PCIe Frame Grabber optimizes Camera Link device use.
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Press Release Summary:
PC_EYE/CL has inputs for digital video data compliant with Camera Link v1.2. Each of 2 Mini-Delta-Ribbon 26-pin connectors supports 4 ports, for total of 8 ports that can be used to connect 2 independent Base cameras, one Medium configuration camera, or one Full camera. Each 8-bit port uses 7:1 multiplexing scheme with serial transmission rate of 2.36 Gbps for optimal utilization of cable capacity. DMA controller is capable of transferring 2 video data streams into 2 independent memory regions.
Original Press Release:
New PCI Express Frame Grabber Utilizes Full Potential of Camera Link-Compatible Cameras
Las Vegas, NV, March 5, 2009 - American ELTEC now offers a powerful image processing solution for Camera Link-compatible cameras - the PC_EYE/CL - as part of its PCI Express frame grabber portfolio. In conjunction with this tool, the board supports base, medium and full configurations. The PCI Express interface with four lanes (x4) delivers data rates of up to 1 GByte/s for maximum speed cameras with full interfaces. The frame grabber delivers speeds of up to 680 MByte/s.
Camera Link Interface
The PC_EYE/CL frame grabber has inputs for digital video data compliant with Camera Link standard Version 1.2 (© Automated Imaging Association). Since each of the two on-board Mini-Delta-Ribbon 26-pin connectors supports four ports, a total of eight ports (A-H) can be used. This makes it possible to connect either two independent Base cameras, using ports A-C each, or one Medium (A-F), or one Full (A-H) camera. Each 8-bit-wide Camera Link port uses a high-speed 7:1 multiplexing scheme with a serial transmission rate of 2.36 Gbit/s for optimal utilization of cable capacity.
DMA Controller
This DMA controller consists of two independent controllers, capable of transferring two video data streams into two independent memory regions. Image data is transmitted by DMA directly into the main memory or into the graphics card. A DRAM-based FIFO consisting of 1 GB DDR2 RAMs is available for applications with higher bandwidth requirements. Consequently, loss of image data can now be eliminated even if the PCI Express Bus is unavailable for periods that exceed one second. The video data interface, FIFO control, DMA and PCI Express x4 are all implemented in a flexible and powerful FPGA (Arria GX by Altera). Firmware updates are controlled via the software. The system also supports PoCL (Power over Camera Link). Trigger and opto-insulated I/O signals are routed through a 26-pole internal flat cord plug connector, while a sub-volume of these signals is transferred by a 9-pole micro D plug.
Software
DLL format drivers for Windows XP/Vista and Linux are at the user's disposal as part of the Frame Grabber Basic Tools. They are available as 32- and 64-bit versions. A set-up program supports the test and the configuration of the board under Windows. A reduced version of the Frame Grabber Basic Tools portfolio is available for real-time operating systems such as VxWorks or OS-9000 upon request. In this case, the parameters are simply integrated into the configuration files. This solution does not include display routines.
Pricing for the PC_EYE/CL frame grabber is $1,260 in single piece quantities. Contact American ELTEC for quantity pricing and delivery information.
For additional information, contact American ELTEC, Inc., Quail Park IV, Suite 57, 2810 W. Charleston Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89102. Tel: 702-878-4085; Fax: 702-878-4735. E-mail: janet.ferris@americaneltec.com; Web: www.americaneltec.com.
Reader Service Inquiries: Please send to Janet Ferris at American ELTEC Inc., Quail Park IV, Suite 57, 2810 W. Charleston Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89102. Tel: 702-878-4085; Fax: 702-878-4735. E-mail: janet.ferris@americaneltec.com.
American ELTEC is a division of ELTEC Elektronik AG, headquartered in Mainz, Germany. ELTEC has been an innovator in the design and manufacture of high-performance embedded computer boards, system-level and imaging products for industrial applications since 1978.
