4
1.3.
Functional Description
A block diagram of the CLR-102 is provided in Figure 1-1. The CLR-102 regenerates the
“base” configuration signal set defined in the Camera Link Specification for Power over
Camera Link (PoCL) applications. The regenerated signals may then be transmitted an
additional distance up-to 10 meters over Camera Link cables. The CLR-102 incorporates
the Miniature Camera Link (miniCL) connector widely used in PoCL devices.
The CLR-102 incorporates the connectors, signals, pinouts, and chipset in compliance
with the PoCL section of the Camera Link specification. The CLR-102 regenerates all the
“base” configuration signals, consisting of video data, camera control, and serial
communications. A front-panel link status indicator identifies an active camera
connection.
The Camera Link Specification requires that repeater devices used in PoCL applications
“power” the camera, not simply pass-through power from the frame grabber to the
camera. To meet this requirement, The CLR-102 incorporates the 12V powering circuitry
specified. The 12V powering circuitry includes filtering as well as over current protection.
The over current protection is in the form of an automatically resetable fuse.
The CLR-102 incorporates the SafePower feature defined in the PoCL section of the
Camera Link Specification. The SafePower feature allows the CLR-102 to safely
interoperate with either PoCL or standard (non-Pocl) cameras and cables by first sensing
and identifying the attached camera type (PoCL or standard), and then only providing
power to PoCL cameras. This avoids excessive current draw and possible damage to the
CLR-102 caused when attempting power a standard (non-PoCL) camera and/or cable.
Since the CLR-102 provides power to PoCL cameras, it is not required that the frame
grabber connected to the CLR-102 be PoCL. Therefore, the CLR-102 acts as both a
repeater
(for increasing distance between PoCL camera and frame grabber), and an
adapter
(for enabling the use of PoCL cameras with standard non-PoCL Camera Link
frame grabbers).
PoCL frame grabbers used with the CLR-102 must have the SafePower feature.
