Methods for Triggering Data Acquisition

This topic introduces the different methods of triggering the laser profiler to acquire data. The laser profiler supports multiple triggering methods, allowing it to be integrated into a system and work with other devices flexibly to obtain the intensity image, depth map, and point cloud.

Before reading this topic, please read Scanning Mechanism of Laser Profiler first to familiarize yourself with the scanning mechanism of the laser profiler and relevant concepts.

Overview of Triggering Methods

There are two methods each for triggering one round of data acquisition and one line scan.

Trigger a round of data acquisition:
- External: Use the signal input from an external device to trigger each round of data acquisition.
- Software: Use Mech-Eye Viewer, Mech-Eye API, Mech-MSR, or a GenICam client to trigger each round of data acquisition.
Trigger a line scan:
- Encoder: Use encoder signals to trigger each line scan.
- Fixed rate: Trigger each line scan at a fixed rate.

Combination of Triggering Methods

Different combinations of the triggering methods of a round of data acquisition and a line scan are suitable for different scenarios:

External + encoder	Controls data acquisition precisely and responds promptly to the signals provided by other devices in the system. Often used in scenarios that require fast respondence and high accuracy. Example A Photoelectric sensor triggers a round of data acquisition when it detects the target object, and an encoder triggers line scans based on the travel speed of the target object.
External + fixed rate	Controls data acquisition precisely and provides a stable scan rate. Often used in scenarios that require cooperation with a robot and high stability. Example A PLC triggers a round of data acquisition when the robot reaches a specified position, and the line scans are triggered at the set rate.
Software + encoder	Data acquisition is controlled by software. Often used in scenarios that require cooperation with upstream software and high accuracy. Example Mech-MSR triggers a round of data acquisition, and an encoder triggers line scans based on the travel speed of the target object.
Software + fixed rate	Data acquisition is controlled by software. Easy to control and can be used to quickly check the result of parameter adjustment, without the need of sending trigger signals from other devices. Example Use Mech-Eye Viewer to trigger data acquisition as needed to check the data quality and adjust the parameters accordingly.

External + encoder

Controls data acquisition precisely and responds promptly to the signals provided by other devices in the system. Often used in scenarios that require fast respondence and high accuracy.

Example

A Photoelectric sensor triggers a round of data acquisition when it detects the target object, and an encoder triggers line scans based on the travel speed of the target object.

External + fixed rate

Controls data acquisition precisely and provides a stable scan rate. Often used in scenarios that require cooperation with a robot and high stability.

Example

A PLC triggers a round of data acquisition when the robot reaches a specified position, and the line scans are triggered at the set rate.

Software + encoder

Data acquisition is controlled by software. Often used in scenarios that require cooperation with upstream software and high accuracy.

Example

Mech-MSR triggers a round of data acquisition, and an encoder triggers line scans based on the travel speed of the target object.

Software + fixed rate

Data acquisition is controlled by software. Easy to control and can be used to quickly check the result of parameter adjustment, without the need of sending trigger signals from other devices.

Example

Use Mech-Eye Viewer to trigger data acquisition as needed to check the data quality and adjust the parameters accordingly.

The next topic introduces the workflow of using each combination of triggering methods to trigger data acquisition.