Sequencer (ace 2 and boost R)#

The Sequencer camera feature allows you to define sets of parameter settings and apply them to a sequence of images.

You can define up to 32 sets of parameter settings, called sequencer sets. As the camera receives trigger signals, it applies one sequencer set after the other.

For example, you can use the Sequencer feature to quickly change between preconfigured image ROIs or exposure times.

Using the Feature#

Sequencer Modes#

• In sequencer configuration mode, you can configure the sequencer but you can't operate it.
• In sequencer mode, you can operate the sequencer but you can't configure it.

Sequencer Configuration Mode#

To enable the sequencer configuration mode:

1. Set the SequencerMode parameter to Off.
2. Set the SequencerConfigurationMode parameter to On.

You can now configure the sequencer.

Sequencer Mode#

To enable the sequencer mode, set the SequencerMode parameter to On. This automatically disables the sequencer configuration mode.

The sequencer is now ready to receive trigger signals and advance as configured.

What's in a Sequencer Set?#

Sequencer sets contain the following parameters, if available:

• AutoFunctionROIWidth^a
• AutoFunctionROIHeight^a
• AutoFunctionROIOffsetX^a
• AutoFunctionROIOffsetY^a
• BinningHorizontal^ab
• BinningVertical^ab
• BinningHorizontalMode^ab
• BinningVerticalMode^ab
• ExposureTime^c
• Gain
• Height^ad
• OffsetX^ad
• OffsetY^ad
• PixelFormat^a
• SequencerSetNext
• SequencerTriggerActivation
• SequencerTriggerSource
• Width^ad

All other camera parameters can't be controlled using the Sequencer feature.

Configuring the Sequencer#

Basler recommends configuring the sequencer in two steps:

1. Populate the sequencer sets with your desired camera settings (e.g., exposure time or image ROI).
2. Configure sequencer set advance, i.e., define how and when the sequencer should advance from one set to the next.

Populating the Sequencer Sets#

Each sequencer set has a unique index number, ranging from 0 to 31. You can populate the sets with your desired camera settings (e.g., exposure time or image ROI).

To populate a sequencer set:

1. Make sure the sequencer is in configuration mode.
2. Configure the camera parameters that you want to store in a sequencer set.
3. Set the SequencerSetSelector parameter to the index number of the desired set.
4. Execute the SequencerSetSave command.
5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 for all sets you want to use.

Example: Assume you want to populate sets 0 and 1 with different image ROI settings. To do so:

1. Create the first image ROI by adjusting the Width, Height, OffsetX, and OffsetY parameter values.
2. Save set 0.
3. Create the second image ROI by choosing different values for the Width, Height, OffsetX, and OffsetY parameters.
4. Save set 1.

You can then configure sequencer set advance so that the camera quickly changes between the two image ROIs.

Configuring Sequencer Set Advance#

To control the sequencer, you must define how and when the sequencer should advance from one set to the next.

For each sequencer set, you must define the following:

If required, you can define the above twice for each set, by configuring so-called paths. For example, you can define that the camera should advance to set 1 when a trigger signal on Line 3 is received (= path 0), but advance to set 3 when a trigger signal on Line 4 is received (= path 1).

When all this is set up, the camera knows exactly when and how to transition between the sequencer sets, essentially behaving like a state machine.

To configure sequencer set advance:

1. Make sure the sequencer is in configuration mode.
2. Set the SequencerSetSelector parameter to the first sequencer set to be configured.
3. Execute the SequencerSetLoad command.
4. Configure sequencer set advance for path 0:
   1. Set the SequencerPathSelector parameter to 0.
   2. Set the SequencerSetNext parameter to the next set to be configured.
   3. Set the SequencerTriggerSource parameter to the source signal that should be used to advance to the next set.
      You can select any of the available trigger source signals, e.g., Line1 or ExposureStart.
   4. If you selected a trigger source that can be high (1) or low (0), i.e., an I/O signal, set the SequencerTriggerActivation parameter to one of the following values:
      • RisingEdge (default): The sequencer advances when the source signal rises, i.e., when the signal status changes from low to high.
      • FallingEdge: The sequencer advances when the source signal falls, i.e., when the signal status changes from high to low.
      • AnyEdge: The sequencer advances when the source signal falls or rises.
      • LevelHigh: The sequencer advances when the source signal is high. If the signal is already high when the sequencer set is loaded, the sequencer immediately advances to the next set. This happens independently of image acquisition.
      • LevelLow: The sequencer advances when the source signal is low. If the signal is already low when the sequencer set is loaded, the sequencer immediately advances to the next set. This happens independently of image acquisition.
5. If you want to define a second condition on which you want the camera to advance to a different set, repeat step 4 with the SequencerPathSelector parameter set to 1.
6. Execute the SequencerSetSave command.
7. Set the SequencerSetSelector parameter to the next sequencer set to be configured.
8. Repeat steps 3 to 7 for all desired sets.

Examples#

Example 1: Cycling Through Sets#

Assume you want to cycle through sequencer sets 0, 1, and 2 during image acquisition. Whenever the camera acquires an image, the sequencer should advance to the next set.

To achieve this, set up the sequencer as follows:

The following outlines what happens if you set up the sequencer as shown above:

• When enabled, the sequencer starts with set 0 (default) and waits for the exposure of the first image.
• When that happens, the camera applies the current sequencer set 0 to the image and then advances to set 1.
• When the next exposure starts, the camera applies set 1 and advances to set 2.
• When the next exposure starts, the camera applies set 2 and advances to set 0.
• Now, the sequencer has returned to set 0, and the process described above repeats.

Example 2: Using a Counter and Multiple Paths#

You can set up the sequencer to advance to a specific set on every n^th image acquisition.

This involves using the Counter feature and configuring multiple paths.

Assume you want to alternate between sequencer sets 0 and 1 during image acquisition, but for the first and every 10^th image, sequencer set 2 should be used.

To achieve this:

1. Set the SequencerStartSet parameter to 2.

2. Configure counter 1 as follows:

   • CounterDuration = 10
   • CounterEventSource = ExposureStart
   • CounterResetSource = Counter1End

3. Set up the sequencer as shown in the table below.

The following outlines what happens if you set up the sequencer as shown above:

• When enabled, the sequencer starts with set 2 and waits for the exposure of the first image.
• When the first exposure starts, Counter 1 increases from 0 to 1, because it is configured to count Exposure Start events.
• When the first exposure ends, i.e., when the Exposure Active signal falls, the sequencer advances to set 0.
• For the next 8 image acquisitions, the sequencer alternates between sets 0 and 1 and the counter continues to increase. The sequencer advances whenever an exposure ends, i.e., when the Exposure Active signal falls.
• When the exposure of the 10^th image starts, the counter reaches its maximum value (CounterDuration = 10), resets itself, and the camera sends a Counter 1 End signal. This makes the sequencer advance to set 2 on path 1 before the path 0 trigger condition (ExposureActive, FallingEdge) becomes valid.
• Now, the sequencer has returned to set 2, and the process described above repeats.

Example 3: Selection at Runtime#

You can set up the sequencer to select sequencer sets at runtime as required.

This involves configuring multiple I/O lines as trigger sources and using the LevelLow and LevelHigh options of the SequencerTriggerActivation parameter.

Assume you want to control sequencer set selection using the signal status (0 = low, 1 = high) of input lines 2 and 3. Depending on the lines' statuses, you want the sequencer to operate as follows:

To achieve this, set up the sequencer as follows:

The following outlines what happens if you set up the sequencer as shown above:

• As long as both signals are low, the triggers on Line 2 and Line 3 stay inactive, because their trigger activation is set to LineHigh. See table rows 1 and 2. Therefore, the sequencer remains at set 0.
• When the signal on Line 3 rises, the LineHigh activation occurs, and the sequencer immediately advances from set 0 to set 1. See table row 1. Then, the sequencer remains at set 1, because Line 2 is still low.
• When the signal on Line 2 also rises, the sequencer advances from set 1 to set 3. See table row 4.
• When the signal on Line 2 falls, the sequencer advances back to set 1. See table row 8.
• When the signal on Line 3 also falls, the sequencer advances back to set 0. See table row 3.

Sample Code#

// ** Populating the Sequencer Sets **
// Enable sequencer configuration mode
camera.SequencerMode.SetValue(SequencerMode_Off);
camera.SequencerConfigurationMode.SetValue(SequencerConfigurationMode_On);
// Configure parameters to be stored in the first sequencer set
camera.Width.SetValue(600);
camera.Height.SetValue(300);
// Select sequencer set 0 and save the parameter values
camera.SequencerSetSelector.SetValue(0);
camera.SequencerSetSave.Execute();
// Configure parameters to be stored in the second sequencer set
camera.Width.SetValue(800);
camera.Height.SetValue(600);
// Select sequencer set 1 and save the parameter values
camera.SequencerSetSelector.SetValue(1);
camera.SequencerSetSave.Execute();
// Enable sequencer mode to operate the sequencer
camera.SequencerMode.SetValue(SequencerMode_On);
// ** Configuring sequencer set advance **
// Assume you want to alternate between sequencer sets 0 and 1 using input line 3
// Enable sequencer configuration mode
camera.SequencerMode.SetValue(SequencerMode_Off);
camera.SequencerConfigurationMode.SetValue(SequencerConfigurationMode_On);
// Set the start set to set 0
camera.SequencerSetStart.SetValue(0);
// Load and configure sequencer set 0
camera.SequencerSetSelector.SetValue(0);
camera.SequencerSetLoad.Execute();
camera.SequencerPathSelector.SetValue(0);
camera.SequencerSetNext.SetValue(1);
camera.SequencerTriggerSource.SetValue(SequencerTriggerSource_Line3);
camera.SequencerTriggerActivation.SetValue(SequencerTriggerActivation_RisingEdge);
// Save the changes
camera.SequencerSetSave.Execute();
// Load and configure sequencer set 1
camera.SequencerSetSelector.SetValue(1);
camera.SequencerSetLoad.Execute();
camera.SequencerPathSelector.SetValue(0);
camera.SequencerSetNext.SetValue(2);
camera.SequencerTriggerSource.SetValue(SequencerTriggerSource_Line3);
camera.SequencerTriggerActivation.SetValue(SequencerTriggerActivation_RisingEdge);
// Save the changes
camera.SequencerSetSave.Execute();
// Enable sequencer mode to operate the sequencer
camera.SequencerMode.SetValue(SequencerMode_On);

INodeMap& nodemap = camera.GetNodeMap();
// ** Populating the Sequencer Sets **
// Enable sequencer configuration mode
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "SequencerMode").SetValue("Off");
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "SequencerConfigurationMode").SetValue("On");
// Configure parameters to be stored in the first sequencer set
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "Width").SetValue(600);
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "Height").SetValue(300);
// Select sequencer set 0 and save the parameter values
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetSelector").SetValue(0);
CCommandParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetSave").Execute();
// Configure parameters to be stored in the second sequencer set
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "Width").SetValue(800);
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "Height").SetValue(600);
// Select sequencer set 1 and save the parameter values
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetSelector").SetValue(1);
CCommandParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetSave").Execute();
// Enable sequencer mode to operate the sequencer
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "SequencerMode").SetValue("On");
// ** Configuring sequencer set advance **
// Assume you want to alternate between sequencer sets 0 and 1 using input line 3
// Enable sequencer configuration mode
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "SequencerMode").SetValue("Off");
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "SequencerConfigurationMode").SetValue("On");
// Set the start set to set 0
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetStart").SetValue(0);
// Load and configure sequencer set 0
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetSelector").SetValue(0);
CCommandParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetLoad").Execute();
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "SequencerPathSelector").SetValue(0);
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetNext").SetValue(1);
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "SequencerTriggerSource").SetValue("Line3");
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "SequencerTriggerActivation").SetValue("RisingEdge");
// Save the changes
CCommandParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetSave").Execute();
// Load and configure sequencer set 1
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetSelector").SetValue(1);
CCommandParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetLoad").Execute();
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "SequencerPathSelector").SetValue(0);
CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetNext").SetValue(2);
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "SequencerTriggerSource").SetValue("Line3");
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "SequencerTriggerActivation").SetValue("RisingEdge");
// Save the changes
CCommandParameter(nodemap, "SequencerSetSave").Execute();
// Enable sequencer mode to operate the sequencer
CEnumParameter(nodemap, "SequencerMode").SetValue("On");

// ** Populating the Sequencer Sets **
// Enable sequencer configuration mode
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerMode].SetValue(PLCamera.SequencerMode.Off);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerConfigurationMode].SetValue(PLCamera.SequencerConfigurationMode.On);
// Configure parameters to be stored in the first sequencer set
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.Width].SetValue(600);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.Height].SetValue(300);
// Select sequencer set 0 and save the parameter values
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetSelector].SetValue(0);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetSave].Execute();
// Configure parameters to be stored in the second sequencer set
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.Width].SetValue(800);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.Height].SetValue(600);
// Select sequencer set 1 and save the parameter values
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetSelector].SetValue(1);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetSave].Execute();
// Enable sequencer mode to operate the sequencer
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerMode].SetValue(PLCamera.SequencerMode.On);
// ** Configuring sequencer set advance **
// Assume you want to alternate between sequencer sets 0 and 1 using input line 3
// Enable sequencer configuration mode
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerMode].SetValue(PLCamera.SequencerMode.Off);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerConfigurationMode].SetValue(PLCamera.SequencerConfigurationMode.On);
// Set the start set to set 0
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetStart].SetValue(0);
// Load and configure sequencer set 0
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetSelector].SetValue(0);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetLoad].Execute();
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerPathSelector].SetValue(0);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetNext].SetValue(1);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerTriggerSource].SetValue(PLCamera.SequencerTriggerSource.Line3);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerTriggerActivation].SetValue(PLCamera.SequencerTriggerActivation.RisingEdge);
// Save the changes
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetSave].Execute();
// Load and configure sequencer set 1
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetSelector].SetValue(1);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetLoad].Execute();
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerPathSelector].SetValue(0);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetNext].SetValue(2);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerTriggerSource].SetValue(PLCamera.SequencerTriggerSource.Line3);
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerTriggerActivation].SetValue(PLCamera.SequencerTriggerActivation.RisingEdge);
// Save the changes
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerSetSave].Execute();
// Enable sequencer mode to operate the sequencer
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.SequencerMode].SetValue(PLCamera.SequencerMode.On);

/* Macro to check for errors */
#define CHECK(errc) if (GENAPI_E_OK != errc) printErrorAndExit(errc)
GENAPIC_RESULT errRes = GENAPI_E_OK;  /* Return value of pylon methods */
/* ** Populating the Sequencer Sets ** */
/* Enable sequencer configuration mode */
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "SequencerMode", "Off");
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "SequencerConfigurationMode", "On");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Configure parameters to be stored in the first sequencer set */
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "Width", 600);
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "Height", 300);
CHECK(errRes);
/* Select sequencer set 0 and save the parameter values */
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetSelector", 0);
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceExecuteCommandFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetSave");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Configure parameters to be stored in the second sequencer set */
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "Width", 800);
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "Height", 600);
CHECK(errRes);
/* Select sequencer set 1 and save the parameter values */
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetSelector", 1);
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceExecuteCommandFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetSave");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Enable sequencer mode to operate the sequencer */
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "SequencerMode", "On");
CHECK(errRes);
/* ** Configuring sequencer set advance ** */
/* Assume you want to alternate between sequencer sets 0 and 1 using input line 3 */
/* Enable sequencer configuration mode */
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "SequencerMode", "Off");
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "SequencerConfigurationMode", "On");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Set the start set to set 0 */
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetStart", 0);
CHECK(errRes);
/* Load and configure sequencer set 0 */
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetSelector", 0);
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceExecuteCommandFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetLoad");
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "SequencerPathSelector", 0);
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetNext", 1);
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "SequencerTriggerSource", "Line3");
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "SequencerTriggerActivation", "RisingEdge");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Save the changes */
errRes = PylonDeviceExecuteCommandFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetSave");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Load and configure sequencer set 1 */
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetSelector", 1);
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceExecuteCommandFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetLoad");
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "SequencerPathSelector", 0);
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceSetIntegerFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetNext", 2);
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "SequencerTriggerSource", "Line3");
CHECK(errRes);
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "SequencerTriggerActivation", "RisingEdge");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Save the changes */
errRes = PylonDeviceExecuteCommandFeature(hdev, "SequencerSetSave");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Enable sequencer mode to operate the sequencer */
errRes = PylonDeviceFeatureFromString(hdev, "SequencerMode", "On");
CHECK(errRes);

# ** Populating the Sequencer Sets **
# Enable sequencer configuration mode
camera.SequencerMode.Value = "Off"
camera.SequencerConfigurationMode.Value = "On"
# Configure parameters to be stored in the first sequencer set
camera.Width.Value = 600
camera.Height.Value = 300
# Select sequencer set 0 and save the parameter values
camera.SequencerSetSelector.Value = 0
camera.SequencerSetSave.Execute()
# Configure parameters to be stored in the second sequencer set
camera.Width.Value = 800
camera.Height.Value = 600
# Select sequencer set 1 and save the parameter values
camera.SequencerSetSelector.Value = 1
camera.SequencerSetSave.Execute()
# Enable sequencer mode to operate the sequencer
camera.SequencerMode.Value = "On"
# ** Configuring sequencer set advance **
# Assume you want to alternate between sequencer sets 0 and 1 using input line 3
# Enable sequencer configuration mode
camera.SequencerMode.Value = "Off"
camera.SequencerConfigurationMode.Value = "On"
# Set the start set to set 0
camera.SequencerSetStart.Value = 0
# Load and configure sequencer set 0
camera.SequencerSetSelector.Value = 0
camera.SequencerSetLoad.Execute()
camera.SequencerPathSelector.Value = 0
camera.SequencerSetNext.Value = 1
camera.SequencerTriggerSource.Value = "Line3"
camera.SequencerTriggerActivation.Value = "RisingEdge"
# Save the changes
camera.SequencerSetSave.Execute()
# Load and configure sequencer set 1
camera.SequencerSetSelector.Value = 1
camera.SequencerSetLoad.Execute()
camera.SequencerPathSelector.Value = 0
camera.SequencerSetNext.Value = 2
camera.SequencerTriggerSource.Value = "Line3"
camera.SequencerTriggerActivation.Value = "RisingEdge"
# Save the changes
camera.SequencerSetSave.Execute()
# Enable sequencer mode to operate the sequencer
camera.SequencerMode.Value = "On"

You can also use the pylon Viewer to easily set the parameters.