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Today, visual inspection method has changed from human eyes to automated optical inspection(AOI) using high-end digital cameras, that have higher data volume and faster transmission speed . For example so far,conventional LCD panel inspections with cameras can be covered by a 10m cable - this length is specified for the Camera Link interface standard. However, since the size of the LCD panel has become larger, and the longer than 10m cables are now required. If conventional cables are used to transmit high-speed data over distances greater than 10m, the eye pattern will be 'crushed', which results in transmission errors.

For this reason, a repeater unit has typically been placed between the two cables to extend the transmission distance by connecting the 10m length cables. However, when using this method, with a movable device, there are very few locations where the repeater can be sensibly located. The power line to the repeater also becomes long, which causes a range of problems including noise. Further more, the repeater ,when placed in the middle, obstructs the camera which moves along the edge of the cables.

The new product, Clean Eye Camera Link Cable facilitates wiring using one 20m cable by placing the repeater unit on the frame grabber side, instead of in between the two cables. Also, the repeater can be placed anywhere. The power consumption of the repeater unit is 0.5W(TYP) which is 1/2 of value for the ordinary repeater units, made possible with the help of the company's unique equalizing technology. This low power scheme has great advantage when using ithe Power over Camera Link (PoCL) application, which requires low power consumption. In addition, the low skew smooth sliding camera link cable retains many of the outstanding characteristics of current OKI's camera link cables, such as non-degradation of electrical characteristics caused by bending.


OKI Electric Cable will continue in the future to develop and provide high-end products, over and above industrial standard, to the worldwide market, says Takashi Hattori, President of OKI Electric Cable. We believe our Clean Eye Camera Link Cable is fulfilling an important industry need for innovative solutions that deliver high-quality inspection capabilities, capable of providing long-distance transmission at high speeds and low levels of power consumption.