Machine Vision

 

Cameras currently used in machine vision are all configurable in more or less the same way – by reading and writing parameters in registers. Protocols, formats, and register locations, however, tend to differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Why GenICam?

The objective of GenICam is to provide a universal programming (configuration) interface across a wide range of standard physical interfaces such as GigE Vision, Camera Link®, and IEEE 1394, regardless of the camera type and image format. This approach makes it easy to connect cameras compliant with the GenICam standard without the need for camera-specific configurations.

What is GenICam?

The core of GenICam is a description of the camera's properties in an XML Descriptor File. Using this file, a translator directly generates a C++ Application Programmable Interface called GenAPI or the elements of a Graphical User Interface (GUI). This lets the user easily identify the camera type, as well as the features and functions available on the camera and the parameters associated with each camera function. Future extensions of GenICam will also provide mechanisms for grabbing and streaming images from the camera. The proposed GigE Vision standard stipulates that cameras must provide the XML Descriptor File. A Descriptor File for IEEE 1394 compliant cameras will be available as well.

Who is GenICam?

GenICam is a standard of the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA). A group of prominent camera, frame grabber, and software library manufacturers are actively supporting the development of the new standard together with Basler. You can find more information about GenICam at www.GenICam.org.