Comprehensive Product Summary – ADLINK RTV‑E4 Four‑Channel Extension Board

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: RTV‑E4 Four Channels Extension Board
Model: RTV‑E4
Series: Angelo / RTV Series Real‑Time Video Frame Grabber Family
Article Number: RTV‑E4
Manufacturer: ADLINK Technology Inc.
Part Number: 50‑12419‑001
Manual Revision: Rev. 1.00, March 31, 2003
Manufacturer Address: 9F, No. 166, Jian Yi Road, Chungho City, Taipei 235, Taiwan
Website: [www.adlinktech.com](http://www.adlinktech.com)

The ADLINK RTV‑E4 is a four‑channel video extension board designed to expand the channel capacity of the RTV‑24 real‑time video frame grabber. It belongs to the Angelo series of multi‑channel acquisition boards optimized for PC‑based digital video recording, surveillance, and machine vision applications. The RTV‑E4 provides additional composite video input channels through a 10‑pin ribbon interface, enabling system integrators to scale up from four to sixteen simultaneous video inputs per system.

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### 2. Key Features

- Channel Expansion: Adds four additional composite video input channels to the RTV‑24 base board.
- High‑Performance Video Acquisition: Supports real‑time capture of multiple analog video streams (PAL, NTSC, CCIR, EIA).
- Scalable Architecture: Up to 16 total channels can be configured using multiple RTV‑E4 boards connected to the RTV‑24 via onboard 10‑pin headers.
- Flexible Video Formats: Compatible with NTSC‑M, NTSC‑Japan, PAL‑B/D/G/H/I/M/N, and SECAM color standards, as well as CCIR and EIA monochrome formats.
- Programmable Image Processing: Adjustable hue, brightness, contrast, and saturation; optional image scaling (down to 1:16) and cropping to region of interest.
- TTL‑Compatible I/O Lines: 4 digital inputs, 4 outputs, and 4 software trigger lines with overload and ESD protection.
- Watchdog Timer: Hardware watchdog for system reliability; automatically resets the host PC after a programmable inactivity timeout.
- User EEPROM: 1 Kbit non‑volatile memory for user‑defined data storage.
- Software Support: WDM drivers for Windows NT/98/2000/XP; compatible with VC++, VB, Borland C++ Builder, and Delphi.
- Utility Software: Bundled ViewCreator utility for configuration, testing, and image capture verification.
- Compact PCI/PCI/PMC Compatibility: Designed for integration with ADLINK’s RTV‑24 PCI frame grabber and compatible Angelo series boards.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Video Input:
- Four composite video color digitizers per extension board.
- Interface: 10‑pin ribbon cable to RTV‑24 10‑pin header connector.
- Recommended cable: 75‑ohm coaxial.
- Connector type: 10‑pin IDC header (CN2, CN3, CN5).

Channel Extension Capability:
- Each 10‑pin header extends 4 additional video channels.
- RTV‑24 supports up to three RTV‑E4 boards for a total of 16 channels.
- Channel mapping examples:
- CN2: CH4–CH7
- CN3: CH8–CH11
- CN5: CH12–CH15

Electrical Characteristics (TTL I/O):
| Parameter | Min | Max | Notes |
|------------|------|------|-------|
| Input High Voltage (5 µA) | 2.0 V | 5.25 V | Logic “1” threshold |
| Input Low Voltage (–5 µA) | 0.0 V | 0.8 V | Logic “0” threshold |
| Output High Voltage (–1 mA) | 5.0 V | — | Logic “1” output |
| Output Low Voltage (100 mA) | — | –0.5 V | Logic “0” output |

Form Factor:
- 32‑bit, 33/66 MHz PCI half‑size board (for RTV‑24 host).
- Compact, stackable design for multi‑channel expansion.

Watchdog Timer:
- Interface: 2‑pin header (JP1).
- Function: Monitors host application; resets PC after programmable timeout.

Software Trigger Output:
- 4 programmable trigger channels.
- Pulse width adjustable from 60 µs to 16 ms.

EEPROM:
- 1 Kbit user‑programmable non‑volatile memory.

Environmental:
- Operating temperature: 0 °C to 50 °C (typical).
- Storage temperature: –20 °C to 70 °C.
- Relative humidity: 5 %–95 %, non‑condensing.

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### 4. Functionality

The RTV‑E4 functions as an analog video input expansion module for the RTV‑24 frame grabber. Each board adds four additional composite video channels, allowing simultaneous real‑time acquisition of multiple video streams. The extension board connects to the RTV‑24 via a 10‑pin ribbon cable, which carries the analog video signals from the additional cameras.

Operation Principle:
- The RTV‑24 digitizes incoming analog video signals from both its onboard BNC connectors and the RTV‑E4 extension inputs.
- Each channel can be independently configured for PAL or NTSC format.
- The system supports real‑time acquisition at up to 30 fps (NTSC) or 25 fps (PAL) per channel.
- Captured frames are transferred to system memory via the PCI bus for processing, display, or recording.

Use Cases:
- Multi‑camera surveillance and security systems.
- Industrial inspection and machine vision.
- Scientific and medical imaging.
- Digital video recording (DVR) systems.
- Embedded vision systems using CompactPCI or PMC platforms.

Compatibility:
- Designed specifically for ADLINK RTV‑24 frame grabber.
- Compatible with Angelo series software drivers and ViewCreator utility.
- Supports Windows NT/98/2000/XP environments.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- RTV‑E4 extension board.
- 10‑pin ribbon cable for connection to RTV‑24.
- User manual and driver CD (included with RTV‑24 package).

Connectors:
- CN2, CN3, CN5: 10‑pin headers for video input extension.
- Pin assignments:
- CH4–CH15 video inputs with interleaved ground pins.
- GPIO Headers (CN8, CN9 on RTV‑24): Provide digital I/O and software trigger lines.
- JP1: 2‑pin header for watchdog timer reset.

Optional Accessories:
- Additional RTV‑E4 boards for up to 16 channels.
- Coaxial cables and BNC‑to‑ribbon adapters.
- Mounting brackets for rack or chassis integration.

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- Host system with available 32‑bit PCI slot (RTV‑24 installed).
- Windows NT/98/2000/XP operating system.
- Minimum screen resolution 800 × 600 for ViewCreator utility.

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the PC and remove the cover.
2. Ensure the RTV‑24 board is installed in a PCI slot.
3. Connect the RTV‑E4 to the RTV‑24 using the supplied 10‑pin ribbon cable.
4. Attach video sources (cameras) to the RTV‑E4 input connectors.
5. Power on the system; Windows Plug‑and‑Play will detect new video devices.
6. Install the ADLINK WDM driver when prompted.
7. Launch the ViewCreator utility to verify video input and adjust settings.

Mounting Options:
- Internal PCI expansion connection; no external mounting required.
- Can be used in tower or rackmount PC chassis.

Configuration:
- Channel mapping and video format selection performed via software.
- ViewCreator allows adjustment of brightness, hue, contrast, and saturation.
- Software triggers and GPIO lines configurable through the utility or API.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Acquisition Speed (RTV‑24 with RTV‑E4):

| Format | Cameras | Fields/sec | Frames/sec |
|---------|----------|-------------|-------------|
| NTSC | 1 | 60 | 30 |
| NTSC | 4 | 240 | 120 |
| PAL | 1 | 50 | 25 |
| PAL | 4 | 200 | 100 |

- Supports simultaneous real‑time capture across all active channels.
- Programmable scaling down to 1:16 for bandwidth optimization.
- Region‑of‑interest (ROI) cropping for targeted image capture.
- Automatic chrominance gain control for consistent color balance.
- Adjustable hue (NTSC only), brightness, contrast, and saturation (0–200 %).

Triggering & Synchronization:
- Four software‑controlled trigger outputs (60 µs–16 ms).
- GPIO lines can initiate acquisition or signal external events.
- Watchdog timer ensures continuous operation in unattended systems.

Data Handling:
- Captured frames stored in system memory as RGB, YUV, or grayscale bitmaps.
- Supported color formats: RGB15/16/24/32, YUY2 4:2:2, BtYUV 4:1:1, RAW8X.
- Frame buffer management via API functions (AngeloRTV_Copy_Frame, AngeloRTV_Get_Frame).

Limitations:
- Dependent on host system PCI bandwidth and CPU performance.
- Requires RTV‑24 base board; cannot operate standalone.
- Windows‑only driver support (no DOS or Linux drivers).

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Video Standards: NTSC‑M/J, PAL‑B/D/G/H/I/M/N, SECAM, CCIR, EIA (RS‑170).
- Bus Interface: PCI 2.2 compliant, 32‑bit, 33/66 MHz.
- Electrical Safety: TTL‑compatible I/O with ESD protection.
- Software Interface: WDM driver architecture for Windows NT/98/2000/XP.
- Environmental Compliance: Manufactured using RoHS‑compliant processes (typical for ADLINK products).
- Quality Assurance: Designed and tested under ISO‑9001 certified manufacturing.

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Two‑year limited warranty from date of shipment.
- Covers defects in materials and workmanship.
- Excludes damage from misuse, improper installation, or environmental factors.
- RMA service available via ADLINK’s online support portal.

Technical Support Contacts:
- General Service: service@adlink.com.tw
- NuDAQ Products: nudaq@adlink.com.tw
- NuDAM Modules: nudam@adlink.com.tw
- NuIPC Systems: nuipc@adlink.com.tw
- NuPRO Boards: nupro@adlink.com.tw
- Software Support: sw@adlink.com.tw
- Telephone: +886‑2‑8226‑5877 | Fax: +886‑2‑8226‑5717

Maintenance:
- Periodically inspect connectors and cables for secure fit.
- Avoid exposure to high humidity or corrosive environments.
- Firmware and driver updates available from ADLINK’s website.

Software Tools:
- ViewCreator Utility: GUI‑based configuration and testing tool supporting image preview, adjustment, and saving in BMP/TIF formats.
- Angelo Function Library: Comprehensive API for C/C++, Visual Basic, and Delphi enabling full control of acquisition, GPIO, EEPROM, watchdog, and trigger functions.

Programming Interface Highlights:
- Initialization and reset functions (`AngeloRTV_Initial`, `AngeloRTV_Software_Reset`).
- Image configuration (`AngeloRTV_Set_Image_Config`, `AngeloRTV_Get_Image_Config`).
- Capture control (`AngeloRTV_Capture_Start`, `AngeloRTV_Capture_Stop`).
- GPIO and EEPROM access (`AngeloRTV_Set_GPIO_Sts`, `AngeloRTV_Read_EEPROM`).
- Watchdog and trigger management (`AngeloRTV_Set_WDT`, `AngeloRTV_Trigger_Start`).
- Frame buffer operations (`AngeloRTV_Copy_Frame`, `AngeloRTV_Save_File`).

Support & Updates:
- Driver and SDK updates downloadable from ADLINK’s support site.
- Example source code provided for rapid application development.
- Technical documentation and FAQs available online.

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### Summary

The ADLINK RTV‑E4 Four Channels Extension Board is a robust, industrial‑grade expansion module engineered to extend the channel capacity of the RTV‑24 real‑time video frame grabber. It enables high‑density, multi‑camera acquisition systems by adding four additional composite video inputs per board, supporting up to sixteen channels per system. With full compatibility across PAL, NTSC, CCIR, and EIA standards, programmable image parameters, and integrated watchdog and trigger functions, the RTV‑E4 provides a scalable and reliable solution for surveillance, machine vision, and scientific imaging applications. Combined with ADLINK’s ViewCreator utility and comprehensive API library, it offers developers and system integrators a complete platform for real‑time video acquisition and processing in Windows‑based environments.