From Gigabit Ethernet and GigE Vision to 5GigE
Over the past few years, Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) has become the fastest growing interface for digital cameras in the professional imaging sector. It is a general-purpose interface that has the potential to be the first digital interface to replace existing analog camera systems in almost any application.
GigE is the right choice for data rates up to 0.96Gbit/s. Its high-speed variant, like 5GigE, delivers five times the speed within the same cable length. Upgrading to faster GigE speeds remains effortless and straightforward within the same framework.
Additionally, GigE cameras with Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows power and data to be transmitted over a single GigE cable, streamlining installations and cutting costs. This is especially beneficial in space-constrained applications. Meanwhile, it's important to use appropriate Gigabit Ethernet components such as cables, PC cards, switches, hubs, or small PoE injectors to connect your industrial cameras with the IPC.
GigE Vision standard: seamless integration and future-ready flexibility
The Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) standard is widely used, offering cost-effective and easy-to-implement connectivity. The GigE Vision standard builds on this by providing a clear and logical framework for industrial image processing. It enables simple integration into all image processing programs using software libraries. Additionally, businesses can easily plan for future investments, as replacing GigE-compatible cameras or upgrading to faster options like 5GigE and 10GigE requires no changes to the existing system setup.
Key advantages of the GigE interface:
Performance: High data rates of 0.96Gbit/s and cable lengths up to 100 m.
Compatibility: Leverages existing Ethernet infrastructure for cost-effective integration.
Ease of Use: Simple integration with image processing libraries.
Standards: Backed by Gigabit Ethernet and GigE Vision standards for interoperability.
Efficiency: PoE functionality powers cameras via data cables.
Advanced capabilities: GigE Vision Standard Version 2.0
With this version of the GigE Vision Standard, multi-camera systems can be synchronized more precisely and/or operated in real time under GigE Vision 2.0. An important component of the GigE Vision Standard Version 2.0 is the Precision Time Protocol (PTP). PTP standardizes the way components in the system synchronize their time, offering precision on the order of a few nanoseconds. The GigE Vision 2.0 standard is backward compatible, so cameras running GigE Vision 2.0 will also work with software and hardware designed for GigE Vision version 1.2.
Upgrade options to 5GigE
USB customers who are interested in a longer cable length and enjoy the plug-and-play setup will be happy with 5GigE. You don't have to rely on frame grabber technology (as with CoaXPress or Camera Link) and still get a stable, future-proof interface. Basler offers the same small "Sugarcube" camera format you’re used to with all the benefits of 5GigE.
CXP-6 customers who have relied on the CoaXPress 1.0 standard will find 5GigE an excellent alternative to the CoaXPress 2.0 standard. The system setup changes noticeably, but the benefits 5GigE offers are well worth the effort. An upgrade to 5Gige is highly recommended.
For GigE customers, switching to 5GigE can quickly achieve 5x the speed with a simple system rebuild. You stay in the same form factor of the camera and can look forward to easy system upgrades.
5GigE: five times the speed of GigE
The growing demand for powerful image processing systems is driving the advancement of the GigE Vision standard, giving rise to high-speed variants like 5GigE. This evolution retains the core advantages of GigE Vision—long cable lengths of up to 100 meters, hardware and software compatibility, and ease of integration—while offering five times the bandwidth of standard GigE.
Seamless upgrades are possible with existing Cat6a GigE cables, making 5GigE a cost-effective and scalable solution for industries requiring faster, long-distance data transmission. Additionally, compact camera formats, like Basler's 5GigE models, help minimize integration challenges by fitting easily into existing setups, even in space-constrained environments.
Our products with GigE interface
Build your complete GigE vision system in our Vision System Configurator .
