3
6X-1050a
3960 CAMERA
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION
1.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This introduction briefly describes the overall
characteristics of the Model 3960 Camera/
Positioner (figure 1) related to its installation and
operation.
1.1 Electrical Characteristics
The 3960 provides a highly sensitive CCD
camera in a pressurized housing together with a
high performance pan/tilt positioner environmen-
tally sealed from the environment..
All electrical connections are via 11 pins of a
single 16 pin connector on the end of a 34 inch
permanently attached “pigtail” cable. Table 1 lists
electrical and mechanical specifications for the
3960.
The 3960 is available with either NTSC or PAL
video output, depending on the model. Operating
power is either 24 V ac or 115 V ac — again de-
pending on the model.
It has a day/night feature that increases sensi-
tivity by reverting from color to monochrome output
in low light conditions. This feature can be made to
operate automatically or by manual control when
desired.
A model number interpretation diagram ap-
pears in figure 2. That diagram shows the various
basic configurations of the 3960.
1.1.1 Initial Setup Software
Win MPC Graphical User Interface (GUI)
software is available for setting the address and
performing field tests and setups for each camera/
positioner. This can be obtained at no cost from
either the cohu-cameras.com web site or by mail on
CD ROM for no cost. This test/setup software does
not control auxiliary equipment such as video
switchers, screen switchers, VCR’s, and such.
A separate manual is available for the Win
MPC software. The part number for that manual is
6X-1032. A suffix may be attached to this basic part
number to indicate the latest revision level of the
manual, but it can be downloaded or ordered using
the basic part number with the latest suffix.
To operate the 3960 in a system after setup by
WinMPC, either Cohu system software or some
common third-party software can be used, depend-
ing on the requirements of the installation.
1.1.2 Cohu System Control Software
The 3960 can be operated by either the Cohu
Cams or NetCams software or by a variety of other
common third-party software protocols. Not all
features may be available with some of these third-
party protocols. The protocols currently supported
are listed in both the specifications table and the
model number interpretation diagram.
The Cohu 3960 system control software is
designed to control the camera, the camera DSP
functions, lens functions, positioner pan/tilt func-
tions, as well those of auxiliary equipment such as
video switchers, screen splitters, monitor selectors,
VCR’s, and other such equipment. The protocol and
message structure for the camera is common for all
cameras. No proprietary protocol and message
structure is used. Two versions of control software
are available:
Cams
The Cams protocol software is intended for
controlling multi-camera/positioner systems when
the Cohu MPC Master Control Panel is the central
control “intelligence” for the system. All control and
respond commands among the various equipment
in the system pass through the Master Control
Panel.
Net Cams
The Net Cams software is intended for control-
ling multi-camera/positioner systems when a Win-
dows based PC is the central control “intelligence”
for the system. All control and respond commands
among the various equipment in the system pass
through the Net Cams Server.
1.1.3 Other Control Software/Protocols
During initial setup and testing of a 3960, the
Cohu WinMPC software is typically used for com-
munications with the camera module and pan/tilt
positioner section of the 3960. This is typically done
with the software running on a windows based PC
at a test bench or at the installation site location..
Once the 3960 is ready to be released for service at
its installation site, a “working” protocol can be
selected for use in the control system. The currently
