PC cards form the interface to the camera used and are installed in the PC for smooth image acquisition and transfer. A simple infrastructure of standardized components, high data transfer rates and long cables as well as scalability for future requirements makes GigE Interface Cards ideally suited for multi-camera setups.
Since a conventional PC often has only one GigE port, which is usually occupied for machine control, these cards are indispensable for such a scenario. In addition, machine vision cameras require the full bandwidth of the port to which they are connected. Coupling several cameras via a distributor (usually switches) to the port available on the PC therefore fails due to the limited bandwidth of the port. The above-mentioned PC cards, which also allow a higher bandwidth at one port, provide a solution.
Accordingly, GigE interface cards with 1 Gbit and 1, 2 or 4 ports are usually used as PC cards for machine vision, which are also offered as a single cable solution with Power over Ethernet (PoE), as well as 10GigE interface cards.
