How to Achieve a Higher Framerate?

Frame rate refers to the number of frames (or images) a camera captures per second, typically measured in FPS (Frames per Second). For example, a camera running at 60 fps captures 60 individual images each second.

2. Data Throughput

2.a. Interface Type

The data interface, such as USB 3.0, GigE, or CoaXPress, directly impacts how much image data can be transferred per second. For high-resolution sensors, interfaces with higher bandwidth are required to maintain high frame rates.

2.b. Packet Size

In GigE Vision, GVSP packet size affects how efficiently data is transmitted. Larger packets, known as Jumbo Frames, reduce protocol overhead by sending more data per packet. This improves throughput, especially in high-resolution imaging, by lowering the number of packets needed per frame and enabling faster, more efficient data transfer.

2.c. Cable Length

Industrial cable length can impact frame rate in industrial cameras by causing signal degradation over longer distances. As cables get longer, data integrity may suffer, leading to reduced bandwidth or lower frame rates. To maintain performance, high-quality cables and connectors are essential.

2.d. External Components

External components like frame grabbers, switches, and network devices can directly impact frame rate. If these devices can't handle the required bandwidth or aren’t properly matched to the camera’s interface, they can cause data bottlenecks, frame drops, or lower capture speeds. Ensuring that all external hardware is high quality and properly rated is essential for maintaining full frame rate performance.

2.e. Multiple Cameras

When using multiple cameras, it's important to be mindful of the overall bandwidth available. Each camera requires a certain amount of bandwidth to transmit its data. If several cameras are streaming at high resolutions or frame rates, the combined data load can exceed the capacity of the connection or network. This may result in dropped frames or reduced performance, as the system struggles to manage the total data throughput. Ensuring that the interface and network can handle the combined demands is critical to maintaining optimal frame rate and synchronization performance across all devices.

2.f.  Synchronization and Triggering

Triggered capture modes, where frame acquisition is linked to external events like a sensor’s signal or a set time interval, can limit the frame rate due to the need for precise synchronization. This is especially true when multiple devices are involved, as coordinating capture times can impact the frame rate across all devices. The timing and frequency of triggers, as well as shared bandwidth or tight synchronization requirements, can reduce overall system performance and throughput when high speed captures are needed

4. Image Acquisition Configurations

4.a. Region of Interest (ROI)

Limiting the camera to a specific ROI (region of interest) reduces the number of pixels read per frame, decreasing data load and allowing for faster frame rates. This is a common method to optimize speed without sacrificing key visual information in the imaging area.

4.b. Exposure Time

Longer exposure times reduce the frame rate because the sensor is actively capturing light for a longer duration before it can start the next frame. Shorter exposures are typically used when high frame rates are needed. However, short exposures may require intense lighting to maintain image quality, especially in fast-motion scenarios or low-light environments.

4.c. Binning and Decimation

Binning and decimation are two techniques used to reduce image resolution and data volume, thereby increasing frame rate. Binning works by combining neighbouring pixels into a single "super pixel," which lowers resolution but significantly decreases the amount of data that needs to be read and transmitted. Decimation, on the other hand, skips over pixels during readout, similarly reducing image size and speeding up data transfer. Both methods trade image detail for performance, making them ideal in applications where speed is more critical than fine resolution.

4.d. Pixel Format

Cameras can output image data in various pixel formats, such as 8-bit, 10 bit, or higher. While higher bit depths enhance dynamic range and color fidelity, they also increase the data size per frame, which can reduce the achievable frame rate if not supported by sufficient bandwidth or processing power.

4.e. Image Processing

Built-in image processing tasks, such as white balance, gamma correction, noise reduction etc. can reduce frame rates, as the camera’s internal resources are shared between image capture and processing. Additionally, automatic features like auto-exposure, auto-white balance, and auto-gain may introduce latency due to real-time adjustments between frames. Careful configuration of these settings is essential to avoid unintentionally limiting the camera’s performance.

Here are several strategies and considerations to help troubleshoot and boost the frame rate of your industrial camera setup.

• Check Cable & Camera Health: Start with the basics by ensuring the physical components are not damaged.
• Test with Galaxy Viewer: Verify if the issue is with the camera settings or the code. Galaxy Viewer helps diagnose whether the camera is operating correctly.
• Use a Frame Rate Calculator: Use a frame rate calculator to calculate the maximum possible frame rate based on your camera’s settings (resolution, exposure, etc.) to assess if adjustments are needed.
• Ensure Sufficient Bandwidth: Check if there's enough bandwidth for the camera's data transmission. A. Monitor Multiple Cameras: Test the camera performance individually to rule out network congestion. B. Check Network Congestion: Ensure that network devices (like switches and routers) aren’t limiting the available bandwidth. Try connecting the camera directly to the PC to rule out network congestion.
• Reduce ROI: Limiting the Region of Interest decreases data load, helping to improve frame rate.
• Use Binning/Decimation: Reducing image resolution through these methods speeds up data transfer and increases frame rate.
• Lower Exposure Time: Shorter exposure times can increase frame rates, but more lighting may be required for clarity.
• Change Pixel Format: Reducing the bit depth (e.g., 8-bit instead of 10-bit) reduces data size per frame, allowing faster frame rates.
• Increase Packet Size: Larger packets reduce overhead, increasing data transfer efficiency.
• Disable DeviceLinkThroughputLimitMode (USB 3.0)
  This setting may be enabled by default and could limit your camera's data throughput.
• Enable Jumbo Frames (GigE)
  Make sure Jumbo Frames are enabled for more efficient data transmission.
• Ensure Adequate System Resources: Make sure the CPU, RAM, and other system resources are sufficient for real-time data processing.
• Optimize Image Processing Settings: Disable unnecessary image processing features (like auto-exposure or noise reduction) that could slow down the frame rate.
• Upgrade Network Infrastructure: Consider upgrading switches or network devices to support higher data rates and reduce network bottlenecks.