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dart M Interface Description#

This topic describes the interface of Basler dart M camera modules.

General Information#

The dart M interface is a Basler-specific interface. It comprises three components: the camera module, a flat flex cable (FFC), and either a Basler dart M Interface Board or custom hardware.

Camera Connections#

Camera Connector

The interface to the Basler dart M camera module is a 20-pin FFC connector. The connector provides connections for image transfer via four differential signal pairs, input and output signals and power supply.

Flexible Flat Cable (FFC) Connector#

The 20-pin connector on the camera is a flexible flat cable (FFC) connector by Hirose Electric Co. The connector order code is Hirose FH67 (FH67-20S-0.5SV) FFC/FPC connector.

FFC Connector Pin Numbering and Assignments#

In the image below, pin 1 of the FFC connector is indicated by an arrow.

FFC Connector Pin Positions

The Hirose FH67-20S-0.5SV connector provides twenty signal pins to support shielded FFCs/FPCs. These ground contacts are connected to the Basler dart M camera module’s ground to provide return path for the power supply and to provide a stable reference plane for the impedance-controlled signals. The following table shows the details for these twenty signal pins.

Pin # (Camera Side) Pin Name Function
1 VCC Power Supplya
2 VCC Power Supplya
3 LED Status LEDb
4 - Reservedc
5 - Reservedc
6 Line 2 General pupose output lined
7 Line 1 General purpose input lined
8 GND GNDe
9 D1+ Data Interfacef
10 D1- Data Interfacef
11 GND GNDe
12 D2+ Data Interfacef
13 D2- Data Interfacef
14 GND GNDe
15 D3+ Data Interfacetf
16 D3- Data Interfacef
17 GND GNDe
18 D4+ Data Interfacef
19 D4- Data Interfacef
20 GND GNDe

  1. Single camera supply voltage, 5 VDC nominal. Connect all pins.

  2. Reserved for indicating camera module status

  3. Reserved for future SLP use

  4. Output can be used e.g. to control external lightning or to synchronize other cameras. Input can be used e.g. to trigger exposure.

  5. All GND pins, including the six shield GND contacts on the opposite side of the connector, must be connected to a common GND plane. Avoid long PCB traces, prefer direct vias.

  6. Differential data signals. Signal standard depends on Basler dart M camera module.

Status LED#

Status LED

Indicates camera operation (LED lit = camera operating).

The LED can be turned off permanently by setting the DeviceIndicatorMode parameter to Inactive.

LED States#

LED State Meaning
Off No power
Solid green Powered, network connection established
Flashing green (3x short – 3x long – 3x short) repeatedly until error is corrected System error (e.g., internal error)
Flashing green (3x long) repeatedly until error is corrected User error (e.g., temperature error)
Alternating: Bright green / off Link down (powered, but no GigE connection)
Alternating: Bright green / dark green Allocating IP address
Solid green with a periodical, short dark phase Network conflict

Electrical Requirements#

WARNING – Electric Shock Hazard

Unapproved power supplies may cause electric shock. Serious injury or death may occur.

  • You must use power supplies that meet the Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) and Limited Power Source (LPS) requirements.
  • If you use a powered hub or powered switch, they must meet the SELV and LPS requirements.
WARNING – Fire Hazard

Unapproved power supplies may cause fire and burns.

  • You must use power supplies that meet the Limited Power Source (LPS) requirements.
  • If you use a powered hub or powered switch, they must meet the LPS requirements.
NOTICE – Incorrect voltage can damage the camera module.

You must supply camera and I/O power within the safe operating voltage ranges specified below.

Absolute Maximum Ratings#

Pin Name Absolute Minimum Absolute Maximum
VCC -0.3 VDC 6.5 VDC
Line 1 -0.4 VDC 5 VDC

Supply Current#

Pin Name Notes Nominal (Recommended) Maximum
VCC Maximum power to be provided via the VCC pins is 6 W at 5 VDC nominal supply voltage. Varies by camera module type 1.2 A

Input Voltages#

Pin Name Notes Minimum Nominal (Recommended) Maximum
VCC - 4.5 VDC 5.0 VDC 5.5 VDC
Line 1 Input low voltage - 0.0 VDC 0.63 VDC
Line 1 Input high voltage 1.17 VDC 1.8 VDC -

Output Voltages#

Pin Name Notes Minimum Nominal (Recommended) Maximum
Line 2
LED
Output low voltage - - 0.45 VDC
Line 2
LED
Output high voltage 1.35 VDC - -

Output voltages: When pins are not loaded. Observe voltage drop of internal 680 ohms series resistors.

GigE Data Interface#

Pin Name Function
D1+, D1- MDI3
D2+, D2- MDI2
D3+, D3- MDI1
D4+, D4- MDI0

Pins listed above: 1000BASE-T IEEE 802.3 compliant phy MDI data pair with 100 ohms termination

Data Interface Trace Lengths and Delays#

The table below shows the trace lengths and approximated signal delays of the data interface on a camera module.

Info

Signal delay values were calculated assuming a signal velocity of 6 ns/m.

Signal Name Trace Length [mm] Signal Delay [ps]
D1+ 6.57 39.42
D1- 6.58 39.48
D2+ 6.59 39.54
D2- 6.62 39.72
D3+ 6.51 39.06
D3- 6.58 39.48
D4+ 6.70 40.20
D4- 6.63 39.78