Quote:
|
Originally Posted by tribotec_ca88
...but if for some reason it doesn't work are there any chances whatsoever that our cam's circuitry may be damaged or something?
|
Anything's possible, but I'd prefer to rule out everything else. Let's see whether or not your Camera is booting properly. I would like for you to follow these directions:
1. Connect the camera to power via the PWM outputs on the RC. Make sure the green lights on the camera illuminate.
2. Turn the Camera Off (via the switch on the camera).
3. Connect a Serial cable from the Camera to the PC.
4. Open the Measurement and Automation eXplorer (MAX) application on the PC.
5. Explode the "Devices and Interfaces" configuration option under "My System".
6. Explode the "Ports (Serial and Parallel)" option under "Devices and Interfaces".
7. Click on the COM Port that the serial cable is connected to.
8. In the middle panel at the top there should be a "Open VISA Test Panel" button, click on it. A New window will open up, which is the VISA test panel.
9. In the "Property Node (Set)" tab, I want you to select under "Attribute Name" the "Timeout Value". This is probably default, but in case it isn't make sure it's selected.
10. Enter a value of 10000 in the "New Value" field, and then press the "Execute" button. This will set the VISA Timeout to 10 seconds instead of the default 2 seconds.
11. Select the "Read" Tab.
12. Press "Execute" and then flip the switch on the CMUCam2 to turn it on as quickly as possible. Depending on your hardware (I dunno if you're using a USB-Serial converter or a built-in serial port on your PC) you may be able to turn on your CMUCam2 before pressing "Execute", depending on how much memory your Serial port has. Realize that by default the VISA session will wait until it either reads "Count" characters over the serial port, or if it times out. Since you won't be reading 1024 characters (default Count value) you will end up waiting 10 seconds before it returns the buffer, and you will get a timeout error of BFFF0015 in the return status (it's okay, it's expected).
Anyway, what this is doing is reading a message from your serial port - you can do the same thing using Hyperterminal, but I'd prefer you learn how to do it in MAX. When your camera boots up, it will output a text message containing its name and the firmware version to the serial port (the IFI controller also outputs its name but no version via the program port, by the way). By checking to see if the camera outputs this information you're able to make sure the serial cable you're using is good, and also you're making sure the CMUCam2 can boot up. Perform the same task with the serial cable connected to the IFI controller's program port instead of the CMUCam2 and see what you get (remember to power down the IFI controller and power it back up when you're ready to read). If you get nothing from either devices, use a different serial cable and try again. If still nothing from either device, call an exorcist.
-Danny