Basler AG, international manufacturer of high-quality machine vision products, presents a vision system with the Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link (GMSL) interface. The complete solution comprises matching hardware and software components in numerous variants, which offers flexibility in the configuration of an individual vision system. Thanks to its GenICam compatibility, the ace 2 GMSL industrial camera minimizes the integration and maintenance effort of the vision system. Camera Enablement Packages, which are available for industrial PCs (IPC) from selected partners, integrate the camera into the target application via plug-and-play. If customers require support with the configuration and integration of the complete GMSL system, Basler’s vision specialists provide technical advice.
Components of the GMSL vision system
The ace 2 GMSL camera is available with sensors up to a resolution of 24.4 MP and a maximum frame rate of 170 fps. Onboard processing ensures GenICam compatibility and therefore simple handling of the camera with an embedded interface.
Robust coaxial cables with FAKRA connectors ensure stable image data transmission between the camera and IPC. At the same time, they supply the camera with power, i.e. they enable a simple, single-cable connection.
The configuration between the camera and IPC as the host system, which is crucial for GMSL, is handled by software add-on packages called Camera Enablement Packages. They are IPC-specific and are available for download for a range of partner IPCs with NVIDIA Jetson Orin processors. The Camera Enablement Packages allow easy commissioning of the vision system via the host system.
In addition, Basler offers lenses, lighting types in various sizes and light colors, and the Lighting Controller for simple lighting control.
For evaluating an application in the development phase, an adapter kit is available that connects up to four ace 2 GMSL cameras to the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano™ Super Developer Kit.
Dr. Melanie Gräsel, Product Manager at Basler, emphasizes: “Our portfolio is characterized by diversity and modularity. We test all vision components for intra-operability as early as the camera development stage. This offers our customers flexibility in vision system configuration and at the same time the security of always receiving a complete, functioning solution.”
Application areas for GMSL vision systems
GMSL-based vision systems are suitable for demanding embedded applications, including complex tasks with multiple cameras and AI connection. GMSL cameras transmit image data with minimal latency and high bandwidth and are optimally matched to applications with an NVIDIA Jetson Orin system. The precise synchronization of multiple cameras via GMSL enables reliable 360° environment perception for industrial applications such as humanoid robots, autonomous vehicles, and logistics systems.
Kimberly Matsinger, Application Engineering Manager at Basler emphasizes: “Vision systems with a GMSL interface offer advantages for numerous applications, but are considered rather difficult to set up. Our GMSL vision system is easy to configure and simple to integrate using one of our prebuilt IPC-specific Camera Enablement Packages. We are on hand to advise our customers on specific requirements so that they can benefit from the full potential of the solution at all times.“
Additional information: www.baslerweb.com/gmsl
