Error 0xBFF6001F when using Basler acA2040-180kc and NI PCIe-1430

[li1237]

Hi all,

I'm using a Basler acA2040-180kc camera and NI PCIe-1430 to acquire images. I cannot make a snap or a grab in MAX now.

1. I knew I need to have the camera file in the NI-IMAQ Devices. At first I went to NI-IMAQ Devices/img 0:NI PCIe-1430/Port 0:/Camera (Right click) /Search ni.com, and I downloaded the camera file from the Industrial Camera Advisor website. This is the URL: http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/nipc.product?pid=11013&asid=1102. But when I wanted to open it, MAX gave me "Error 0xBFF60108: The camera file does not support the current interface type". 

2. Then I found that I could use the camera file generator. I generated the file and I could open it in MAX. But after connecting the camera, I still could not make a snap or a grab in MAX. It gave me "Error 0xBFF6001F: Cannot detect recognizable video source."

I don't know what is wrong now. I am using a National Instruments 199745A-05 PoCL.MDR to SDR 5M cable. I connected the camera link port 0 on PCIe-1430 to the "B" port on the back of the camera (I guess it means "Base"). The LED on the back of the camera was not lighted, so I guess it was not connected. 

By the way, I also borrowed a NI PXIe-1435 board and used two SDR to SDR cables to connect the camera. It worked. On the Industrial Camera Advisor website it says the NI - Compatible Hardware is NI PCIe-1433 and NI PXIe-1435. So is that the reason? I only have PCIe-1430 on hand so I really wish to use it. 

It's the first time to post a question. Thank you guys very much!

[BlueCheese]

The 1430 does not have PoCL so you'd need to power the camera externally. Could that be your issue?

Eric

[li1237]

Hi Eric,

Thank you for your reply! Could you please tell me what is exactly PoCL? I don't find any power-related port on the camera so how can I power it externally? What I'm worried about the most is that is 1430 compatible with acA2040-180kc?

[li1237]

And I found these: The PoCL cable work for the camera.

And for PCIe-1430, although I don't know what is a standard camera link cable, I guess PoCL can still be used from the accessories list at the bottom. 

But the LED on the camera is not lighted when connected to the board, so I guess the power may be a cause. Has anyone used acA2040-180kc or PCIe-1430 before?

[BlueCheese · Accepted solution]

PoCL is Power-over-CameraLink and allows the framegrabber to power the camera. The PoCL cables are (to my knowledge) backwards compatible for usage in a non-PoCL situation. Since the 1430 does not provide PoCL, you will need to externally provide power. The connector between the cameralink ports should let you power it externally.

The other issue is that this camera is a full-configuration camera while the 1430 supports base configuration only. It might be possible to put the camera into a base tab configuration at reduced performance, but you'd likely have to modify the camera files yourself.

I think the easier path would be using the PCIe-1433 or PXI-1435 that are full configuration (and also support PoCL).

Eric

[li1237]

Thank you Eric! But where can I find "the connector between the cameralink ports"? Are they on 1430 or the camera? 

[li1237]

Hi Eric,

I read the Basler ace series manual. Is this the connnector you mentioned?

[BlueCheese]

Yes, that is the one.

Eric

[li1237]

OK thank you! I'll try to use the Power Supply 12V/2A Binder M5 and Power Cable/ I/O cable open end to Binder M5 5m.

[li1237]

Hi Eric,

We received the power cables and now the cameras can acquire images. Thank you for your help! 

However, a new problem appear now: the images acquired from both the cameras are kind of stretched. See the photo below.

 

Could you tell me why this is happening? I used the camera file generated from NI camera file generator. Thank you!