ANN ARBOR, MI-The Automated Imaging Association (AIA) announced that the GigE Vision camera interface standard has been updated to version 1.1. The standard includes new features and is available in Japanese. The AIA, the machine vision trade association that oversees the ongoing development and administration of the standard, has been issued a registered trademark for GigE Vision.

Among the changes, clarifications and improved documentation are new pixel formats and Bayer format support; improved error handling; support for multiple versions of the GenICam schema and GenAPI; and new commands allowing action commands to be sent to multiple devices simultaneously, as well as management of execution time.

“This is the first revision of the specification since it was introduced,” says Eric Carey, chair of the GigE Vision standard committee. “While not introducing new camera features itself, the subtle changes allow developers and camera manufacturers to better control internal processes, thus allowing for more full-feature camera options.”

GigE Vision is a camera interface standard that was developed using the Gigabit Ethernet communication protocol. GigE Vision allows data transfer at 1,000 megabytes per second using low-cost standard cables reaching lengths of up to 100 meters. With GigE Vision, hardware and software from different vendors can interoperate seamlessly over Ethernet connections. The highly scalable interface will follow the growth of Ethernet bandwidth. The GigE Vision standard committee is already preparing for incorporation of 10GigE as it becomes the mainstream protocol, allowing GigE Vision to become the fastest connection in the industry.

GigE Vision should not be confused with devices that say they are “GigE.” While a GigE device may use Ethernet connectivity, it does not use the GigE Vision communication protocol and will not plug-and-play with GigE Vision compliant devices.