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MACHINE VISION · CAMERAS

What Is a GigE Vision Camera?

A GigE Vision camera is an industrial camera that sends images and takes commands over standard Ethernet, following the GigE Vision interface standard. It runs over long, low-cost network cables, can be powered by PoE, and lets many cameras share one network through a switch, which makes it a common choice for machine vision on lines and vehicles.

01

The Short Answer

USB cameras are simple but limited to short cables and one host port per camera. GigE Vision uses ordinary Ethernet, so cameras can sit meters away from the computer, connect through a network switch and be synchronized to a shared clock. Software built on the GenICam standard can drive cameras from different manufacturers in the same way.

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    Long cable runs Cameras can be mounted well away from the computer, across a machine or vehicle.
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    One cable with PoE Power and data share a single cable, cutting wiring.
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    Many cameras, one network A switch brings several camera streams together on one uplink.
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    Precise timing IEEE 1588 PTP keeps camera clocks in step for synchronized capture.
02

Why It Matters

On a moving machine, the cameras, switch and computer all need to cope with dust, water and vibration. Our spot spraying case study runs GigE cameras through a sealed M12 switch into a rugged Jetson computer. Our global vs rolling shutter guide and IEEE 1588 PTP explainer go deeper, and our rugged Ethernet switches connect the cameras.