BCON – Lean Embedded Vision Architectures with Basler’s New Interface
BCON is Basler’s newly-developed interface. This connection to LVDS-based technology offers reliable image data transfer. Available first with Basler’s dart series, this new interface allows the leanest possible integration for next-generation image processing, as well as the most optimized front-end and vision architecture.
The new BCON interface optimally positions companies and engineers involved in embedded technology to meet challenging requirements. BCON enables the leanest Machine Vision integration available into embedded processing equipment. This new interface, with its flexible and cost-saving features, enables the most efficient embedded image processing.
LVDS – Low Voltage Differential Signaling
Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) describes a standardized interface for high speed data transfer but does not define image transmission in detail. Basler, with its 25 years of Machine Vision experience, has developed a lean protocol that ensures high bandwidth for reliable image data transfer. The resulting BCON interface offers the highest flexibility for connecting with LVDS-based technology like FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) boards and SoCs (System on Chip). Therefore, BCON is ideal for many applications, as it fits with a broad variety of systems and adjusts to the requirements needed. This allows for the most efficient digital image processing and thus an optimized total cost of ownership for your vision system.
Easy Connection via Flat Flex Cable
The 28-pin connnector type allows camera integration into embedded systems with both FPGAs and SoCs (System on Chip). Besides the lanes with LVDS image transfer, in- and output signals and power supply can also be utilized through this flat flex cable.
Furthermore, standardized I²C lanes are integrated, which are used for camera configurations via pylon SDK. This interface setup allows the user to connect the camera easily to an embedded system by a single cable. Since flat flex cables are available in many sizes and technical variations, a cost-effective and system-optimized installation becomes easy.
pylon Camera Software Suite
The proven and user-friendly pylon Camera Software Suite is also available for the dart with BCON interface and supports Linux on x86 or ARM-based systems. In doing so, the programming interface for creating user-specific applications is identical to other interfaces, such as USB3 vision. This fact makes migrations (e.g. dart USB to dart BCON) much easier.
Based on GenICam technology, the camera configuration is performed via the I²C bus of the Linux system. The required driver adapter is provided by pylon as a sample implementation in source code, as well as ready-compiled binary. pylon introduces a new hardware adapter C API which lets the user create their own I²C adapter. The user can take the pylon sample implementation as a blueprint for their own adapter code, or simply use the ready-compiled binary as-is without any modification.
Due to the fact that pylon does not know anything about the actually used LVDS image acquisition hardware the user is required to create his own logic for image data transfer. As an option the new hardware adapter C API can additionally be used to implement the image acquisition for the actual image grabbing hardware. After doing so pylon can be used without limitation – even for image data transfer.
Basler’s Board Level Cameras dart
BCON is available with Basler’s board level camera dart, which targets the broad variety of vision applications with embedded systems. This series provides ideal conditions for cost savings in your system’s setup and operation. In particular, dart cameras with BCON interface can be used seamlessly with an embedded processing board to enable leanest-possible imaging front-end and vision architecture. BCON also enables the developer of an embedded system to switch from one dart camera model to another without any additional integration costs or effort.
The new dart models with BCON interface also attract embedded-technology experts with benefits including smallest board level design and powerful in-camera image optimization – Basler’s PGI – to name just a few. With 25 years of technology leadership and a position as key driver of international interface standards, Basler ensures quality, performance, reliability and efficiency for your vision system.
The choice of dart camera models includes, but is not limited to, factors such as lens mount, resolution, and speed provided by sensors from leading manufacturers. Secure your competitive advantage by improved performance and an optimized total cost of ownership for your vision system.