Simple to integrate USB3 Vision video interface for Camera Link Cameras

Pleora’s iPORT™ CL-U3 External Frame Grabbers provide systems manufacturers and integrators with cost and design flexibility advantages by converting Camera Link® cameras into native USB3 Vision™ cameras. With these external frame grabbers, Camera Link cameras can transport high-speed imaging and video data over the widely available USB 3.0 bus. The cameras can also be used with a broader selection of smaller form factor, low-power computing platforms to help reduce system costs.

The CL-U3 family transmits video from Base and Medium mode Camera Link cameras with low, predictable latency over a USB 3.0 link. The connection at the workstation is a standard USB 3.0 port, eliminating the need for a desktop computer with an available peripheral card slot for a traditional frame grabber. As a result, designers can reduce system size, cost, and power consumption by using computing platforms with smaller form factors, such as laptops, embedded computers, and single-board computers. Integrated PLC and GPIO capabilities allow end-users to control, trigger and synchronize cameras and other vision system elements.

Pleora’s CL-U3 External Frame Grabbers help systems manufacturers and integrators leverage the performance attributes of USB 3.0, including high-bandwidth output and power over cable. Following initial set-up, the external frame grabbers provide end-users with a straightforward plug-and-play USB interface to receive and transmit video over a wide range of computing platforms.  The iPORT CL-U3 External Frame Grabber family delivers a range of solutions for designers to meet specific system requirements, including products supporting extended operating temperature range, extensive GPIO functionality, and power over Camera Link (PoCL).  

The CL-U3 complies fully with the USB3 Vision and GenICam™ standards, ensuring interoperability with third-party equipment in multi-vendor environments. The CL-U3 is bundled with Pleora’s feature-richeBUS™ SDK application toolkit.

Features

• Transmits video from Camera Link Base or Medium mode cameras over USB 3.0, with low, predictable latency
• Plugs into a wide range of computing platforms without needing a PCI/PCIe frame grabber
• Compact and low power
• Mountable enclosure
• Line scan and area scan modes
• 120 MB frame buffer to accommodate multi-mega pixel sensor sizes
• Throughput approaching 3 Gb/s
• Record and playback functionality
• USB3 Vision and GenICam compatible
• Power, control, and video over the same USB 3.0 cable
• Power over Camera Link (PoCL) with models CL-U3B-IND and CL-U3M-IND (external power supply required)
• Sophisticated on-board programmable logic controller (PLC) allows users to precisely measure, synchronize, trigger, and control the operation of other vision system elements

iPORT CL-U3 Development Kit

The iPORT CL-U3 Development Kit enables the rapid design of prototypes and proof-of-concept demonstrations of vision systems using the company's iPORT CL-U3 External Frame Grabbers. Kits are for vision systems employing Camera Link Base and Medium mode cameras with copper or fiber cabling options.