Q+A CENTER

Steve Nordhauser, Silicon Imaging: More intelligence will be put into the cameras to simplify frame grabber or host interface communication and control software. New mobile products will emerge using laptops and hand-held PDAs for capture, processing and display, all operating on battery power. And we see an increase in demand for non-Windows-based (i.e., Linux) embedded solutions for both Camera Link and USB 2.0-based solutions, for use in low-cost standalone inspection systems, portable image capture and high-speed recording and networking systems.

Mike Miethig, DALSA: Right now, the Camera Link committee is working to improve the software interface to the camera serial communications port, and introducing a time multiplexing definition that will double the data rate passed through the cable. Additionally, the committee is working toward self-certification to give customers some assurances of camera/frame grabber compatibility, and has discussed auto-configure capability.

Vladimir Tucakov, Point Grey: The size and cost of Firewire cameras will continue to shrink. USB 2.0 will certainly become the standard consumer interface, but it is not clear if it will be suitable for industrial applications. USB 2.0 and Camera Link would certainly benefit from a standard similar to the IIDC digital camera standard. Regardless, the days of analog cameras are numbered!

Fabio Perelli, Matrox Imaging: Since cameras cannot always be placed next to the PC, we believe that increasing the cable length is a necessity for many industrial applications. That needs to happen next.

Don W. Lake, PULNiX: Remember-these standards do not drive needs; they make the solutions to those needs practical for everyone. Whatever the end-user needs today will appear within the standards tomorrow. The crucial point, then, is to make sure that the appropriate standards bodies and the committees within them are sensitized to emerging needs as quickly as possible.