Basler L301kc - BFi OPTiLAS

IEEE 1394 or Camera
Link? A careful
application evaluation
is required
10
that are not available on older models. For example,
Stan described a "shading correction" feature, which
can give a significant boost to image quality and is
only available on newer Basler cameras. If you can
entice your customers with an upgrade that will
increase system performance and if you can price
the upgrade high enough to recover engineering
costs and an acceptable profit margin, it is worthwhile
to consider integrating the newer cameras in legacy
systems.
In some cases, it could be worthwhile
to consider using the newer cameras in
legacy systems because it can lower
production and service costs. For
example, if you have a system that uses
multiple area scan cameras connected
to a single PC, you may find that switching to IEEE
1394 based cameras with their ability to share a single
bus can significantly reduce your costs. You will also
find that some manufacturers offer devices that
convert the output of Camera Link cameras to an
Table 1: Comparison of IEEE 1394 and Camera Link
Maximum Cable Length
Cable
Connectors
Standard Camera
Operating Modes and
Features are Defined
4.5 meters
(up to 72 meters with repeaters)
Uses standard six conductor IEEE 1394 cables
widely available from a variety of manufacturers.
Four wires in the cable are used for image data
transmission, parameterization, and control
signals. Two wires in the cable are used for power.
Uses standard six pin IEEE 1394 connectors
widely available from a variety of manufacturers.
Yes. Several operating modes and standard
resolutions are defined. Many standard features
such as gain and brightness are also defined.
older RS-644 format. This allows Camera Link
Cameras to be easily integrated into some legacy
equipment and to be used as service replacements.
If you buy Camera Link cameras for both newly
designed equipment and for legacy equipment, you
may find that quantity discounts reduce your overall
costs.
A final concern voiced by Cybernetics was that the
code they have developed for use with RS-644 based
frame grabbers would require major revisions to
work with Camera Link frame grabbers. In general,
frame grabber manufacturers have been acutely
aware of this concern and they have been careful to
make Camera Link frame grabbers compatible with
existing software.
Note: Firewire is a registered trademark of Apple
Computer Inc. Camera Link is a trademark of Pulnix
America Inc.
Author: Anthony Pieri, Technical and Marketing
Communications Specialist
Response Number 03
Topology Bus
Point-to-point
Adapter Standard IEEE 1394 Adapter
Frame Grabber
Maximum Image ~ 32 MBytes/sec per adapter
Base Config: ~ 243 MBytes/sec
Data Bandwidth (Up to two adapters can be used
Medium Config: ~ 486 MBytes/sec
in a single PC)
Full Config: ~ 648 MBytes/sec
Parameter Port
~ 8 MBytes/sec
At least 9600 baud
~ 10 meters
Uses standard 26 conductor MDR cables readily
available from 3M and others.
One cable required for the base configuration
and two cables required for the medium or full
configuration.
All 26 wires in the cable are used for image data
transmission, parameterization, and control
signals.
A separate power cable specified by the camera
manufacturer is required.
Uses standard 26 pin MDR connectors readily
available from 3M and others.
A separate connector specified by the camera
manufacturer is required for power.
No. Camera Link is basically an electrical interface
specification.