Grablink series

Camera Link frame grabbers

At a glance
  • PCI/PCIe frame grabbers for Camera Link 80-bit, Full, Medium, Base and Lite configuration cameras
  • Directly compatible with hundreds of Camera Link cameras available on the market
  • ECCO+ / ECCO: Extended Camera Link Cable Operation
  • Feature-rich set of digital IO lines
  • Memento Event Logging Tool
 
Grablink Full XR

Frame grabber for one full-configuration Camera Link camera with support for extra long cables
 
Grablink Full

Frame grabber for one full-configuration Camera Link camera
 
Grablink DualBase

Frame grabber for two base-configuration Camera Link cameras
 
Grablink Base

Frame grabber for one base-configuration Camera Link camera
Do not use for new design
Grablink Value

Frame grabber for one base-configuration Camera Link camera
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.euresys.com/ecco" >ECCO+ / ECCO</a>: Extended Camera Link Cable Operation
ECCO+ / ECCO: Extended Camera Link Cable Operation

  • Use longer, up to 20 meters long, Camera Link cables!
  • Download this document for more information

High-performance DMA (Direct Memory Access)
High-performance DMA (Direct Memory Access)

  • Direct transfer into user-allocated memory and hardware boards that expose PCI addresses
  • Hardware scatter-gather support
  • 64-bit addressing capability

Line-scan triggering capabilities

  • The Grablink frame grabber controls the camera scanning rate based on the signals received from a motion encoder. When the parts move faster, the acquisition line rate of the camera increases. When the parts move slower, the acquisition line rate of the camera decreases.
  • The Grablink boards interpret A/B signals from quadrature motion encoders to know in which direction (forward or backward) the part is moving.
  • Optionally, the Grablink can be instructed to acquire lines only when the object is moving forward or only when the object is moving backward.
  • A feature called Backward Motion Cancellation stops the acquisition when a backward motion is detected. The line acquisition automatically resumes when the motion is again in the forward direction, at the exact place where the acquisition was interrupted.
  • A Rate Converter allows the camera to acquire lines at any programmable resolution lower or higher than the resolution of the motion encoder. This gives the designer incredible freedom and flexibility during the development of the application.
  • A Rate Divider allows the camera to acquire lines at a resolution lower than the resolution of the motion encoder. It divides the frequency of the incoming encoder signal by a programmable integer.

Directly compatible with hundreds of Camera Link cameras available on the market
Directly compatible with hundreds of Camera Link cameras available on the market

Check out our camera compatibility page (in the Support menu) to download the relevant CamFiles

Area-scan triggering capabilities

  • A trigger is used to start the acquisition when the part is in position. Hardware triggers come from the Grablink's I/O lines. Software triggers come from the application.
  • An optional trigger delay is available to postpone the acquisition for a programmable time.
  • A trigger decimation function allows to skip some of the triggers.
  • Camera exposure control allows the application to control the exposure time of the camera.
  • When the acquisition starts, at the appropriate timing, the Grablink board generates a signal to control an illumination device connected to one of its output lines.

Flexible line-scan camera operation with the rate converter.

  • The rate converter is a smart, programmable frequency multiplier/divider.
  • Used with motion encoders and line-scan cameras, it allows the user to choose the aspect ratio of the pixels in the image.
  • It provides a way to calibrate the acquisition chain to easily reach square (1:1 aspect ratio) pixels.

General purpose I/O lines
General purpose I/O lines

Compatible with a wide range of sensors and motion encoders.

Line-scan triggering capabilities

Grablink supports continuous web scanning (to inspect infinite, continuously moving surfaces without losing a single line) and discrete object scanning (to acquire the image of objects moving in front of the camera).

  • A trigger is used to start the acquisition when the part is in position. Hardware triggers come from the board's I/O lines. Software triggers come from the application.
  • After it is started, the acquisition either:
    • Continues indefinitely (for web inspection applications)
    • Continues for a programmable number of lines (to acquire the image of objects of a known length)
    • Continues until an end trigger is received (to acquire the image of objects of a variable length)
  • An optional trigger delay is available to postpone the beginning of the acquisition for a programmable number of lines.

Windows and Linux drivers available
Windows and Linux drivers available

Compare products by selecting them in the columns.
The differences between the products are highlighted in blue.
 
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Mechanical
Format
Standard profile, half length, 4-lane PCI Express card
Standard profile, half length, 4-lane PCI Express card
Cooling method
Air-cooling, fanless
Air-cooling, fanless
Mounting
For insertion in a standard height, 4-lane or higher, PCI Express card slot
For insertion in a standard height, 4-lane or higher, PCI Express card slot
Connectors
  • 'BASE' on bracket:
    • 26-position Shrunk Delta Ribbon (SDR) socket
    • Camera Link Base connector
  • 'MEDIUM/FULL'
    • 26-position Shrunk Delta Ribbon (SDR) socket
    • Camera Link Medium/Full/80-bit connector
  • 'EXTERNAL I/O' on bracket:
    • 26-pin 3-row high-density female sub-D connector
    • I/O lines and power output
  • 'INTERNAL I/O' on PCB:
    • 26-pin 2-row 0.1" pitch pin header with shrouding
    • I/O lines and power output
  • 'POWER INPUT' on module:
    • 4-pin MOLEX power socket
    • 12 VDC power input for PoCL camera and I/O power
  • 'BASE' on bracket:
    • 26-position Shrunk Delta Ribbon (SDR) socket
    • Camera Link Base connector
  • 'MEDIUM/FULL'
    • 26-position Shrunk Delta Ribbon (SDR) socket
    • Camera Link Medium/Full/80-bit connector
  • 'EXTERNAL I/O' on bracket:
    • 26-pin 3-row high-density female sub-D connector
    • I/O lines and power output
  • 'INTERNAL I/O' on PCB:
    • 26-pin 2-row 0.1" pitch pin header with shrouding
    • I/O lines and power output
  • 'POWER INPUT' on module:
    • 4-pin MOLEX power socket
    • 12 VDC power input for I/O
Dimensions
L 167.65 mm x H 111.15 mm L 6.6 in x H 4.38 in
L 167.65 mm x H 111.15 mm L 6.6 in x H 4.38 in
Weight
136 g, 4.80 oz
133 g, 4.69 oz
Host bus
Standard
PCI Express 1.0
PCI Express 1.0
Link width
4 lanes
4 lanes
Link speed
2.5 GT/s (PCIe 1.0)
2.5 GT/s (PCIe 1.0)
Maximum payload size
1024 bytes
1024 bytes
DMA
32- and 64-bit
32- and 64-bit
Peak delivery bandwidth
1,024 MB/s
1,024 MB/s
Effective (sustained) delivery bandwidth
  • Up to 833 MB/s for a PCI Express payload size of 256 bytes and 64-bit addressing
  • Up to 844 MB/s for a PCI Express payload size of 256 bytes and 32-bit addressing
  • Up to 754 MB/s for a PCI Express payload size of 128 bytes and 64-bit addressing
  • Up to 780 MB/s for a PCI Express payload size of 128 bytes and 32-bit addressing
  • Up to 833 MB/s for a PCI Express payload size of 256 bytes and 64-bit addressing
  • Up to 844 MB/s for a PCI Express payload size of 256 bytes and 32-bit addressing
  • Up to 754 MB/s for a PCI Express payload size of 128 bytes and 64-bit addressing
  • Up to 780 MB/s for a PCI Express payload size of 128 bytes and 32-bit addressing
Power consumption
Max. 9.9 W; Typ. 8.2 W (1.0 A @ 3.3V;0.41 A @+12V)
Max. 6.9 W; Typ. 5.7 W (0.48 A @ 3.3V;0.34 A @+12V)
Camera / video inputs
Interface standard(s)
Camera Link 2.0
Camera Link 2.0
Connectors
Two Shrunk Delta Ribbon (SDR) Miniature Camera Link (MiniCL)
Two Shrunk Delta Ribbon (SDR) Miniature Camera Link (MiniCL)
ECCO - Extended Camera Link Cable Operation
ECCO+
ECCO
Number of cameras
One 80-bit (10 x 8-bit taps), Full, Medium or Base camera
One 80-bit (10 x 8-bit taps), Full, Medium or Base camera
Maximum aggregated camera data transfer rate
6.8 Gbit/s (850 MB/s)
6.8 Gbit/s (850 MB/s)
Camera Link configuration
Base, Medium, Full, 80-bit (10 x 8-bit taps)
Base, Medium, Full, 80-bit (10 x 8-bit taps)
Camera Link clock frequency
From 20 MHz up to 85 MHz
From 20 MHz up to 85 MHz
PoCL (Power over Camera Link)
Two independent PoCL SafePower compliant controllers with overload, over-voltage and short-circuit protections
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Camera types
  • Gray-scale and color (RGB and Bayer) cameras
  • Area-scan and line-scan cameras
  • Gray-scale and color (RGB and Bayer) cameras
  • Area-scan and line-scan cameras
Camera pixel formats supported
Monochrome, Bayer, and RGB (PFNC names):
  • Mono8, Mono10, Mono12, Mono14, Mono16
  • BayerXX8, BayerXX10, BayerXX12, BayerXX14, BayerXX16 where XX = GR, RG, GB, or BG
  • RGB8, RGB10, RGB12, RGB14, RGB16
Monochrome, Bayer, and RGB (PFNC names):
  • Mono8, Mono10, Mono12, Mono14, Mono16
  • BayerXX8, BayerXX10, BayerXX12, BayerXX14, BayerXX16 where XX = GR, RG, GB, or BG
  • RGB8, RGB10, RGB12, RGB14, RGB16
Area-scan camera control
Trigger
  • Precise control of asynchronous reset cameras, with exposure control.
  • Support of camera exposure/readout overlap.
  • Support of external hardware trigger, with optional delay and trigger decimation.
  • Precise control of asynchronous reset cameras, with exposure control.
  • Support of camera exposure/readout overlap.
  • Support of external hardware trigger, with optional delay and trigger decimation.
Strobe
  • Accurate control of the strobe position for strobed light sources.
  • Support of early and late strobe pulses.
  • Accurate control of the strobe position for strobed light sources.
  • Support of early and late strobe pulses.
Line-scan camera control
Scan/page trigger
  • Precise control of start-of-scan and end-of-scan triggers.
  • Support of external hardware trigger, with optional delay.
  • Support of infinite acquisition, without missing line, for web inspection applications.
  • Precise control of start-of-scan and end-of-scan triggers.
  • Support of external hardware trigger, with optional delay.
  • Support of infinite acquisition, without missing line, for web inspection applications.
Line trigger
  • Support for quadrature motion encoders, with programmable noise filters, selection of acquisition direction and backward motion compensation.
  • Rate Converter tool for fine control of the pixel aspect ratio.
  • Rate Divider tool
  • Support for quadrature motion encoders, with programmable noise filters, selection of acquisition direction and backward motion compensation.
  • Rate Converter tool for fine control of the pixel aspect ratio.
  • Rate Divider tool
Line strobe
  • Accurate control of the strobe position for strobed light sources.
  • Accurate control of the strobe position for strobed light sources.
On-board processing
On-board memory
128 MB (64 MB for image data)
128 MB (64 MB for image data)
Image data stream processing
  • Unpacking of 10-/12-/14-bit to 16-bit with selectable justification to LSb or MSb
  • Unpacking of 10-/12-/14-bit to 16-bit with selectable justification to LSb or MSb
Input LUT (Lookup Table)
  • Monochrome: 8-bit, 10-bit or 12-bit per pixel, up to 1000 MPixel/s
  • RGB: 3x8-bit, 3x10-bit or 3x12-bit per pixel, up to 250 MPixel/s
  • Monochrome: 8-bit, 10-bit or 12-bit per pixel, up to 1000 MPixel/s
  • RGB: 3x8-bit, 3x10-bit or 3x12-bit per pixel, up to 250 MPixel/s
Bayer CFA to RGB decoder
  • Advanced interpolation method using average and median functions on a 3x3 kernel
  • Up to 225 MPixel/s
  • Advanced interpolation method using average and median functions on a 3x3 kernel
  • Up to 225 MPixel/s
General Purpose Inputs and Outputs
Number of lines
10 I/O lines:
  • 2 differential inputs (DIN)
  • 4 isolated inputs (IIN)
  • 4 isolated outputs (IOUT)
10 I/O lines:
  • 2 differential inputs (DIN)
  • 4 isolated inputs (IIN)
  • 4 isolated outputs (IOUT)
Usage
  • The input lines can be used by the acquisition channel as:
    • Camera frame trigger source (area-scan only)
    • Acquisition sequence trigger source (area-scan only)
    • Camera line trigger source (line-scan only)
    • Page acquisition trigger source (line-scan only)
    • Page acquisition end trigger source (line-scan only)
    • (Quadrature) motion encoder input (line-scan only)
  • The IOUT 1 output line can be used by the acquisition channel as:
    • Illumination strobe output
  • All the input lines can be used as general purpose inputs
  • All the output lines can be used as general purpose outputs
  • The input lines can be used by the acquisition channel as:
    • Camera frame trigger source (area-scan only)
    • Acquisition sequence trigger source (area-scan only)
    • Camera line trigger source (line-scan only)
    • Page acquisition trigger source (line-scan only)
    • Page acquisition end trigger source (line-scan only)
    • (Quadrature) motion encoder input (line-scan only)
  • The IOUT 1 output line can be used by the acquisition channel as:
    • Illumination strobe output
  • All the input lines can be used as general purpose inputs
  • All the output lines can be used as general purpose outputs
Electrical specifications
  • DIN: High-speed differential inputs compatible with ANSI/EIA/TIA-422/485 differential line drivers and complementary TTL drivers
  • IIN: Isolated current-sense inputs with wide voltage input range up to 30V, compatible with totem-pole LVTTL, TTL, 5V CMOS drivers, RS-422 differential line drivers, potential free contacts, solid-state relays and opto-couplers
  • IOUT: Isolated contact outputs compatible with 30V / 100mA loads
  • DIN: High-speed differential inputs compatible with ANSI/EIA/TIA-422/485 differential line drivers and complementary TTL drivers
  • IIN: Isolated current-sense inputs with wide voltage input range up to 30V, compatible with totem-pole LVTTL, TTL, 5V CMOS drivers, RS-422 differential line drivers, potential free contacts, solid-state relays and opto-couplers
  • IOUT: Isolated contact outputs compatible with 30V / 100mA loads
Filter control
  • Glitch removal filter available only on input lines used as trigger sources
  • Configurable with five time constants:
    • 100 ns, 500 ns, and 2.5 µs for trigger / page trigger / page end trigger sources
    • 40 ns, 100 ns, 200 ns, 500 ns, 1 µs, 5 µs, 10 µs for line trigger sources
  • Glitch removal filter available only on input lines used as trigger sources
  • Configurable with five time constants:
    • 100 ns, 500 ns, and 2.5 µs for trigger / page trigger / page end trigger sources
    • 40 ns, 100 ns, 200 ns, 500 ns, 1 µs, 5 µs, 10 µs for line trigger sources
Power output
Non-isolated, +5V, 1A and +12V, 1A, with electronic fuse protection
Non-isolated, +5V, 1A and +12V, 1A, with electronic fuse protection
Software
Host PC Operating System
  • Microsoft Windows 10, 8.1, 7 for x86 (32-bit) and x86-64 (64-bit) processor architectures
  • Linux for x86 (32-bit) and x86-64 (64-bit) processor architectures
Refer to release notes for details
  • Microsoft Windows 10, 8.1, 7 for x86 (32-bit) and x86-64 (64-bit) processor architectures
  • Linux for x86 (32-bit) and x86-64 (64-bit) processor architectures
Refer to release notes for details
APIs
  • MultiCam 32- and 64-bit binary libraries (Windows and Linux), for ISO-compliant C/C++ compilers
  • MultiCam 32- and 64-bit binary libraries (Windows and Linux), for ISO-compliant C/C++ compilers
Environmental conditions
Operating ambient air temperature
0 to +50 °C / +32 to +122 °F
0 to +50 °C / +32 to +122 °F
Operating ambient air humidity
10 to 90% RH non-condensing
10 to 90% RH non-condensing
Storage ambient air temperature
-20 to +70 °C/ -4 to +158 °F
-20 to +70 °C/ -4 to +158 °F
Storage ambient air humidity
10% to 90% RH non-condensing
10% to 90% RH non-condensing
Certifications
Electromagnetic - EMC standards
  • European Council EMC Directive 2004/108/EC
  • United States FCC rule 47 CFR 15
  • European Council EMC Directive 2004/108/EC
  • United States FCC rule 47 CFR 15
EMC - Emission
  • EN 55022:2010 Class B
  • FCC 47 Part 15 Class B
  • EN 55022:2010 Class B
  • FCC 47 Part 15 Class B
EMC - Immunity
  • EN 55024:2010 Class B
  • EN 61000-4-2
  • EN 61000-4-3
  • EN 61000-4-4
  • EN 61000-4-5
  • EN 61000-4-6
  • EN 55024:2010 Class B
  • EN 61000-4-2
  • EN 61000-4-3
  • EN 61000-4-4
  • EN 61000-4-5
  • EN 61000-4-6
KC Certification
Korean Radio Waves Act, Article 58-2, Clause 3
Korean Radio Waves Act, Article 58-2, Clause 3
Flammability
PCB compliant with UL 94 V-0
PCB compliant with UL 94 V-0
RoHS
European Union Directive 2015/863 (ROHS3)
European Union Directive 2015/863 (ROHS3)
REACH
European Union Regulation 1907/2006
European Union Regulation 1907/2006
WEEE
Must be disposed of separately from normal household waste and must be recycled according to local regulations
Must be disposed of separately from normal household waste and must be recycled according to local regulations
Ordering Information
Product code - Description
Optional accessories
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HS Acquisition

High speed image acquisition for AOI, 3D SPI, 3D lead/ball inspection machines.

The Coaxlink and Grablink cards are dependable industrial frame grabbers that provide robust and stable image acquisition from the fastest digital cameras available. They feature precise camera control and synchronization functions.
  • AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) machines
  • 3D SPI (Solder Paste Inspection) machines
  • 3D lead/ball inspection machines
Associated Products
Coaxlink Duo , Coaxlink Duo CXP-12 , Coaxlink Mono , Coaxlink Mono CXP-12 LH , Coaxlink Octo , Coaxlink Quad , Coaxlink Quad CXP-12 , Coaxlink Quad CXP-3 , Coaxlink Quad G3 , Coaxlink Quad G3 DF , Coaxlink Quad G3 LH , Grablink Avenue , Grablink Base , Grablink DualBase , Grablink Express , Grablink Full , Grablink Full XR , Grablink Value
LS Acquisition Elec

Very high resolution line-scan image acquisition for Flat Panel Display inspection and solar cell inspection

The Coaxlink and Grablink cards are dependable industrial frame grabbers that provide robust and stable image acquisition from the fastest digital cameras available. They feature precise line-scan camera control and synchronization functions.
Associated Products
Coaxlink Duo CXP-12 , Coaxlink Mono CXP-12 LH , Coaxlink Octo , Coaxlink Quad , Coaxlink Quad CXP-12 , Coaxlink Quad G3 , Coaxlink Quad G3 DF , Coaxlink Quad G3 LH , Grablink Avenue , Grablink Base , Grablink DualBase , Grablink Express , Grablink Full , Grablink Full XR , Grablink Value
HFR Acquisition

High frame rate image acquisition for inspection machines

Glass inspection: bottles, vials
Associated Products
Coaxlink Duo , Coaxlink Duo CXP-12 , Coaxlink Mono , Coaxlink Mono CXP-12 LH , Coaxlink Octo , Coaxlink Quad , Coaxlink Quad CXP-12 , Coaxlink Quad CXP-3 , Coaxlink Quad G3 , Coaxlink Quad G3 DF , Coaxlink Quad G3 LH , Grablink Avenue , Grablink Base , Grablink DualBase , Grablink Express , Grablink Full , Grablink Full XR , Grablink Value
LS Acquisition Man

Line-scan image acquisition for surface inspection machines

The Coaxlink and Grablink cards are dependable industrial frame grabbers that provide robust and stable image acquisition from the fastest digital cameras available. They feature precise line-scan camera control and synchronization functions.
Associated Products
Coaxlink Duo CXP-12 , Coaxlink Mono CXP-12 LH , Coaxlink Octo , Coaxlink Quad , Coaxlink Quad CXP-12 , Coaxlink Quad G3 , Coaxlink Quad G3 DF , Coaxlink Quad G3 LH , Grablink Avenue , Grablink Base , Grablink DualBase , Grablink Express , Grablink Full , Grablink Full XR , Grablink Value
LS Acquisition Textile

Line-scan image acquisition for textile inspection

The Coaxlink and Grablink cards are dependable industrial frame grabbers that provide robust and stable image acquisition from the fastest digital cameras available. They feature precise line-scan camera control and synchronization functions.
Associated Products
Coaxlink Duo CXP-12 , Coaxlink Mono CXP-12 LH , Coaxlink Octo , Coaxlink Quad , Coaxlink Quad CXP-12 , Coaxlink Quad G3 , Coaxlink Quad G3 DF , Coaxlink Quad G3 LH , Grablink Avenue , Grablink Base , Grablink DualBase , Grablink Express , Grablink Full , Grablink Full XR , Grablink Value
HS AcquisitionPrinting

High speed line-scan image acquisition for printing inspection machines

  • Printing inspection for packages
  • Printing inspection for labels
Associated Products
Coaxlink Duo CXP-12 , Coaxlink Mono CXP-12 LH , Coaxlink Octo , Coaxlink Quad CXP-12 , Coaxlink Quad G3 , Coaxlink Quad G3 DF , Coaxlink Quad G3 LH , Grablink Avenue , Grablink Base , Grablink DualBase , Grablink Express , Grablink Full , Grablink Full XR , Grablink Value