How to Benefit from Power over Camera Link in Machine Vision
BitFlow Axionâ„¢ PoCL frame grabbers eliminate need for separate power supply
WOBURN, MA, MAY 16, 2025 -- In low- to mid-range industrial imaging systems that deploy Camera Link (CL) cameras, Power over Camera Link (PoCL) is heavily relied upon. Similar to Power over Ethernet (PoE) but tailored for the Camera Link interface, PoCL allows power to be transmitted to the camera on the same cable as data. As a result, it reduces cable clutter, simplifies setup by eliminating an external power supply, and improves system reliability by minimizing connection points. Its 4W per port limit is sufficient for most CL cameras, making PoCL a cost-effective approach to basic system design.
As with PoE, PoCL requires specific hardware to ensure operation, starting with a PoCL-compatible CL camera supporting the SafePower protocol. A dedicated PoCL cable is also needed, one meeting the electrical and mechanical specifications outlined in the Camera Link 1.2 standard. Four of the inner shield wires in the cable's pinout were reassigned as two power lines and two power returns for up to 333mA at 12V or 400mA at 10V. However, Camera Link cable lengths and speeds are maintained.
The most important component in a PoCL solution is the frame grabber. A PoCL-compatible frame grabber has a power circuit that generates 12V power and supplies it to pins 1 and 26 on the connector. This 12V is switchable to ground so that the frame grabber can operate with both PoCL and non-PoCL Camera Link cameras. Like a PoCL camera, a PoCL-compatible frame grabber implements the SafePower protocol. SafePower in the frame grabber features specialized sensor circuitry to detect whether a PoCL-compliant camera and cable are connected before supplying power, therefore preventing damage to non-compatible hardware.
BitFlow Supports PoCL
While many frame grabber suppliers have abandoned updating the Camera Link interface and PoCL, BitFlow continues to support both through its Axion-CL product line. In fact, BitFlow has manufactured Camera Link frame grabbers since the CL standard was introduced in 2000. With each successive generation of CL frame grabbers, BitFlow has improved the quality, flexibility and robustness.
All six Axion-CL frame grabbers and their variants are PoCL compatible and feature the SafePower protective mechanism in the PCIe Gen 2 format. Unique to BitFlow Axion-CL frame grabbers is the company's Software Development Kit with built-in APIs for custom development, plus drivers for HALCON, LabView, VisionPro, MATLAB and other 3rd party software. In addition, Axion-CL frame grabbers incorporate BitFlow's exclusive StreamSyncâ„¢ architecture that minimizes latency and CPU use for higher speed data transfer directly to PC host memory.
BitFlow Axion-CL frame grabbers are available in models that link one, two, three or four cameras, supplying each with the necessary power to operate. Also because of the common SDK, BitFlow's customers who have some systems running on the CXP interface can use the same image processing code on their Camera Link applications.
To learn more, visit www.bitflow.com.
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