Camera Link’s ‘Lite’ Interface – PoCL Lite

“Same great interface but a less bulky connector” would be the slogan for the latest proposed Camera Link standard developed by the Japan Industrial Imaging Association (JIIA; Tokyo, Japan; www.jiia.org). The standard has been conceived by Shigeo Oka, chairman of the JIIA and Senior Fellow in the Machine Vision and Medical Imaging Division of Toshiba Teli (Tokyo, Japan; www.toshiba-teli.co.jp), and Fumio Nagumo of CIS (Seattle, WA, USA; www.cis-americas.com).

Known as Power over Camera Link Lite (PoCL-Lite), it was previewed at The Vision Show 2009 (Phoenix, AZ, USA) in April 2009 and was expected to be ratified by the Automated Imaging Association (Ann Arbor, MI, USA; www.machinevisiononline.org) at the June 2009 Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show (Rosemont, IL, USA).  (Note: To date, this standard has not yet been ratified by the AIA)

To allow the manufacture of smaller and lower-cost digital cameras with smaller connectors while retaining the same PoCL features, the new standard only represents a small departure from the original Camera Link standard.

In the original 26-pin Camera Link design, pins 1, 13, 14, and 26 were assigned as ground. To maintain backward compatibility with this connector, the PoCL reassigned pins 1 and 26 as power lines that deliver up to 333 mA at 12 V or 400 mA at the lowest allowable 10 V. In essence, PoCL-Lite redefines the PoCL standard using just 14 pins, two of which are used for power, two for shielding, and five pairs of wires to transmit Camera Link data and camera signals (see figure).

PoCL-Lite redefines the PoCL standard using just 14 pins, two of which are used for power, two for shielding, and five pairs of wires to transmit Camera Link data and camera signals. In PoCL-Base, the data from four differential pairs are multiplexed into two data lines (x0 and x2), and another differential pair is used for serial communications to the frame grabber (SerTFG).

Because of this, 12 pins of the original PoCL connector are left unused, allowing a smaller PoCL-Lite connector to be used to interface the camera to a frame grabber. Within the five pairs of data signals that are used in the PoCL-Lite standard, one pair is dedicated to camera control, one pair to send serial data commands to the camera, one pair as a system clock, and the remaining two pairs devoted to transferring data between the camera and the frame grabber.

In PoCL-Base, the data from four differential pairs are multiplexed into two data lines (x0 and x2), and another differential pair is used for serial communications to the frame grabber (SerTFG). PoCL-Lite, however, uses only two differential pairs to transmit data valid, frame valid, and line valid information as well as SerTFG and image data on one pair (x2) and image data on the second line (x0).

As can be seen, this results in a 10-bit image data transfer over two differential line pairs. Using transceivers clocked at 85 MHz, this results in a maximum data transfer rate of approximately 106 Mbytes/s.

Because PoCL-Lite is not electrically compatible with PoCL-Base, vendors will have to reprogram the FPGA interface provided on most Camera Link frame grabbers. Cable vendors are responding to this need as PoCL, already established in Japan, is just catching on in North America.

Whether the new PoCL-Lite standard will gain momentum after ratification by the AIA remains to be seen. According to Chris Hogarth, interconnect business development manager with 3M, the original PoCL standard, although popular in Japan, is only now starting to gain a following in North America, driven by a need to reduce camera size in higher-performance applications.

Going forward, to further expand this capability into other (traditionally analog) performance tiers where space is at a premium and a relatively fast digital upgrade is required, the emerging PoCL-Lite standard will meet the requirements.

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Wilson, Andrew (June 2009).  Image Transfer – Camera Link gets a ‘Lite’ interface.  Vision Systems Design v14 n6 p16(2).  Retrieved on September 21, 2009 from http://www.vision-systems-design.com

CIS Releases quarter sized Power over Camera Link (PoCL) lite camera, VCC-GC10V31L

Available towards the end of September 2009, CIS Americas has announced the impending availaibility of their first ever PoCL lite camera, the VCC-GC10V31L.  Weighing less than 20g, encased in a small chassis and about the size of a quarter, this 1/3″ CMOS black and white industrial camera is 22mm³ and delivers up to 60 frames per second (fps) at VGA resolution.

Equipped with partial scan and an external trigger, this tiny camera is ideal for remote head applications or any application where space or weight is a concern.

CIS VCC-GC10V31L PoCL lite industrial camera

Power over Camera Link (PoCL) and PoCL lite Standards

Power over Camera Link (PoCL) is a recent addition to the Camera Link specification allowing for camera power to be supplied over the Camera Link cable.  This new standard for adding power was originally proposed by Tokyo, Japan based CIS Corporation which was then later ratified by the Automated Imaging Association (AIA).

Among the benefits provided by PoCL, it allows for easy, single-cable integration and because a separate power connector is not needed, cameras can be made smaller.

PoCL-Lite redefines the PoCL standard using just 14 pins, two of which are used for power, two for shielding, and five pairs of wires to transmit Camera Link data and camera signals.

Because of this, 12 pins of the original PoCL connector are left unused, allowing a smaller PoCL-Lite connector to be used to interface the camera to a frame grabber. Within the five pairs of data signals that are used in the PoCL-Lite standard, one pair is dedicated to camera control, one pair to send serial data commands to the camera, one pair as a system clock, and the remaining two pairs devoted to transferring data between the camera and the frame grabber.

ASIS 2009 International Security Conference Begins Today in Anaheim

Presenting more than 175 education sessions designed and vetted by experts and industry peers to bring you the latest intelligence and techniques from across the security spectrum and around the globe, ASIS 2009 kicks off today (Sept 21) through Thursday (Sept 24) in Anaheim, CA.

Aegis Electronic Group, although not exhibiting this year, will be in attendance and walking the show floor to experience the latest and greatest security techniques, products and solutions  available in th market in order to provide its customers with the most up to date information and recommendations.

The ASIS Seminar is the premiere security event attracting more than 23,000 security professionals and hosting the largest marketplace of security technologies, products, and services to safeguard the assets and people you’re charged with protecting.

Keynote Speakers include*:

• Philip S. Deming, CPP, CFE, SPHR – CEO, Philip S. Deming & Associates
• Shawn Flaugher, Security consulting and design, Duke University & Health Systems
• Gavriel Schneider, – International Director, Dynamic Alternatives
• Jim Lukaszewski, ABC, APR, PRSA, CCEP – Chairman & President, Lukaszewski Group
• Jon McDowall, CFE, PCI, CIFI, CII – CEO, Fraud Resource Group
• Brian Reich, CPP – Investigator for the Computer Crimes Unit, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey
• James Francis, CPP, CFSO – VP of consulting services, T&M Protection Resources, LLC
• Roger Warwick, CPP – Managing director, Pyramid International
• Mike Kolatski, CPP, MAS, CIPS – Executive director, Pacific Northwest region,  Andrews International Security
• James R. Black, CPP, PSP, CSC – Senior security consultant, TRC

*Information courtesy of Securitymanagement.com

More information about ASIS interviews, audio and articles HERE

New Toshiba High Definition Remote Head Camera Systems Offers Maximum Flexibility in an Ultra Tiny Package (IK-HR1H / IK-HR1CD / IK-HR1CS)

Two camera control units (IK-HR1CD/IK-HR1CD) and one interchangeable remote head camera (IK-HR1H) make Toshiba Imaging’s latest addition to their suite of HD cameras an instant success.

The new 1/3″ single-chip, true HD progressive scan color 2.1 Megapixel CMOS remote-head camera system is available in two configurations.

The IK-HR1H camera head, when used with the IK-HR1CD control unit, outputs full 1920 x 1080p via Digital DVI or Analog RGB interface at 60 frames per second and can switch between interlace and progressive scan.  When the camera head is used with the IK-KR1CS control unit, the system outputs are selectable between 1080i and 720p at 50 or 60Hz video via HDSDI at 60 frames per second.

Both remote head camera systems are identical to two of Toshiba’s already successful one piece models;

The IK-HR1H/IK-HR1CD system is a remote-head footprint of their one-piece IK-HR1D DVI-I model and the IK-HR1H/IK-HR1CS system is a remote-head footprint of their one-piece IK-HR1S HDSDI model.

Both camera systems carry the same popular features of their one-piece counterparts including; Auto and manual white balance, Auto and manual electronic shutter, C-mount lens adaptable and more.

These HD remote head camera systems are ideal for high speed, broadcast and medical imaging applications because they produce little or no motion artifacts while giving users outstanding color reproduction. The cameras are ideal for any application where a remote head is necessary.

On a side note, one important advantage of the DVI-I model (IK-HR1CD) is that it can be converted to HDMI for use with lower resolution monitors and once converted, can be used with Convergent Design’s nanoFlash Recorder.  The HDSDI model (IK–HR1CS) can also be used with the nanoFlash recorder. 

The IK-HR1CD will be available in September, the IK-HR1CS will be available in October 2009.

Dimensions:

IK-HR1H camera head –

W: 30, H: 35, D: 36 (mm)

Weight: ~50g

IK-HRCD/CS CCUs –

W: 44, H: 44, D: 77.5 (mm)

Weight: ~146g

*Information is preliminary and subject to change without notice.

Unmanned Systems 2009 Conference Finds Record Success With Aerial and Ground Demonstrations and Displays

According to the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, attendees showed up in record numbers for their Unmanned Systems North America 2009 conference held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. 10 to 14 g. More than 5,000 attendees from 30 countries came to the show to see 325 exhibitors and 112 speakers participate in panels, workshops and presentations.

The conference kicked off on 10 Aug. at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in St. Inigoes, Md., showcasing 15 air, ground and maritime demonstrations and 17 static displays.

AAI’s Orbiter, Aerosonde’s Mk 4.7, IAI/NA Stark Aerospace Maritime’s Heron I, L-3 Geneva Aerospace’s Mobius and two of InSitu’s ScanEagles flew simultaneously at the show. The show also included General Dynamics Robotic Systems demonstrating its unmanned vehicle leader-follower capability on the ground,  iRobot demonstrated its family of vehicles, from the Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle to the 510 PackBot to the larger Warrior X700, and aircraft flight demonstrations by AeroVironment’s Puma and NASA’s J-FLiC aircraft. Unmanned helicopters were on hand, relatively large and small: Adaptive Flight’s tiny Hornet micro UAS surveilled a fake town (and the crowd in the VIP tent) and Northrop Grumman’s larger Fire Scout closed the show.

Beginning on Tuesday at the convention center, hundreds of delegates attended the conference’s morning plenary session to listen to a wide range of experts from the military, Congress, advocacy groups, international agencies and even the Discovery Channel.

Several Aegis Electronic Group team members were in attendance this week to not only witness the interaction of unmanned systems and their ability to operate with each other, with manned vehicles and with soldiers on the ground, but to also showcase the latest camera technologies being incorporated into these manned and unmanned systems.

With manned and unmanned vehicle technologies advancing, cameras have become an integral part of their success on and off the battle field.  Visual images of what it going around them is crucial information to have when it comes to strategizing.  Cameras are found on aerial, ground and marine vehicles alike and can be used in several different ways including for reconnaissance, surveillance, vehicle inspection for hidden explosives, medical assistance on the battlefield, and more.

Aegis' William Larson-Garcia and David Naranjo at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station getting an up-close look at the static displays

About Aegis:

Aegis Electronic Group, Inc., specializes in the distribution, integration and support of visible and Near IR cameras, components and modified integrated system solutions for industrial and military video and imaging applications.

Committed to delivering value added solutions with the highest levels of technical support, customer service and quality hardware, Aegis, over the last 20 years, has transformed from a hardware provider into a full systems integrator of industrial analog and industrial digital camera systems.

Aegis works extensively with the latest digital technologies including FireWire®, CameraLink, USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet (GigE)® to meet the ever changing needs of their customers.

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Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. (Aug 2009) http://www.aegis-elec.com

Lucey, Danielle (Aug 2009). AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America 2009 Sets Attendance Record. AUVSI.org. Retrieved from http://www.auvsi.org/news/index.cfm#News1935

Cameras for Gimbals, UAVs, Autonomous Intelligence Systems and more to be on display at the 2009 AUVSI North America Conference

Specializing in the distribution, integration and support of visible and Near IR cameras, components and modified integrated system solutions for industrial and military video and imaging applications, Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. is geared up and ready for their participation in this year’s  AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America exhibition and conference.

The “world’s largest unmanned systems conference and exhibition” kicks off next Monday, August 10 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.. and is anticipated to have over 300 exhibitors and over 5,000 attendees from over 30 countries.

Used for a multitude of military applications, cameras have become the eyes and ears of military personnel in and out of combat .  Uses of these cameras include (but are certainly not limited to), reconnaissance, surveillance, vehicle inspection for hidden explosives, medical assistance on the battlefield, and other intelligent control systems.

Aegis will have many of these cameras on display for people to take an up close and personal look at in both standard and high definition.  Cameras on display will have a variety of zoom capabilities, outputs and all have the option of customized housings to fit individual requirements.

If you are in the Washington D.C. area and are visiting the show, please stop by the Aegis booth #1172 to say hello and see what new camera technology has to offer for your application!