Pleora introduces an external image capture card

     Pleora Technologies has announced a new harsh environment external image capture card that converts Camera Link Base cameras into GigE Vision 2.0 cameras. The iPORT CL-GigE external image capture card guarantees highly reliable video transmission from -40°C to +60°C, while bringing the benefits of Ethernet computing power, simplified cabling and networking to demanding military imaging, intelligent transportation and factory automation applications.

     John Phillips, senior manager of product management at Pleora Technologies, said: "iPORT CL-GigE brings the proven industrial GigE Vision 2.0 video connectivity to imaging systems operating in the harshest environments. "With our new external image capture card, manufacturers and integrators using Camera Link cameras in vision system projects can now take advantage of Ethernet to reduce system complexity, reduce costs and improve performance."

     Previously, Camera Link-based imaging systems required specialized image capture cards to capture image data, limiting designers to bulky and expensive desktop computers for processing and analysis. These imaging systems also require splitters, Repeaters, and switching devices to distribute transmitted data to multiple endpoints, adding unnecessary cost and system complexity.

     In contrast, our plug-and-play iPORT CL-GigE converts images from Camera Link cameras to video streams compatible with the GigE Vision standard. The video stream is uploaded directly over off-the-shelf Ethernet cables to existing Ethernet ports on various processing platforms, including laptops, embedded computers, and single-board computers. Integrated Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Power over Camera Link (PoCL) capabilities enable single-cable transmission, further simplifying design and reducing component costs.

     With Ethernet's inherent networking flexibility, multiple video streams can be delivered to any combination of processing platforms, displays, and recording devices - with no hardware or software changes required. Our external image capture card's integrated Programmable Logic Converter (PLC) and IEEE 1588 capabilities allow end users to control, trigger and synchronize individual devices and multiple cameras, At the same time, the mature real-time GPIO uses differential signal technology and High-threshold Logic (HTL) technology to minimize the impact of electrical noise.

     For example, in a military vehicle application, iPORT CL-GigE helps manufacturers and system integrators reduce design complexity and system costs by integrating existing Camera Link interface cameras into a fully digital real-time video network. Since there is no need for a computer platform that requires additional card slots, military imaging systems can use hardened laptops for image analysis and control. Video, control signals and power supply are transmitted via a single cable; Reduces component costs, simplifies installation and maintenance, and reduces "clutter of cables" in the vehicle.

     Because all devices will be connected to a common infrastructure and can use simple network switching, multiple video streams can be transmitted to any combination of the task computer and display. Troops can determine the "online" state of the video stream they need to see without any modifications to cable laying or software configuration, or troops can use on-board mission computers to combine images for use by others in the vehicle. Video can also be multiplexed to Pleora's Transcoder Gateway, where it can be compressed for storage and wireless transmission to command centers, other vehicles, or troops in the field who can view the video on smartphones and tablets.