How can I create an *.icd file for Hamamatsu camera using camera file generator?

[KJGorter]

I am using a Hamamatsu C9100-02 camera connected to a NI PCI-1428 framegrabber card. I want to adjust acquisition parameters of the camera, like shutter time and gain.

I need to have a *.cdi file to configure the NI-IMAQ driver. This file is not available from NI for my camera, so I am using the Camera File Generator.By only setting the resolution, scan type and bits per pixel, I am able to grab snapshots and continuously grab frames from the camera.

Now I need to set the other Attributes of the camera under Camera Control, but I don't know what these should be. Where can I find the attribute names and values beloning to my camera?

[NIRebecca]

Hey KJGorter, 

Are they available in NI MAX?

There are two ways to change the camera attributes:

1. ​Expand the smart camera target under Remote Systems in NI MAX
2. Expand Devices and Interfaces. Select the camera (it should have a format similar to: NI 17XX "cam0") 
3. Navigate to the Camera Attributes tab located at the bottom of the middle pane of NI MAX.
4. Expand Camera Attributes 
5. Find your desired attribute

Otherwise can we find them programmatically in LV like this KB? There's an example VI in this forum.

Hope this helps, 

Rebecca

[KJGorter]

Dear Rebecca,

Thanks for your suggestion. The Camera Attributes do not appear in NI MAX, because the Attributes have not been defined to the driver with the necessary *.cdi file. These attributes are not accessible on these Camera Link devices like they are on IEEE 1394 cameras. Your other suggestions do therefore not apply in this case.

The definition of Attributes requires knowledge of the serial commands (or pulse generation) that the frame grabber card has to send to the camera. By some educated guesses, based on *.cdi files for other Hamamatsu models, I have so far found two of these commands:

EMG %d\r for adjusting sensitivity (EM gain)

           Values between: 0-255

AET %dUS\r for adjusting exposure time in microseconds

           Values between: 100-10000000

Once properly defined in the Camera File Generator (see .png), these Attributes show up in NI MAX (see .png) and can be adjusted. They seem to function correctly.

What I'm looking for now is a full list of serial commands. Unfortunately, these are not specified in any of the camera or Camera Link documentation.

[NIRebecca]

Hi KJGorter,

That's probably a question best for Hamamatsu to answer. I'd check with their support team.

They have their own API at https://dcam-api.com/hamamatsu-software/ or there are pre-existing drivers for similar Hamamatsu models that could provide some insight.

Kind regards, 
Rebecca

[kensign]

Hello,

Since these serial commands are not standardized across camera vendors, there won't be anything in NI documentation or the Camera Link standard that can help with these. Ideally Hamamatsu would provide them in the camera's user manual/data sheet/documentation. If there isn't any help there, I agree with the recommendation to contact Hamamatsu support.

I looked at NI's online list of files for your camera model, but didn't find it. However, there are other (similar?) Hamamatsu camera files there with a bunch of serial commands. Perhaps you can try to use these too and see if they work:

http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/nipc.get_camera_list?

ftp://ftp.ni.com/support/imaq/camera_support/camera_files/digital/hamamatsu/Hamamatsu%20C9100-13.icd

Hope this helps,

Katie