Allied Vision is releasing two new Alvium camera series, featuring FPD-Link III (Flat Panel Display Link) interface and GMSL2 (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) interface. With the new cameras, Allied Vision provides a solution to exceed the limited cable length of the CSI-2 cameras. Alvium FP3 and Alvium GM2 cameras enable long cable lengths and offer robust housings and connectors. With a large selection of over 30 high-quality CMOS global and rolling shutter sensors, Allied Vision offers a broad variety of FPD-Link III and GMSL2 cameras enabling long-range data transmission based on the CSI-2 standard. Any CSI-2 Alvium camera can now be ordered as Alvium FP3 or Alvium GM2 camera.

Benefits for embedded vision applications
Many applications in robotics, logistics, and medical applications can be solved by embedded vision systems using CSI-2 cameras. Those systems benefit from small weight and size, low power consumption, and stand out with minimal latency data transmission. However, there are many limitations such as restricted cable length, open housings, and intricate connectors. Alternative camera interfaces often cannot compete with the benefits of CSI-2 or come with much higher system costs.

Alvium FP3 cameras with FPD-Link III interface and Alvium GM2 cameras with GMSL2 interface have been designed to overcome the limitations of standard CSI-2 cameras. The CSI-2-based closed-housing cameras come with an integrated serializer, 2 GPIOs (General Purpose Input/Output) on the camera and two rugged interface connectors to choose from. 

For applications with static cables, Alvium FP3 cameras are available as Coax models with a FAKRA connector, supporting up to 15 m with FAKRA coaxial cables. For applications with moving cables, Alvium FP3 STP cameras with an HSD connector and STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cables are better suited. The thin STP cables
permit a tighter bend radius, are more flexible, and support up to 10 m for FP3 models.

These new camera series offer the following advantages:

• Thin STP cables and coax cables with different lengths available
• Power over coax or Power over STP supporting single cable solutions.
• 2 GPIOs for use either via the coax cable or a separate I/O connector
• Full electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) compliance
• Resistance against shock and vibrations
• 30 sensors to choose from (SWIR, NIR, and UV models available)
• Support for GenICam for CSI-2
• Easy system set-up thanks to one driver for various embedded boards

In addition, Allied Vision provides:

• Deserializer boards for FPD-Link3 and GMSL2

• Thin STP and coax cables with different lengths of 5, 10, and 15m
• Software tools for system integration
• Integration services:
  Installing and operating Alvium FP3/GM2 Coax cameras requires knowledge and prior experience with FPD-Link III and GMSL2 technologies. Therefore, Allied Vision is offering system configuration as a service to the customer.

The cameras have been tested and support NVIDIA^® Jetson platforms based on JetPack 4.6.2 for Jetson AGX Xavier™ and Jetson Xavier NX. JetPack 5.1.1 for Jetson AGX Orin™ and Orin™ NX are also supported. Our open-source driver is available on Github.