Modern CMOS sensors deliver high resolution and speed, driving demand for faster interfaces to meet these advancements.

While a fast CMOS sensor-based camera can boost performance, upgrading the frame grabber is often necessary. For instance, moving from Camera Link 2-tap (Base) to 4-tap configurations requires costly hardware changes.

However, there’s now an affordable solution: Camera Link 3-tap configurations. These setups utilize unused bit lanes found in 2-tap systems, enabling more efficient data transmission without additional costs or specialized equipment.

Understanding Bit Transmission Rates

In a typical 2-tap configuration, the maximum bits per cycle is limited to twice the number of active bits. For example:

  • An 8-bit video signal can achieve up to 16 bits/cycle.
  • A 10-bit video signal achieves up to 20 bits/cycle.

But Camera Link cables support a full bandwidth capacity of 24 bits/cycle. This means that with standard resolutions (8-bit or 10-bit), the system isn’t fully utilizing its potential.

The Advantage of 3-Tap Configurations

The solution lies in the 3-tap configuration, which adds an extra bit lane to existing systems. Combined with a Look-Up Table (LUT) function for handling 10-bit data, this approach allows:

  • Compression of 10-bit images into 8-bit format during transmission.
  • Decompression back to full resolution via frame grabber.

This combination effectively doubles the bandwidth utilization compared to standard setups while maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure. The result is a significant performance increase without costly hardware upgrades or special cables.

Adimec’s New Qs Series Cameras

Leveraging this technology, Adimec has introduced two new cameras in their Quartz Qs series:

  • Qs-4A60: 4-megapixel camera with up to 60 fps base performance and burst mode enabling 90 fps.
  • Qs-2A120: 2-megapixel camera delivering up to 114 fps and burst speeds of 170 fps.

These cameras will be demonstrated at the Image Sensing Show (ISS) from June 8–10 in Yokohama, Japan.

Availability

Frame grabbers supporting Camera Link 3-tap configurations are now available from multiple manufacturers, including AVAL DATA.

Last Updated: 2025-09-04 21:38:40