IMAGO VisionBox AGE-X5 User manual

Hardware Manual
VisionBox AGE-X5
Version 1.4 –July 2020

Contents Page 2 / 36
IMAGO Technologies GmbH
Strassheimer Str. 45; 61169 Friedberg - Germany; Tel. [phone]; Fax [phone]
[e-mail]; www.imago-technologies.com
Contents
1Handling and Safety Instructions ............................................................ 4
2Introduction................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Concept.................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Configurations ........................................................................................................ 8
2.3 Block Diagram......................................................................................................... 9
3Technical Data............................................................................................12
3.1 Processors ............................................................................................................ 12
3.2 Operating Conditions........................................................................................... 13
3.3 Dimensions............................................................................................................ 17
4Power Connector and LEDs.....................................................................18
4.1 Power Connector.................................................................................................. 18
4.2 System LEDs......................................................................................................... 18
4.3 Power-over-Ethernet LED.................................................................................... 19
4.4 Power-over-Camera-Link LED ............................................................................ 20
4.5 5GigE LED.............................................................................................................. 21
5Interfaces ....................................................................................................22
5.1 Ethernet Interface (single)................................................................................... 22
5.2 Ethernet Interface (4x 1GigE).............................................................................. 22
5.2.1 Trigger-over-Ethernet.............................................................................................. 23
5.3 Ethernet Interface (2x 5GigE, 2x 1GigE)............................................................ 24
5.4 DisplayPort Monitor Interface............................................................................. 25
5.5 CFast ...................................................................................................................... 25
5.6 Digital I/O ............................................................................................................... 26
5.7 RS-422 Interface.................................................................................................... 29
5.8 LED Controller and Camera Trigger................................................................... 30
5.8.1 LED Controller.......................................................................................................... 30
5.8.2 Camera Trigger........................................................................................................ 31
5.9 Camera Link .......................................................................................................... 32
6Internal Connectors...................................................................................33
6.1 USB 2.0................................................................................................................... 33
6.2 SATA....................................................................................................................... 34
6.3 CMOS Battery........................................................................................................ 34

Contents Page 3 / 36
IMAGO Technologies GmbH
Strassheimer Str. 45; 61169 Friedberg - Germany; Tel. [phone]; Fax [phone]
[e-mail]; www.imago-technologies.com
7Accessories ............................................................................................... 35
7.1 Third-party Components...................................................................................... 35
7.2 IMAGO Accessories.............................................................................................. 35
8History......................................................................................................... 36

Handling and Safety Instructions Page 4 / 36
IMAGO Technologies GmbH
Strassheimer Str. 45; 61169 Friedberg - Germany; Tel. [phone]; Fax [phone]
[e-mail]; www.imago-technologies.com
1Handling and Safety Instructions
Depending on the operating conditions, the housing temperature can exceed 60 °C.
There is a risk of injury!
Handle with care! The housing, especially heat sinks can have sharp edges. There is
a risk of injury!
EMC conformity according to EN/IEC 61000-6-2:2005 is qualified for cable lengths ≤
30 m.
Electrostatic discharge at unshielded I/O connectors can lead to unexpected events
or data errors for the corresponding interface.
Electrical installation should be executed without power applied to the device and
connected devices.
Before installing expansion cards, make sure that the VisionBox AGE-X is discon-
nected from power.
Use appropriate ESD protection when changing components.
Only open if advised by IMAGO!
Warranty void if warranty seal is removed or broken.
Please take special note of the voltage range which may be applied to the device.
Otherwise, permanent damage to the device may result!
Air Circulation
When mounting the device within an enclosure, adequate space for air circulation
is required. The space above, below and at both sides should be at least 5 cm.
Avoid extreme environmental conditions and protect the VisionBox from dust,
humidity and heat.
Due to the characteristics and physical principles inside flash memory, SSDs have a
finite lifetime dictated by the number of write operations.
Therefore, take care of the regular write operations to prevent an early SSD dam-
age. Ask for the technical data of the used SSD and, if necessary, for support to
calculate the lifetime.
Inform the user of the system that SSDs are wear parts which must be renewed
regularly.

2 Introduction Page 5 / 36
IMAGO Technologies GmbH
Strassheimer Str. 45; 61169 Friedberg - Germany; Tel. [phone]; Fax [phone]
[e-mail]; www.imago-technologies.com
2Introduction
Thank you very much for your interest in our VisionBox AGE-X. To get the most out of your pur-
chase, please take some time to read all the information given here thoroughly.
This VisionBox is optimized for cameras using the GigE Vision or Camera Link interface. For multi-
camera systems, not only several camera ports but also several integrated LED Controllers and
digital I/Os allow a compact setup without additional electronics. If you need more connectivity
or a specific PCIe board, please take a look at the other VisionBox alternatives.
The integrated Real-Time Communication Controller ensures proper timing between all devices,
even when using Windows or Linux operating systems. To avoid complex cabling, the cameras can
be connected with standard Ethernet cables. A single cable provides trigger, image data and pow-
er for each GigE camera.
Due to its small size, powered by 24VDC and without fan, the AGE-X can be mounted into nearly
every machine, also as IP65 version for OEM quantities.
All components are available for several years, to provide continuous delivery without changes.
The AGE-X-SDK can be used in C++ and .NET as well as with some third-party machine vision li-
braries for easy integration into your products and projects.
For series production, IMAGO delivers the AGE-X ready-to-run, including customer-specific SSD
image, qualified 3rd-party components and acceptance test.

2 Introduction Page 6 / 36
IMAGO Technologies GmbH
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[e-mail]; www.imago-technologies.com
2.1 Concept
A Real-Time Communication Controller with vision- & automation-specific interfaces combined
with an embedded Intel processor, this is the philosophy of the Vision Box AGE-X series:
6th and 7th generation Intel x86 processor
Real-Time Communication Controller RTCC:
oControls vision- & automation-specific interfaces:
Digital I/Os
Encoder
Camera trigger
LED Strobe Controller
oContains functional units for controlling I/Os in real time:
Trigger unit: Creation of trigger signals, derived from other inputs (e.g. en-
coder)
I/O scheduler: applies values stored in a FIFO to outputs in real time (based
on trigger event, encoder position, or timer value)
Multiplexer: flexible connection of functional units
oOperates independently from the OS & the x86 processor
oEasy-to-use high-level API for C++, .NET and support by 3rd-party software tools
3 types of models:
o4x 1GigE
Four 1GigE Vision cameras can be connected
Option PoE: Power-over-Ethernet
Option ToE: Trigger-over-Ethernet from RTCC in real time with a microsec-
ond jitter
oCamera Link
Two Camera Link Base cameras can be operated or one Camera Link Medi-
um / Full / Deca camera
Support for Power-over-Camera-Link (PoCL)
o2x 5GigE and 2x 1GigE
Two 5GigE Vision cameras and two 1GigE Vision cameras can be connected.
It’s also possible to operate four 1GigE Vision cameras.
Digital I/Os:
oOpto-isolated
oStatus LEDs
oInputs up to 5 MHz with adjustable debouncing in RTCC. Communicated to x86 via
interrupt or polling
oOutputs up to 50 kHz / up to 1 A / up to 48 V
x86 processor
oIntel processors
oWindows 10 IoT Enterprise
oDebian GNU/Linux, optionally with PREEMPT_RT patch

2 Introduction Page 7 / 36
IMAGO Technologies GmbH
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[e-mail]; www.imago-technologies.com
Housing
oPassive cooling
oAll interfaces on front panel
o24 VDC power input
oNo moving parts
oService hatch for access to USB 2.0 for dongle
More vision & automation interfaces
oRS-422 inputs / outputs, e.g. for encoders
oLED controllers up to 6 A strobe / 0,5 A continuous

2 Introduction Page 8 / 36
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[e-mail]; www.imago-technologies.com
2.2 Configurations
The following table shows available features and interfaces for the different models of the Vi-
sionBox AGE-X5:
4X 1GIGE
2X 5GIGE
2X 1GIGE
Camera Link
RAM
up to 32 GB
Main Storage
30 GB SSD (CFast)
optionally 120 GByte
optionally 2nd drive (mSATA)
USB
4× USB 3.0
Display
DisplayPort 1.2
Ethernet
1× 1000 Mbit/s
1× 1000 Mbit/s
1× 1000 Mbit/s
Dig. I/Os
8× IN / 8× OUT
optionally 16× IN / 16× OUT
LED Controller
2×, optionally 4×
2×
-
Camera Trigger
2×, optionally 4×
2×
-
Camera Interface
4x 1GigE
2x 5GigE
2x 1GigE
Camera Link
2× Base or
1× Medium / Full / Deca
PoCL support
Encoder / RS-422
Optionally 4× IN
Optionally 4× IN
3× IN / 3× OUT,
optionally additional 4× IN
Additional Options
4× PoE, 4×ToE
Table 1: Feature overview
Please also ask for special OEM configurations.

2 Introduction Page 9 / 36
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2.3 Block Diagram
Real Time
Communication
Controller
(FPGA)
VISION
COMPUTER
X86
Multi Core
Processor
PCIe
CFast
4x PCIe
x1
DisplayPort
8/8
digital IO
2x LED
2x Trigger
Ethernet I219LM
2.5" SATA
4x USB 3.0
2x USB 2.0
Encoder Input
RS422
8/8 digital IO or
2x LED 2x Trigger
mSATA or mini
PCIe
GigE
Camera
4x
1GigE
(4x Intel
I210)
GigE
Camera
GigE
Camera
GigE
Camera
Trigger over
Ethernet
PoE
Figure 1: Block diagram AGE-X5 4x 1GigE

2 Introduction Page 10 / 36
IMAGO Technologies GmbH
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[e-mail]; www.imago-technologies.com
Real Time
Communication
Controller
(FPGA)
VISION
COMPUTER
X86
Multi Core
Processor
PCIe
CFast
4x PCIe
x1
DisplayPort
8/8
digital IO
2x LED
2x Trigger
Ethernet I219LM
2.5" SATA
4x USB 3.0
2x USB 2.0
Encoder Input
RS422
8/8 digital IO
mSATA or mini
PCIe
GigE
Camera 2x 5GigE
2x 1GigE
GigE
Camera
GigE
Camera
GigE
Camera
Figure 2: Block diagram AGE-X5 2x 5GigE + 2x 1GigE

2 Introduction Page 11 / 36
IMAGO Technologies GmbH
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[e-mail]; www.imago-technologies.com
Real Time
Communication
Controller
(FPGA)
VISION
COMPUTER
X86
Multi Core
Processor
PCIe
CFast
PCIe
x4
DisplayPort
8/8
digital IO
Ethernet I219LM
2.5" SATA
4x USB 3.0
2x USB 2.0
8/8
digital IO
mSATA or mini
PCIe
CL1
Camera Link
Grabber with
PoCL
CL0
Encoder Input/
Output RS422
Figure 3: Block diagram AGE-X5 Camera Link

3 Technical Data Page 12 / 36
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[e-mail]; www.imago-technologies.com
3Technical Data
3.1 Processors
The following processors are currently supported:
Intel
Celeron G3900
Intel
Core i3-6100TE
Intel
Core i5-6500TE
Intel
Core i7-6700TE
Nominal Frequency
2.8 GHz
2.7 GHz
2.3 GHz
2.4 GHz
Turbo Frequency
- - -
- - -
3.3 GHz
3.4 GHz
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
4 / 4
4 / 8
TDP
51 W
35 W
35 W
35 W
Table 2: Processor overview 6th generation
Intel
Core i5-7500T
Intel
Core i7-7700T
Nominal Frequency
2.7 GHz
2.9 GHz
Turbo Frequency
3.3 GHz
3.8 GHz
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 8
TDP
35 W
35 W
Table 3: Processor overview 7th generation

3 Technical Data Page 13 / 36
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3.2 Operating Conditions
Power Supply:
Parameter
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
Supply Voltage
18
24
30
V
Power Consumption1
(at TDP workload)
62
W
Power Supply Current Rating2
(peak current)
2.7
A
Continuous Supply Current Limit3
8
A
Environment:
Parameter
Value
Operating Temperature / Recommended Temperature [°C]
for VisionBoxes equipped with Intel CPU 6th generation
+5 … +45 / +20…+30
Operating Temperature / Recommended Temperature [°C]
for VisionBoxes equipped with Intel CPU 7th generation
+5 … +40 / +20…+30
Operating Humidity [%, relative, non-condensing]
5 … 85
Storage Temperature [°C]
-10 … +70
Storage Humidity [%, relative, non-condensing]
5 … 95
Device Weight [g]
~2500
Note: The maximum allowed temperature is influenced by the actual hardware configuration,
the system workload and the mounting situation. The temperature range should be veri-
fied for each application.
Note: The heat sink can transfer more heat in upright mounting position.
Note: Due to the lifetime of electronic components, we recommend not to operate the device
permanently under the maximum possible temperature and instead use a lower than max
temperature. Laws of physics say: if the average operating temperature is increased by
7°C, the lifespan of an electronic component will be divided in half! Following are common
scenarios in industrial applications:
Multiple devices are mounted inside an electrical cabinet
The cabinet itself is equipped with an air conditioner.
1
Measured with CPU / GPU at TDP workload and without external devices except 1× Ethernet and DP.
2
Measured with CPU / GPU at full workload; 24 V supply voltage; no external devices except 1× Ethernet link at 1000
Mbit/s. This value doesn’t account for additional current drawn by interfaces like 4× Ethernet or for the supply of LED
units and PoE / PoCL / USB devices.
3
Certain possible usage combinations like simultaneous PoE / PoCL / USB device supply and active LED output can
lead to continuous excess of this value, which must be avoided by the user.

3 Technical Data Page 14 / 36
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In a large electrical cabinet, a single device is mounted with other (low heat-
producing) devices
It is enough when a fan provides air circulation inside the cabinet.
It is recommended that the application software regularly checks internal tempera-
tures.

3 Technical Data Page 15 / 36
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Digital Input:
Parameter
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
Input Voltage
24
30
V
High-level Current Threshold
1
5
mA
Maximum Current Internal Limited
6
21
mA
Threshold Voltage
Standard
6
11
V
TLL-compatible (option)4
1.8
2.4
Signal Frequency
5
MHz
Digital Output, Standard Version:
Parameter
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
Common VCC Supply Voltage
30
V
Output Current, Saturated Operation (VCE < 1 V)
10
20
mA
Turn-On Time (24 V Common VCC, 10 mA)
5
µs
Turn-Off Time (24 V Common VCC, 10 mA)
15
µs
Digital Output, High-Current Option
5
:
Parameter
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
Common VCC Supply Voltage
30
V
Continuous Channel Current
1
A
Peak Channel Current (duty cycle ≤25 %, tOn ≤ 1 s)
2
A
Total Continuous Output Current6
4
A
Turn-On Time (24 V Common VCC)
5
µs
Turn-Off Time (24 V Common VCC, 10 mA)
60
µs
Turn-Off Time (24 V Common VCC, 1 A)
40
µs
4
TTL-compatible option is only available for the second I/O module
5
High-current option is only available for the second I/O module
6
Measured at common VCC pin; example: 4 × 1 A = 8 × 0.5 A = 4 A

3 Technical Data Page 16 / 36
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RS-422
7
(Encoder):
Parameter
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
Receiver Input Hysteresis
45
mV
Receiver Input Offset
3.3
V
Receiver Data Rate
10
Mbps
LED Controller:
Parameter8
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
Strobe Current Range
0.05
6
A
Strobe Current Step Size
30
mA
Maximum Continuous Current (VSupply=28 V, VLoad=24 V)
0.5
A
Minimum Flash Duration @ 2 A
10
µs
Flash Duration Step Size
1
µs
Turn-on Delay9
3
80
µs
Turn-off Delay
2
µs
Camera Trigger:
Parameter
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
ACQ TRG High Voltage
24
V
ACQ TRG Low Voltage
0.5
V
ACQ TRG High Side Current
20
mA
ACQ TRG Maximum Low Side Sink Current
100
mA
Ethernet with 4× PoE Option (IEEE 802.3af/at):
Parameter
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
PoE Output Voltage
53
V
PoE Class Support
0
4
Total PoE Supply Power for all Four Ports10
55
W
7
A “Fail-Safe” circuit is used for the input signals to put unconnected terminals into a defined state.
8
The maximum current and strobe timing limits are calculated by the software, depending on the used parameters.
9
The actual turn-on delay depends on the output current used. Lower current values result in higher delays 3 µs a
6 A, 80 µs at 100 mA
10
For example, two class 4 devices or four class 3 devices can be powered simultaneously.

3 Technical Data Page 17 / 36
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3.3 Dimensions
Figure 4: Housing dimensions (in mm)

4 Power Connector and LEDs Page 18 / 36
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4Power Connector and LEDs
4.1 Power Connector
Figure 5: Power plug
Pin
Function
+24V
24 V power supply
RST
Reset input, low active
GND
Ground
PE
Shield / housing connection
Table 4: Power connector
The
RST
terminal can be pulled to GND to reset the VisionBox during operation. A falling edge
will trigger the reset. Leaving the signal floating is the default mode for normal operation.
Phoenix Contact plug component: MC 1,5/4-STF-3,5 (order no. 1847071)
4.2 System LEDs
The computer has four main system LEDs. These LEDs are dual color (bicolor) types. The function-
ality of the LED A, B and C can be changed by software.
Figure 6: Status LEDs
LED
Color
Function (green)
On
Green
Power On
Red
FPGA configuration error
Orange
blinking
Backup firmware is loaded
Orange
System shutdown or reset
A
Green
User LED 0
Red
User LED 1
B
Green
User LED 2
Red
User LED 3
C
Green
User LED 4
(default: SATA activity)
Red
User LED 5
Table 5: System LED values

4 Power Connector and LEDs Page 19 / 36
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4.3 Power-over-Ethernet LED
The optional PoE feature of the VisionBox AGE-X5 with 4x 1GigE provides power to PoE enabled
devices. Four additional status LEDs signaling the power state are associated with the four ports:
Figure 7: Ethernet PoE LEDs
LED State
Description
Green blinking
Searching for PoE device
Green on
PoE device found and powered
Red blinking
Error code
Table 6: PoE LED state

4 Power Connector and LEDs Page 20 / 36
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4.4 Power-over-Camera-Link LED
The VisionBox AGE-X5 with Camera Link provides two CL connectors. If a PoCL-capable camera
and Camera Link cable are used, the powered supply can be provided by the VisionBox through
the same cable. PoCL is supported independently for both connectors. An LED is assigned to each
Camera Link connector to indicate the PoCL state:
Figure 8: PoCL status LEDs
LED
PoCL State
Red
Connection sensing
Green blinking
Non-PoCL camera detected
Green
PoCL camera detected and power supply active
Table 7: PoCL LED signaling