Module simplifies multiple camera integration

Pleora Technologies has released a working prototype of the industry's first dual-channel IP (Internet protocol) engine for LVDS (low-voltage differential signal) cameras.

Pleora Technologies has released a working prototype of the industry's first dual-channel IP (Internet protocol) engine for LVDS (low-voltage differential signal) cameras.

The iPort PT1000-DLV cuts the cost and simplifies the design of multicamera vision systems by sending images from two LVDS cameras simultaneously over one high-performance GigE (Gigabit Ethernet) link.

The PT1000-DLV engine is ideal for installations with multiple LVDS line scan cameras, or combinations of LVDS line scan and area scan cameras, such as the multipoint inspection systems used by food, computer display, and other industries.

Pleora's DLV engine converts imaging data from two 8 or 10bit LVDS cameras into IP and streams it at 1Gbit/s over ordinary GigE copper cable links.

The engine supports traditional point-to-point connections to PCs, or high-speed packet-switched vision networks based on industry-standard GigE equipment.

In all configurations, the DLV achieves the low, predictable end-to-end latencies required for high-quality, real-time imaging.

"The DLV engine delivers an affordable, easy-to-use, multi-camera LVDS solution that doesn't compromise on performance or image quality", said Alain Rivard, Vice-President, Engineering, Pleora Technologies.

"The engine significantly reduces the cost of systems with large numbers of LVDS cameras, while providing a high degree of flexibility".

Pleora's iPort DLV engine is compatible with most RS422 and TIA/EIA-644 LVDS cameras.

The engine delivers real-time data streaming over standard GigE of two 8 or 10bit cameras with combined throughputs of up to 100Mbyte/s.

The DLV engine offers flexible triggering via Boolean combinations and camera control signals.

These are delivered through a GPIO interface featuring two TTL (transistor-to-transistor logic) inputs and outputs, two RS232 serial ports, an optically isolated input and output, and two programmable timers.

Pleora's iPort PT1000-DLV engine allows vision system designers to build flexible multichannel vision applications using economical, widely available standard GigE switches and PC network interface cards or chips.

With the PT1000-DLV, designers can, for instance, interconnect multiple cameras, multicast data from multiple cameras to multiple PCs, or distribute image processing functions across multiple PCs.

Separate PC framegrabbers are not required.

The DLV also integrates seamlessly in switched GigE vision networks with Pleora's PT1000-CL and PT1000-ANL engines for CameraLink and analogue video.

These multiformat GigE vision networks lower the cost, extend the reach, and improve the efficiency of installations with more than one camera type.

As part of Pleora's iPort vision connectivity solution, the PT1000-DLV is delivered with two powerful pieces of PC software: the iPort IP device driver and the iPort software development kit.

Running under Linux or Windows, this software streamlines video delivery into PC memory and eases applications development.

And, as it supports Pleora's entire family of iPort IP engines, the software allows designers to build applications for multiple camera types using a single applications platform.

The production version of the iPort PT1000-DLV is slated for release in the third quarter of 2004.

Pleora also offers a single-channel LVDS engine, as well as IP engines for CameraLink, analogue video, and raw analogue or digital data.

Back to top