Setup for Camera Link Cameras

You must configure Camera Link cameras for optimum performance with the MVS-8600 and MVS-8600e, and with CVL. With other camera types, camera setup is accomplished with DIP switches on the camera body, or with a menu system embedded in the camera’s firmware. By contrast, all cameras that meet the Camera Link specifications provide a firmware setup interface accessible by means of the Camera Link serial communication protocol.

The Camera Link specification provides for a virtual serial port interface that is accessed using RS-232 serial communication protocols over the LVDS Camera Link bus. Some camera manufacturers provide a utility to set up and configure their Camera Link cameras, but not all do.

CVL includes the Cognex Camera Link Serial Communication Utility, which you can use to communicate with and configure any Camera Link camera connected to an MVS-8600 or MVS-8600e frame grabber. To configure your Camera Link cameras you can use the manufacturer’s utility, if provided, or the Cognex-provided utility.