Multi-camera synchronous triggering device and method based on 10-gigabit acquisition card

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a multi-camera synchronous triggering device and method based on a 10-gigabit acquisition card, a plurality of cameras are connected to a computer through a 10-gigabit Ethernet, each camera is connected with the same acquisition card, and a triggering signal source in the computer is connected to a triggering input port on the acquisition card; the image acquisition operation of the camera is triggered through a trigger signal source or an external I / O interface is connected with an industrial encoder to receive differential and TTL signals, and a row / frame trigger signal is synchronously generated to trigger the line scanning / area array camera to perform image acquisition. According to the embodiment of the invention, a high-speed and reliable data transmission channel is provided, the image data of the multi-camera system can be quickly transmitted to the computer, accurate exposure synchronous triggering can be realized among the cameras through the cooperation of synchronous triggering signals, and high-speed, high-precision and real-time response multi-camera image acquisition is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of data transmission technology, specifically to a multi-camera synchronous triggering device and method based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of image acquisition and processing technologies, multi-camera systems are widely used in industries such as industry, medicine, and scientific research. In these applications, multiple cameras typically need to capture images simultaneously, requiring precise time synchronization and triggering capabilities. In industrial high-speed line scan camera applications, even faster line synchronization and triggering functions are required.

[0003] Existing solutions are often constrained by network bandwidth and latency issues, failing to meet the demands for high speed and high precision. While GigEVision 2.0 addresses time synchronization to some extent through the PTP protocol, it lacks a perfect solution for industrial applications requiring real-time responses to random external I / O triggers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address this, embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-camera synchronous triggering device and method based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card, thereby solving the technical problems of existing technologies, such as inability to respond in real time to random external I / O triggers, low accuracy, and slow speed.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present invention provide the following technical solutions:

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a multi-camera synchronous triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card is provided. The device comprises an XG camera, a GE camera, a 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card, a 10 Gigabit switch, and a computer. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card is connected to both the 10 Gigabit switch and the computer. Multiple XG cameras and GE cameras are connected to both the 10 Gigabit Ethernet switch and the 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card. The computer is equipped with a trigger signal source connected to the trigger input port of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card. The trigger signal source can generate trigger signals at preset time intervals via the internal clock of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card to synchronously trigger multiple cameras to perform image acquisition operations simultaneously. The image data captured by each camera is transmitted to the computer via a 10 Gigabit Ethernet (XGE) interface.

[0007] Furthermore, the device also includes an external I / O interface and an industrial encoder. The external I / O interface is connected to the industrial encoder and generates line / frame trigger signals synchronously by receiving differential signals and TTL signals to trigger the camera's image acquisition operation.

[0008] Furthermore, the camera includes an XG line scan camera, a GE line scan camera, an XG area scan camera, and a GE area scan camera.

[0009] Furthermore, the 10 Gigabit acquisition card has multiple SFP+ optical module interfaces. The SFP+ optical module interfaces generate frame trigger synchronization pulse signals and line trigger synchronization pulse signals through an internal clock or an external industrial encoder to synchronously trigger multiple cameras at high speed.

[0010] Furthermore, the device controls multiple cameras to perform synchronous high-speed triggering via the 10 Gigabit switch, wherein the cameras support the standard GigE Vision protocol.

[0011] Furthermore, the trigger signal is encapsulated into a UDP frame by the FPGA to generate UDP packet data, where the UDP port is 1600 / 1601, and the UDP data part occupies 16 bytes, which is used to define the trigger type, trigger count and timestamp.

[0012] Furthermore, to prevent conflicts between camera GVCP control messages and trigger signals, the FPGA processes the trigger signals with the highest priority, including the acquisition card control terminal prioritizing the encapsulation and transmission of external I / O signals into UDP packets, and the camera receiver prioritizing the response processing after receiving the message.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for triggering multi-camera synchronization based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card is provided, the method comprising:

[0014] Connect multiple cameras to the computer via 10 Gigabit Ethernet;

[0015] A trigger signal is generated at fixed time intervals using a preset trigger signal source and an internal clock.

[0016] The FPGA and the trigger signal are encapsulated into UDP frames to generate a trigger control message.

[0017] After receiving the trigger control message, multiple cameras perform image acquisition operations and generate image data;

[0018] The image data is transmitted to the computer via a 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface.

[0019] The embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages:

[0020] This invention connects multiple cameras to a computer via 10 Gigabit Ethernet. Each camera is connected to the same acquisition card, and a trigger signal source within the computer is connected to the trigger input port on the acquisition card. The trigger signal source triggers the camera's image acquisition operation, or an external I / O interface connects to an industrial encoder to receive differential and TTL signals, synchronously generating line / frame trigger signals to trigger line scan / area scan cameras for image acquisition. This invention combines 10 Gigabit Ethernet technology and external trigger response technology, providing a high-speed, reliable data transmission channel. This ensures that image data from the multi-camera system can be quickly transmitted to the computer. Through the coordination of synchronous trigger signals, precise exposure synchronization triggering can be achieved between the cameras, realizing high-speed, high-precision, and real-time multi-camera image acquisition. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art can derive other embodiments based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0022] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc. illustrated in this specification are only for the purpose of assisting those skilled in the art in understanding and reading the content disclosed herein, and are not intended to limit the conditions under which the present invention can be implemented. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in the proportions, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effects and objectives that the present invention can produce, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in the present invention.

[0023] Figure 1 A network topology diagram of a multi-camera synchronization triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card is provided for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the UDP packet format in a multi-camera synchronous triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] Existing solutions are often constrained by network bandwidth and latency issues, failing to meet the demands for high speed and high precision. While GigE Vision 2.0 addresses time synchronization to some extent through the PTP protocol, it lacks a perfect solution for industrial applications requiring real-time responses to random external I / O triggers.

[0027] To address the aforementioned technical issues of inability to respond in real time to random external I / O triggers, low accuracy, and slow speed.

[0028] refer to Figure 1 This invention discloses a multi-camera synchronous triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card. The device includes an XG camera, a GE camera, a 10 Gigabit capture card 200, a 10 Gigabit switch 100, and a computer. The 10 Gigabit capture card 200 is connected to both the 10 Gigabit switch 100 and the computer. Multiple XG cameras and GE cameras are connected to both the 10 Gigabit switch 100 and the 10 Gigabit capture card 200. The computer is equipped with a trigger signal source, which is connected to the trigger input port of the 10 Gigabit capture card 200. The trigger signal source can generate trigger signals at preset time intervals through the internal clock of the 10 Gigabit capture card 200 to synchronously trigger multiple cameras to perform image acquisition operations simultaneously. The image data captured by each camera is transmitted to the computer through the 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface XGE.

[0029] The 10 Gigabit acquisition card 200 is mainly optimized for the transmission link of the SFP+ hardware interface.

[0030] Furthermore, the device also includes an external I / O interface connected to the industrial encoder 300. The external I / O interface is connected to the industrial encoder 300 and generates a line / frame trigger signal synchronously by receiving differential signals and TTL signals to trigger the image acquisition operation of the camera.

[0031] Furthermore, the cameras include an XG line scan camera 401, a GE line scan camera 404, an XG area scan camera 402, and a GE area scan camera 403.

[0032] Furthermore, the 10 Gigabit acquisition card has multiple SFP+ module interfaces. The SFP+ module interfaces generate frame trigger synchronization pulse signals and line trigger synchronization pulse signals through an internal clock or an external industrial encoder 300 to synchronously trigger multiple cameras at high speed.

[0033] Furthermore, the device controls multiple cameras to perform synchronous high-speed triggering via the 10 Gigabit switch 100, wherein the cameras support the standard GigE Vision protocol.

[0034] Furthermore, the trigger signal is encapsulated into a UDP frame by the FPGA to generate UDP packet data, as referenced. Figure 2 The UDP port is 1600 / 1601, and the UDP data part occupies 16 bytes, which is used to define the trigger type, trigger count and timestamp.

[0035] Specifically, the data from this UDP port number does not enter the GigE Vision protocol processing module of the logic soft core; instead, it is processed directly by the logic high-speed clock at the high-speed camera end.

[0036] The UDP port numbers are 0x0640 and 0x0641.

[0037] In this embodiment of the invention, the UDP frame encapsulation-decoding latency jitter is less than 2µs, which meets the requirements of 500kHz high-speed signals.

[0038] Furthermore, to prevent conflicts between camera GVCP control messages and trigger signals, the FPGA prioritizes processing the trigger signals.

[0039] Among them, XAUI (10 Gigabit Attachment Unit Interface, abbreviated as XAUI) is a high-speed serial interface. The 10 Gigabit acquisition card has GVCP control messages for data in the direction of the camera. In order to resolve the conflict between the real-time trigger control message and the camera GVCP control message, the FPGA needs to prioritize the transmission of the trigger UDP frame.

[0040] The GVCP control messages include camera discovery, parameter settings, readback, and heartbeats.

[0041] Corresponding to the multi-camera synchronization triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card disclosed above, this invention also discloses a multi-camera synchronization triggering method based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card. The following details a multi-camera synchronization triggering method based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card disclosed in this invention, in conjunction with the multi-camera synchronization triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card described above.

[0042] This invention discloses a multi-camera synchronous triggering method based on a 10 Gigabit Ethernet acquisition card. The method includes: connecting multiple cameras to a computer via a 10 Gigabit Ethernet connection; generating trigger signals at fixed time intervals using a preset trigger signal source via an internal clock; encapsulating the trigger signals with UDP frames based on the FPGA to generate trigger control messages; after receiving the trigger control messages, the multiple cameras perform image acquisition operations to generate image data; and transmitting the image data to the computer via a 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface.

[0043] In this embodiment of the invention, the 10 Gigabit Ethernet can generate a trigger signal based on its own hardware clock or based on external I / O synchronization. After the signal is filtered and shaped by the 10 Gigabit acquisition card, it is synchronously output to the high-speed camera with the 10 Gigabit SFP+ interface via optical fiber. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface camera responds to the command at high speed and performs exposure. The acquisition card ensures the consistency and accuracy of synchronous exposure image acquisition by sending trigger command data frames to multiple interfaces simultaneously.

[0044] In this embodiment of the invention, the 10 Gigabit acquisition card does not require a hardware trigger cable between itself and the camera. The camera can be triggered at high frequency using only an optical cable or a CAT6A or higher specification cable. It adopts an SFP+ module, which has the advantages of fast transmission speed, low signal interference and long transmission distance.

[0045] The high-frequency triggering frequency is above 500KHz, and the transmission distance is greater than 300 meters.

[0046] This invention is compatible with the GigE Vision 2.0 standard, has good flexibility and scalability, and can add or remove cameras according to actual needs, making it flexible in configuration. The 10 Gigabit acquisition card has multiple 10 Gigabit optical ports, which can synchronously control multiple directly connected cameras, or can be connected to a 10 Gigabit switch through a single optical port to expand the synchronous control of multiple cameras.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with general descriptions and specific embodiments, modifications or improvements can be made to it, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, all such modifications or improvements made without departing from the spirit of the present invention fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-camera synchronous triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card, characterized in that, The device includes an XG camera, a GE camera, a 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card, a 10 Gigabit switch, and a computer. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card is connected to both the 10 Gigabit switch and the computer. Multiple XG cameras and GE cameras are connected to both the 10 Gigabit Ethernet switch and the 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card. The computer is equipped with a trigger signal source, which is connected to the trigger input port of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card. The trigger signal source can generate trigger signals at preset time intervals through the internal clock of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet capture card to synchronously trigger multiple cameras to perform image acquisition operations simultaneously. The image data captured by each camera is transmitted to the computer through the 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface (XGE).

2. The multi-camera synchronous triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The device also includes an external I / O interface and an industrial encoder. The external I / O interface is connected to the industrial encoder and generates line / frame trigger signals synchronously by receiving differential signals and TTL signals to trigger the camera's image acquisition operation.

3. The multi-camera synchronous triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The cameras include XG line scan cameras, GE line scan cameras, XG area scan cameras, and GE area scan cameras.

4. The multi-camera synchronous triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The 10 Gigabit acquisition card has multiple SFP+ optical module interfaces. The SFP+ optical module interfaces generate frame trigger synchronization pulse signals and line trigger synchronization pulse signals through an internal clock or an external industrial encoder to synchronously trigger multiple cameras at high speed.

5. The multi-camera synchronous triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The device controls multiple cameras to perform synchronous high-speed triggering via the 10 Gigabit switch, wherein the cameras support the standard GigEVision protocol.

6. The multi-camera synchronous triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The trigger signal is encapsulated into a UDP frame by the FPGA to generate UDP packet data. The UDP port is 1600 / 1601, and the UDP data part occupies 16 bytes, which is used to define the trigger type, trigger count and timestamp.

7. The multi-camera synchronous triggering device based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card as described in claim 6, characterized in that, To prevent conflicts between camera GVCP control messages and trigger signals, the FPGA processes trigger signals with the highest priority. This includes the acquisition card control terminal prioritizing the encapsulation and transmission of external I / O signals into UDP packets, and the camera receiver prioritizing the response processing upon receiving the message.

8. A method for synchronous triggering of multiple cameras based on a 10 Gigabit acquisition card, characterized in that, The method includes: Connect multiple cameras to the computer via 10 Gigabit Ethernet; A trigger signal is generated at fixed time intervals using a preset trigger signal source and an internal clock. The FPGA and the trigger signal are encapsulated into UDP frames to generate a trigger control message. After receiving the trigger control message, multiple cameras perform image acquisition operations and generate image data; The image data is transmitted to the computer via a 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface.

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