Before understanding the flexible cable interface of industrial cameras, let us first understand what an industrial camera is. The definition of industrial camera is a critical component in the machine vision system. Its most essential function is to convert optical signals into ordered electrical signals. Choosing an appropriate camera is also a necessary step in the design of a machine vision system. The choice of camera not only directly determines the resolution and quality of the images collected but is also directly related to the operating mode of the entire system. To collect images from the camera and transmit them, it needs to be implemented through the camera's interface to transmit the image data to our device.
Standard interfaces of industrial camera flexible cables are divided into USB 2.0/3.0, 1394a/1394b, CamerLink, Gige, CoaXPress, and other types of interfaces. Below we analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various interfaces.
1. USB interface
A USB(Universal Serial Bus) interface camera is a digital camera that outputs digital image signals directly.
The USB interface has 4 "pins," 2 of which are power cables and 2 are signal cables. USB is a serial interface that is hot-swappable and easy to connect.
USB2.0, transmission speed 480Mbps, communication distance 5m, 80% of the bandwidth is used for image transmission.
USB 3.0, transmission speed 4.8Gbps, communication distance 10m, 80% of the bandwidth is used for image transmission.
However, cameras with USB interfaces are not the best choice for industrial applications. The main reasons are that there is no industrial image transmission standard, the packet loss rate is severe, the transmission distance is short and challenging to wire in industrial sites, and the stability is not good. Although USB interface cameras are not suitable for industrial inspection, USB interface cameras are easy to use and have a wide range of interfaces. It is widely used in microscopes, scientific research experiments, portable equipment, and other industries.
2. IEEE1394----FireWire interface
1394 interface, also known as "FireWire," was first developed by Apple in the United States as an interface for computer network interconnection. It is used to connect digital products to computers and other machines.
IEEE1394 bus is a high-speed serial bus. The maximum transmission speed of 1394a is 400Mbps, and the maximum transmission speed of 1394b is 800Mbps. IEEE1394 supports hot plugging, real-time data transmission, bus structure, and plug-and-play.
3. Camerlink interface
The digital image signal communication interface protocol launched by the AIA Association is a serial communication protocol. Adopting the LVDS interface standard, it has fast speed, strong anti-interference ability, and low power consumption.
Developed from Channel link technology, some transmission control signals are added based on Channel link technology, and some related transmission standards are defined. The protocol uses an MDR-26-pin connector or an SDR-26-pin connector. CamerLink interface features: high speed, bandwidth up to 6400Mbps, strong anti-interference ability, low power consumption but high cost
4. Gige Gigabit Ethernet interface
Created and promoted by AIA (Automated Imaging Association), it is a camera interface standard developed based on the Gigabit Ethernet communication protocol. Suitable for industrial imaging applications, transmitting uncompressed video signals over the network. It is a standard for transmitting images over long distances using inexpensive cables.
Gige interface features:
With good expansibility, the maximum transmission data length can be extended to 100m
The bandwidth reaches 1Gbit, so much data can be transmitted instantly.
Standard NIC card can be used (or it is installed by default on the PC)
Good economy, cheap cables can be used (general Ethernet cables (CAT-6) and standard connectors can be used)
It can be easily integrated and has a low integration cost.
Manageable, maintainable, and widely applicable.
5.CoaXPress
CoaXPress is an asymmetric high-speed point-to-point serial communication digital interface standard with a speed of up to 6.25Gbps and a more than 100m transmission distance.
CoaXPress interface features
Large data transmission volume and long transmission distance
Selectable transmission distance and transmission volume:
From 50m@6.25Gbps to 170m@1.25Gbps
Low price, easy to integrate, and supports hot swapping
The Gige interface is machine vision's most widely used interface. The Industrial Ethernet interface has advantages over other interfaces in terms of transmission speed, distance, cost, etc.
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