Hardware Installation (GigE Cameras)#

This topic tells you how to install a Basler camera with a GigE interface.

General Considerations#

The pylon Software Suite for Windows must be installed.

Make sure that the following items are available before starting the hardware installation:

• A Basler camera with a GigE interface.
• A computer with a suitable GigE network adapter.
• As applicable, a power supply or a PoE power injector.
  Make sure that the power supply meets all of the requirements listed in the topic about your camera model.
  If you want to use PoE, your camera supports PoE, but your computer doesn't, use a PoE injector. Alternatively, you can make your computer PoE-capable by using a network card with added PoE capabilities, for example this one.
• As applicable, a C-mount or CS-mount lens for the camera.
  If you already know what lens you will be using in your actual application, use this lens during the camera installation and setup. If not, Basler suggests using a zoom lens for the installation and initial setup. Contact Basler technical support if you need assistance in determining the best lens for your application.
• A standard Ethernet cable. Basler recommends using Cat 6 or Cat 7 S/STP cables. If you're using a PoE injector, you need two Ethernet cables.
  Suitable cables are available via the Basler website.

Recommended GigE Network Adapters#

Basler 1GigE Cameras#

The following GigE network adapters are recommended for use with Basler 1GigE cameras:

• Intel Pro 1000 series
• Intel i210 series
• Intel i340 series
• Intel i350 series

These adapters have been tested and generally work well with the pylon GigE Vision drivers.

However, for best performance, Basler recommends using the Basler GigE Interface Cards.

Basler 5GigE Cameras#

The following GigE network adapter is recommended for use with Basler 5GigE cameras:

Marvell AQtion AQC107

For best performance, Basler recommends using the Basler GigE Interface Cards.

Network Adapters and Network Drivers#

Although Basler recommends the adapters listed above, the cameras should work with any compatible network adapter card.

The pylon GigE Vision drivers and tools optimize and lower the CPU load caused by network traffic between the computer and the cameras. In addition, they come with very robust packet resend mechanisms to assure maximum stability and reliability of your GigE Vision setup.

Installing the Camera#

This procedure assumes that you want to establish a peer-to-peer connection between your GigE camera and a computer.

ace, ace 2, and racer 2 S Cameras#

To install the camera:

1. Remove the protective cap from the lens mount.
2. Mount a C-mount or CS-mount lens onto your camera. Be careful not to insert the lens any deeper than specified in the Maximum Allowed Lens Intrusion topic.

3. Connect the camera to the computer and power.

   • If you are using Power over Ethernet (PoE) with a PoE-capable computer (recommended option)
     1. Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet connector of the camera and plug the other end of the cable into the PoE-capable GigE network adapter port of your computer.
   • If you are using Power over Ethernet (PoE) with a PoE injector
     1. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the "In" (or similar) port of the power injector and plug the other end of the cable into the GigE network adapter port of your computer.
     2. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the "Out" (or similar) port of the PoE injector and plug the other end of the cable into the Ethernet connector of the camera.
     3. Use the power cord that shipped with your power injector to connect the injector to an AC outlet.
   • If you are using a power supply
     1. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the network adapter port in your computer and plug the other end of the cable into the Ethernet connector of the camera.
     2. Plug the 6-pin connector of the cable from your power supply into the 6-pin connector of the camera.
     3. Switch on the power supply.

   The camera starts up and will go through several initialization steps including IP address assignment. This takes some time.

dart M Cameras#

To install the camera:

1. If you are using a mount: Mount a dart M camera mount to the camera module.
   See dart M section in the Mounting Instructions topic.
2. Mount a lens onto the camera. Be careful not to insert the lens any deeper than specified in the Maximum Allowed Lens Intrusion topic.

3. Connect one end of the dart M FFC Cable to the camera module.
   Make sure to insert the cable in the correct orientation, as indicated on the cable.

   The ends of the FFC cable are not specific, i.e. you can connect each end either to the camera module connector or to the interface board connector.
   But it's important that you make sure to insert the cable in the correct orientation, i.e. the red conducting paths of the FFC cable must face the boards as shown in the following image:

   

4. If you are using a custom interface board, connect and install the interface board according to your own specifications.

5. If you are using a Basler dart M interface board, carry out the following steps:

   1. Connect the other end of the FFC cable to the interface board.
      Make sure to insert the cable in the correct orientation, as indicated on the cable. The ends of the FFC cable are not specific, i.e. you can connect each end either to the camera module connector or to the interface board connector.
      But it's important that you make sure to insert the cable in the correct orientation, i.e. the red conducting paths of the FFC cable must face the boards as shown in the image above.

   2. If you are using the Interface Board dart M GigE RJ45 PoE:

      1. If you are using a PoE-capable computer: Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet connector of the board and plug the other end of the cable into the PoE-capable GigE network adapter port of your computer.
      2. If you are using a PoE injector:
         1. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the "In" (or similar) port of the power injector and plug the other end of the cable into the GigE network adapter port of your computer.
         2. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the "Out" (or similar) port of the PoE injector and plug the other end of the cable into the Ethernet connector of the board.
         3. Use the power cord that was shipped with your power injector to connect the injector to an AC outlet.
   3. If you are using the Interface Board dart M GigE RJ45 AUX:
      1. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the network adapter port in your computer and plug the other end of the cable into the Ethernet connector of the board.

      2. Plug your I/O cable into the 10-pin I/O connector of the board.
         Make sure that pin 1 is connected to ground (GND) and pin 2 is supplied with 12–24 VDC.

         If you are using the dart M I/O cable: Make sure to insert the cable in the correct orientation on the interface board. The red wire of the I/O cable is for pin 1.

The camera starts up and will go through several initialization steps including IP address assignment. This takes some time.

Next Steps#

• Use the pylon Viewer to check whether your camera has been detected, acquire images, display images, and adjust parameter settings to improve image quality.
• In most cases, you must configure your network before you can use the camera.