Chapter 3 Hardware Overview
IMAQPCI/PXI-1428 User Manual 3-2 ni.com
Camera Link and IMAQ 1428
The IMAQ 1428 supports the Camera Link Base configuration as well as
the 8-bit × 4 mode of the Camera Link Medium configuration.
Base Configuration
The Camera Link Base configuration places 24 data bits and four enable
signals (Frame Valid, Line Valid, Data Valid, and a spare) on a single
Channel Link part and cable.
The Base configuration includes asynchronous serial transmission as well
as four digital camera control lines for controlling exposure time, frame
rates, and other camera control signals. These four control lines are
configured in the camera file to generate precise timing signals for
controlling digital camera acquisition.
Base configuration includes the following bit allocations:
•8-bit × 1, 2, and 3 taps (channels)
• 10-bit × 1 and 2 taps
• 12-bit × 1 and 2 taps
• 14-bit × 1 tap
• 16-bit × 1 tap
• 24-bit RGB
Medium Configuration
The IMAQ 1428 supports the 8-bit × 4 tap of the Camera Link Medium
configuration. The Medium configuration requires using both connectors.
This configuration allows for more data throughput by offering two
synchronized data streams between the camera and the IMAQ 1428.
Data Transmission
A 28-to-4 serializing Channel Link chip drives the data and camera enable
signals across the Camera Link cable, and the camera’s pixel clock controls
the Channel Link’s data transmission. The four LVDS pairs are then
deserialized by another Channel Link chip on the IMAQ 1428.
Note Exact timing of camera and image acquisition device communication is camera
dependent. The Specifications of the Camera Link Interface Standard for Digital Cameras
and Frame Grabbers manual fully explains the Camera Link timing requirements.