Machine Vision
IEEE 1394 Technology Overview
The IEEE 1394 Bus
IEEE 1394 is the designation for a standard, high-performance serial bus. The bus design originated with Apple Computer as a diagnostic tool. The bus architecture is trademarked by Apple under the name "FireWire". In 1995, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standardized the specification for the bus. The specification number was 1394 - hence the name IEEE 1394. Some of the basic features of the bus are:
The 1394 Trade Association and the Digital Camera Specification
The 1394 Trade Association was formed to encourage the growth of devices that use the 1394 bus. Working groups of industry-experienced volunteers develop specifications by consensus based on the expertise of the participants. In 1998, a working group of the association issued the 1394-based Digital Camera Specification (current version is 1.30). The specification defines:
In essence, the 1394 TA Digital Camera Specification (DCAM Spec) defines the standard features and characteristics of an industrial camera that is capable of operating on an IEEE 1394 bus. The specification maintains flexibility by giving manufacturers the ability to add "special features" within a framework defined by the specification. The trade association also periodically refines the specification to meet current and future user needs.
Advantages
Users of industrial cameras compliant with the DCAM Spec will realize a number of benefits. First, since the cameras comply with a common standard, they are essentially plug and play. Many of the integration issues normally associated with using cameras from different manufacturers are avoided. Second, since the connectors, cables, and hubs used on the 1394 bus are all standardized, they are widely available from a number of manufacturers and are inexpensive. Finally, a simple, inexpensive interface board is used to interface the camera with the host PC. This eliminates the need for an elaborate frame grabber and does away with the problems often associated with integrating a camera and a frame grabber.
IEEE 1394 is the designation for a standard, high-performance serial bus. The bus design originated with Apple Computer as a diagnostic tool. The bus architecture is trademarked by Apple under the name "FireWire". In 1995, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standardized the specification for the bus. The specification number was 1394 - hence the name IEEE 1394. Some of the basic features of the bus are:
 | A data rate of up to 400 Mbps (this is expected to increase in the near future) |
| A packet based transmission protocol |
| Designed with multimedia in mind |
| Uses standard cables and connectors defined in the specification |
| Supports hot plug and unplug |
| Support multiple devices within the same bus |
The 1394 Trade Association and the Digital Camera Specification
The 1394 Trade Association was formed to encourage the growth of devices that use the 1394 bus. Working groups of industry-experienced volunteers develop specifications by consensus based on the expertise of the participants. In 1998, a working group of the association issued the 1394-based Digital Camera Specification (current version is 1.30). The specification defines:
| A number of standard features and how those features should be implemented in the camera |
| A number of standard video formats and frame rates |
| A flexible video format that allows for variable image sizes and frame rates |
| An external triggering method |
In essence, the 1394 TA Digital Camera Specification (DCAM Spec) defines the standard features and characteristics of an industrial camera that is capable of operating on an IEEE 1394 bus. The specification maintains flexibility by giving manufacturers the ability to add "special features" within a framework defined by the specification. The trade association also periodically refines the specification to meet current and future user needs.
Advantages
Users of industrial cameras compliant with the DCAM Spec will realize a number of benefits. First, since the cameras comply with a common standard, they are essentially plug and play. Many of the integration issues normally associated with using cameras from different manufacturers are avoided. Second, since the connectors, cables, and hubs used on the 1394 bus are all standardized, they are widely available from a number of manufacturers and are inexpensive. Finally, a simple, inexpensive interface board is used to interface the camera with the host PC. This eliminates the need for an elaborate frame grabber and does away with the problems often associated with integrating a camera and a frame grabber.
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