Photon Focus Digipeater CLB26 User manual

User Manual
Digipeater CLB26
CameraLink®Repeater
THE PERFECT EYE
MAN007 01/2008 V1.3

Digipeater CLB26 User Manual
REV: 1.3 Page 2/20
Digipeater CLB26 User Manual
REVISION 1.3 ©2008 PHOTONFOCUS.
About Photonfocus
The Swiss company Photonfocus is one of the leading specialists in the development of
CMOS image sensors and corresponding industrial cameras for machine vision.
Photonfocus is dedicated to making the latest generation of CMOS technology
commercially available. Active Pixel Sensor (APS) and global shutter technologies enable
high speed and high dynamic range (120 dB) applications, while avoiding disadvantages,
like image lag, blooming and smear.
Photonfocus has proven that the image quality of modern CMOS sensors is now
appropriate for demanding applications. Photonfocus' product range is complemented by
custom design solutions in the area of camera electronics and CMOS image sensors.
Photonfocus is ISO 9001 certified. All products are produced with the latest techniques in
order to ensure the highest degree of quality.
Contact
Photonfocus AG, Bahnhofplatz 10, CH-8853 Lachen SZ, Switzerland
Sales Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected]
Support Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]
Sales Offices
Photonfocus products are available through an extensive international distribution
network; details of the distributor nearest to you can be found at www.photonfocus.com.
Further information
For further information on the products, documentation and software updates please see
our web site www.photonfocus.com or contact our distributors.
Photonfocus reserves the right to make changes to its products and documentation
without notice. Photonfocus products are neither intended nor certified for use in life
support systems or in other critical systems. The use of Photonfocus products in such
applications is prohibited.
Photonfocus and LinLog®are trademarks of Photonfocus AG. CameraLink is a registered
mark of the Automated Imaging Association. Product and company names mentioned
herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
Reproduction of this manual in whole or in part, by any means, is prohibited without prior
permission having been obtained from Photonfocus AG.
Photonfocus can not be held responsible for any technical or typographical errors.

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Index
1 Introduction...................................................................................................4
2 Connections / Block diagram ............................................................................5
3 Performance of the complete system .................................................................7
4 CameraLink®Interface and Power Supply...........................................................9
5 Mounting of the Digipeater............................................................................. 11
6 Technical Data for the Digipeater CLB26........................................................... 11
6.1 Technical features ................................................................................... 11
7 Configurations for Digipeaters......................................................................... 12
8 Applications ................................................................................................. 14
9 Ordering information..................................................................................... 15
10 Appendix A – CE Compliance Statement........................................................... 16
11 Literature .................................................................................................... 17
11.1 Files on the web server www.photonfocus.com....................................... 17
12 Tables......................................................................................................... 17
13 Figures........................................................................................................ 17
14 Revisions and State of Product development..................................................... 18
14.1 Revisions.......................................................................................... 18
15 Service information....................................................................................... 19
15.1 Contact for product enquiries and quotations ......................................... 19
15.2 Product information, documentation and software updates....................... 19
15.3 Storage and Transport........................................................................ 19
15.4 Preparing for use............................................................................... 19
16 Guarantee conditions .................................................................................... 20

Digipeater CLB26 User Manual
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1Introduction
The Digipeater CLB26 is designed to overcome problems with image processing systems
in which distance is a limitation. A standard CameraLink®cable can be used to connect a
camera to a frame grabber over distances of up to 10 m. It frequently occurs, however,
that twice this length is required to feed signal cables through the trunking of automation
systems. The Digipeater CLB26 regenerates all data signals, including the control and
communication signals of the CameraLink®base version. Thus, standard 10 m cables can
be used to bridge distances of 20 m with no problem. Even connection distances of 30 m
can be achieved by using high-grade cables (e.g. 3M part number 14B26-SZLB-xxx-0LC).
Application specific cables and non standard custom cables can be obtained from
Photonfocus.
Fig. 1: Digipeater CLB28 front view
Two Digipeaters CLB26 can be used in parallel for cameras with CameraLink®medium
interface (see Fig. 10). For CameraLink®full cameras please use the Digipeater CLF52.

Digipeater CLB26 User Manual
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2Connections / Block diagram
Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the Digipeater. Data from the camera are connected to
Port 1. The regenerated data are transmitted on to the frame grabber from Port 2. The
direction of the data flow is marked with arrows on the Digipeater case (see Fig. 1).
The de-jitter unit regenerates the PixelClock and enables the usage of long cables on the
output port 2. The watchdog controls the transmitter for correct start when powering the
device and restart after power interruptions. The serial communication interface is
equipped with a fail save circuit to avoid communication error in all conditions, in
particular in cases of cable brakes and short cuts.
The CameraLink®interface is based on the LVDS standard for data transmission. The
CameraLink®interface standard is described in [CLS2004]. Information about the LVDS
standard can be found in [LOM2004], [IPS2006] and [CLD2006]. These documents are
available from the Photonfocus Homepage www.photonfocus.com.
It is important to understand that the CameraLink®interface is a high speed data
transmission. The performance of the complete system depends on the high frequency
performance of all components of the system.
X0
X1
X2
X3
CLK
CC1
CC2
CC4
CC3
TX
RX
SER
X0
X1
X2
X3
CLK
CC1
CC2
CC4
CC3
FVAL, LVAL, DVAL, SPARE
24 Bit Data D0 ... D23
Pixel Clock
CC1 (EXSYNC)
CC2 (MCLK)
CC3 (CONTROL)
CC4 (EXPOSURE)
Serial TFG
Serial TC
RX
TX
DSER
Camera
PORT A
PORT B
Digipeater CLB26
Transmitter
Receiver
PORT 2 Frame Grabber
PORT 1 Camera
CameraLink
Frame Grabber
R
De-Jitter
Unit
Watchdog
Unit
Clock
Control
Fail Save Transmision
Receiver
Transmitter
Receiver
Receiver
Transmitter
Transmitter
R
Fig. 2: Block diagram of the Digipeater

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When installing cables in the vision system the cables have to be handled with extreme
care to avoid destruction of the inner cable structure. Please do not apply extra force to
the cables and mind the minimum bending radius. Otherwise the characteristic
impedance of the cable will not be longer 100 Ohm and transmission errors or an
interruption of the data transmission will occur. Cables for extreme conditions in drag
chain and in robot applications can be ordered from Photonfocus.
At higher transmission distances it is important that the data signals meet the common
voltage range of the receiver. An important aspect is the grounding concept for the
complete vision system. Error currents which are caused by mismatches of the
characteristic impedances of system components are compensated via the inner shield of
the cable. Fig. 3 shows the grounding and wiring concept for the CameraLink®interface
standard.
Fig. 3: Grounding concept for the CameraLink®interface

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3Performance of the complete system
The performance of the vision system is determined by the performance of the vision
components at given bandwidth of the data transmission. The bandwidth of the
CameraLink®interface is given by the bit depth of the camera, the number of taps and
the transmission frequency (PixelClock frequency). The cable attenuation, the pair skews
between the twisted pair cables in the CameraLink®cable and the clock jitter are the
main limiting factors for the CameraLink®data transmission. To reach maximum
transmission distances high performance cables have to be selected. Photonfocus uses
high performance clock devices to reduce the clock jitter. To further enhance the jitter
performance Photonfocus takes extreme care in the layout of the camera and repeater
electronics.
Fig. 4 shows the maximum transmission distance for different cable cross-sections as a
function of the transmission frequency. The basis for this diagram is a worst case
analysis for the complete transmission path. Losses on the connectors and losses trough
poor layout of camera and frame grabbers are not taken in considerations. Photonfocus
designs cameras and repeaters for optimal performance.
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0
Pixel Clock / MHz
Cable Lenght / m
AWG 28
AWG 30
AWG 32
Fig. 4: Cable distance vs transmission frequency

Digipeater CLB26 User Manual
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In vision systems most often AWG28 CameraLink®cables are in use. Table 1 shows the
distances for different configurations and transmission frequencies for an AWG28
CameraLink®standard cable. High performance cables, high flexible cables, cables for
drag chains and robots are available from Photonfocus.
Table 1: Overview over the transmission length with optimal selected
components and AWG 28 standard cable
Pixelclock without CLB26 1 x CLB26 2 x CLB26 3 x CLB 26
20 MHz 20 m 40 m 60 m 80 m
33 MHz 15 m 30 m 45 m 60 m
40 MHz 13 m 26 m 39 m 52 m
66 MHz 10 m 20 m 30 m 40 m
80 MHz 9 m 18 m 27 m 36 m

Digipeater CLB26 User Manual
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4CameraLink®Interface and Power Supply
The Digipeater has two sockets with signals for data transmission and the control of
camera functions as well as one socket for external power supply. The pin assignments
for the data and control signals are defined in the CameraLink®Standard [CLS2004].
Table 2 shows the pin assignments for Port 1 and Table 3 those for Port 2.
The subminiature circular connector Binder Series 712 is used for power supply. The
order number for the Digipeater socket is 09-0408-00-03 (see Table 4 and Fig. 5).
Included with the Digipeater is a power supply plug, for which the order number is 99-
0405-70-03.
The use of clean power supplies for the Digipeater is advised. High voltage spices cause
data transmission errors. Photonfocus delivers audited power supplies for the Digipeater
CLB26.
Table 2: Pin assignments for the MDR26 socket of the CameraLink®PORT 1
(Camera)
PIN I/O Name Description
1 PW SHIELD Shield
2 I N_CC4 Negative LVDS Input, Control signal CONTROL <not used>
3 I P_CC3 Positive LVDS Input, Exposure control EXPOSURE
4 I N_CC2 Negative LVDS Input, external clock for Slave mode MCLK
5 I P_CC1 Positive LVDS Input, external Trigger signal EXSYNC
6 O P_SERTOFG Positive LVDS Output, Serial Communication from the Camera
7 I N_SERTOCAM Negative LVDS Input, Serial Communication to the Camera
8 O P_XD3 Positive LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D3
9 O P_XCLK Positive LVDS Output, CameraLink®clock
10 O P_XD2 Positive LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D2
11 O P_XD1 Positive LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D1
12 O P_XD0 Positive LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D0
13 PW SHIELD Shield
14 PW SHIELD Shield
15 I P_CC4 Positive LVDS Input, Control signal CONTROL <not used>
16 I N_CC3 Negative LVDS Input, Exposure control EXPOSURE
17 I P_CC2 Positive LVDS Input, external clock for Slave mode MCLK
18 I N_CC1 Negative LVDS Input, external Trigger signal EXSYNC
19 O N_SERTOFG Negative LVDS Output, Serial Communication from the Camera
20 I P_SERTOCAM Positive LVDS Input, Serial Communication to the Camera
21 O N_XD3 Negative LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D3
22 O N_XCLK Negative LVDS Output, CameraLink®clock
23 O N_XD2 Negative LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D2
24 O N_XD1 Negative LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D1
25 O N_XD0 Negative LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D0
26 PW SHIELD Shield
S PW SHIELD Shield

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Table 3: Pin assignments for the MDR26 socket of the CameraLink®PORT 2
(Frame grabber)
PIN I/O Name Description
1 PW SHIELD Shield
2 O N_XD0 Negative LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D0
3 O N_XD1 Negative LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D1
4 O N_XD2 Negative LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D2
5 O N_XCLK Negative LVDS Output, CameraLink®clock
6 O N_XD3 Negative LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D3
7 I P_SERTOCAM Positive LVDS Input, Serial Communication to the Camera
8 O N_SERTOFG Negative LVDS Output, Serial Communication from the Camera
9 I N_CC1 Negative LVDS Input, external Trigger signal EXSYNC
10 I P_CC2 Positive LVDS Input, external clock for Slave mode MCLK
11 I N_CC3 Negative LVDS Input, Exposure control EXPOSURE
12 I P_CC4 Positive LVDS Input, Control signal CONTROL <not used>
13 PW SHIELD Shield
14 PW SHIELD Shield
15 O P_XD0 Positive LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D0
16 O P_XD1 Positive LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D1
17 O P_XD2 Positive LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D2
18 O P_XCLK Positive LVDS Output, CameraLink®clock
19 O P_XD3 Positive LVDS Output, CameraLink®Data D3
20 I N_SERTOCAM Negative LVDS Input, Serial Communication to the Camera
21 O P_SERTOFG Positive LVDS Output, Serial Communication from the Camera
22 I P_CC1 Positive LVDS Input, external Trigger signal EXSYNC
23 I N_CC2 Negative LVDS Input, external clock for Slave mode MCLK
24 I P_CC3 Positive LVDS Input, Exposure control EXPOSURE
25 I N_CC4 Negative LVDS Input, Control signal CONTROL <not used>
26 PW SHIELD Shield
S PW SHIELD Shield
Table 4: Pin assignments for the socket of the voltage supply connector
PIN I/O Name Description
1 PW VDD + 5 V voltage supply
2 PW GND Ground
3 PW VDD2 Reserved
2
3
1
Fig. 5: Connector socket Nr. 09-0408-00-03 for the voltage supply