How do I trigger each buffer using IMAQ generate pulse?

[CWR]

I would like to use a continuous pulse train from "IMAQ gnerate pulse.vi" to drive the async reset on a Pulnix camera, where I trigger each buffer. How do I route the pulse from "IMAQ generate pulse.vi" to "IMAQ configure trigger.vi"? The only routing options for each vi are through the trigger line terminal which routs to RTSI or external triggers on the PCI-1422. Can I route the signal internally on the framegrabber?

[Brent_R]

The correct programming techniqe will depend on how you have the camera cabled to the board.

If you have the Async Reset pin connected to a TRIG line on the board, then you can simply route the signal from IMAQ Generate Pulse to this TRIG line. You do not need to configure a "triggered" acquisition, since the camera will be controlling the flow of data to the IMAQ board. Once started, the acquisition will just wait, up to the specified timeout, until the camera sends a frame.

If you have the Async Reset pin connected to a CTRL line, then you will need to use a triggered acquisition. The CTRL lines on the IMAQ board are driven by pulse generation commands in the camera file and are not accesible through the IMAQ API. First, set the camera to Async Reset mode thr
ough the camera properties in MAX. In your program, configure IMAQ Generate Pulse to send a pulse train to an unused I/O pin, such as one of the RTSI lines. Then setup a triggered acquisition to look for a trigger on this line. So with this setup, IMAQ Generate Pulse will trigger the board and the board will then send a pulse to the camera. All National Instruments cables for Pulnix cameras use the CTRL lines to drive the Async Reset pin on the camera.

Regards,

Brent Runnels
Applications Engineer
National Instruments