Acquiring image from multiple cameras sychronically with LabView7.1

[qian.ma1@ucalgary.ca]

I use 'wait' to control the sampling rate, is that okay?

[RamonG · Accepted solution]

I agree with mcduff that a benchmark would be useful and start with a single camera to keep it simple.
From what you told us the master camera is not triggered and probably recording at max frame rate (22 kHz for Piranha 2 source).

I would try the following test to check the maximum actual frame rate you can achieve. If the captured buffer numbers are consecutive then nothing was dropped.

There is a skip trigger option that might work to reduce camera frame rate. Otherwise waiting for the next 1 ms is at least an option but not 100% reliable.

Processing/saving should be done in parallel or afterwards. Do you have a fixed (maximum) number of frames that you want to capture? If so and it fits in memory you could pre-allocate the buffers on the host system.

Another option is to use the low level IMAQ VIs to do an asynchronous acquisition and store the frames on the onboard memory (32MB) of the frame grabbers. They can store at most 32MB/12288=2731 frames each.

*Edit: See example:LL Sequence in Onboard Memory.vi

As others mentioned the other cameras can all acquire using 1 single loop.

[qian.ma1@ucalgary.ca]

Thank you!! 

Lately, I've been trying your way. It works pretty well.

Thank you guys!!