Storing of filter wheel configuration in camera permanent memory
significantly shortens the camera startup time. Camera firmware needs
not to check whether some filter wheel is present and if the filter
wheel is found, it is not necessary to count the positions on each
startup.
If a certain type of filter wheel, identified by number of filter
positions, is stored in the camera permanent memory and the filter
wheel is missing, the only problem is prolonged camera startup.
Firmware starts to search for filter wheel zero position and if it
does not succeed within defined time interval, it continues working as
if no filter wheel is present. Added startup time is approx.
10 seconds.
But if camera permanent memory contains some number of filters and
a wheel with different number of positions is used, camera firmware
successfully finds the wheel origin. Subsequent attempts to set some
filter position may lead to usage of different filter, because filter
wheel motion optimization calculates with different number of filters
(Gx camera firmware always searches the shortest path to the new
filter, still it is designed to place filter exactly to the same
position, regardless of the direction from which the particular filter
position is approached). Here comes the new tool, which allows every
user to change the number of filter positions stored in the camera
permanent memory.
Gx Filter Wheel Setup
The tool is available for download from our web site a single ZIP file.
Download it in unzip into arbitrary folder on the computer to
which camera is connected.
The tool is designed to guide user through the process in
several steps. First step requires connection of the configured
camera.
The tool then guides the user to disconnect and connect the
camera again (this sequence is necessary because of some technical
reasons). Step 4 finally allows to pick up desired number of
filter positions used or to deactivate filter wheel support.
When the information is finally written to the camera permanent
memory, it is again necessary to unplug the camera and plug it so
the camera firmware can perform startup sequence with the updated
memory content.
Warning: The utility needs to run with Administrative
privileges. It is necessary to have access to Administrator
account credentials on the particular PC. No other G2, G3 or
G4 camera can be connected to the PC during configuration process.
Released versions
Version 1.0:
Version 2.0:
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