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.

**********

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.

Toshiba-Teli CS6910G Series Cameras come in Gigabit, FireWire and Camera Link Interfaces

Continuing to drive innovation in the machine vision industry,

Toshiba-Teli CS6910 series Camera

Toshiba Teli America, Inc. is now offering its popular CS6910 Series cameras in all major interfaces – Gigabit, Camera Link and FireWire – to assure the most versatile imaging solution for systems integrators.

The CS6910 platform employs the Fuji® honeycomb-style 1/4″ CCD sensor, which when compared to traditional CCDs, provides superior color fidelity and greater sensitivity. This translates into lower error rates and high speeds in full frame output mode across a wide range of vision applications.

The CS6910 Series cameras include 3 models: CS6910G, CS6910CL, and CS6910F. AIA GigE Vision protocol confirmed CS6910G delivers up to 30 frames/sec at 1,280 x 960 resolution (SXGA) over Ethernet cabling to host PC positioned up to 300 ft away. Measuring 54 x 43 x 59 mm, CS6910CL produces digital output images in RGB or YUV mode. Model CS6910F includes random trigger shutter, electronic shutter (1/15,000 to 8 sec), and multiple video formats.

• GIGABIT ETHERNET (GigE): The Toshiba Teli CS6910G is the world’s only Gigabit Ethernet camera to incorporate the Honeycomb color sensor. Because it conforms to the AIA GigE Vision protocol, the CS6910G is compatible with standard Gigabit Ethernet hardware, ports and cables, eliminating the expense of specialized interface cards or frame grabbers. More importantly, it delivers the huge bandwidth required to stream non-compressed RGB 24-bit color video at up to 30 frames-per-second at 1280 x 960 resolution (SXGA) over Ethernet cabling to a host PC positioned up to 300 feet away. The CS6910G provides a rich feature set including progressive scanning, random trigger, electronic shutter (1/15000 to 8s), and external trigger. All of this performance is available in a 54(W) x 43(H) x 44.5(D) mm casing that weighs just 200g.

• CAMERALINK (CL): The CS6910CL Camera Link(TM) interface allows it to digitally output images in RGB or YUV mode, while also offering the convenience of standardization for fast, cost-effective integration into new or existing vision systems. Further enhancing this simplified integration is the camera’s compact dimensions (54mm x 43mm x 59mm) and use of universal C-Mount lenses.

• FIREWIRE (Ieee.1394): The CS6910F is a next generation FireWire digital camera with an extensive feature set that includes random trigger shutter, electronic shutter (1/15000 to 8 sec), and multiple video formats. Ruggedly built for industrial environments, it sports compact dimensions (44mm x 29mm x 65mm), minimal weight (160g), and the use of universal C-Mount lenses.

About Toshiba Teli Corporation

Toshiba Teli America, Inc. is the North American subsidiary of Toshiba Teli Corporation, a world-leading manufacturer of CCD and CMOS cameras. Toshiba Teli Corporation has 400 employees and has a primary operation in Hino-City, Tokyo, and sales offices in Tokyo, Kobe, Nagoya and Fukuoka. In addition to cameras, Toshiba Teli Corporation manufacturers a wide range of equipment, including surveillance camera systems including DVR recorders, LCD inspection equipment, multi-value image measurement and manufacturing equipment, and RF amplifiers.

Toshiba-Teli Corporation (2009). Cameras come in Gigabit, FireWire and Camera Link Interfaces.  ThomasNet.com Retrieved on March 18, 2009 from http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/825461?WT.mc_t=PNA&WT.mc_n=alert_story&channel=email

Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. to present new Camera Solutions at IPC/ APEX in April

Sony’s new FCB-H11 HD Block Camera with custom housing, Toshiba’s new IK-HR1S HD/SDI One-piece Camera, Sony’s XCD-SX90CR Raw Color FireWire B Camera, PixeLINK’s PL-B782U 6.6MP USB Camera and a CIS America Analog Camera (TBD)  will be among the industrial imaging systems on display when Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. returns to exhibit at IPC/Apex 2009 in Las Vegas from March 31-April 2.

Located at Booth 549 in Mandalay Bay’s Hotel Exhibition/Convention center, Aegis will present industrial cameras solutions featuring different camera technologies from Camera Link and Firewire 1394.b to Analog and USB solutions.  The above referenced industrial camera technologies will be featured in full system set-up and will feature Tamron lenses, Bitflow Camera Link frame grabbers, Intercon 1 cabling, Orion monitors and more.

The small system set-ups with high resolution, high frame rate capabilities make Aegis’s integrated camera solutions a preference for those looking for an inexpensive vision system. The Aegis integrated systems can also be customized based on customer requirements. The Aegis vision system can also be integrated with NI Vision Builder to offer an even more sophisticated yet still inexpensive solution for your inspection purposes.

Please visit our booth 549 to say hello! Or please contact us at 888-687-6877, www.aegis-elec.com.

12 Megapixels @ 25FPS, a low cost, 1.9″ CMOS Monochrome CleverDragon CameraLink Camera from TTAI (CSC12M25BMP19) finds success in Industrial Markets

Toshiba Teli America’s new 12 Megapixel CameraLink Industrial Camera, CSC12M25BMP19 also knows as “CleverDragon”,  is enjoying great success in the Industrial Automation, Surveillance/Security, Military, Medical and other Industrial Markets.

A new member of Teli’s “CleverDragon” series, the CSC12M25BMP19 establishes an optimal platform to assist OEMs and system integrators in developing improved solutions for high-speed machine vision, robotics, parts inspection and medical applications.

“The launch of the 12 megapixel CleverDragon industrial camera marks a new era in CMOS-based imaging, and reconfirms Toshiba Teli’s position as the innovation leader in global machine vision solutions,” says Doug Freck, CEO/President of Toshiba Teli America, Inc.  “Whether it is used in industrial inspection or biomedical imaging, the camera delivers an overall level of performance and ease-of-use that is unmatched by any other camera on the market.”

The industrially rugged, yet compact new CleverDragon camera features an electronic global shutter to capture clear images of parts on even the fastest moving assemly lines.  In addition, the camera’s Window of Interest (WOI) function can be programmed to display a maximum of 28 square windows within a single image and then allow the user to select via a PC only those windows that are to be read out, significantly increasing frame rates.

Feedback from Current Users of the CSC12M25BMP19 About Why They Like it:

1. You can capture and analyze you subject in one grab. 4000 x 3000 at 25 FPS with 1.9” sensor.
2. Very low cost 12 mega pixel (MSRP is $6,500 compared to the Kodak 11 Mega Pixel camera @ 5 FPS for $13,000 MSRP).
3. Very Fast:
   • 640 x 480 @ 525 FPS
   • 1000 x 1000 @ 175 FPS
   • 2000 x 2000 @ 78 FPS
   • 4000 x 3000 @ 25 FPS
4. Very fast transfer rate during integration. Night Application (TDI)
5. Can be upgraded with Image Intensifier.

Other Benefits include:

1. High resolution and high speed 12 Mega pixel at 25 FPS
2. Camera can be configured to any resolution you want 4000 X 3000 or 2000 X 2000 at faster speed.
3. Sensor can be set to any special size you want
   • Example: If you want sensor size 10 mm X 10 mm square then you set the camera to 1600 X 1600.
4. 28 Windows of interest can be viewed at one time.
5. Using Full mode camera link 10 bit per pixel

Toshiba Teli America's "CleverDragon" Camera Link Camera - CSC12M25BMP19

CIS Americas Industrial Cameras Quickly Finding Place in US Machine Vision Markets

Founded in 1978, CIS Corporation has a long standing reputation in Japan, Europe and Asia for its high-quality industrial camera systems, board cameras and image transmission products for machine vision and security applications.  While historically focused in the Japanese market, CIS has been a key contributor to the manufacture of private-label cameras and technology for many global top-tier camera suppliers.

In 2006, CIS Americas was established as a new base of operations in the United States, giving customers in North America direct access to its cutting-edge machine vision technologies. Headquartered in Seattle, Wash., CIS Americas, Inc. handles sales, marketing, and support service to customers and distributors in the North American region.

“CIS has built long-standing relationships with our many customers in Japan, Europe and Asia because of our firm commitment to quality and customer satisfaction,” said Seisuke Yamanaka, president of CIS Corporation in Japan. “With CIS Americas, we are determined to build new customer relationships in the North American market that are based on those same commitments and principles.”

“A major strength of CIS has been its flexibility in delivering customer-specific machine vision solutions for all types of companies, whether small, medium, or large,” said Jeremy Hubbell, general manager, CIS Americas, Inc. “A local presence in the United States will enable CIS Americas to remain keenly attuned to the unique needs of each customer in the North American market.”

CIS’ cameras have earned wide acclaim in these markets for their small footprint, image processing speed, and diverse lineup. CIS has also distinguished itself as a company with an unwavering devotion to quality. Every CIS camera is tested individually to ensure reliable and accurate performance in demanding 24/7 machine vision environments such as semiconductor manufacturing plants, assembly lines, and industrial robotics systems. This commitment to quality has, consequently, won wide acclaim resulting in recurring orders from its customers.

Additional Advantages of CIS Cameras include:

• They are Low Cost Leaders in the industrial camera industry
• Both the CIS CEO and CTO have a combined 50+ years work experience at Sony Corporation, during which time they helped pioneer CCD technology before joining CIS
• Industry Leaders in Asia in Camera Link technology (CL is extremely popular in Asia, hasn’t really caught on in US yet)
• Excellent Engineering Staff that welcome the opportunity to modify cameras based on application specifications

CIS COMPLETE LINE-UP OF CAMERAS

• ANALOG INDUSTRIAL CAMERAS
  • VCC-G20U20 – 1/1.8″ CCD, UXGA (1628×1236), 15FPS, B/W
  • VCC-G20S20 – 1/2″ CCD, SXGA (1392×1040), 15FPS, B/W
  • VCC-G20X30 – 1/3″ CCD, XGA (1034×779), 30FPS, B/W
  • VCC-G20V30 – 1/3″ CCD, VGA (659×494), 60/30FPS, B/W

• GIGABIT ETHERNET (GIGE) INDUSTRIAL CAMERAS
  • G60FV11GE – 2/3″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN IT CCD, 5MP, 15FPS, B/W
  • F60FV19GE – 2/3″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN IT CCD, 5MP, 15FPS, COLOR

• CAMERALINK (CL) INDUSTRIAL CAMERAS
  • VCC-G21V31CL – 1/3″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, VGA (659×494), 60FPS, B/W MINI CL
  • VCC-G22V31CL – 1/3″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, VGA (659×494), 120FPS, B/W MINI CL
  • VCC-F22V39CL – 1/3″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, VGA (659×494), 120FPS, RAW COLOR MINI CL
  • VCC-G22U21CL – 1/1.8″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, UXGA (1628×1236), 20FPS, B/W MINI CL
  • VCC-F22U29CL – 1/1.8″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, UXGA (1628×1236), 20FPS, RAW COLOR MINI CL
  • VCC-G22S21CL – 1/2″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, SXGA (1392×1040), 25FPS, B/W MINI CL
  • VCC-G32S21CL – 1/2″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, SXGA (1392×1040), 38FPS, B/W MINI CL
  • VCC-G32S11CL – 2/3″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, SXGA (1392×1040), 34FPS, B/W MINI CL
  • VCC-F32S29CL – 1/2″  PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, SXGA (1392×1040), 38FPS, RAW COLOR MINI CL
  • VCC-F32S19CL – 2/3″  PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, SXGA (1392×1040), 34FPS, B/W MINI CL
  • VCC-G32U21CL – 1/1.8″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, UXGA (1628×1236), 30FPS, B/W MINI CL
  • VCC-F32U29CL – 1/1.8″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, UXGA (1628×1236), 30FPS, RAW COLOR MINI CL
  • VCC-F32FV19CL – 2/3″ PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD, 5MP, 10FPS, RAW COLOR MINI CL