INSTALLATION GUIDE

®
BLACKFLY S
INDUSTRIAL MACHINE VISION CAMERAS

Version 31.0
Revised 3/4/2024

3/4/2024
©2015-2024 FLIR Integrated Imaging Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.
FCC Compliance
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesirable operation.

Korean EMC Certification

The KCC symbol indicates that this product complies with Korea’s Electrical Communication Basic Law regarding EMC
testing for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and susceptibility (EMS). This equipment has received a conformity
assessment for use in a business environment, and it may cause radio frequency interference if it is used in a home
environment.
This equipment is classified as Class A industrial equipment.

Hardware Warranty
The warranty for the Blackfly S camera is 3 years. For detailed information on how to repair or replace your camera,
please see the terms and conditions on our website.

Export Control
The ECCN for this product is EAR099.

WEEE
The symbol indicates that this product may not be treated as household waste. Please ensure this product
is properly disposed as inappropriate waste handling of this product may cause potential hazards to the
environment and human health. For more detailed information about recycling of this product, please
contact us.

Trademarks
Names and marks appearing on the products herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Teledyne FLIR,
LLC and/or its subsidiaries.

Licensing
To view the licenses of open source packages used in this product please see What open source packages does
firmware use?

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Table of Contents
1 Blackfly S Camera Installation Guide 1
2 Handling Precautions and Camera Care 2
3 Blackfly S Camera Installation 3
3.1 Preparing for Installation 3
3.2 Installing your Interface Card and Software 4
3.3 Installing Your Blackfly S—Cased Models 5
3.4 Installing Your Blackfly S—Board-level Models 6
3.5 Powering Your Blackfly S 7
4 Tools to Control your Blackfly S Camera 8
4.1 Using the Spinnaker® SDK 8
4.1.1 SpinView Camera Evaluation Application 8
4.1.2 Custom Applications Built with the Spinnaker API 8
4.2 Using GenICam Applications 9
5 Configuring the Blackfly S Camera Setup 10
5.1 Configuring the Camera Driver 10
5.2 Configuring the IP Address—GigE 10
5.3 Allocating Bandwidth—GigE 11
5.3.1 Determining Bandwidth Requirements 11
5.4 Configuring Other Ethernet Settings—GigE 12
5.4.1 Stream Channel Destination Address 12
5.4.2 Heartbeat 12
5.5 Blackfly S Camera Firmware 14
5.5.1 Determining Firmware Version 14
5.5.2 Upgrading Firmware 14
6 Blackfly S Camera Physical Interface 16
6.1 Blackfly S Cased Physical Description 16
6.2 Blackfly S Board-Level Physical Description 17
6.3 Blackfly S Dimensions 18
6.3.1 Keepout Layer—Board-level Models 22
6.4 Interface Connector 23

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 6.4.1 Ethernet Connector 23
6.4.2 USB 3.1 Connector 23
6.5 Interface Cables 25
6.6 General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) 25
6.7 Interface Card 26
6.8 Mounting your Blackfly S Camera 26
6.9 Camera Temperature and Heat Dissipation 27
6.10 Lens Mounting 28
6.10.1 Back Flange Distance—Cased Models 29
6.11 Non-Volatile Flash Memory 29
6.12 Dust Protection—Cased Models 29
6.13 Infrared Cut-Off Filters—Cased Models 31
6.14 Sensor Shutter Type 33
6.14.1 Global Shutter 33
6.14.2 Rolling Shutter with Global Reset 33
7 Input/Output Control 35
7.1 General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) 35
7.2 GPIO Electrical Characteristics 38
7.3 Input Timing Characteristics 42
7.4 Output Timing Characteristics 44
8 Troubleshooting 46
8.1 Support 46
8.2 Status Indicator LED 47
Contacting Us 48
Revision History 48

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 1 Blackfly S Camera Installation Guide

1 Blackfly S Camera Installation Guide

Welcome to the Blackfly S camera. We offer a number of resources to assist you with your camera.
n Spinnaker SDK—software development kit that provides GenICam-compliant controls to create applications for
the camera. Spinnaker is available for download. Each installation includes API documentation for C, C++, and
C#.

n Release Notes—information about the current firmware release including feature additions or changes, bug
fixes, and known issues.

n Specifications—information about the camera model as it performs with the current firmware.

n Getting Started—quick start guide for installing the camera and software.

n Installation Guide—information about installing the camera and SDK, the physical interface and mechanical
properties, troubleshooting and how to get help. This document is available as a PDF for download or as a
webpage included in the firmware release package.

n Technical Reference—information about the features supported by the camera model with the current
firmware, including: image format control, acquisition control, sequencing, binning/decimation, and others. This
document is available as a PDF for download or as a webpage included in the firmware release package.

n Firmware—programming inserted into the programmable ROM of the camera that can be updated in-field. New
firmware packages are available for download and include both the firmware file and documentation.

These resources as well as knowledge base articles and application notes can be found on the Support page for the
product.

Blackfly S USB3 Camera Support Articles Blackfly S USB3 Camera Resources

Blackfly S GigE Camera Support Articles Blackfly S GigE Camera Resources
Blackfly S Board-level Camera Support Articles Blackfly S Board-level Camera Resources

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 2 Handling Precautions and Camera Care

2 Handling Precautions and Camera Care

Warning! Do not open the camera housing. Doing so voids the

Hardware Warranty described in the Terms and Conditions on our
website.

Your Teledyne FLIR machine vision camera is a precisely manufactured device and should be handled with care. Here
are some tips on how to care for the device.
n Avoid electrostatic charging.

n If you have purchased a board-level camera you should take the following additional protective measures:
n Either handle bare handed or use non-chargeable gloves, clothes or material. Also, use conductive shoes.

n Install a conductive mat on the floor or working table to prevent the generation of static electricity.

n When handling the camera unit, avoid touching the lenses. Fingerprints will affect the quality of the image
produced by the device.

n To clean the lenses, use a standard camera lens cleaning kit or a clean dry cotton cloth. Do not apply excessive
force.

n Extended exposure to bright sunlight, rain, dusty environments, etc. may cause problems with the electronics
and the optics of the system.

n Avoid excessive shaking, dropping or any kind of mishandling of the device.

Related Knowledge Base Articles

Cleaning the imaging surface of your camera

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 3 Blackfly S Camera Installation

3 Blackfly S Camera Installation

3.1 Preparing for Installation
Will your system support your camera?
Recommended System Configuration:
n OS—Windows or Linux (32- or 64-bit)
n CPU— Intel i5 or greater
n RAM—4 GB
n Ports—USB3 host controller GigE network adapter
n Software—Microsoft Visual Studio to run/compile example code

Have you visited our website?

A downloads account is required to download software and firmware.
1. Go to [Link]/account.

2. Enter your email address and click Continue.

3. Complete the Create an account form and click Continue.

4. You will receive an email with a link to activate your account.

5. Once activated, you can login using your credentials.

The Blackfly S GigE camera resources page / Blackfly S USB3 camera resources page / Blackfly S Board-level camera
resources page has many links to help you operate your camera effectively, including:
n Spinnaker® SDK software, including drivers (login required)
n Firmware updates and release notes (login required)
n Dimensional drawings and CAD models
n Documentation

Do you have all the parts you need?

To install your camera you need the following components:
n For GigE cameras—Ethernet cable (see Interface Cables)
n For GigE cameras— Powered Ethernet switch or Ethernet power injector (if using PoE)
n For USB3 cameras—USB3 cable (see Interface Cables)
n For board-level models—TF38 to FPC USB3 or RJ45 PoE panel mount adapter
n For board-level models—FPC cable
n GPIO cable (see General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO))
n For board-level models—Lens mount and lens (see Lens Mounting)

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 3 Blackfly S Camera Installation
n For cased models—Lens (see Lens Mounting) (type of lens mount is model dependent)
n Tripod adapter (optional) (see Mounting your Blackfly S Camera)
n Interface card (see Interface Card)
n For board-level models—Heatsink (recommended)
Teledyne FLIR sells a number of the additional parts required for installation. To purchase, visit the Accessories page.

3.2 Installing your Interface Card and Software

1. Install your Interface Card

Ensure the card is installed per the manufacturer's instructions.

Connect the internal IDE or SATA power connector on the card to the computer power supply.
Alternatively, use your PC's built-in host controller, if equipped.

Open the Windows Device Manager. Ensure the card is properly installed. Ethernet cards appear under Network
Adapters . USB3 cards appear under Universal Serial Bus Controllers . An exclamation point (!) next to the card
indicates the driver has not yet been installed.
2. Install the Spinnaker® SDK Software

Note: For existing users who already have Spinnaker installed, we

recommend ensuring you have the latest version for optimal
performance of your camera. If you do not need to install
Spinnaker, use SpinView to install and enable drivers for your card.

a. Go to the Spinnaker SDK Download page. If you are not already logged in, you are prompted to login.

b. Click the Download Now button.

c. Select your operating system and version.

d. After download is complete, open the file to start the Spinnaker setup wizard.

e. Follow the steps in each setup dialog.

3. For GigE cameras—Optimize the settings of your Ethernet card

a. In StartÒTeledyne Spinnaker SDKÒSpinView, right click on the Network Adapter and select Adapter
Configuration. The Adapter Config Utility lists your network adapters and allows you to access the following:

n Adapter IP address n Receive buffers n RSS

n Subnet mask n Transmit buffers n Media optimization
n Default gateway n Jumbo packets n CPU affinity

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 3 Blackfly S Camera Installation

Note: See How to Optimize GigE Network Adapter Settings for more
information on configuring for best performance.

3.3 Installing Your Blackfly S—Cased Models

1. Install the Tripod Mounting Bracket (optional)

The ASA and ISO-compliant tripod mounting bracket attaches to the camera using the included
screws.

2. Attach a Lens
Unscrew the dust cap from the lens holder to install a lens. Note: the camera can be used with a removable 5 mm C-
mount adapter.
3. Connect the interface Card and Cable to the Camera

Plug the interface cable into the host controller card and the
camera. The cable jack screws can be used for a secure
connection.

When the camera is first connected, the operating system automatically installs the camera driver. Camera drivers are
available with the Spinnaker SDK installation.
a. If using PoE, connect a powered Ethernet switch or Ethernet power injector in between the card and the
camera.

4. Plug in the GPIO connector if required

GPIO can be used for power, trigger, and strobe.

5. Confirm Successful Installation

Run the SpinView application: StartÒTeledyne Spinnaker SDKÒSpinView
The SpinView application can be used to test the camera's image acquisition capabilities.
6. Configure IP Settings if necessary
For GigE cameras by default, a dynamic IP address is assigned to the camera according to the DHCP protocol. If DHCP
addressing fails, a link-local address is assigned. If necessary, in SpinView change the IP address of the camera to be on
the same subnet as the NIC.
Changes to your camera's installation configuration can be made using the SpinView application.

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 3 Blackfly S Camera Installation

3.4 Installing Your Blackfly S—Board-level Models

1. Prepare the lens mount.

The board-level models can use C-mounts, CS-mounts, or S-mounts.

For C- and CS-mounts, install the retainer, flip over and place IR filter in it then install the gasket.

2. Remove sticker and install lens mount.

The sensor is covered with a protective sticker. Remove the sticker. If any residue is present, clean the
sensor surface with a non-abrasive cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol cleaning solution. Immediately
install the image board over the prepared lens mount.

3. Install a heat sink.

A heatsink (ACC-01-7000) is recommended but depends on your design and usage.

4. Connect the FPC cable to the panel mount adapter then connect the adapter to the interface card.

A TF38 to FPC USB3 panel mount adapter allows a USB3 cable connection to a PC.
A TF38 to FPC RJ45 PoE panel mount adapter allows a GigE cable connection to a PC.

5. Attach a Lens
6. Plug in the GPIO connector if required
GPIO can be used for power (GigE only), trigger, serial input output, and strobe.

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 3 Blackfly S Camera Installation

7. Confirm Successful Installation

When the camera is first connected, the operating system automatically installs the camera driver. Camera drivers are
available with the Spinnaker SDK installation.
Run the SpinView application: StartÒTeledyne Spinnaker SDKÒSpinView
The SpinView application can be used to test the camera's image acquisition capabilities.
Changes to your camera's installation configuration can be made using the SpinView application.

3.5 Powering Your Blackfly S

For cased GigE cameras—Power can be provided over the Ethernet interface (PoE). To use PoE, you must also have a
powered Ethernet card, a powered Ethernet switch, or an Ethernet power injector.
Power can also be provided externally through the GPIO interface: 12 V nominal (8 - 24 V). Power consumption is 3 W
maximum.
For board-level GigE cameras—Power can be provided over the Ethernet interface (PoE) with the RJ45 PoE bulkhead
accessory (ACC-02-7002).
Power can also be provided externally through the GPIO interface: 5 V nominal (4 - 5.5 V).
For cased USB3 cameras—Power can be provided over the USB3 connector to the host computer. The ideal input
voltage is nominal 5 V DC. For the USB3 connector to provide power, the host controller must be connected to the
computer's power supply.
Power can also be provided externally through the GPIO interface: 12 V nominal (8 - 24 V). Power consumption is 3 W
maximum.

Note: Some systems, especially those with laptop computers or

longer cable lengths, may not provide adequate power through the
USB3 cable which could result in intermittent operation. The use of
external power through the GPIO is required for these systems.

For board-level USB3 cameras—Power is provided over the USB3 connector to the host computer. The ideal input
voltage is nominal 5 V DC. For the USB3 connector to provide power, the host controller must be connected to the
computer's power supply.
If both power sources are connected the camera always uses external power over the GPIO connector.
The camera does not transmit images for the first 100 ms after power-up. The auto-exposure and auto-white balance
algorithms do not run while the camera is powered down. It may therefore take several images to get a satisfactory
image.
When the camera is power cycled (power disengaged then re-engaged), the camera reverts to its default factory
settings, or if applicable, a saved user set.
Related Knowledge Base Articles
How can I power my USB3 camera?

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 4 Tools to Control your Blackfly S Camera

4 Tools to Control your Blackfly S Camera

The Blackfly S camera's features can be accessed using various controls, including:
n Spinnaker SDK including API examples

n SpinView camera evaluation application, included in the Spinnaker SDK installation

n Third-party GenICam applications

4.1 Using the Spinnaker® SDK

You can monitor or control features of the camera through Spinnaker API examples provided in the Spinnaker SDK, or
through the SpinView camera evaluation application. A Programmer's Guide and API Reference is included in the
installation.
The Spinnaker SDK is available for download from the Spinnaker page.

4.1.1 SpinView Camera Evaluation Application

The SpinView application is a generic, easy-to-use streaming image viewer included with the Spinnaker SDK that can be
used to test many of the capabilities of your camera. It allows you to view a live video stream from the camera, save
individual images, adjust the various attributes, frame rates, features and settings of the camera. It includes tools for
updating firmware, managing drivers, IP addressing, and activity logging.

4.1.2 Custom Applications Built with the Spinnaker API

The Spinnaker SDK includes a full Application Programming Interface that allows you to create custom applications to
control your camera. Included with the SDK are a number of source code examples to help you get started.
Spinnaker API examples are provided for C, C++, C#, and [Link] languages. These examples are precompiled for your
convenience.

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 4 Tools to Control your Blackfly S Camera

4.2 Using GenICam Applications

GigE Vision is an interface standard that allows for fast image transfer over Ethernet networks. All cameras supporting
GigE Vision interact the same way with software also supporting GigE Vision.
USB3 Vision is a communication interface for vision applications based on the USB3 technology. All cameras supporting
USB3 Vision interact the same way with software also supporting USB3 Vision.
For more information on the standard, visit [Link].
The standard defines required elements for camera identification, control, and output. It uses GenICam, a programming
interface for camera attribute control. GenICam allows camera vendors to define features and attributes in an XML file
stored inside the camera. The file is parsed by the host application when the camera is initially discovered. One of the
key benefits of GenICam is the ability for camera vendors to introduce new camera-specific features without needing to
update the host application.
Each camera attribute, such as exposure time, is controlled by a specific GenICam feature. The camera includes an XML
device description file for interfacing with third-party GenICam-compliant APIs.
For more information on GenICam, visit [Link].
Getting Started with Third-Party Applications Resources
Getting Started with OpenCV
Getting Started with MATLAB
Getting Started with MVTec HALCON
Getting Started with Cognex VisionPro
Getting Started with Adaptive Vision
Getting Started with Matrox Imaging Library
Getting Started with Matrox Design Assistant
Getting Started with NI-MAX and LabVIEW
Getting Started with NI Vision Builder for Automatic Inspection

USB3 Vision and Third-Party Applications Resources

Using USB3 Vision cameras with National Instruments' Acquisition Software
Using USB3 Vision cameras with A&B Software's ActiveUSB
Using USB3 Vision cameras with Matrox Imaging Library
Using USB3 Vision cameras with MVTec's Halcon software
Using USB3/USB2 cameras with Cognex VisionPro

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 5 Configuring the Blackfly S Camera Setup

5 Configuring the Blackfly S Camera Setup

After successful installation of your camera and interface card, you can make changes to the setup. Use the tools
described below to change the IP Address, bandwidth, Ethernet settings, or the driver for your interface card.
For information on updating your camera's firmware post installation, see Blackfly S Camera Firmware.

5.1 Configuring the Camera Driver

The driver is installed automatically by the Spinnaker SDK installer for Camera Evaluation or for Application
Development if the Drivers checkbox is selected (default). A restart is required.

Note: For optimal driver performance, install Spinnaker version 4.0

or later.

Alternatively, you can manually install the driver. The driver files are located in:
GigE—C:\Program Files\Teledyne\GigE Vision Interface\x64
USB3—C:\Program Files\Teledyne\Spinnaker\driver64
To manage and update drivers use the SpinView application:
1. Start SpinView:
Start MenuÒTeledyne Spinnaker SDKÒSpinView
2. From the Devices list, select the camera and click the Switch Driver button.

3. Select the driver from the drop-down list.

4. Click Install Driver.

5.2 Configuring the IP Address—GigE

When a new GigE camera is first powered and initialized, a dynamic IP address is assigned to the camera according to
the DHCP protocol. If DHCP addressing fails, a link-local address is assigned. You can configure the IP address using the
GenICam Features Transport Layer Control.
Alternatively, SpinView is a tool included with the Spinnaker SDK that allows you to set the internet protocol (IP)
configuration for any GigE interface cards or Teledyne FLIR GigE Vision cameras connected to your system. Using
SpinView, you can:

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 5 Configuring the Blackfly S Camera Setup
n Set the IP address for the current connection.

n Program a persistent IP address for the camera.

n Configure the default IP addressing behavior of the camera on startup using a persistent IP, DHCP or LLA.

n Enable Jumbo Frames on the GigE NIC.

Both your camera and host adapter must have an IP address on the same subnet. This can be assigned in three ways:
n Persistent—The camera has a fixed IP address that does not change. Generally the address is within a closed
network range of 192.168.X.X.

n Dynamic (DHCP)—The camera is set to automatically obtain an IP address. This means that the IP address may
change (within a range) every time the camera or computer is restarted. It may take up to one minute for the IP
address to resolve and the camera to enumerate.

n Default (LLA)—The camera uses an IP address from the link-local address block 169.254.x.x.

The camera assigns its current IP address in the following sequence:

1. Persistent—Uses the defined IP address. If not available, then;

2. DHCP—Attempts to find a dynamic IP address. If not available, then;

3. LLA—Uses an LLA IP address.

SpinView can automatically force an IP address refresh. This detects the IP address of the Network Interface card and
automatically sets the camera’s IP address relative to the card.
To open SpinView:
StartÒTeledyne Spinnaker SDKÒSpinView

5.3 Allocating Bandwidth—GigE

The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) used by the GigE Vision standard provides no guaranteed transmission or fixed
timing mechanism. Therefore, bandwidth must be managed by the Device Throughput Limit, based on desired
resolution and frame rate.

5.3.1 Determining Bandwidth Requirements

The maximum bandwidth available is 125 MB/s. This includes image data, control data and image resends, which occur
when frames are being dropped. Each image and each packet has a certain amount of overhead that will use some
bandwidth. Therefore, when calculating your bandwidth requirements, you should not attempt to use the full
maximum of 125 MB/s.
To calculate your bandwidth requirements:
Determine your required resolution, frame rate, and pixel format (bytes per pixel)
(Height x Width x Frame Rate x Bytes per Pixel)/1000000 = Bandwidth in MB/s
For example, for an image that is VGA, 82 FPS, Mono8:
640 (H) x 480 (W) x 82 (FPS) x 1 (BPP) = ~25 MB/s

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 5 Configuring the Blackfly S Camera Setup

Once you have calculated your required bandwidth, you can allocate an amount to each camera by adjusting the Device
Throughput Limit. Allocating a specific amount to each camera helps to avoid dropped packets due to a data burst. You
would do this in a set up with multiple cameras, or in a situation where the system bandwidth might be limited or
shared due to hardware architecture.

Bandwidth Requirements for Multiple Cameras

Multiple cameras can be set up in two ways: 1) Each camera is connected directly to a single Ethernet port; or, 2)
multiple cameras are connected to a single port through an Ethernet switch.
If using the first method, each camera has the full bandwidth allocation available to it. If using the second method, the
combination of all cameras on a switch cannot exceed the available bandwidth.
Related Knowledge Base Articles
Setting Up Multiple GigE Cameras

5.4 Configuring Other Ethernet Settings—GigE

5.4.1 Stream Channel Destination Address
The stream channel destination address (SCDA) register is used to specify the streaming destination IP address. The
default SCDA is the IP address of the network or computer to which the camera is connected. It can be set within a
range so that the camera sends data as a multicast. As long as switches in the path between the sender and receivers
support and are configured for multicasting, multiple receivers can listen to the data stream from the camera.
Multicast addresses are between [Link] and [Link].

Note: For more information on multicast address assignments, see

[Link]

To control SCDA use:

n GenICam—GevSCDA in the Transport Layer Control

5.4.2 Heartbeat
The heartbeat is a mandatory GigE Vision feature to monitor the connection between an application and the camera.
The application must continually reset the heartbeat timer, or the camera assumes an error has occurred and shuts
down the connection.
In general, the Spinnaker API manages the heartbeat at a low level; however the following two features are
controllable: Heartbeat Timeout and Heartbeat Disable.

Heartbeat Timeout
Heartbeat timeout is the time, in milliseconds, that the camera waits before closing the connection. Heartbeat timeout
can be set between 500 ms and 10 seconds. The default setting is 3000 ms (3 seconds). If there is no communication
between the camera and the application for longer than the timeout value, the connection is shut down.
To control Heartbeat Timeout use:

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 5 Configuring the Blackfly S Camera Setup
n GenICam—Under Transport Layer Control, GevHeartbeatTimeout.

n Spinnaker API—The Spinnaker SDK supports configuring heartbeat timeout.

Heartbeat Disable
The heartbeat is enabled by default.
To disable Heartbeat use:
n GenICam—Under Transport Layer Control GevGVCPHeartbeatDisable.

n Spinnaker API—The Spinnaker SDK supports disabling heartbeat.

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 5 Configuring the Blackfly S Camera Setup

5.5 Blackfly S Camera Firmware

Firmware is programming that is inserted into the programmable read-only memory (programmable ROM) of most
Teledyne FLIR cameras. Firmware is created and tested like software. When ready, it can be distributed like other
software and installed in the programmable read-only memory by the user.
The latest firmware versions often include significant bug fixes and feature enhancements. To determine the changes
made in a specific firmware version, consult the Release Notes.
Firmware is identified by a version number, a build date, and a description.

5.5.1 Determining Firmware Version

To determine the firmware version number of your camera:
n Query the GenICam Device Control feature DeviceFirmwareVersion.

5.5.2 Upgrading Firmware

Firmware can be upgraded or downgraded to later or earlier versions using SpinView, part of the Spinnaker SDK.
Before upgrading firmware:
n Install the Spinnaker SDK, available from the Spinnaker page.

n Download the latest model package zip file for the product, available from the camera's support page
Downloads tab:

BFS-PGE Support Downloads BFS-U3 Support Downloads BFS-Board-level Support Downloads

To upgrade the firmware:

1. StartÒTeledyne Spinnaker SDKÒSpinView

2. From the Device list, right click the camera and select Update Device Firmware.
If you get a Device is Active warning, close the Display pane or click the Disconnect button and right click the
camera again.

3. Browse to select the firmware file and click Open.

4. Click Yes to continue.

Warning! Do not disconnect the camera during the firmware update

process.

Related Knowledge Base Articles

Teledyne FLIR machine vision software and firmware version numbering systems
Determining my camera's firmware version

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 5 Configuring the Blackfly S Camera Setup

Should I upgrade my camera firmware or software?

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 6 Blackfly S Camera Physical Interface

6 Blackfly S Camera Physical Interface

6.1 Blackfly S Cased Physical Description
GigE USB3

5. Status LED
1. Lens holder See Status Indicator LED
See Lens Mounting 6. Interface connector
2. Glass/IR filter system See Interface Connector
See Dust Protection—Cased ModelsInfrared Cut-Off Filters— 7. M2x2.5 mounting holes
Cased Models
8. M3x2.5 mounting holes
3. M2x2.5 mounting holes See Mounting your Blackfly S Camera
See Mounting your Blackfly S Camera
9. Camera label
4. General purpose I/O connector Contains camera information such as
See General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) model name, serial number and required
compliance.

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 6 Blackfly S Camera Physical Interface

6.2 Blackfly S Board-Level Physical Description

GPIO connector
See General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO)
Status LED (to right of FPC connector)
See Status Indicator LED
FPC connector
See Interface Connector
Mounting holes
See Mounting your Blackfly S Camera

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6.3 Blackfly S Dimensions

Download 3D CAD Models / Drawings:

BFS-PGE Standard CAD Models BFS-U3 Standard CAD Models BFS Board-level CAD Models
BFS-PGE Large CAD Models BFS-U3 Large CAD Models BFS Board-level Accessories CAD Models

Model Barrel Length "A" Model Barrel Length "A"

BFS-PGE-04S2 6.8 BFS-PGE-50S5 11.8
BFS-PGE-13Y3 /
12.1 BFS-PGE-63S4 11.7
BFS-PGE-14Y3
BFS-PGE-16S2 6.8 BFS-PGE-88S6 11.8
11.8 (C-mount) /
BFS-PGE-23S3 BFS-PGE-120S4 6.7
6.8 (CS-mount)
BFS-PGE-23S6 11.8 BFS-PGE-122S6 11.8
BFS-PGE-31S4 11.8 BFS-PGE-123S6 11.8
BFS-PGE-51S5 11.8 BFS-PGE-200S6 11.8

Blackfly S GigE Dimensional Drawing—Standard Format

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Model Barrel Length "A"

BFS-PGE-16S7 6.5
BFS-PGE-19S4 6.5
BFS-PGE-27S5 6.5
BFS-PGE-50S4 6.5
BFS-PGE-70S7 6.5
BFS-PGE-80S5 6.5
BFS-PGE-120S6 6.5
BFS-PGE-161S7 6.5
BFS-PGE-200S7 6.5
BFS-PGE-244S8 6.5

Blackfly S GigE Dimensional Drawing—Large Format

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Model Barrel Length "A" Model Barrel Length "A"

11.8 (C-mount) /
BFS-U3-04S2 BFS-U3-51S5 11.8
6.8 (CS-mount)
BFS-U3-13Y3 12.1 BFS-U3-63S4 11.7
BFS-U3-16S2 6.8 BFS-U3-88S6 11.8
BFS-U3-23S3 11.8 BFS-U3-89S6 11.8
11.7 (C-mount) /
BFS-U3-23S6 11.8 BFS-U3-120S4
6.7 (CS-mount)
BFS-U3-31S4 11.8 BFS-U3-122S6 11.8
BFS-U3-32S4 11.8 BFS-U3-123S6 11.8
BFS-U3-50S5 11.8 BFS-U3-200S6 11.8

Blackfly S USB3 Dimensional Drawing—Standard Format

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Model Barrel Length "A" Model Barrel Length "A"

BFS-U3-16S7 6.5 BFS-U3-70S7 6.5
BFS-U3-17S7 6.5 BFS-U3-80S5 6.5
BFS-U3-19S4 6.5 BFS-U3-120S6 6.5
BFS-U3-20S4 6.5 BFS-U3-161S7 6.5
BFS-U3-27S5 6.5 BFS-U3-200S7 6.5
BFS-U3-28S5 6.5 BFS-U3-244S8 6.5
6.5 (C-mount) /
BFS-U3-50S4
1.5 (CS-mount)

Blackfly S USB3 Dimensional Drawing—Large Format

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Blackfly S Board-level Dimensional Drawing

6.3.1 Keepout Layer—Board-level Models

Board-level hardware can change without notice. The component envelope is shown above to assist in hardware
integration design. Areas marked in orange (front, back, and middle) are locations where components can change or
move, potentially affecting hardware integration as board revisions occur.

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6.4 Interface Connector

6.4.1 Ethernet Connector
Cased models—The 8-pin RJ-45 Ethernet jack is equipped with two (2) M2 screwholes for secure connection. Pin
assignments conform to the Ethernet standard.
Board-level models—The camera is equipped with a GigE TF38 connector that is used for data transmission, camera
control, and power.

Hirose TF38 high-speed FPC connector

GigE TF38 Pin Assignments
Pin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

VPOE VPOE TRXN3 GND TRXP3 GND TRSN2 GND TRXP2 GND TRXN1 GND TRXP1 GND TRXN0 GND TRXP0 GND

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Board-level GigE cameras can support PoE. You can purchase a separate add-on adapter or design your own.
To use PoE, an Ethernet power injector or a powered Ethernet switch must be connected to the camera. The PoE
conforms to the IEEE 802.3af-2003 standard.

6.4.2 USB 3.1 Connector

Cased models—The camera is equipped with a USB 3.1 Micro-B connector that is used for data transmission, camera
control and power. For more detailed information, consult the USB 3.1 specification available from
[Link]

USB 3.1 Micro B Connector

USB 3.1 Micro-B Connector Pin Assignments
Pin Signal Name Description
1 VBUS Power

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Pin Signal Name Description

2 D-
USB 2.0 differential pair
3 D+
4 ID OTG identification
5 GND Ground for power return
6 MicB_SSTX-
SuperSpeed transmitter differential pair
7 MicB_SSTX+
8 GND_DRAIN Ground for SuperSpeed signal return
9 MicB_SSRX-
SuperSpeed receiver differential pair
10 MicB_SSRX+

The USB 3.1 Micro-B receptacle accepts a USB 2.0 Micro-B plug and, therefore, the camera is backward compatible with
the USB 2.0 interface.
Board- level models— The camera is equipped with a USB3.1 TF38 connector that is used for high speed data
transmission, camera control, and power.

Hirose TF38 high speed FPC connector

USB3 TF38 Pin Assignments
Pin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

USB2D_ USB2D_ USB2_ SSTX_ SSTX_ SSRX_ SSRX_

Vbus Vbus GND GND GND GND GND GND GND GND GND
N P ID N P N P

The camera is backwards compatible to USB2.0, therefore, only connecting Pins 1-10 to a USB2.0 interface is sufficient
for USB2.0 communication with the camera.

Note: When the camera is connected to a USB 2.0 interface, it runs

at USB 2.0 speed, and maximum frame rates are adjusted
accordingly based on current imaging parameters.

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6.5 Interface Cables

To purchase a recommended cable from Teledyne FLIR, visit the Products Accessories page.
Teledyne FLIR sells a number of recommended cables and FPC connectors for Blackfly S board-level cameras including:
n 15 cm FPC Cable—PN: ACC-01-2400

n 30 cm FPC Cable—PN: ACC-01-2401

n FPC Cable Bulkhead Connectors Micro-B bulkhead BD—PN: ACC-02-7000

n FPC Cable Bulkhead Connectors Standard A bulkhead BD—PN: ACC-02-7001

n FPC Cable Bulkhead Connectors RJ45 POE bulkhead BD—PN: ACC-02-7002

For GigE cameras—Category 5e or 6 cables up to 100 meters in length should be used for connecting the camera to the
network interface card on the host system. Teledyne FLIR sells a 5-meter Category 5e cable for this purpose.

Note: For optimal ESD protection, we recommend using a shielded

Ethernet cable or connecting the camera housing to chassis ground
(earth).

For USB3 cameras—The USB3 standard does not specify a maximum cable length.

Note: A 5-meter USB3 cable (or longer) is not recommended for

laptops or on board controllers.

Related Knowledge Base Articles

Extending the Working Distance of USB3 Cameras

6.6 General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO)

Cased models—The camera is equipped with a 6-pin GPIO connector on the back of the case. The connector is a Hirose
HR10A-7R-6PB, the mating connector is a Hirose HR10A-7P-6S(73).
Board-level models—The camera is equipped with a 6-pin GPIO connector. The connector is a JST BM06B-NSHSS-TBT
(LF)(SN), the mating connector is a JST NSHR-06V-S.
See Input/Output Control for details on pin assignments and electrical characteristics.

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6.7 Interface Card

The camera must connect to an interface card. This is sometimes called a host adapter, a bus controller, or a network
interface card (NIC).

Note: For optimal video streaming and camera control

performance, we recommend an Intel Pro chipset on a PCIe
interface.

For GigE cameras—A 1000 BASE-T NIC is recommended for streaming images on the Ethernet network between the
camera and host system.
See How to Optimize GigE Network Adapter Settings for more information on configuring for best performance.
For USB3 cameras—In order to achieve the maximum benefits of USB3, the camera must connect to a USB3 PCIe 2.0
card. The card must be connected to the PC power supply in order to power the camera through the USB3 interface.
To purchase a compatible card from Teledyne FLIR, visit the Products Accessories page.

6.8 Mounting your Blackfly S Camera

Using the Case—Cased Models
The case is equipped with the following mounting holes:
n Two (2) M2 x 2 mm mounting holes on the top of the case

n Three (3) M3 x 2.5 mm mounting holes on the bottom of the case

n Four (4) M2 x 2 mm mounting holes on the bottom of the case that can be used to attach the camera directly to
a custom mount or to the tripod mounting bracket

Using the Mounting Bracket—Cased Models

The tripod mounting bracket is equipped with four (4) M2 mounting holes.

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Tripod Adapter Dimensions—Cased Models

Tripod Adapter Dimensional Diagram Tripod Adapter Dimensional Diagram

Standard Case (ACC-01-0003) Large Case (ACC-01-0016)

Using the Mounting Holes—Board-level Models

Four mounting points are provided using M2 through holes. For precise alignment, index off the image sensor (U16 Pin
in the drawing below). When designing a mounting bracket, respect the Keepout Layer—Board-level Models. Board-
level models can also be mounted using the lens mount fronts.

Board-level Diagram

6.9 Camera Temperature and Heat Dissipation

You must provide sufficient heat dissipation to control the internal operating temperature of the camera.
The camera is equipped with an on-board temperature sensor.
n For cased models—It allows you to obtain the temperature of the camera board-level components. The sensor
measures the ambient temperature within the case.

n For board-level models—It allows you to obtain the temperature of the camera FPGA junction temperature. The
temperature must be kept under 100°C. Some models may not require heat sinking depending on the mode of
operation.

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As a result of packing the camera electronics into a small space, the camera can become hot to the touch
when running. For cased models, this is expected behavior and will not damage the camera electronics. For
board-level models, the temperature must be kept under 100°C and therefore may require a heat sink to
avoid damage.
To reduce heat, use a cooling fan to set up a positive air flow around the camera, taking into consideration the
following precautions:
n Mount the camera on a heat sink, such as a camera mounting bracket, made out of a heat-conductive material
like aluminum. When designing a heat sink for a board-level model, respect the Keepout Layer—Board-level
Models. Teledyne FLIR offers a recommended heat sink (PN: ACC-01-7000).

n Make sure the flow of heat from the camera to the bracket is not blocked by a non-conductive material like
plastic.

n Make sure the camera has enough open space around it to facilitate the free flow of air.

For cased models—To access temperature information:

n Query the GenICam Device Control feature DeviceTemperature.

For board-level models—Device temperature can be monitored in SpinView as follows:

n Select Device_Temperature_Selector Enum Node

n Set Device_Temperature_Selector Enum Node Value to Mainboard

n Read Device_Temperature Node

6.10 Lens Mounting

Lenses are not included with cameras. Teledyne FLIR sells a number of lenses compatible with our cameras from our
website. There is also a Lens Calculator to help choose an appropriate lens.
In addition, lens mounts are not included with the board-level model cameras. Teledyne FLIR offers compatible lens
mounts for board-level products on our machine vision accessories page. When designing a lens mount, respect the
Keepout Layer—Board-level Models.
Correct focus cannot be achieved using a CS-mount lens on a C-mount camera.

C-mount models CS-mount models

BFS-PGE-13Y3 / BFS-PGE-14Y3 / BFS-U3-13Y3 BFS-PGE-04S2 / BFS-U3-04S2
BFS-PGE-16S7 / BFS-U3-16S7 / BFS-U3-17S7 BFS-PGE-16S2 / BFS-U3-16S2
BFS-PGE-19S4 / BFS-U3-19S4 BFS-PGE-23S3-CS
BFS-U3-20S4 BFS-U3-50S4
BFS-PGE-23S3-C / BFS-U3-23S3 BFS-PGE-120S4 / BFS-U3-120S4
BFS-PGE-23S6-C / BFS-U3-23S6
BFS-PGE-27S5 / BFS-U3-27S5
BFS-U3-28S5

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C-mount models CS-mount models

BFS-PGE-31S4 / BFS-U3-31S4 / BFS-U3-32S4
BFS-PGE-50S4 / BFS-U3-50S4
BFS-PGE-50S5 / BFS-U3-50S5
BFS-PGE-51S5 / BFS-U3-51S5
BFS-PGE-63S4 / BFS-U3-63S4
BFS-PGE-70S7 / BFS-U3-70S7
BFS-PGE-80S5 / BFS-U3-80S5
BFS-PGE-88S6 / BFS-U3-88S6 / BFS-U3-89S6
BFS-PGE-120S4 / BFS-PGE-120S6 / BFS-U3-120S6
BFS-PGE-122S6 / BFS-U3-122S6
BFS-PGE-123S6P / BFS-U3-123S6
BFS-PGE-161S7 / BFS-U3-161S7
BFS-PGE-200S6 / BFS-U3-200S6
BFS-PGE-200S7 / BFS-U3-200S7
BFS-PGE-244S8 / BFS-U3-244S8
Related Knowledge Base Articles
Selecting a lens for your camera

6.10.1 Back Flange Distance—Cased Models

The Back Flange Distance (BFD) is offset due to the presence of both a 1 mm infrared cutoff (IRC) filter (color models
only) and a 0.5 mm sensor package window. These two pieces of glass fit between the lens and the sensor image plane.
The IRC filter is installed on color cameras. In monochrome cameras, it is a transparent piece of glass. The sensor
package window is installed by the sensor manufacturer. Both components cause refraction, which requires some
offset in flange back distance to correct.
For more information about the IRC filter, see Infrared Cut-Off Filters—Cased Models

6.11 Non-Volatile Flash Memory

The Blackfly S camera has 6 MB of non-volatile flash memory for users to store data.

Related Knowledge Base Articles

Storing data in on-camera flash memory

6.12 Dust Protection—Cased Models

The camera housing is designed to prevent dust from falling directly onto the sensor's protective glass surface. This is
achieved by placing a piece of clear glass (monochrome camera models) or an IR cut-off filter (color models) that sits

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above the surface of the sensor's glass. A removable plastic retainer keeps this glass/filter system in place. By increasing
the distance between the imaging surface and the location of the potential dust particles, the likelihood of interference
from the dust (assuming non-collimated light) and the possibility of damage to the sensor during cleaning is reduced.

Warning! Cameras are sealed when they are shipped. To avoid

contamination, seals should not be broken until cameras are ready
for assembly on site.

Warning! Use caution when removing the protective glass or filter.

Damage to any component of the optical path voids the Hardware
Warranty. Removing the protective glass or filter alters the optical
path of the camera, and may result in problems obtaining proper
focus with your lens.

Related Knowledge Base Articles

Removing the IR filter from a color camera
Selecting a lens for your camera
Removing the IR filter from a color camera
Selecting a lens for your camera

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6.13 Infrared Cut-Off Filters—Cased Models

Note: Board-level color models do not have infrared cut-off filters.

Color camera cased models are equipped with an additional infrared (IR) cut-off filter. This filter can reduce sensitivity
in the near infrared spectrum and help prevent smearing. The properties of this filter are illustrated in the results
below.

IR filter transmittance graph

Transmission Wavelength
T=50% 680 nm ±10 nm
T>80% 400 nm - 420 nm
T>85% 420 nm - 650 nm
T average 1% 750 nm - 1100 nm
T<3% 750 nm - 1100 nm

In monochrome cased models, the IR filter is replaced with a transparent piece of glass.
The following are the properties of the IR filter/protective glass:

Sensor Size Up to 1/1.2" 1/1.2 and Larger

Type Anti-reflective Anti-reflective
Material Schott B270 Schott B270
14 ±0.08 x 14 15.5 ±0.08 x 18
Dimensions
±0.08 mm ±0.08 mm
Thickness 1 ±0.07 mm 1 ±0.07 mm

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For more information, see Dust Protection—Cased Models.

Related Knowledge Base Articles
Removing the IR filter from a color camera

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6.14 Sensor Shutter Type

6.14.1 Global Shutter
For cameras with a global shutter sensor, for each frame all of the lines start and stop exposure at the same time. The
exposure time for each line is the same. Following exposure, data readout begins. The readout time for each line is the
same but the start and end times are staggered. Readout time for a line is equal to 1/Horizontal Line Frequency.

Some advantages of global shutter are more uniform brightness and minimal motion blur.

6.14.2 Rolling Shutter with Global Reset

For cameras with a rolling shutter with global reset sensor, for each frame all of the lines start exposure at the same
time but the end of exposure is delayed by the offset of the previous line's readout. The exposure time for each line
gradually lengthens. Data readout for each line begins immediately following the line's exposure. The readout time for
each line is the same, but the start and end times are staggered. Readout time for a line is equal to 1/Horizontal Line
Frequency.

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An advantage of a rolling shutter with global reset is a reduction in image artifacts typical of rolling shutters such as
skew and wobble. However, because exposure lengthens throughout the frame, there may be a gradual increase in
brightness from top to bottom of an image. This gradient can be diminished or even eliminated by using a strobe flash.
If the camera supports a rolling shutter with a global reset, the strobe can be set to active from the start of exposure of
the first line to the end of exposure on the last line (Any pixel) or from the start of exposure on the last line to the end
of exposure on the first line (All pixels).

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7 Input/Output Control
7.1 General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO)
Cased models—The camera is equipped with a 6-pin GPIO connector on the back of the case. The connector is a Hirose
HR10A-7R-6PB, the mating connector is a Hirose HR10A-7P-6S(73).
Board-level models—The camera is equipped with a 6-pin GPIO connector. The connector is a JST BM06B-NSHSS-TBT
(LF)(SN), the mating connector is a JST NSHR-06V-S.

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Blackfly S Cased Models

Diagram Color1 Pin Line Function Description Parameter Min Max Unit
Auxiliary Input Input Voltage
VAUX 8 24 V
Voltage (DC) Range

Green 12 3 Input Low Level 0 1.4 V

Non-isolated
GPI Input High Level 2.6 3.6 V
Input
Propagation Delay 1 μs
Input Low Level 0 1.4 V
Input High Level 2.6 30 V
Input Current 3.5 7 mA
Opto-isolated
Black 2 0 OPTOIN
Input Propagation Delay
18 μs
Low to High
Propagation Delay
9 μs
High to Low

Camera Power Output Voltage 3.05 3.35 V

VOUT
Output Output Current 120 mA
Input Low Level 0 1.4 V
Input High Level 2.6 24 V
Red 32 2
Non-isolated Propagation Delay 1 μs
GPIO3
Input/Output
Output Low
25 mA
Current
Output High Level 0 24 V
Output Low
25 mA
Current4
Output High Level 0 7 V
Opto-isolated
White 4 1 OPTOOUT3 Propagation Delay
Output 36 μs
Low to High
Propagation Delay
18 μs
High to Low
Blue 5 N/A Opto GND Opto-isolated Ground
Brown 6 N/A GND Camera Power Ground

Measurement conditions: Opto-Isolated I/O VCC=5V, Rext=1KOhm, Non-Isolated Output: VCC=5V, Rext=330 Ohm, Non-Isolated Input: VCC=3.3V.
Measured over operating temperature range (-20C̊ to +50C̊ ambient temperature), unless otherwise noted.

1—GPIO cable assembly wire colors

2—Dual function pin
3—Open drain output, requires pullup resistor
4—Output low level depends on the output voltage / pullup resistor combination

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Blackfly S Board-level Models

Board-level USB3
Color Pin Line Function Description Parameters Min Max Unit
Input Low Level 0 1.4 V
Input High Level 2.6 24 V
Orange 1 0 GPIO0 Non-isolated Input/Output Propagation Delay 1 µs
Output Low Current 25 mA
Output High Level 0 24 V
Input Low Level 0 1.4 V
Input High Level 2.6 24 V
Black 2 1 GPIO1 Non-isolated Input/Output Propagation Delay 1 µs
Output Low Current 25 mA
Output High Level 0 24 V
Input Low Level 0 1.4 V
Input High Level 2.6 24 V
White 3 2 GPIO2 Non-isolated Input/Output Propagation Delay 1 µs
Output Low Current 25 mA
Output High Level 0 24 V
Input Low Level 0 1.4 V
Input High Level 2.6 24 V
Non-isolated Input/Output
Green 4 3 GPIO3 Propagation Delay 1 µs
(USB3)
Output Low Current 25 mA
Output High Level 0 7 V
Brown 5 N/A GND Camera Power Ground
Output Voltage 3.05 3.35 V
Red 6 N/A Vout Camera Power Output
Output Current 120 mA

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 7 Input/Output Control

Board-level GigE
Color Pin Line Function Description Parameters Min Max Unit
Input Low Level 0 1.4 V
Input High Level 2.6 24 V
Orange 1 0 GPIO0 Non-isolated Input/Output Propagation Delay 1 µs
Output Low Current 25 mA
Output High Level 0 24 V
Input Low Level 0 1.4 V
Input High Level 2.6 24 V
Black 2 1 GPIO1 Non-isolated Input/Output Propagation Delay 1 µs
Output Low Current 25 mA
Output High Level 0 24 V
Input Low Level 0 1.4 V
Input High Level 2.6 24 V
White 3 2 GPIO2 Non-isolated Input/Output Propagation Delay 1 µs
Output Low Current 25 mA
Output High Level 0 7 V
Green 4 N/A VExt Camera Input Power (GigE) 4.0 5.5 V
Brown 5 N/A GND Camera Power Ground
Output Voltage 3.05 3.35 V
Red 6 N/A Vout Camera Power Output
Output Current 120 mA

7.2 GPIO Electrical Characteristics

Both the opto-isolated input and output have over current protection.
The output is open collector and thus requires a pull- up resistor to operate. The rise time and bias current is
determined by the resistor value chosen. If the camera is generating an output signal that approaches the rise time plus
the fall time of the circuit, care must be taken to optimize the pull-up resistor chosen to minimize the rise time while
still remaining within the current limits of the output circuit.
The opto- isolated specifications listed below are applicable when power to the camera is provided through the
interface and not through the GPIO.

Warning! To avoid damage, connect the OPTO_GND pin first before

applying voltage to the GPIO line.

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 7 Input/Output Control

Warning! Prolonged use of the camera outside of the Operating

Range described below may lead to unexpected behavior and
should be avoided.

Operating Range
Description Minimum Maximum
Opto-isolated Input Voltage 0V 30 V
Opto-isolated Output Voltage 0V 7V
Opto-isolated Output Current 25 mA
3.3 V Output Current 120 mA

Opto-isolated input circuit—Cased

Opto-isolated output circuit—Cased

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 7 Input/Output Control

Non-isolated External Voltage Resistor Combinations

External External
Current
Voltage Resistor
3.3 V 1.0 kΩ 3.1 mA
5V 1.0 kΩ 4.8 mA
12 V 2.0 kΩ 6 mA
12 V 2.4 kΩ 5 mA
24 V 4.7 kΩ 5.2 mA
Values are for reference only

Non-isolated input and output circuit—Cased

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 7 Input/Output Control

Non-isolated input and output circuit—Board-level

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 7 Input/Output Control

7.3 Input Timing Characteristics

Input Timing Characteristics

Non-isolated Input Performance (measured at Vcc = 5 V, Rext = 1 kΩ)
Parameter Symbol Non-isolated
Input Low Voltage VL 0.85 V

Input High Voltage VH 4.94 V

Input Threshold High Voltage VTHH 4.54 V

Input Threshold Low Voltage VTHL 1.26 V

Cycle Rise Time tR 10.8 μs

Cycle Fall Time tF 2 μs

Current 4.1 mA

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 7 Input/Output Control

Opto-isolated Input Performance (Vcc = varying pk-pk)

Opto-isolated Opto-isolated
Parameter Symbol
5 V, 1 kΩ 3 V, 200 Ω
Input Low Voltage VIL ≤ 1.96 V ≤2V

Input High Voltage VIH ≥2V ≥ 2.05 V

Propagation Delay Low to High tPDLH 20.9 μs 19.7 μs

Propagation Delay High to Low tPDHL 5.6 μs 16.7 μs

Typical Positive Pulse Width tMPPW 12 μs 12 μs

Typical Negative Pulse Width tMNPW 6 μs 6 μs

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 7 Input/Output Control

7.4 Output Timing Characteristics

Output Timing Characteristics

Non-isolated Output Performance (measured at Vcc = 5 V, Rext = 1 kΩ)
Parameter Symbol Non-isolated
Output Low Voltage VL 0.23 V

Output High Voltage VH 4.95 V

Output Threshold High Voltage VTHH 4.48 V

Output Threshold Low Voltage VTHL 0.7 V

Cycle Rise Time tR 2.6 μs

Cycle Fall Time tF 0.23 μs

Opto Current 4.8 mA

Opto-isolated Output Performance (measured at Vcc = 3.3 V, Rext = 200 Ω)

Opto-isolated
Parameter Symbol Load No Load
Output Low Voltage VL 1.44 V 1.47 V

Output High Voltage VH 2.64 V 3.25 V

Output Threshold High Voltage VTHH 2.52 V 3.07 V

Output Threshold Low Voltage VTHL 1.56 V 1.65 V

Cycle Rise Time tR 5.2 μs 24 μs

Cycle Fall Time tF 28 μs 4.6 μs

Opto Current 3.08 mA 8.4 mA

Opto Isolator Delay (High to Low) 5.3 μs 5.5 μs

Opto Isolator Delay (Low to High) 12.7 μs 15.2 μs

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 7 Input/Output Control

Opto-isolated Output Performance (measured at Vcc = 5 V, Rext = 1 kΩ)

Opto-isolated
Parameter Symbol Load No Load
Output Low Voltage VL 0.86 V 0.92 V

Output High Voltage VH 2.29 V 5V

Output Threshold High Voltage VTHH 2.15 V 4.59 V

Output Threshold Low Voltage VTHL 1.00 V 1.33 V

Cycle Rise Time tR 12 μs 10.3 μs

Cycle Fall Time tF 19.6 μs 17.2 μs

Opto Current 2.68 mA 3.9 mA

Opto Isolator Delay (High to Low) 3.9 μs 4.1 μs

Opto Isolator Delay (Low to High) 26.8 μs 25.1 μs

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 8 Troubleshooting

8 Troubleshooting
8.1 Support
Teledyne FLIR endeavors to provide the highest level of technical support possible to you. Most support resources can
be accessed through your product's Support page.

Blackfly S USB3 Camera Support Articles Blackfly S USB3 Camera Resources

Blackfly S GigE Camera Support Articles Blackfly S GigE Camera Resources
Blackfly S Board-level Camera Support Articles Blackfly S Board-level Camera Resources

The Overview tab contains links to:

Spinnaker SDK download

Application notes

Knowledge base articles

White papers

Warranty information

The Documents tab contains links to:

n EMVA Imaging Performance specification PDFs

n Datasheets

n Getting Started manual PDFs

n Product Change Notifications (PCN)

n Technical Reference manual PDFs

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 8 Troubleshooting

The Downloads tab contains links to:

n Camera References (HTML)

n Drawings

n Firmware

The Media tab contains links to videos about sensor technology and camera use.
Contacting Technical Support
Before contacting Technical Support, have you:
1. Read the product documentation?

2. Searched the Product Support page?

3. Downloaded and installed the latest version of software and/or firmware?

4. Checked out our support community forum?

If you have done all the above and still can’t find an answer to your question, contact our Technical Support team.

8.2 Status Indicator LED

LED GigE USB
No power No power
No Light or LED is in inactive state or LED is in inactive state
or LED is in error status state with no error or LED is in error status state with no error
Blinking Green (1 blink) Link-Local Address (LLA) USB1
Blinking Green (2 blinks) DHCP IP Address USB2
Blinking Green (3 blinks) Persistent IP Address USB3
Solid Green Acquisition Started Acquisition Started
Rapid Flashing Green Firmware update in progress Firmware update in progress
Flashing Green and Red General Error General Error

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 Contacting Us

Contacting Us
For any questions, concerns or comments please contact us:

Email General questions

Support Ticket Technical support
Support Forum Teledyne FLIR Community
Find specifications, support articles, downloads on the product page at Teledyne
Website
FLIR machine vision

Revision History
Version Date Description
1.0 June 23, 2016 Support for BFS-U3-13Y3 and BFS-U3-51S5
Support for BFS-U3-32S4 and BFS-PGE-50S5
2.0 September 14, 2016
Clarification of measurement conditions for GPIO
New layout
3.0 January 12, 2017
Corrected Lens Mount in Physical Description
4.0 May 4, 2017 Support for BFS-PGE-13Y3 and BFS-PGE-31S4
4.1 June 9, 2017 Updated GPIO Electrical section
5.0 August 25, 2017 Support for BFS-U3-200S6
6.0 November 1, 2017 Support for BFS-PGE-16S2 and BFS-U3-16S2
7.0 November 15, 2017 Support for BFS-PGE-04S2 and BFS-U3-04S2
8.0 January 4, 2018 Support for BFS-U3-89S6 and BFS-U3-123S6
9.0 February 8, 2018 Support for BFS-PGE-200S6 and BFS-U3-120S4
Support for BFS-PGE-88S6, BFS-U3-88S6,
10.0 March 14, 2018
BFS-PGE-122S6, and BFS-U3-122S6
11.0 May 8, 2018 Support for BFS-U3-31S4, BFS-U3-50S5, and BFS-U3-63S4
12.0 June 22, 2018 Support for BFS-U3-51S5-BD2
Support for BFS-PGE-51S5
13.0 August 17, 2018 Support for BFS-PGE-16S2-BD2
Updated GPIO electrical input/output timing tables
Support for BFS-GE-16S2-BD2, BFS-PGE-23S3, BFS-U3-23S3,
14.0 November 20, 2018
BFS-U3-51S5-BD2, BFS-U3-70S7, and BFS-PGE-120S4

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 Revision History

Version Date Description

15.0 February 19, 2019 Support for BFS-PGE-63S4 and BFS-U3-28S5
Support for BFS-PGE-27S5
16.0 March 6, 2019
Added GigE large format case dimensional diagram
Support for BFS-PGE-16S7, BFS-U3-16S7, BFS-U3-17S7, BFS-PGE-19S4,
17.0 June 7, 2019
BFS-U3-20S4
17.1 August 29, 2019 Added tripod adapter dimensional diagram for large case
18.0 November 1, 2019 Support for BFS-U3-19S4 and BFS-U3-27S5
19.0 March 6, 2020 Support for BFS-PGE-23S3 (CS-mount)
Updated link to contact support
19.1 April 9, 2020
Updated GPIO electrical and input /output timing
20.0 June 5, 2020 Support for BFS-U3-244S8
21.0 February 11, 2021 Support for BFS-PGE-14Y3 and BFS-PGE-161S7
22.0 June 11, 2021 Support for BFS-PGE-50S4, BFS-U3-50S4, and BFS-PGE-244S8
23.0 September 9, 2021 Support for BFS-PGE-123S6P
Support for BFS-PGE-120S6 and BFS-PGE-200S7
24.0 December 10, 2021
Rebranded to Teledyne FLIR
Support for BFS-PGE-80S5
25.0 February 28, 2022
Added part numbers for board-level accessories
26.0 September 15, 2022 Support for BFS-U3-161S7
27.0 November 2, 2022 Support for BFS-U3-200S7
28.0 February 8, 2022 Support for BFS-U3-80S5
Support for BFS-U3-120S6, BFS-U3-28S5-BD2, and BFS-U3-50S4-BD2
29.0 March 1, 2023
Minor formatting fixes
Clarification that GPIO power is available for GigE board-level only
29.1 May 10, 2023 Updated GPIO Elecrical Characteristics to match maximum external
voltage of 24 V
Clarified sensor sizes for IR Filter
29.2 November 1, 2023
Clarified GPIO Electrical Characteristics
30.0 February 27, 2024 Support for BFS-PGE-23S6 and BFS-U3-23S6
31.0 March 4, 2024 Support for BFS-U3-50S4 (CS-mount)

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