Camera data sent straight to fibre

Pleora Technologies has unveiled the world's first IP (Internet Protocol) engines for delivering image data over fibre-based GigE connections.

Pleora Technologies has unveiled the world's first IP (Internet Protocol) engines for delivering image data over fibre-based GigE connections.

Pleora's iPort FB1000-CL and iPort FB1000-ST IP engines cut the cost, simplify the deployment, and improve the reliability of optical GigE vision applications by streaming image data directly onto fibre cable, eliminating the need for copper-to-fibre convertors.

The engines meet growing market demand for GigE vision systems based on optical fibre rather than Cat5 copper cabling.

Typically, fibre connectivity is needed to meet regulatory requirements and/or achieve very long-distance reach and superior noise immunity.

Applications for Pleora's iPort FB1000-CL and FB1000-ST IP engines include systems for medical imaging, industrial inspection, high-end security/surveillance and traffic imaging.

The iPort FB1000-CL and FB1000-ST are equipped with standard SFP (small form-factor pluggable) fibre transceivers, which easily support most fibre types and distance requirements.

The FB1000-CL interfaces directly to Base-configuration CameraLink cameras, and the FB1000-ST interfaces to raw digital data.

Both engines grab image data, convert them quickly and efficiently to IP, and send them to host computers over optical GigE links or LANs (local-area networks).

The data are streamed reliably and continuously with low, consistent latency using the same field-proven technology and protocols in Pleora's PT1000 series of iPort IP engines.

"The standard SFP transceivers on our new FB1000 engines allow customers to build fibre-based GigE vision systems without copper-to-fibre convertors", said George Chamberlain, President of Pleora Technologies.

"This makes optical GigE connectivity more reliable, more affordable, and simpler to implement".

Pleora's iPort FB1000 series of IP engines support both end-user and OEM application requirements.

The FB1000-CL interfaces directly to Base-configuration CameraLink cameras.

This allows systems integrators to build fibre-based GigE links or LANs quickly and easily with almost any CameraLink model.

The FB1000-ST is a small-footprint board designed specifically for OEM use in cameras and systems based on the CameraLink protocol.

It features an advanced, FPGA-based protocol engine with no operating system, easing OEM integration.

It draws only 2.25W of power, making it suitable for products with tight power budgets.

Pleora's iPort FB1000 IP Engines deliver the high throughput - they easily achieve the full 1Gbit/s GigE line rate - and low, consistent latency required for high-performance, real-time image transfer.

Latency between cameras and host computers can be configured as low as 200 microseconds, about equivalent to a frame grabber.

A novel, submillisecond data resend scheme ensures data are never lost.

The FB1000 IP engines also feature an innovative, software-based programmable logic controller (PLC) that allows users to precisely measure and control the operation of conveyors, encoders, cameras, and other system elements.

Accessed from a GPIO (general purpose input/output) port, the PLC can operate independently from or in conjunction with a network-connected host computer.

Pleora's FB1000 IP Engines work with the same proven PC driver and software development kit (SDK) shipped with the company's iPort PT1000 IP engine series.

This allows one GigE vision system to support a mix of fibre and copper connections, if desired.

The iPort IP Device Driver software streams image data directly into PC memory using almost no CPU capacity.

The iPort SDK allows integrators to interface seamlessly to custom or third-party vision applications.

Pleora will demonstrate its new iPort FB1000 IP Engines at Vision 2005, from 8th to 10th November 2005 in Stuttgart, Germany.

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