GigE Vision and Gen<i>Cam

GigE Vision™ is a new camera interface standard developed using the Gigabit Ethernet communication protocol.  GigE Vision™ is the first standard to allow for fast image transfer using low cost standard cables over very long lengths.  With GigE Vision™ hardware and software from different vendors can interoperate seamlessly over GigE connections. 

The standard was developed for industry, by a group of companies representing every sector of the vision industry. The Automated Imaging Association (AIA) oversees the ongoing development and administration of the standard. Committee membership and administrative questions should be addressed to Jeff Fryman at AIA. 

GigE Vision™ offers many benefits including:

• High bandwidth (1000 Mbps) allows large uncompressed images to be transferred quickly in real time
• Uncompromised data transfer up to 100 meters in length
• Standard gigabit Ethernet hardware allows single/multiple camera connection to single/multiple computers
• Low cost cables (CAT5e or CAT6) and standard connectors
• Highly scalable to follow the growth of Ethernet bandwidth. As 10GigE becomes mainstream, GigE Vision™ will be the fastest connection in the industry
• Standard hardware, cables allow easy, low cost integration
  

The Gen<i>Cam part of this standard provides plug-and-play capability, as the cameras are self describing. All available standard and non-standard features are documented in an on-board XML file. During device discovery this XML file is parsed by the host, allowing the system to get access to the relevant registers used to control the camera functions.

Camera Link® / Mini-CL

Camera Link® is a robust communications link using a dedicated cable connection and a standardized communications protocol.  This standard connection allows cameras and frame grabbers complying to the standard to freely exchange data. 

For years, the scientific and industrial digital video market has lacked a standard method of communication. Both frame grabbers and camera manufacturers developed products with
different connectors, making cable production difficult for manufacturers and very confusing for consumers.
Increasingly diverse cameras and advanced signal and data transmissions have made a connectivity standard like Camera Link a necessity. The Camera Link® interface will reduce support time, as well as the cost of that support. The standard cable is able to handle the increased signal speeds, and the cable assembly allows customers to reduce their costs through volume pricing.
The core of the Camera Link® standard is the Channel Link chip-set, that performs a 7:1 mux and transmits data as LVDS signals at a maximum clock speed of 85 MHz, over a 10 m distanced.
The latest development within the Camera Link® standard is the addition of the Mini-CL connector and the possibility to provide power over Camera Link (PoCL).

Camera Link® is available in 3 version:
Base configuration - Single Channel Link chip, single cable connector.
Medium configuration - Two Channel Link chips, two cable connectors.
Full configuration - Three Channel Link chips, two cable connectors.
JAI produces Camera Link® cameras with Base and Medium configuration.

Currently in release version 1.1 Camera Link® work continues to update and enhance the multiple capabilities.  Committee membership and administrative questions should be addressed to Jeff Fryman at AIA. 


Analog video

Analog interfaces have formed the backbone of the imaging industry as we know it today. The first machine vision systems were based on simple video standard (RS-170 or CCIR) interlaced scan surveillance cameras, without "image-on-demand" capability.
Manufacturers specializing in cameras for macine vision soon took on the challenge and presented solutions that could be asynchronously triggered within a line period. The "no-delay" trigger that we now take for granted was developed some years later.

With the emergence of progressive scan CCD sensors for digital still photography, a wide market base evolved for non-standard analog cameras cameras.
This generation of cameras made it possible to capture a full resolution image, effectively freezing the motion of moving objects.