Supported by...


PL-B

  • 740, 760, and 950 support modes 0 (Strobe), 1 (Normal), 2 (Pulse), and 3 (Busy).

  • 770 and 780 support modes 0 (Strobe), 1 (Normal), 3 (Busy) and 4 (Flash).


Note: PL-B GigE interface cameras only support GPO modes 0 (Strobe), 1 (Normal), and 4 (Flash).


PL-D

  • Most PL-D cameras support modes 0 (Strobe), 1 (Normal), 2 (Pulse), 3 (Busy), 4 (Flash), and 5 (Input).

  • PL-D729 supports modes 1 (Normal), 2 (Pulse), and 5 (Input).


PL-X

  • PL-X cameras support modes 0 (Strobe), 1 (Normal), 2 (Pulse), 3 (Busy), 4 (Flash Window), 5 (Input), 6 (Action Strobe), 7 (Action Normal), and 8 (Action Pulse).


Description


General Purpose Input/ Output (GPIO) signals are controlled by this feature. A total of 4 GPIO signals can be controlled on all PL-B board level cameras, 2 GPIO signals can be controlled on all PL-D USB3 cameras, and 3 GPIO signals can be controlled on all PL-X 10 GigE cameras.


On the PL-B cameras the GPO signals 1 and 2 are available externally on the enclosed cameras. GPO signals 3 and 4 are only available on the board-level cameras (-BL).


Refer to our online KB in the Camera Information section for the mechanical & electrical interface to the GPIO signals.


The output signal is defined by a mode, polarity, and a number of parameters that vary in meaning with the mode. The different GPIO modes are defined as follows


  • GPIO Mode 0 (Strobe) The GPO is set after a trigger occurs. The GPO pulse is delayed X (GPO Parameter 1) seconds from the trigger and is Y (GPO Parameter 2) seconds in duration.

  • GPIO Mode 1 (Normal) The GPO is set to either low or high, depending on the value of Polarity. No parameters are used.

  • GPIO Mode 2 (Pulse) The GPO is pulsed whenever it is turned on. The GPO outputs X (GPO Parameter 1) pulses of Y (GPO Parameter 2) seconds in length separated by Z (parameter 3) seconds. The GPO is pulsed when the feature is set. It operates independently from frame capture.

  • GPIO Mode 3 (Busy) The GPO is set whenever the camera is unable to respond to a trigger. This is only useful when using Trigger Type Hardware or Software.  For all other modes it will always be set.  The busy period is defined as the period from the time a trigger is detected until the captured frame has been read out and any internal housekeeping is completed.  This mode can be used to detect missed triggers. No parameters are used.

  • GPIO Mode 4 (Flash Window) In this mode, the GPO indicates the window in which a strobe light source may be fired.  The GPO signal will be set once the sensor has completed the reset and starts integrating and will be deactivated at the end of the exposure time as readout of the array commences. No parameters are used.  For best results, the strobe flash duration plus any delay from the flash window pulse to the start of the strobe flash should be less than the exposure (Shutter) time.

  • GPIO Mode 5 (Input) The GPIO functions as a General Purpose Input.

  • GPIO Mode 6 (Action Strobe) The GPO is set after a GPO action occurs. The GPO pulse occurs X (GPO Parameter 1) seconds from the trigger and is Y (GPO Parameter 2) seconds in duration.

  • GPIO Mode 7 (Action Normal) The GPO is set to either low or high on action, depending on the value of Polarity. No parameters are used.

  • GPIO Mode 8 (Action Pulse) The GPO is pulsed on action. The GPO outputs X (GPO Parameter 1) pulses of Y (GPO Parameter 2) seconds in length separated by Z (parameter 3) seconds. It operates independently from frame capture.


Notes: 
- In order for the GPIO Mode 0 (Strobe) and Mode 6 (Action Strobe) to function properly, users must ensure that the Exposure time of a camera used is sufficiently long. More specifically, the Exposure time must be greater than or equal to the set Duration + Delay values.
- For cameras with global shutter, GPIO Mode 4 (Flash Window) signal is also set when a camera is free running in addition to when it is software or hardware triggered.


Note: PL-B Board-level cameras use TTL logic levels. Enclosed cameras have optically isolated inputs and outputs which drive or are driven by the same TTL logic. The optic isolation circuits acts as an inverter and, as a result, the two have different interpretations of polarity. Refer to the Camera Information section for an overview of polarity.



API Control


Feature ID
Number of Params
Parameters
Units
Restrictions

FEATURE_GPIO

General Purpose

Input/ Output control

  

6


fGPIO Index

N/A

Integer Only

see fMode Values below

N/A

Integer Only

0 for negative polarity (Active Low); 1 for positive polarity (Active High).



N/A



N/A



N/A




fMode Values


See the API Reference on GPIO Modes definitions.


fMode Value
Number of Params
Description

GPIO_MODE_STROBE

2

The GPIO acts as a strobe that reacts to the trigger input. The GPO pulse is delayed X (GPO Parameter 1) seconds from the trigger and is Y (GPO Parameter 2) seconds in duration.

GPIO_MODE_NORMAL

0

The GPIO can either be set or cleared.

GPIO_MODE_PULSE

3

The GPO is pulsed whenever it is turned on. The GPO outputs X (GPO Parameter 1) pulses of Y (GPO Parameter 2) seconds in length separated by Z (parameter 3) seconds. The GPO is pulsed when the feature is set. It operates independently from frame capture. 

GPIO_MODE_BUSY

0

The GPIO is set whenever the camera is unable to respond to a trigger.

GPIO_MODE_FLASH

0

The GPIO indicates the interval during which a flash or strobe light can be fired. This mode can be used for gated lighting. 

GPIO_MODE_INPUT

1

The GPIO functions as a General Purpose Input. The status value of the GPI signal can be read and returned. Only GPO1 can be configured as a GPI.

GPIO_MODE_ACTION_STROBE

2

Enables the GPIO Strobe action. The GPIO acts as a strobe that reacts to the trigger input. The GPO pulse is delayed X (GPO Parameter 1) seconds from the trigger and is Y (GPO Parameter 2) seconds in duration. See: Action Type

GPIO_MODE_ACTION_NORMAL

0

Enables the GPIO Normal action. The GPIO can either be set or cleared. See: Action Type

GPIO_MODE_ACTION_PULSE

3

Enables the GPIO Pulse action. The GPO is pulsed whenever it is turned on. The GPO outputs X (GPO Parameter 1) pulses of Y (GPO Parameter 2) seconds in length separated by Z (parameter 3) seconds. The GPO is pulsed when the feature is set. It operates independently from frame capture. See: Action Type


Feature Flags


Camera
Presence
Read Only
Auto
Manual
One-time Auto
Off
CiD

PL-B, PL-D, and PL-X Cameras

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes


Parameters


Parameter
 Unit
Type
Min
Max
Default
Step Size
Comments

GPIO Index

None

Absolute

1

4

N/A

1

Selects a GPIO to be used.

Mode

None

Absolute

0

8

0

1

See GPIO Modes Definitions.

Polarity

None

Absolute

0

1

0

1

0: Negative, 1: Positive.

Parameter 1







See GPIO Modes Definitions.

Parameter 2







See GPIO Modes Definitions.

Parameter 3







See GPIO Modes Definitions.