pci-1422 and RS 232 control of a Hamamatsu ORCA-HR camera (C4742-95-12HR)

[Linear]

Hi there,

I am having some inconsistent problems when I try to control an Orca-HR camera (Hamamatsu C4742-95-12HR) via RS232.

I get the feeling the problem comes from the way the RS232 port emmbedded (emulated?) in the PCI-1422 is used/recognized by the different softwares I tested.

So first, should that emulated/embedded port show up in Max serial&Parallel port listing? I don't think so but it is not there, that's for sure. I "only" have the PCI-1422 board showing.

Instances where I can access some of the camera attributes (limited functionnalities accessible):

- Through MAX I can change some settings though the controller and make snapshots.

- I can access those same function through IMAQ ("IMAQ set camera attributes.vi", etc see attached vi exemple).

- I have full control of the camera through Hamamatsu's software Hipic 8.0 but only if I use internal drivers and a com port different from the one embedded in the PCI-1422 board (Hipic does not propose that com port anyway maybe because it does not exist per say?)

Instances where I can NOT access the camera at all :

- If I try to use a Hamamatsu's VI (latest version of sample VIs&DLL or older ones) it does not work: calls to any function of the "tmcamcon.dll" return errors, all pointing toward the fact that no camera is detected : the first sub_Vi (tm_initialize.vi) returns no error but zero connected camera and other VIs return errors saying there is no camera at this handle or no camera could be activated at this handle.

- I have NO control of the camera through Hamamatsu's software Hipic 8.0 if I use the DCAM API drivers no matter what com port is used (embedded in the PCI-1422 board or other).

Does it make any sense to you?

I come to believe that the Hamamatsu VIs can't access the camera through the emulated RS-232 of the PCI-1422. Is there a configuration setting I could use to make those work and not have to restart from scratch with IMAQ and with only limited functionnalities ?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[Olivier_L · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Actually, you can have access to the serial port embedded on the PCI-1422 board only with IMAQ functions.

That explains that you can't see it in "Serial & Parallel" section in MAX.

I don't realy well know the PCI-1422, but there is probably a way to access the serial port from the PCI-1422 board in MAX.

Then, the camera attributes you are able to access with IMAQ, are the camera attributes the camera dispose to the driver.

If you are able to access more attributes with Hamamatsu driver, that is the manufacturer who decided to restreint the access to other drivers.

But if you're not able to use the manufacturer VIs, you should probably call him to know why it's working badly. Perhaps an issue of versioning, or a firmware update?