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Introduction to GigE Industrial Cameras
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Introduction to GigE Industrial Cameras

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Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) is currently the fastest growing interface in industrial digital cameras. It is a universally applicable digital interface that can almost completely replace analog camera interfaces. Gigabit Ethernet is a great technology that works well in many situations. It can handle different bandwidths, cable lengths, and it works well with multiple cameras. It also makes setting up multi-camera systems easier. Gigabit Ethernet cameras can be powered over Ethernet (PoE), meaning they can receive power through the data cable. However, you'll need to use the right cables to do that. You will also need to install a PC expansion card, switch hub, or PoE power module between the PC and the camera. PoE makes installation easier because it eliminates the need for separate power supplies and cables. PoE is particularly useful in small spaces. Using one cable for power and data transmission means fewer parts are needed, which saves money.
Machine vision inspection
GigE Vision Standard
The implementation of the GigE Vision standard makes it particularly easy to integrate all image processing programs through software—meaning that GigE Vision-compliant cameras can be replaced without modifying the application software. As a result, customers can accurately estimate and effectively plan long-term maintenance costs.
This is a hardware architecture diagram of the GigE Vision system, illustrating the processing flow of video data from acquisition to transmission based on the FPGA/ASIC/SoC platform. Input Section: The Video Source inputs raw video data. Preprocessing & Buffering: The (Pre-)Processor (preprocessing unit) processes the video before storing it in the Framebuffer (front-end) (front-end frame buffer), which temporarily holds video frames. Protocol Processing: XGigE (back-end) (GigE Vision back-end protocol processing) and XGMAC (10-gigabit Ethernet media access control) handle data encapsulation and processing according to the GigE Vision protocol, adapting it for network transmission. Network Output: The Ethernet PHY (Ethernet physical layer) and Physical Interface facilitate final network transmission. Other Modules: The CPU manages system control and scheduling. The Shared Memory Controller manages memory, bridging the CPU and DDRx SDRAM (external storage for expanded memory). Color Coding: Different colors represent IP ownership: Blue: GigE Vision protocol-related IP. Yellow: User-defined IP. Light Blue: FPGA vendor-provided IP. Orange: External devices. This reflects multi-IP collaboration and hardware resource coordination.
—— GigE Vision 2.0 Standard ——

The latest version of the GigE Vision standard improves the capabilities of the GigE interface. GigE Vision 2.0 lets you operate and synchronize multiple cameras more precisely, even in real time. A key part of the GigE Vision 2.0 standard is the Precision Time Protocol (PTP).

This protocol defines the communication path between system components with nanosecond-level accuracy. This makes sure that everything is in sync.

The GigE Vision 2.0 standard keeps things the same for existing cameras. This means that cameras using GigE Vision 2.0 can still work with software and hardware made for GigE Vision 1.2.

—— The main components of GigE Vision 2.0 include ——
1.Precision Time Protocol (PTP, IEEE 1588) – Provides a highly accurate, shared time source for all network components.
2.Freely Running Camera Synchronization – Allows cameras to operate independently or synchronize without strict timing constraints.
3.Ethernet-Based Triggering – You can trigger it using Action Commands or Scheduled Action Commands. This means that you don't need additional I/O cables.
In the center of the frame, a GigE industrial camera is positioned at a 45-degree upward angle, its sharply contoured metal casing refracting a cool, technological gleam. The densely arranged heat dissipation grilles on top and the anti-slip texture on the sides highlight its professional industrial design. Next to the eye-catching red safety mark on the lens, the precision aperture adjustment ring rotates slightly, as if ready to capture high-resolution critical images. On the back of the body, the Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) port and power connector stand side by side, with black rubber dust plugs protecting the high-speed data transmission channels. Below them, a prominent product model plate and QR code label silently declare the device's unique identity. The background features a dark carbon fiber texture, creating a striking visual contrast with the foreground camera and emphasizing its core performance in machine vision—stable, high-speed, and precise. Floating in front of the lens, a 3D-rendered data stream effect visually demonstrates the efficiency and fluidity of Gigabit Ethernet transmission.

GigE Vision is a way for machines to communicate with each other using high-speed internet. It was created by the AIA (Automated Imaging Association). This protocol is different from standard network packets because it is based on UDP. The main difference is at the application layer., which utilizes:


GVCP (GigE Vision Control Protocol) – Used for camera configuration and control.
GVSP (GigE Vision Streaming Protocol) – Handles image data streaming.

The implementation of image acquisition software relies on these two protocols. The figure below shows a comparison between the TCP/IP protocol stack and the GigE Vision protocol stack.

This diagram illustrates the hierarchical correspondence between the OSI Reference Model, TCP/IP Protocol Model, and GigE Vision Protocol Model, demonstrating the layered structure of different network protocol architectures: 1. OSI Reference Model The classic 7-layer network model, from bottom to top: Physical Layer: Handles signal transmission over physical media (e.g., cables, fiber optics). Data Link Layer: Manages frame encapsulation, transmission, and error detection (e.g., Ethernet). Network Layer: Responsible for IP addressing and routing (e.g., IP protocol). Transport Layer: Ensures end-to-end communication reliability (e.g., TCP) or efficiency (e.g., UDP). Session Layer: Establishes, manages, and terminates communication sessions. Presentation Layer: Handles data encryption, decryption, and encoding (e.g., encryption protocols, character encoding). Application Layer: Directly serves applications (e.g., HTTP, FTP). 2. TCP/IP Protocol Model A widely used 4-layer simplified model, mapping core OSI functionalities: Network Interface Layer: Combines OSI’s Physical + Data Link Layers, handling hardware and link communication. Internet Layer: Corresponds to OSI’s Network Layer, managing IP addressing and routing (core protocol: IP). Transport Layer: Matches OSI’s Transport Layer, offering TCP (reliable) or UDP (efficient) transmission. Application Layer: Integrates OSI’s Session, Presentation, and Application Layers, supporting protocols like DNS and HTTP. 3. GigE Vision Protocol Model A machine vision-specific protocol stack, built on TCP/IP and Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet: Maps to the Physical + Data Link Layers, providing high-speed network infrastructure. Network Layer (ARP, IP, ICMP): ARP resolves IP-to-MAC addresses. IP handles addressing. ICMP manages network control (e.g., ping). UDP: Used at the Transport Layer for high-speed, low-latency image streaming. GVCP (GigE Vision Control Protocol): An Application Layer protocol for camera configuration, triggering, and control commands. This layered breakdown highlights how GigE Vision optimizes real-time image transmission while leveraging standard networking protocols.
GigE Vision defines how a host can discover, control, and acquire images from one or multiple Gigabit Ethernet cameras. The GigE Vision standard leverages several key features of Gigabit Ethernet:
1. Cost-Effective Cabling & Long-Distance Transmission
● Utilizes standard Category 5 (Cat5) twisted-pair cables, which are low-cost and widely available.
● Supports direct point-to-point connections up to 100 meters without requiring hubs or switches, simplifying system deployment.
● Delivers a high transmission bandwidth of 125 MB/s (1 Gbps), enabling real-time image data transfer.
2. Network Flexibility & Scalability
● Enables multi-camera systems over a single network, where all cameras share the same bandwidth.
● Facilitates centralized control of distributed cameras, ideal for industrial automation and inspection systems.
● Supports standard Ethernet switches for easy expansion and integration into existing network infrastructures.
3. Jumbo Frame Support for High Efficiency
● Most GigE Vision cameras support Jumbo Frames, allowing packet sizes up to 9014 bytes (vs. standard Ethernet’s 1500-byte MTU).
● Reduces protocol overhead by minimizing the number of packets required for large image transfers.
● Improves throughput efficiency, especially for high-resolution or high-speed imaging applications.
These features make GigE Vision a robust, scalable, and cost-effective solution for industrial and scientific imaging systems.
After a GigE Vision device is powered on, it will attempt to obtain an IP address in the following order:
(1) Static IP: If a static IP is assigned, the device will use that IP address. (2) DHCP Server: If no IP address is assigned, it will search the network for a DHCP server and request an IP address. (3) If neither of these methods work, it will automatically use an IP address in the 169.254.x.x range. Then, it will check to see if this IP address is already being used on the network.If not, it will use that IP. Otherwise, it will repeat the process until it finds an available IP address.
Since cameras can join the network at any time, the driver must have a method to search for new cameras. To achieve this, the driver periodically broadcasts a discovery packet to the network. Every GigE Vision-compatible camera that receives this packet responds with its own IP address. The following algorithm describes the device discovery process: 1. The host application sends a discovery message frame via broadcast, which includes the host's MAC address and IP address. 2. All GigE devices on the network are always checking the network status by listening on the GVCP port. When a discovery message frame is found, they receive a broadcast frame. After unpacking and studying the message, they send a discovery response with their own details, including the GigE device model, manufacturer, IP address, and MAC address. Finally, they send the discovery response back to the host via unicast.
3.When the host application gets the response frame, it processes it as needed. This is the end of one cycle of finding GigE devices on the network.The camera discovery process is shown in the following diagram:
This is a device discovery interaction flow, describing the search-response process between the application and devices via the GVCP port. The steps are as follows: Application Initiation: Broadcasts a discovery message frame to start the search process. Device Monitoring & Reception: Listens on the GVCP port and receives the search message from the application. Device Response: Constructs a discovery response packet and sends the response frame back via unicast. Application Finalization: Receives the device's discovery response frame, completing the process.
GVCP Protocol
GVCP allows applications to configure and control GigE cameras. The application sends commands using the UDP protocol and waits for the device's response before issuing the next command. This mechanism compensates for UDP's connectionless nature, ensuring data transmission integrity and reliability.
GVSP Protocol
This protocol defines how a GVSP transmitter sends image data, image status, and other information to a GVSP receiver. GVSP packets are always transmitted between the GVSP transmitter and receiver. GVSP provides a reliability mechanism for packet transmission through GVCP.
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