Bumblebee XB3

Rod Matthew Musni

• March 06, 2024 19:01

Hi! I have the Bumblebee XB3 Stereo Camera Model BBX3-13S2C-38. But it seems like there's no support anymore for this model. I recently purchased this from eBay where the previous owner was from the University of Arizona. I'm planning to use this product for my Thesis on Stereo Visual SLAM applications with MATLAB however, I couldn't seem to correctly setup the camera on my computer. My computer is using Windows 11 and with a PCIE OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394b card installed that enables me to connect the IEEE 1394 (9 pin) port from the camera to my computer. The Camera's status LED does light up steadily so I assumed everything is working fine. Under device manager, I could see IEEE1394 Bus Host Controller and my PCIE card installed properly but I can't seem to find my camera listed there.

I then proceeded installing FlyCapture2 version 2.13.3.61 x86. On the FlyCap2 Setup wizard, I selected Firewire cameras to install the necessary drivers for it. After installation, I opened the Point Grey FlyCap2 Application and there were no cameras detected on the list even though I tried refreshing it. I then went to Device Managers under control panel but I couldn't see my camera there. But there's one thing that I noticed that has changed and it's that the IEEE Bus Host Controller has disappeared and been replaced by Point Grey Bus Host Controllers. Under this, I could find my PCIE card but with no signs of my camera anywhere else on the device manager list.

I know that stereo camera model is no longer supported but I'm still looking forward to your insights. Thank you!

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• Official comment

  

  TDY_Markus

  Community team

  • March 12, 2024 15:18

  

  

  Hi Rod,

  Texas Instruments should be a good choice for the host controller. Have you tried installing this driver on the TI host controller? C:\Program Files\Point Grey Research\FlyCapture2\driver64\FirePRO

  In the past we usually suggested LSI and TI host controllers.
  https://www.flir.com/support-center/iis/machine-vision/knowledge-base/differences-to-consider-when-selecting-an-ieee-1394-firewire-host-adapter-card/

  I would stick with IEEE 1394b to have the maximum data rate available. Firewire b to b cable.

  What kind of computer are you using? Maybe this Thunderbolt adapter might help you:
  https://www.flir.com/support-center/iis/machine-vision/knowledge-base/using-the-thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter/

  Did you make any progress in the meantime?

  Thanks,
  Markus
• 

  TDY_Markus

  Community team

  • March 07, 2024 10:41

  

  

  Hi Rod,

  Could you please let me know why you choose to install the x86 version of FlyCapture2 and not x64?

  There are two possible driver configurations for our Firewire cameras.
  1) Using the driver of the manufacturer on the FW host controller and our PGRCam driver on the camera.
  2) Installing our FirePRO driver on the FW host controller to be used for both devices. I believe this is limited to some host controller manufactures.

  You can use our DriverControlGUI to switch between drivers. Could you please try the different driver setups on your system?
  Please reboot after any change. It might be also beneficial to try the x64 version of FlyCapture2.

  What FW host controller are you using exactly (chipset, Vendor/Device ID)?
  As I understand from your e-mail, you just want the raw images from the camera and do the Stereo Vison in Matlab yourself?

  Thanks,
  Markus

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• 

  Rod Matthew Musni

  • March 07, 2024 14:51

  Hi thank you for your response! I think it was my mistake installing the 32 bit version. I tried installing x64 version and after 50 attempts I got it working for one time. Flycap2 x64 was able to detect the camera and I was able to view it also on Triclops. At that time, I used the IEEE 1394a to 1394b cable connection. However, after disconnecting the camera and reconnecting the cable again. I can't seem to detect the camera again. The camera's status LED still lights up steadily so I'm assuming it has something to do with my PCIE.

   

  FlyCap2 x64 Results on Suggested Configurations:
  
  1)

       a. Using the DriverControlGUI, I tried the Microsoft Driver 1394.inf (Signed) 10.0.22621.2506, the camera still cant be detected.

       b. Using PGRCam Driver: Using the DriverControlGUI, I selected Manual Selection and selected the PGRCam driver (C:\Program Files\Point Grey Research\FlyCapture2\driver64\PGRCam\pgrcams.inf). However, I received an error on installation "Driver Installation did not complete successfully."

   

   

  FW PCIE Specs:
  Brand: XT-XINTE

  Chipset: Texas Instruments
  2x 1394b

  1x 1394a
  
  Yes, I just want the raw images from the two furthest cameras of BBXB3 for MATLAB.
  
  I plan to buy another PCIE, could you recommend me one just to rule out one possible problem. I've been looking into other PCIEs, would the version without a 4 pin power output work? But I'm worried that it wont be able to get enough power for the BBXB3 once connected. Thank you.
  
  

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• 

  TDY_Demos

  Community team

  • May 31, 2024 18:13

  

  Hello Rod.  I am just following up to see if the new TI card resolved your issues, and you were able to successfully use the XB3 camera on Windows 11.

  Thank you for the confirmation.

  Demos

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