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.
Focus on flexibility: Gigabit Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) offers the greatest technical flexibility in terms of bandwidth, cable lengths up to 100 meters, and support for multi-camera setups.
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
The GigE Vision 2.0 standard enables precise multi-camera synchronization and real-time operation. Its key feature, the Precision Time Protocol (PTP), ensures nanosecond-level time synchronization across system components. Fully backward compatible, it works seamlessly with GigE Vision 1.2 software and hardware, safeguarding existing investments while offering enhanced performance.
Explore more through our video tutorial or download the white paper "Synchronous and in Real Time: Multi-Camera Applications in the GigE Network" for in-depth insights.
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.
Upgrade to 5GigE
GigE users seeking higher bandwidth will find it easy to switch to 5GigE, achieving 5 times the speed with a simple system rebuild while retaining the same camera form factor for hassle-free upgrades.
USB users looking for longer cable lengths and multi-camera setups with benefit from 5GigE's stability and the added advantage of PTP functionality.
CXP-6 users, transitioning from the CoaXPress 1.0 standard will discover 5GigE as an excellent alternative to CoaXPress 2.0. Though some system adjustments may be necessary, the speed and scalability of 5GigE make it a worthwhile upgrade.
For a deeper dive into industrial vision interfaces, read our article Choosing the Right Industrial Camera Interface: A Comprehensive Comparison
Our products with GigE interface
Build your complete GigE vision system in our Vision System Configurator .
