Vivid CLV-401A User manual

CLV-401A CAME RA LI NK VI D EO S P LI T T ER
User’s Manual
Document # 201058, Rev 1.1, 4/2/2018
Vivid Engineering
415 Boston Turnpike, Suite 305 • Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
www.vividengineering.com • [e-mail]

Table of Contents
1. Introduction 1
1.1. Overview 1
1.2. Features 2
1.3. Cable Length Recommendations 3
1.4. Functional Description 4
1.5. Typical Applications 6
1.5.1. Standard Application 6
1.5.2. Medium Application 7
1.5.3. PoCL Application 8
1.6. Specifications 9
2. Interface 10
2.1. Front Panel Connections 10
2.2. Rear Panel Connections 11
2.3. Video Connectors 11
2.4. Cable Shield Grounding 12
3. Mechanical 13
3.1. Dimensions 13
3.2. External Power Supply 14
4. Regulatory Compliance 15
4.1. FCC Compliance Statement 15
4.2. EU Notice (European Union) 15
4.3. Certificate of RoHS Compliance 15
5. Revision History 16

1
1. Introduction
1.1. Overview
The CLV-401A Camera Link Video Splitter interfaces one Camera Link camera to two
frame grabbers using standard Camera Link cables. This arrangement enables the
addition of a second frame grabber (or other acquisition device) for functions such as
camera setup, secondary/parallel processing, monitoring, and recording.
One frame grabber acts as master and provides control and communications to the camera.
The second frame grabberreceives camera videodata only.
The CLV-401A is compatible with Camera Link ”base” configuration cameras (i.e. one
Camera Link cable from camera). A front-panel link status indicator identifies an active
connection.
The CLV-401A is housed in sturdy aluminum enclosure.
Vivid Engineering
Camera Link Video
Splitter
CLV-401A
CAMERA MASTER FRAME GRABBER
PWR
LINK

2
1.2. Features
Interfaces one camera to two frame grabbers
Second frame grabber (or other acquisition device) can be used for camera setup,
processing, monitoring, etc
Uses standard Camera Link cables (MDR-style, not included)
Supports Camera Link “base” configuration (i.e. one Camera Link cable from
camera)
Connects to cameras and/or frame grabbers with mini (SDR/HDR) connector via
adapting cables
Connects to Power over Camera Link (PoCL) cameras via Vivid Engineering
CLR-102 Repeater/Adapter
Minimal video data pass-through latency: 3 camera pixel clocks
Minimal control/communication pass-through latency: under 5 nS
Link status indicator identifies an active camera connection
Also acts as a repeater, doubling max distance between camera and frame
grabbers
Multi-nation power supply included, locking-plug power supply optional
Sturdy aluminumenclosure w/ mounting flange
3-year warrantee
Made in USA

3
1.3. Cable Length Recommendations
The pixel clock frequency for Camera Link cameras ranges from 20-85 MHz per the
Camera Link Specification. Applications using long cables and cameras at the higher end
of the frequency range (60-85 MHz) are likely to exhibit pixel data errors, synchronization
problems, etc.
To ensure data integrity, Vivid Engineering recommends limiting Camera Link cable
lengths when using high pixel clock frequency cameras as follows:
Table 1-1: Cable Length Recommendations
Camera Frequency
Maximum Cable Length
20 –60 MHz
10 meters (i.e. no limitation)
61 –79MHz
7meters
80 –85MHz
5meters
For example, cables used to connect the camera to the CLV-401A and the CLV-401A to
the frame grabbers should be no longer than 5m when using a camera with an 85 MHz
pixel clock frequency.

4
1.4. Functional Description
A block diagram of the CLV-401A is provided in Figure 1-1. The CLV-401A interfaces
one camera to two frame grabbers. One frame grabber is the master (primary), and one
frame grabber is slave (secondary).
Channel
Link
Receiver
Channel
Link
Transmitter
LVDS
Receiver
LVDS
Transmitter
LVDS Rcvr
To Camera Link Camera
Video
Data
Camera
Control
Serial
Comm
Link LVDS Xmtr
LVDS Xmtr
LVDS Rcvr
Video
Data
Camera
Control
Serial
Comm
Link
To Camera Link
Frame Grabber (Master)
CLV-401A Camera Link Video Splitter
Channel
Link
Transmitter
Video
Data
To Camera Link
Frame Grabber (Slave)
Link
Detect
Figure 1-1: CLV-401A Block Diagram
The interface betweenthe camera and the master frame grabber containsthe entire
Camera Link signal set defined in the Camera Link Specification for “base”
configurations. This consists of video data, camera control, and serial communications.
The master frame grabber receives video data from the camera, and can also control and
communicate with the camera.
The interface betweenthe camera and the slave frame grabber contains only the video data
signals. The slave frame grabber receives video data, but cannot control or communicate
with the camera.
The CLV-401A incorporates high-speed (85MHz) interfaces and is compatible with
“base” configuration camera. “Medium” configuration applications are supported using

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two CLV-401A’s in parallel. The CLV-401A does not support the Camera Link “full”
configuration.
The latency (i.e. delay) of the video, control, and communication signals passing through
the CLV-401A is minimal. This is an important criterion in time-critical applications. See
Table 1.2 for the latency specifications.
CLV-401A also acts as a repeater and doubles the maximum separation between the
camera and the frame grabbers.
A front-panel link status indicator illuminates when the camera video signal is detected.
The front panel also includes a power indicator.
The CLV-401A is powered by an external wall plug-in power supply. A multi-nation
power supply is standard. Optionally, the CLV-401A is available with a locking-plug
power supply. The locking plug reduces the riskof accidental disconnection from the
rear-panel power jack. The CLV-401A is also available without power supply.
The CLV-401A DC power input is electrically isolatedfrom the internal circuitry. This
feature ensures compatibility with user power systems.

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1.5. Typical Applications
1.5.1. Standard Application
A standard CLV-401A base application is shown in Figure 1-2. A Camera Link
“base”configuration camera is connected to a single CLV-401A via a standard
Camera Link cable. Two additional Camera Link cables are then used to connect the
CLV-401A to the master and slave Camera Link frame grabbers.
The master frame grabber provides cameracontrol and communications, and
performs the primary processing functions. The slave frame grabber cannot control or
communicate with the camera, but may be used for parallel processing, secondary
processing, camera setup, monitoring, etc.
Vivid Engineering
Camera Link Video
Splitter
CLV-401A
CAMERA MASTER FRAME GRABBER
PWR
LINK
Camera Link
Camera Master
Camera Link
Frame Grabber
CLV-401A
Camera Link
Video Splitter
Standard Camera Link Cables
Slave
Camera Link
Frame Grabber
Figure 1-2: CLV-401A Standard Application

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1.5.2. Medium Application
A CLV-401A “medium”application is shown in Figure 1-3. Medium configurations,
in which two cables connect the camera to the frame grabber, are supported using two
CLV-401A’s in parallel. A Camera Link “medium”configuration camera is
connected to two CLV-401A’s via a pair of standard Camera Link cables. Four
additional Camera Link cables are then used to connect the CLV-401A’s to the master
and slave Camera Link frame grabbers.
Vivid Engineering
Camera Link Video
Splitter
CLV-401A
CAMERA MASTER FRAME GRABBER
PWR
LINK
Vivid Engineering
Camera Link Video
Splitter
CLV-401A
CAMERA MASTER FRAME GRABBER
PWR
LINK
Camera Link
Camera
(Medium Config)
Master
Camera Link
Frame Grabber
CLV-401A Camera LinkVideo Splitters (2)
Slave
Camera Link
Frame Grabber
Figure 1-3: CLV-401A Medium Application

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1.5.3. PoCL Application
A Power over Camera Link (PoCL) application is shown in Figure 1-4. The CLV-
401A does not support PoCL, but PoCL camerascan beaccommodated bycombining
the CLV-401A with the Vivid Engineering CLR-102 Camera Link PoCL
Repeater/Adapter.
A Camera Link “base” configuration PoCL camera is connected the CLR-102 via a
PoCL-compatibleCamera Link cable. The CLR-102 provides the power to the
camera. An adapting cable (MDR connector one end and SDR/HDR connector other)
is used to connect the CLR-102 to the CLV-401A. Finally, two Camera Linkcables
are used to connect the CLV-401A to the master and slave Camera Link frame
grabbers. These cables may standard (MDR to MDR) or adapting (MDR to
HDR/SDR) depending on frame grabber connector type.
The frame grabbers may be either PoCL or non-PoCL types. Note that PoCL frame
grabbers must incorporate the safepower protocol which is part of the Camera Link
specification.
Vivid Engineering
Camera Link Video
Splitter
CLV-401A
CAMERA MASTER FRAME GRABBER
PWR
LINK
Master
Camera Link
Frame Grabber
(PoCL or non-PoCL)
CLV-401A
Camera Link
Video Splitter
Adapting
Camera Link Cable
Slave
Camera Link
Frame Grabber
(PoCL or non-PoCL)
CLR-102
PoCL
Adapter
Camera Link
PoCL
Camera
PoCL
Camera Link Cable Standard or Adapting Camera Link Cables
Figure 1-4: CLV-401A PoCL Application