The IcaRas software gives you access to the I2C registers
of the RasCam. A detailed description of all bits can be found
in the MiniMasterMux documentation
. Here are some guidelines how to use these options. In IcaRas there are groups of settings which
correspond to I2C registers of the RasCam. These groups
can be enabled (checked), whichs means that the settings choosen are send
to the RasCam after power-up, taking some time. Checking nothing will leave
the RasCam in its default settings, which is usually sufficient. Setup_2 is a bit special: For the prototype RasMux (and MasterBrico)
it must be enabled if any other setting is enabled. For the ATLAS
type RasMux (and MiniMasterMux september 2003 or later) this is not necessary,
it only takes time (app. 45 ms). You can check the version, using a terminal
emulator, see below. In both cases the only valid setting is Enable
free running pixel clock and All/ normal operation. Lower, Upper, Setup3 and Analogue: should not be used (must
be unchecked) in the RasNik system.
One can set the Gain and Coarse/ fine (exposure time).
That is where Setup_1 comes in. If it is not enabled, the RasCam will stay
in auto-gain and auto-exposure mode. Proper settings of gain and exposuretime
at initialisation will shorten the time to a stable picture.
If Setup_1 is enabled, one can turn off auto-gain and
auto-exposure . The black calibration should be left enabled.
Now the user determines the image brightness.
In a later stage (USA15mux) the clock divisor bits can be used. The
pixel-clock is divided, giving the same effect as increasing the exposure-time.
This generates less noise than increasing the gain. There is a shift in
the pixel clock timing however, switching from one divider setting to an
other. If you do this with the MiniMastermux, the DT3152 may crash.
Using a terminal emulator to check the MiniMastermux firmware version:
Stop Icaras and start a terminal emulator. Set it to the appropiate Com-port,
115 kb, 8 bits, 1stopbit, no parity and no flow control. In the case of
Hyperterm you must save the settings, exit the program and restart it to
activate the modifications. Hit the return and you should get "error", meaning
that you did not give a valid command. Give the command "v" (and a return)
to get the version of the firmware. Most systems will return 02/05/27 (may
2002). In that case, it is better to enable Setup_2 and set Enable
free running pixel clock and All/ normal operation in case other
I2C settings are used.
suggestions for this page to:
Henk Groenstege.