dart M Interface Description#
General Information#
The dart M interface is a Basler specific interface and describes how Basler dart M camera modules can be interfaced. The interface comprises three components: The camera module, the flat flex cable (FFC), and either a Basler dart M Interface Board or custom hardware.
Camera Connections#
The interface to the Basler dart M camera module is a 20-pin FFC connector. The connector provides connections for image transfer via four differential signal pairs, input and output signals and power supply.
Flexible Flat Cable (FFC) Connector#
The 20-pin connector on the camera is a flexible flat cable (FFC) connector by Hirose Electric Co. The connector order code is Hirose FH67 (FH67-20S-0.5SV) FFC/FPC connector.
FFC Connector Pin Numbering and Assignments#
In the image below, pin 1 of the FFC connector is indicated by an arrow.
The Hirose FH67-20S-0.5SV connector provides twenty signal pins to support shielded FFCs/FPCs. These ground contacts are connected to the Basler dart M camera module’s ground to provide return path for the power supply and to provide a stable reference plane for the impedance-controlled signals. The following table shows the details for these twenty signal pins.
| Pin # (Camera Side) | Pin Name | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VCC | Power Supplya |
| 2 | VCC | Power Supplya |
| 3 | LED | Status LEDb |
| 4 | - | Reservedc |
| 5 | - | Reservedc |
| 6 | Line 2 | General pupose output lined |
| 7 | Line 1 | General purpose input lined |
| 8 | GND | GNDe |
| 9 | D1+ | Data Interfacef |
| 10 | D1- | Data Interfacef |
| 11 | GND | GNDe |
| 12 | D2+ | Data Interfacef |
| 13 | D2- | Data Interfacef |
| 14 | GND | GNDe |
| 15 | D3+ | Data Interfacetf |
| 16 | D3- | Data Interfacef |
| 17 | GND | GNDe |
| 18 | D4+ | Data Interfacef |
| 19 | D4- | Data Interfacef |
| 20 | GND | GNDe |
-
Single camera supply voltage, 5 VDC nominal. Connect all pins.
-
Reserved for indicating camera module status
-
Reserved for future SLP use
-
Output can be used e.g. to control external lightning or to synchronize other cameras. Input can be used e.g. to trigger exposure.
-
All GND pins, including the six shield GND contacts on the opposite side of the connector, must be connected to a common GND plane. Avoid long PCB traces, prefer direct vias.
-
Differential data signals. Signal standard depends on Basler dart M camera module.
Status LED#
Indicates camera operation (LED lit = camera operating).
The LED can be turned off permanently by setting the DeviceIndicatorMode parameter to Inactive.
LED States#
| LED State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Off | No power |
| Solid green | Powered, network connection established |
| Flashing green (3x short – 3x long – 3x short) repeatedly until error is corrected | System error (e.g., internal error) |
| Flashing green (3x long) repeatedly until error is corrected | User error (e.g., temperature error) |
| Alternating: Bright green / off | Link down (powered, but no GigE connection) |
| Alternating: Bright green / dark green | Allocating IP address |
| Solid green with a periodical, short dark phase | Network conflict |
Electrical Requirements#
WARNING – Electric Shock Hazard
Unapproved power supplies may cause electric shock. Serious injury or death may occur.
- You must use power supplies that meet the Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) and Limited Power Source (LPS) requirements.
- If you use a powered hub or powered switch, they must meet the SELV and LPS requirements.
WARNING – Fire Hazard
Unapproved power supplies may cause fire and burns.
- You must use power supplies that meet the Limited Power Source (LPS) requirements.
- If you use a powered hub or powered switch, they must meet the LPS requirements.
NOTICE – Incorrect voltage can damage the camera module.
You must supply camera and I/O power within the safe operating voltage ranges specified below.
Absolute Maximum Ratings#
| Pin Name | Absolute Minimum | Absolute Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| VCC | -0.3 VDC | 6.5 VDC |
| Line 1 | -0.4 VDC | 5 VDC |
Supply Current#
| Pin Name | Notes | Nominal (Recommended) | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| VCC | Maximum power to be provided via the VCC pins is 6 W at 5 VDC nominal supply voltage. | Varies by camera module type | 1.2 A |
Input Voltages#
| Pin Name | Notes | Minimum | Nominal (Recommended) | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCC | - | 4.5 VDC | 5.0 VDC | 5.5 VDC |
| Line 1 | Input low voltage | - | 0.0 VDC | 0.63 VDC |
| Line 1 | Input high voltage | 1.17 VDC | 1.8 VDC | - |
Output Voltages#
| Pin Name | Notes | Minimum | Nominal (Recommended) | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line 2 LED | Output low voltage | - | - | 0.45 VDC |
| Line 2 LED | Output high voltage | 1.35 VDC | - | - |
Output voltages: When pins are not loaded. Observe voltage drop of internal 680 ohms series resistors.
GigE Data Interface#
| Pin Name | Function |
|---|---|
| D1+, D1- | MDI3 |
| D2+, D2- | MDI2 |
| D3+, D3- | MDI1 |
| D4+, D4- | MDI0 |
Pins listed above: 1000BASE-T IEEE 802.3 compliant phy MDI data pair with 100 ohms termination
Data Interface Trace Lengths and Delays#
The table below shows the trace lengths and approximated signal delays of the data interface on a camera module.
Info
Signal delay values were calculated assuming a signal velocity of 6 ns/m.
| Signal Name | Trace Length [mm] | Signal Delay [ps] |
|---|---|---|
| D1+ | 6.57 | 39.42 |
| D1- | 6.58 | 39.48 |
| D2+ | 6.59 | 39.54 |
| D2- | 6.62 | 39.72 |
| D3+ | 6.51 | 39.06 |
| D3- | 6.58 | 39.48 |
| D4+ | 6.70 | 40.20 |
| D4- | 6.63 | 39.78 |