Summary of Contents for Pleora Technologies iPORT NTx-Mini-S
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PLEORA TECHNOLOGIES INC. iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide Installing, Uninstalling, and Starting the Software Applications...
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These products are not intended for use in life support appliances, devices, or systems where malfunction of these products can reasonably be expected to result in personal injury. Pleora Technologies Inc. (Pleora) customers using or selling these products for use in such applications do so at their own risk and agree to indemnify Pleora for any damages resulting from such improper use or sale.
Chapter 1 About this Guide The iPORT™ NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface provides a flexible and economical solution for camera companies to integrate Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) connectivity into almost any industrial camera. The NTx-Mini-S supplies these features in an ultra-small footprint with low power consumption and flexible mounting options.
Pleora software, connecting the device, and performing general configuration tasks to properly display video. The last chapter of this guide provides Technical Support contact information for Pleora Technologies. Documented Product Versions This guide covers the following product versions.
Related Documents The iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide is complemented by the following Pleora Technologies documents, which are available on the Pleora Support Center at supportcenter.pleora.com: • eBUS Player User Guide Programmable Logic Controller Reference Guide • Further Reading...
Chapter 2 About the iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface This chapter describes the NTx-Mini-S, including the product variants and key features. The following topics are covered in this chapter: • “Model Variants” on page 6 “Feature Set” on page 7 •...
NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface main board (904-3008) Flat flex cables Power supply Gigabit Ethernet desktop NIC Ethernet cable 12-pin circular connector soldered on FlexEBoard Pleora eBUS SDK, provided on USB stick (includes eBUS Player sample application) iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Raw video connector • 60-pin (Hirose FH28E-60S- * Case and junction temperature limits vary by IC device. 0.5SH(05)) “Thermal Requirements” on page 41. ** See “Power Supply Options” on page 36 for details. About the iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface...
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Host interrupts • Allows host to be interrupted based on events on any input or internal signal *** Various serial communication protocols are supported iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Chapter 3 Connector Details and Pinouts This chapter describes the connectors on the NTx-Mini-S, including pinouts and signal information. It also provides details about the FlexEBoard, which connects to the PLC 20-pin connector to provide power and external signals. This chapter also provides timing information for the NTx-Mini-S’s pixel bus and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC).
Interfaces the NTx-Mini-S to Ethernet networks, as specified in IEEE 802.3. The Ethernet interface can operate at 100 or 1000 Mbps, and supports Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4). Raw video 60-pin Interfaces directly to the camera head or external device. FFC/FPC iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Raw Video 60-Pin FFC/FPC Connector (J4) The raw video connector connects directly to a camera’s PCB. This connector carries many signals, including: • Pixel data (pixel bus) video signals Power signals • • Serial interface signals, which allow the NTx-Mini-S to control the camera System level signals, such as camera clock, NTx-Mini-S clock, and system reset controls •...
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Raw pixel data from the camera PIXEL_DATA18 Input Raw pixel data from the camera PIXEL_DATA17 Input Raw pixel data from the camera PIXEL_DATA16 Input Raw pixel data from the camera PIXEL_DATA15 Input Raw pixel data from the camera iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
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Table 4: Raw Video 60-Pin FFC/FPC Pinouts (Continued) Signal name Type Notes PIXEL_DATA14 Input Raw pixel data from the camera PIXEL_DATA13 Input Raw pixel data from the camera PIXEL_DATA12 Input Raw pixel data from the camera PIXEL_DATA11 Input Raw pixel data from the camera PIXEL_DATA10 Input Raw pixel data from the camera...
Table 6: Input and Output Signal Levels Absolute maximum ratings -0.5V minimum 3.95V maximum Input voltage low -0.3V minimum 0.7V maximum Input voltage high 1.7V minimum 3.6V maximum Output voltage low 0.4V maximum Output voltage high 2.0V minimum iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Pixel Bus Timing The NTx-Mini-S pixel bus (available on the NTx-Mini-S raw video connector) transmits data from the camera to the NTx-Mini-S in a format that is similar to deserialized Camera Link Standard data, as shown in the following image. Table 7: Sub-Clock Delays on the Camera Interface Parameter Symbol...
Case 2: FVAL and LVAL are Edge-Sensitive In this case, FVAL and LVAL are edge-sensitive. • Start of frame/line is signaled by: A rising (or falling) edge on FVAL, which signals the start of a frame. A rising (or falling) edge on LVAL, which signals the start of a line. •...
LV2DV LVAL valid LVAL invalid a t LV2LI LVAL valid LVAL valid a t LI2LV LVAL invalid Data valid a , d , e t LI2DV LVAL invalid (Automatic Internal Retrigger disabled) iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
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Table 8: Timing Values for All Cases (Continued) Case 1 Case 2 Case 3 (level) (edge) (both) From Symbol ( t cp) ( t cp) ( t cp) t LI2DV 16 g 16 g LVAL invalid Data valid (Automatic Internal Retrigger enabled) LVAL invalid a , d , e t DI2LI...
SDA data (serial data) BULK0_CLK Not applicable SCK (serial clock) SCL (serial clock) High-Bandwidth Serial: BULK0 UART The high-bandwidth UART serial interface uses the following signals: BULK0_RXD • • BULK0_TXD DGND (return) • iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
High-Bandwidth Serial: BULK0 USRT The high-bandwidth USRT serial interface resembles the UART interface, but adds a clock signal to enable synchronous communication. Table 10: USRT Signal Nomenclature NTx-Mini-S signal Generic signal BULK0_RXD BULK0_TXD BULK0_CLK Table 11: Supported Clock Frequencies Clock period, tSCK (ns) Clock frequency a (MHz) 16.667 8.333...
January 2000, from Philips Semiconductors (document order number: 9398 393 40011). For a general description of how I2C works, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%C2%B2C. Table 13: I2C Signal Nomenclature NTx-Mini-S signal Generic signal BULK0_RX BULK0_TX BULK0_CLK iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Standard-Bandwidth Serial Port: UART The standard-bandwidth serial port sends one byte at a time over Ethernet. The next byte is not sent until the previous byte is acknowledged. UART0 is also referred to as SERTC (transmit data line) and SERTFG (receive data line). The standard-bandwidth serial port communication uses the following signals: •...
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Preset 4 57,600 Preset 5 115,200 Preset 6 • Maximum BulkBaudRateValue: 2,083,333* Programmable baud rate • Minimum BulkBaudRateValue: 8170 ** * When BulkBaudRateFactor/UartxBaudRateFactor is set to 1. ** When BulkBaudRateFactor/UartxBaudRateFactor is set to 255. iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
LAN/Ethernet Connector (J3) The LAN/Ethernet connector interfaces the NTx-Mini-S to Ethernet networks, as specified in IEEE 802.3. You can use either Category 5E cables or Category 6/6A cables. We recommend unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cables. Note that at greater distances, the voltage differential between the grounds at either end of the cable makes the shield behave like an antenna, which can cause noise or EMI issues.
• • Power Serial communication • The PLC 20-pin FFC/FPC connector has gold-plated contacts. To avoid galvanic corrosion, only use FFC/FPC cables with contacts that are plated with gold or a suitable material. iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
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To learn more about controlling external machinery with the NTx-Mini-S’s PLC, see the iPORT Programmable Logic Controller Reference Guide. Pin 1 The NTx-Mini-S only supports 2.5V GPIO. The following table lists the PLC 20-pin connector pinouts. Table 16: Connector Names: PLC 20-Pin FFC/FPC Signal name Type Notes...
The FlexEBoard connects to the PLC connector, providing power and external signals. You can connect a 20-pin FFC cable to the Pleora FlexEBoard or to your own board. The mating connector for the 12-pin circular connector is a Hirose 12-pin connector, part number HR10A-10P-12S(73). iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
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The NTx-Mini-S FlexEBoard makes the following pin mapping connections. Table 17: Signal Connections Signal name PLC connector pin FlexEBoard connector pin GPIO_IN0 GPIO_OUT0 GPIO_IN1 GPIO_OUT1 GPIO_IN2 GPIO_OUT2 GPIO_IN3 GPIO_OUT3 Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Connector Details and Pinouts...
All PLC signals remain within the PLC. For more information, see the iPORT Programmable Logic Controller Reference Guide, available on the Pleora Support Center at supportcenter.pleora.com. Table 18: PLC Signals Parameter Symbol Minimum (ns) Maximum (ns) t PLC PLC signal pulse width None iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Chapter 4 Status LEDs The status LEDs indicate the operating status of the NTx-Mini-S’s network connection and firmware. The following figure and table describe the status LEDs. Power LED (DS1) Network Connection Speed LED (DS3) Network Activity LED (DS2) Status LEDs...
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Blinking: Link is up with activity. Data is being transmitted or received. GigE link status, DS3 (green) Off. A GigE link is not established. No connection, 10 Mbps connection, or network 100 Mbps connection. connection speed On: A GigE link is established iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Chapter 5 Power This chapter describes how the NTx-Mini-S receives, distributes, and uses power. It also provides options for powering the NTx-Mini-S and camera. There are no power sequence requirements when applying power and sending clocks/signals to the NTx- Mini-S from your camera. As soon as the NTx-Mini-S is fully powered, it can receive clocks/signals. Power Supply Overview The components of the NTx-Mini-S power supply are illustrated in the following figure and described in the subsequent sections.
This filter is the second stage of a double-filtering power scheme recommended for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) compliance, and is used by Pleora Technologies for all designs. This filter has the highest efficiency in the range of 100-400 MHz and isolates noise generated by the NTx-Mini-S from the power cable, to eliminate electromagnetic interference (EMI).
A suggested circuit configuration for the raw video connector to the camera is shown in the following block diagram. DVCC and GND The NTx-Mini-S further filters the CAMERA_VIN and GND signals and regulates voltage levels using an onboard power supply. The DVCC and GND signals are used to power the NTx-Mini-S’s internal circuitry.
Use caution when referencing the GND signals to ensure signal degradation does not occur. For example, if a ferrite bead is situated between the grounds of the camera and the NTx-Mini-S, there are effectively two grounds. Signal A (camera) referenced to GND A (camera) results in no signal degradation (Signal B).
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Consider these issues when using dedicated power supplies for the NTx-Mini-S and camera: Though separate, the grounds of both the NTx-Mini-S and camera must be at the same potential. • • Place a sufficient number of decoupling capacitors near all of the ICs in the internal circuitry of the camera, and near all of the voltage regulators.
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Design 3: NTx-Mini-S Supplies 2.5V DVCC to Camera For this configuration, the NTx-Mini-S supplies 2.5V+/-3% DVCC to the camera. The NTx-Mini-S can supply a maximum of 0.6A (1.5W) to the camera. The circuit layout is shown in the following figure. Figure 3: Circuit Layout, NTx-Mini-S Supplies 2.5V DVCC to Camera Consider these issues when supplying 2.5V to the camera from the NTx-Mini-S: •...
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Design 4: Camera Supplies CAMERA_VIN to the NTx-Mini-S For this configuration, the camera supplies CAMERA_VIN to the NTx-Mini-S. The camera head must supply a minimum of 2.1W to the NTx-Mini-S. Note that this power value is the maximum for version 2.5.40 of the NTx-Mini-S firmware.
Power Consumption The following table lists the power consumption of the NTx-Mini-S with version 2.5.40 of the NTx-Mini-S firmware. Table 20: Power Consumption at Room Temperature Power supply source Streaming rate Power (watts) 4.5V Idle 1.60 400 Mbps 1.75 800 Mbps 1.90 Idle 1.55...
Chapter 6 Thermal Requirements This chapter provides you with the information you need to ensure the optimal operating temperature for your NTx-Mini-S. You should store the NTx-Mini-S at temperatures between -40° to +85°C. Ambient and Junction Temperatures The following table lists the components that consume the largest amount of power on the NTx-Mini-S and will therefore be most affected by high temperatures.
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Part number: W9725G6KB-25 : Not specified : 0°C to +85°C Power consumption: ~ 200 mW Altera FPGA : Not specified Part number: EP3C25F324C8N : 0° to +85°C Theta JC: 5.5°C/W Power consumption: ~ 450 mW iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Chapter 7 Pixel Bus Definitions This chapter describes the interface responsible for transmitting data from the camera to the NTx-Mini-S. Mono/RGB/Bayer Table 22: Mono/RGB/Bayer Pixel Bus Definitions Mono16 / Mono8 / Mono10 / Mono12 / Bayer16 Mono14 BGR8 RGB8 Bayer8 Bayer10 Bayer12 Comp.
Chapter 8 Installing the eBUS Player Toolkit This chapter describes how to install the eBUS Player Toolkit, and also provides information about the Pleora GigE Vision driver. The following topics are covered in this chapter: “Installing the eBUS SDK and eBUS Player Toolkit” on page 48 •...
After a moment, the driver status changes. If you are installing the driver, the driver is installed across all network adapters or USB3 Vision devices on your computer. Close the eBUS Driver Installation Tool. To see the versions of the installed drivers, click Help > About. iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Player is documented in more detail in the eBUS Player User Guide. The iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide provides you with the eBUS Player instructions and overviews that will help you set up and configure the NTx-Mini-S.
Click Play to stream live images or the test pattern. For information about using the test pattern, see “To turn the test pattern on or off” on page 53. After you confirm that images are streaming, click Stop. iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Configuring the Buffers You can increase the buffer count using eBUS Player to make streaming more robust. A high number of buffers are needed in high frame rate applications, while a small number of buffers are needed for lower frame rates. Latency increases as the number of buffers increases. To configure the buffers Start eBUS Player and connect to the NTx-Mini-S.
Set the GevPersistentIPAddress feature to a valid IP address in the GevPersistentIPAddress field. Set the GevPersistentSubnetMask feature to a valid subnet mask address. Optionally, enter a valid default gateway in the GevPersistentDefaultGateway field. Close the Device Control dialog box. Power cycle the NTx-Mini-S. iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
To automatically configure an IP address Start eBUS Player and connect to the NTx-Mini-S. For more information, see “To start eBUS Player and connect to a device” on page 50. Under Parameters and Controls, click Device control. Under TransportLayerControl, set the GevCurrentIPConfigurationPersistentIP feature to False. Set the GevCurrentIPConfigurationLLA and/or GevCurrentIPConfigurationDHCP values to True, depending on the type of automatic addressing you require.
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Under ImageFormatControl, set the PixelFormat feature to a color format. Close the Device Control dialog box. Click Play to see the changes. iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
To configure the image width and height Start eBUS Player and connect to the NTx-Mini-S. For more information, see “To start eBUS Player and connect to a device” on page 50. If images are streaming, click the Stop button. Under Parameters and Controls, click Device control. Under ImageFormatControl, change the Width and Height to suit your camera.
Chapter 10 Network Configurations for the NTx-Mini-S After you have connected to the NTx-Mini-S and provided it with a unique IP address on your network, you can configure it for either unicast or multicast. The following topics are covered in this chapter: “Unicast Network Configuration”...
You require the following components to set up a unicast network configuration: Camera with integrated NTx-Mini-S and cables • • Power supply • CAT5E/6/6A Ethernet cables GigE switch (optional) • • Desktop computer or laptop with the eBUS Player Toolkit or eBUS SDK installed iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
NTx-Mini-S Configuration — Unicast Network Configuration After you have connected and applied power to the hardware components, use eBUS Player to configure the NTx-Mini-S. To configure the NTx-Mini-S for a unicast network configuration Start eBUS Player. Click Tools > Setup. Under eBUS Player Role, click Controller and data receiver.
Grabber. Then, the vDisplay HDI-Pro External Frame Grabber converts it to an image stream for display on a monitor. Figure 6: Multicast Network Configuration HDMI-to-DVI or HDMI cable Ethernet Ethernet vDisplay HDI Pro GigE switch Management entity/ data receiver Ethernet Camera with integrated NTx-Mini-S iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Required Items — Multicast Network Configuration You require the following components to set up a multicast network configuration: • Camera with integrated NTx-Mini-S and cables • Power supply • vDisplay HDI-Pro External Frame Grabber and corresponding power supply Compatible display monitor •...
The vDisplay HDI-Pro External Frame Grabber is documented in the vDisplay HDI-Pro External Frame Grabber User Guide. The iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide provides you with the vDisplay HDI-Pro External Frame Grabber instructions and overviews required to set up and configure the vDisplay HDI-Pro External Frame Grabber for a multicast configuration.
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Click Device control. Click Guru in the Visibility list. In the TransportLayerControl > GigEVision category, set GevSCPHostPort to a streaming channel port (for example, 1042). Set GevSCDA to a multicast address (for example, 239.192.1.1). Close the Device Control dialog box. Now, configure the NTx-Mini-S, as outlined in “To configure the NTx-Mini-S for a multicast network configuration”...
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Connect to the NTx-Mini-S. For more information, see “To start eBUS Player and connect to a device” on page 50. Under Parameters and Controls, click Device control. Click Guru in the Visibility list. iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
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Under TransportLayerControl > GigEVision, ensure that the port in the GevSCPHostPort field and the multicast IP address in the GevSCDA field are correct. They are configured automatically to the values set in step 4 of this procedure. Close the Device Control dialog box. Click Play to view the source image stream both on the computer and the display monitor.
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The multicast image is shown on the computer and the display monitor receiver, as shown below. iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Chapter 11 Onboard Memory The NTx-Mini-S uses onboard memory to store images from the camera before sending them to your computer. The following topics are covered in this chapter: “High-Bandwidth Bursts” on page 67 • “Calculating Onboard Memory” on page 68 •...
Calculate the number of images your NTx-Mini-S can store in its onboard memory. An NTx-Mini-S with 32MB of internal memory has 32 x 1024 x 1024 bytes. 31 x onboardMemoryInBytes maximumNumberofImagesInMemory ----------------------------------------------------------------------- - 32 x imageFootprintInBytes Truncate maximumNumberOfImagesInMemory. iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
Chapter 12 Reference: Mechanical Drawings and Material List This chapter provides the NTx-Mini-S mechanical drawings, and also provides a list of connectors and cables, with corresponding manufacturer details. Three-dimensional (3-D) mechanical drawings are available at the Pleora Support Center at supportcenter.pleora.com The following topics are covered in this chapter: “Mechanical Drawings”...
The mechanical drawings in this section provide the NTx-Mini-S’s dimensions, features, and attributes. All dimensions are in millimeters. The mechanical drawings have the following tolerances: • ± .5 • ± .25 • .XX* ± .13 • ANGLES: ± 0 30' Figure 1: Isometric View iPORT NTx-Mini-S Embedded Video Interface User Guide...
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Figure 2: Top, Bottom, and Side Views Figure 3: Top and Bottom Component Height View Reference: Mechanical Drawings and Material List...
Material List The connector summaries for the NTx-Mini-S are listed in the following table. Table 25: Connector Summary Description Manufacturer part number Manufacturer PLC connector FH12-20S-0.5SH(55) Hirose LAN/Ethernet connector DF19G-8P-1H(54) Hirose Raw video connector FH28E-60S-0.5SH(05) Hirose Source manufacturer, description, and identification may vary and are subject to change for each connector.
Chapter 13 Technical Support On the Pleora Support Center, you can: Download the latest software and firmware. • • Log a support issue. • View documentation for current and past releases. • Browse for solutions to problems other customers have encountered. •...
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