Context Switching (Page Mode)
A Context Switching or Page Mode feature allows the sensor to store and quickly switch between multiple sets of registers without needing a full reconfiguration.
How it works
- The sensor holds multiple “contexts” (pages) — each containing a complete set of configuration registers (e.g., exposure time, gain, ROI, frame rate, readout mode, etc.).
- The user can pre-load these contexts into internal memory.
- During operation, the sensor can instantaneously switch from one page to another, typically in a single frame or line period.
- This eliminates the delay of sending all register writes over the control interface (I²C, SPI, etc.) for each change.
Benefits
- High-Speed Mode Changes – Enables switching operating modes in microseconds instead of milliseconds.
- Multi-Scene Capture – Allows capturing alternating frames with different exposures, gains, or regions of interest for HDR or scientific imaging.
- Synchronization – Useful in applications where changes must occur at precise timing (e.g., between frames in a PIV system).
- Reduced Host Processing Overhead – Host controller doesn’t need to reprogram every setting in real time.
Example Use Cases
- HDR Imaging – Alternate frames with short and long exposures.
- Multispectral Imaging – Switch filters and sensor settings for different wavelengths.
- High-Speed ROI Switching – Alternate between wide-view and zoomed-in captures in machine vision.
- Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) – Switch settings between laser pulses.
