CXP-over-Fiber at Basler
Modern machine vision cameras such as the Basler racer 2 XL line scan camera and the programmable CXP-over-Fiber frame grabber support fiber-optic connectivity without requiring extensive modifications to the system architecture. Basler’s and pylon software— including and — andVisualApplets enable intuitive integration, reliable control, and quick commissioning. One example of a complete CoF solution is the TDI vision system, which includes a TDI line scan camera with compatible hardware and software.
About the TDI-Vision system from BaslerA comparison of transmission media: Fiber optics vs. copper
The technical and practical differences between fiber-optic and copper cables in the context of CoaXPress interfaces provide a solid basis for deciding on the optimal solution for your application.
Practical considerations for CXP-over-Fiber
In everyday industrial operations, factors such as installation, maintenance, and handling play a crucial role alongside technical specifications. The following points highlight the practical considerations relevant to the use of CXP-over-Fiber in machine vision systems.
Low latency is particularly important for time-critical applications, such as in-line inspection, robot control, or pick-and-place processes. It ensures that image data is transmitted quickly and reliably from the sensor to the evaluation unit. This enables precise process control and high productivity, even in complex systems with long distances between the camera and the evaluation unit.
Fiber optics or copper? Application examples and decision-making guidance
In which scenarios is CXP-over-Fiber recommended, in which scenarios is the standard CXP interface perfectly adequate, and what factors can help guide the decision?
Typical scenarios for fiber optics
CXP-over-Fiber is recommended wherever long distances between the camera and the processing unit need to be bridged or where the highest data rates are required. Typical applications include large-scale production facilities, traffic monitoring, medical imaging, and multi-camera systems. The low-loss transmission and immunity to electromagnetic interference offer decisive advantages in these scenarios. Fiber optics is also the preferred choice in terms of flexible scalability and future-proofing.
Practical example: Efficient image processing through distributed processing on FPGAs and GPUs
TDI cameras continuously generate large amounts of image data — making them ideal for CXP-over-Fiber, which offers up to 100 Gbps of bandwidth. In large-scale production facilities with processing units spread across multiple locations, CXP-over-Fiber enables lossless distribution to multiple frame grabbers without risking bandwidth loss.
A typical scenario illustrates the benefits of an intelligent system architecture:
In the frame grabber, for example, flat-field correction (FFC) is performed as part of the image preprocessing step. In standard systems, this task would be handled by the GPU.
The frame grabbers forward the already optimized image to the GPU. The GPU then only needs to perform image analysis, such as classification for error detection.
The key to this efficient solution lies in the intelligent distribution of processing tasks: global image enhancement and image segmentation—as part of image analysis—are performed on the FPGA. This approach significantly reduces the demands on the GPUs and CPUs of the connected PCs. The higher cost of high-performance frame grabbers is offset by the fact that standard PCs with mid-range GPUs and CPUs are sufficient.
The result: a cost-optimized system with high processing speed and reliability — exactly what CXP-over-Fiber is designed for.
Typical applications for copper
Copper cables, on the other hand, remain a cost-effective option for compact systems with short transmission distances— where the distance between the camera and the frame grabber does not exceed 12–20 m in the CXP-12 standard or 40 m in the CXP-6 standard —and where bandwidth and noise immunity requirements are lower. In these applications, copper solutions offer the advantages of lower upfront costs and straightforward installation.
Future developments in CXP interfaces
In the field of CXP interfaces, we anticipate several technological advancements in the coming years that will further improve industrial machine vision systems.