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imaFlex CXP-12 Quad#

imaFlex CXP-12 Quad is a fully programmable CXP-12 frame grabber. When connected to the computer power supply, imaFlex CXP-12 Quad supports Power over CXP (PoCXP).

imaFlex CXP-12 Quad

To install the imaFlex CXP-12 Quad in your host computer, plug it into a PCIe Gen. 3.0 x8 slot or higher. The following image shows an imaFlex CXP-12 Quad with two cameras connected to it:

PCIe Connection

Image Processing#

The frame grabber is fully programmable by VisualApplets. You can design your own image processing application tuned to your specific needs. Basler offers consultancy support, VisualApplets trainings and of course Basler can also implement for you your specific application.

For information on how to write your own applets with VisualApplets.

Production Line Integration#

For integration into a production line, imaFlex CXP-12 Quad offers multiple general purpose inputs and outputs. 4 to 20 of the GPIOs (depending on the hardware add-ons used) are galvanically isolated.

These GPIOs enable you to do the following:

  • Control peripheral devices by sending trigger signals, e.g. lighting signals and cameras signals
  • Receive various trigger signals from peripheral devices, e.g., shaft encoders and light barriers
  • Synchronize multiple imaFlex CXP-12 Quad frame grabbers, and/or
  • Synchronize connected devices.

imaFlex CXP-12 Quad within the Production Line (Example)

Software Programming and Configuration Interface#

imaFlex CXP-12 Quad offers an easy-to-use API. The Framegrabber API allows to integrate the frame grabber into any image processing application. You can use the Framegrabber API to write code in the following languages:

  • C/C++
  • C# (wrapper available)
  • Python (wrapper available)

For more information about the Framegrabber API, see the Framegrabber API documentation.

Alternatively, you can use Basler's GenTL Interface to develop your application in form of a GenTL consumer. For more information about the Basler GenTL Interface, see GenTL Interface documentation.

Connectors and LEDs#

Connectors#

imaFlex CXP-12 Quad has the following connectors:

imaFlex CXP-12 Quad with Connectors

LEDs on the Slot Bracket#

There are four LEDs located on the slot bracket of imaFlex CXP-12 Quad that indicate the state of the individual CXP links:

LED green Connection at CXP link ready for operation

LED red No connection at CXP link

LEDs on the Board#

LED Name LED Color Meaning
TRG Yellow External voltage supplied via the 15-pin connector.
READY Orange The FPGA has been configured successfully and is ready for operation.
PGINT Green PGINT=Power Good Internal
Voltage on the PCIe slot is stable. The voltage generated internally is also stable.
PGEXT Green Not defined/internal function.
USR1 to USR6 Green User-defined. The LEDs can be controlled via VisualApplets software. They are not related to camera connectors and can be used for any purpose.
12EXT Green The frame grabber's PCIe power connector is connected to a power supply via the host computer.
12PCI Green or red Green: The frame grabber receives power via the PCIe slot (12 VDC IN).
Red: The frame grabber doesn't get power via PCIe slot.

Specifications#

imaFlex CXP-12 Quad
Host Interface PCIe Gen 3 x8 (Direct Memory Access)
Bandwidth (typ./max.) 6520 MB/s
On-Board Memory 1.5 GB DDR4-RAM
Power Supply (Input) / Current PCIe Slot 12 V (±5 %) / <1.5 A (actual values depend on processing)
Power Supply (Input) / Current PCIe 6-pin Connector 12 V (±5 %) / <6.5 A (actual values depend on connected PoCXP cameras)
PoCXP Supply (Output) 17 W of 24 V DC regulated power per CoaXPress connector
Size (L x H) PCIe standard height
Half length card:
167.64 mm x 111.15 mm
Weight 274 g
Camera Interface 4 x CXP-12 (CXP-1 to CXP-12, micro-BNC/HD-BNC connector)
Operating Temperature 0–50 °C at 100 LFMa
Storage Temperature -50–80 °C
Humidity during Operation 5–90 %
Humidity during Storage 5–95 %
Compliance CE, FCC, RoHS, WEEE, REACH, UKCA, UL Recognized, KC
Certificates for your interface card
For more information, see the Compliance section of the Basler website.

  1. LFM = Linear Feet per Minute, unit for measuring airflow velocity. 

Info

The PCIe bus data throughput depends on the mainboard, the chip set, and the BIOS configuration of the host computer. The number of installed PCIe boards also affects the throughput, e.g. a PCIe x8 connector may support only x4 performance. Always check the mainboard manual thoroughly to be sure.

The Front GPIO Connector#

The front GPIO connector covers the basic trigger setup of your frame grabber. Its trigger connector allows you to control peripheral devices (PLC).

The socket is located directly on the slot bracket:

The Front GPIO Connector

In default configuration, the trigger connector of the front GPIO connector offers:

  • 3 differential input signals or 2 differential and 1 single-ended input signal in pull-up mode
  • 2 TTL output signals

Info

You can configure the pin assignment of the front GPIO connector to provide different input signals, e.g.:

  • Pull-down
  • 4 single-ended signals (and no differential signals).

To change the GPIO configuration, use the command line tool installed with the Framegrabber SDK.

For more information, see Input Configuration and Configuring the Physical Properties of Trigger Signals with the gpioTool.

Pin Layout of the Front GPIO Connector#

Pins on the Front GPIO Connector

Info

The front GPIO connector is provided in form of a MOLEX 83612-9020 connector. For this connector, a matching, ready-made MOLEX D-Sub cable is available (MOLEX 083422-9018).

PIN Number (3P FPGA) Galvanically Isolated Signal Reference Signal
1 No GPO 0 (TTL) 5 V / global GND (pin 6)
2 No GPO 1 (TTL) 5 V / global GND (pin 6)
3 No Reserved for RS 485 (GND)
4 No Reserved for RS 485
5 No 5 V_OUT (0.5 A max)
6 No GND (global GND)
7 No
8 Yes GPI 2 (if used for differential signal) GPI voltage IN (pin 10) / GPI GND (pin 15)
9 Yes GPI 3 (if used for differential signal) GPI voltage IN (pin 10) / GPI GND (pin 15)
10 Yes GPI voltage IN (4.5–28 V) GPI GND (pin 15)
11 Yes GPI 0+ GPI voltage IN (pin 10) / GPI GND (pin 15)
12 Yes GPI 0- GPI voltage IN (pin 10) / GPI GND (pin 15)
13 Yes GPI 1+ GPI voltage IN (pin 10) / GPI GND (pin 15)
14 Yes GPI 1- GPI voltage IN (pin 10) / GPI GND (pin 15)
15 Yes GPI GND
Shield No GND (Non-isolated ground / Earth / bracket)

Possible Topologies#

You can operate imaFlex CXP-12 Quad as follows:

Number of
Cameras
Number of
Channels
Topology
1 1 One Camera One Channel
1 2 One Camera Two Channels
1 4 One Camera Four Channels
2 2 Two Cameras One Channel Each
2 3 One Camera with One Channel and One Camera with Two Channels
2 4 Two Cameras Two Channels Each
3 3 Three Cameras One Channel Each
3 4 Two Cameras with One Channel and One Camera with Two Channels
4 4 Four Cameras One Channel Each

When connected to the computer power supply via the PCIe 6-pin connector, which always provides 12 V, imaFlex CXP-12 Quad supports Power over CXP (PoCXP).

You may connect the cameras in any order.

Info

If you are going to use multiple imaFlex CXP-12 Quad boards in one host computer, make sure you have one PCIe Gen. 3.0 x8 slot or higher per board available in the host computer. For more information, see Using Multiple Boards in one Host.

Acquisition Applets#

To ensure optimum use of system resources, not all image acquisition and processing features designed for imaFlex CXP-12 Quad are loaded onto imaFlex CXP-12 Quad simultaneously. Instead, Basler provides various compilations of specific image acquisition and processing features that are combined to meet the requirements of a specific application field. These compilations are called applets, since they work like apps on mobile devices.

Typically, an applet supports a specific camera interface standard and topology, specific image acquisition features, and possibly specific image (pre-)processing features. By loading an applet onto the frame grabber, you define the functionality of the frame grabber and adapt it to the requirements of your specific application.

There are two kinds of applets: acquisition applets (*.dll) always delivered by Basler, and custom applets (*.hap) developed in VisualApplets either by yourself or by Basler. In addition to the acquisition applets that are included in the delivery, imaFlex CXP-12 Quad can be programmed to fulfill highly specific image processing tasks that are required by a specific application. The programming can be done by Basler/ a certified partner, or by yourself using the easy-to-use graphical FPGA programming environment VisualApplets.

Refer to Acquisition Applets for imaFlex CXP-12 Quad for more detailed information about the standard applets delivered with your frame grabber and their dependency on the topology used.