Connect the FLIR Blackfly S video system components

To begin connecting up your FLIR Blackfly S video system, plug two cables into each camera:

• One cable connects to the PC for power, control, and data
• One cable connects to the Vicon Lock for synchronization.

We recommend initially setting the camera up close to both the PC and Lock to verify correct functionality. Use the 5 m cables before introducing any extension cables as these cables are a likely source of issues with bandwidth and power.  We recommend that you only add extension cables when the camera is set up and functioning.

The following diagram displays a setup for a single FLIR Blackfly S USB3 camera in a system with Valkyrie cameras:

The steps for setting up the hardware are:

Install USB 3.0 expansion card (optional)

The expansion card is required when the onboard ports on the PC are not sufficiently fast (or when there are not enough onboard ports on the PC). Install the card in a spare PCIe slot, remembering to connect up its external power.

Attach the mounting plate to the camera

Carefully attach the mounting plate to the underneath of the camera with the four screws included, taking care not to lose the screws or overtighten them.

Attach the lens to the camera

Attach a suitable C-mount or CS-mount lens that is appropriate for the camera. If you need to use a C-mount lens with a CS-mount camera, a small adapter ring is required.

Connect the camera to the PC with a USB3 cable

1. Attach the USB3 cable between the camera and PC.
2. Ensure that the screws are tight on the camera side to lock the cable in place and that the connector is not subject to excessive force, such as the weight of cables or the camera put in a position where it could be knocked.

To avoid the whole weight of the cable being borne by the camera's connector, we recommend that you attach the cables to the tripod or rig with cable ties.

Connect the camera to the Lock with a sync cable

Attach the sync cable from the Vicon Lock unit to the camera. To do this:

1. Rotate the camera end of the cable, which is keyed, until the correct alignment is found.

   The cable end clicks into place.

2. Attach the other end to the Lock unit.

   It uses an RCA phono connection, which plugs into the Lock's GPO port.

3. Make a note of the GPO port that the cable is connected to. You will need this during software setup as it is not detected automatically.

Position and aim the camera

1. Attach the mounting plate to the tripod head or clamp on the rig.
2. Aim the camera in approximately the desired direction. You can change the exact direction later, when the software setup is complete and before calibrating.