Pleora Introduces Industry’s First Dual-Channel IP Engine for LVDS Cameras

• iPORT™ IP engine lets two LVDS cameras send data over one high-speed, low-latency GigE connection

OTTAWA, CANADA, May 4, 2004: Pleora Technologies today introduced a working prototype of the industry’s first dual-channel IP (Internet Protocol) engine for LVDS (low-voltage differential signal) cameras. The iPORT PT1000-DLV cuts the cost and simplifies the design of multi-camera vision systems by sending images from two LVDS cameras simultaneously over one high-performance GigE (Gigabit Ethernet) link.

The PT1000-DLV engine is ideal for installations with multiple LVDS line scan cameras, or combinations of LVDS line scan and area scan cameras, such as the multi-point inspection systems used by food, computer display, and other industries.

Pleora’s DLV engine converts imaging data from two 8- or 10-bit LVDS cameras into IP and streams it at 1 Gb/s over ordinary GigE copper cable links. The engine supports traditional point-to-point connections to PCs, or high-speed packet-switched vision networks based on industry-standard GigE equipment. In all configurations, the DLV achieves the low, predictable end-to-end latencies required for high-quality, real-time imaging.

“The DLV engine delivers an affordable, easy-to-use, multi-camera LVDS solution that doesn’t compromise on performance or image quality,” said Alain Rivard, Vice-President, Engineering, Pleora Technologies. “The engine significantly reduces the cost of systems with large numbers of LVDS cameras, while providing a high degree of flexibility.”

Extensive LVDS camera support

Pleora’s iPORT DLV engine is compatible with most RS-422 and TIA/EIA (Telecommunications Industry Association/Electronic Industries Association)-644 LVDS cameras. The engine delivers real-time data streaming over standard GigE of two 8-bit or 10-bit cameras with combined throughputs of up to 100 MB/s.

The DLV engine offers flexible triggering via Boolean combinations and camera control signals. These are delivered through a GPIO (general purpose input output) interface featuring two TTL (transistor-to-transistor logic) inputs and outputs, two RS-232 serial ports, an optically isolated input and output, and two programmable timers.

Scaleable multi-camera GigE vision networks

Pleora’s iPORT PT1000-DLV engine allows vision system designers to build flexible multi-channel vision applications using economical, widely available standard GigE switches and PC NICs (network interface cards or chips). With the PT1000-DLV, designers can, for instance, interconnect multiple cameras, multicast data from multiple cameras to multiple PCs, or distribute image processing functions across multiple PCs. Separate PC framegrabbers are not required.

The DLV also integrates seamlessly in switched GigE vision networks with Pleora’s PT1000-CL and PT1000-ANL engines for Camera Link™ and analog video. These multi-format GigE vision networks lower the cost, extend the reach, and improve the efficiency of installations with more than one camera type.

End-to-end solution

As part of Pleora’s iPORT Vision Connectivity Solution, the PT1000-DLV is delivered with two powerful pieces of PC software: the iPORT™ IP Device Driver and the iPORT Software Development Kit. Running under Linux or Windows, this software streamlines video delivery into PC memory and eases applications development. And, since it supports Pleora’s entire family of iPORT IP Engines, the software allows designers to build applications for multiple camera types using a single applications platform.

The production version of the iPORT PT1000-DLV is slated for release in the third quarter of 2004. Pleora also offers a single-channel LVDS engine, as well as IP engines for Camera Link, analog video, and raw analog or digital data.

About Pleora

Pleora Technologies is the world’s leading supplier of Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) connectivity solutions for vision systems. Pleora’s iPORT products stream imaging data over low-cost GigE connections with very high performance, while at the same time giving vision systems long-distance reach, scaleable processing, flexible networking, and unmatched ease of use. Pleora is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada.