-level ring functions, 3-16
low-level sequence functions,
3-15 to 3-16
hue, A-7
image representations, A-8 to A-9
32-bit HSL and HSI, A-9
color planes, A-8
low-level snap functions, 3-14 to 3-15
StillColor snap programming,
3-16 to 3-17
introductory programming examples,
3-6 to 3-14
hue, saturation, luminance, and
intensity planes, A-8 to A-9
RGB, A-8
high-level grab functions, 3-8 to 3-9
high-level ring functions, 3-11 to 3-13
high-level sequence functions,
3-10 to 3-11
high-level signal I/O functions,
3-13 to 3-14
intensity, A-7
luminance, A-7
perception of color, A-7
saturation, A-7
white light and visible spectrum
(figure), A-2
high-level snap functions, 3-7 to 3-8
location (note), 3-6
composite color cameras, A-1
customer communication, xi, B-1 to B-2
location of files, 1-4
© National Instruments Corporation
I-1
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Index
F
H
fax and telephone support numbers, B-2
Fax-on-Demand support, B-2
files required for application development, 1-3
FTP support, B-1
header files, 1-3
high-level functions, 2-2 to 2-4
grab functions, 2-2 to 2-3
introductory programming examples,
3-6 to 3-14
functions
grab functions, 3-8 to 3-9
ring functions, 3-11 to 3-13
sequence functions, 3-10 to 3-11
signal I/O functions, 3-13 to 3-14
snap functions, 3-7 to 3-8
miscellaneous functions, 2-4
programming considerations, 3-1
ring and sequence functions, 2-3
signal I/O functions, 2-3 to 2-4
snap functions, 2-2
generic functions, 2-2
high-level functions, 2-2 to 2-4
grab functions, 2-2 to 2-3
miscellaneous functions, 2-4
programming considerations, 3-1
programming examples, 3-6 to 3-14
ring and sequence functions, 2-3
session functions, 2-4, 3-3 to 3-4
signal I/O functions, 2-3 to 2-4
snap functions, 2-2
hue, A-7
hue planes, A-8 to A-9
low-level functions, 2-5 to 2-7
acquisition functions, 2-5
attribute functions, 2-6
buffer management functions,
2-6 to 2-7, 3-4
interface functions, 2-7, 3-2
programming considerations, 3-2
programming examples, 3-14 to 3-17
utility functions, 2-7
I
import libraries
IMAQ.LIB required for application
development, 1-3
location (table), 1-3
purpose and use, 1-2
overview, 2-1
intensity, A-7
intensity planes, A-8 to A-9
interface functions
G
interface naming convention (table), 3-2
list of functions, 2-7
generic functions, 2-2
grab acquisition, 3-1
programming considerations, 3-2 to 3-3
grab functions
list of functions, 2-2 to 2-3
programming examples
high-level functions, 3-8 to 3-9
low-level functions, 3-15
L
low-level functions, 2-5 to 2-7
acquisition functions, 2-5
advanced programming examples,
3-14 to 3-17
grab functions, 3-15
ring functions, 3-16
NI-IMAQ User Manual
I-2
© National Instruments Corporation
Index
sequence functions, 3-15 to 3-16
snap functions, 3-14 to 3-15
attribute functions, 2-6
buffer management, 3-4
camera attributes, 3-4 to 3-5
high-level functions, 3-1
buffer management functions, 2-6 to 2-7,
3-4
interface functions, 3-2 to 3-3
introductory examples, 3-6 to 3-14
interface functions, 2-7, 3-2 to 3-3
programming considerations, 3-2
utility functions, 2-7
high-level grab functions, 3-8 to 3-9
high-level ring functions,
3-11 to 3-13
luminance, A-7
luminance planes, A-8 to A-9
high-level sequence functions,
3-10 to 3-11
high-level signal I/O functions,
3-13 to 3-14
high-level snap functions, 3-7 to 3-8
location (note), 3-6
M
manual. See documentation.
miscellaneous high-level functions, 2-4
low-level functions, 3-2
session functions, 3-3 to 3-4
status signals, 3-5 to 3-6
programming environments supported by
NI-IMAQ software, 1-2
N
NI-IMAQ header files, 1-3
NI-IMAQ libraries, 1-2
NI-IMAQ software. See also functions.
application development, 1-2 to 1-4
application development
environments, 1-2
R
RGB cameras, A-1
RGB image representations, A-8
ring functions. See also sequence functions.
list of functions, 2-3
features and overview, 1-1
NI-IMAQ libraries, 1-2
sample programs, 1-4
programming example
_NIWIN constant, 1-3
high-level functions, 3-11 to 3-13
low-level functions, 3-16
P
S
programming
advanced examples, 3-14 to 3-17
low-level grab functions, 3-15
low-level ring functions, 3-16
low-level sequence functions,
3-15 to 3-16
sample programs. See example programs.
saturation, A-7
saturation planes, A-8 to A-9
sequence acquisition, 3-1
sequence functions. See also ring functions.
list of functions, 2-3
low-level snap functions, 3-14 to
3-15
programming example
StillColor snap programming,
3-16 to 3-17
high-level functions, 3-10 to 3-11
low-level functions, 3-15 to 3-16
© National Instruments Corporation
I-3
NI-IMAQ User Manual
Index
session functions
T
list of functions, 2-4
technical support, B-1 to B-2
telephone and fax support numbers, B-2
programming considerations, 3-3 to 3-4
signal I/O functions
list of functions, 2-3 to 2-4
programming example, 3-13 to 3-14
snap acquisition, 3-1
U
utility functions, 2-7
snap functions
list of functions, 2-2
V
programming example
high-level functions, 3-7 to 3-8
low-level functions, 3-14 to 3-15
status signals, 3-5 to 3-6
video cameras for color acquisition, A-1
visible spectrum, A-6 to A-7
StillColor, A-1 to A-6
W
advantages, A-5
white light, A-7
composite color acquisition, A-5
composite color video signals, A-2 to A-4
overview, A-1
purpose and use, A-2
RGB color acquisition, A-6
snap programming example, 3-16 to 3-17
traditional color decoding, A-2 to A-3
NI-IMAQ User Manual
I-4
© National Instruments Corporation
|