Camera Data Interfaces

Emergent Vision Technologies cameras have one of the following data interfaces, depending on the model’s camera family:

• 10GigE, 5GigE, 2.5GigE, and 1GigE RJ45
• 10GigE SFP+
• 25GigE SFP28
• 100GigE QSFP28

Camera family data interfaces

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Camera data interface ports

This section describes the data interface ports on Emergent cameras.

RJ45 data interfaces

The RJ45 Ethernet port used in Emergent’s Eros, HT, and Pace LT cameras is a standard port for 1 Gb, 2.5 Gb, 5 Gb and 10 Gb Ethernet applications.

‍Note: Eros cameras, but not HT and Pace LT cameras, support power-over-Ethernet (PoE). So you can power Eros cameras through either the RJ45 port or the GPIO port.

Figure 1: RJ45 port on a 5GigE Eros camera

SFP+ data interfaces

The SFP+ port used in Emergent’s HR and Pace LR cameras is a standard port for 10 Gb Ethernet applications. SFP+ stands for “enhanced small form-factor pluggable.” SFP+ has significant advantages over other Ethernet cabling options, including a variety of cabling options including Direct Attach, which is a copper-base solution for reliable transmission up to 10m, and Fiber Based Transceiver solutions for significantly longer transmission distances limited only by the available fiber transceiver technologies.

Figure 2: SFP+ port on a 10GigE HR camera

SFP28 data interfaces

The SFP28 port used in Emergent’s Bolt and Accel cameras supports 25GigE connections. Connect it using a compatible SFP28 DAC cable or an optical transceiver and LC fiber cable.

Figure 3: SFP28 port on a 25GigE Bolt camera

QSFP28 data interfaces

The QSFP28 port used in Emergent’s Zenith and Pinnacle cameras, is designed for 100 Gigabit Ethernet applications. QSFP28 stands for "quad small form-factor pluggable 28”, which has a maximum data rate of 28 Gbps in each of its four channels. QSFP28 supports high-speed data transmission, making it suitable for demanding applications that require substantial bandwidth.

Figure 4: QSFP28 port on a 100GigE Zenith camera

Connect and disconnect data-interface cables

Cable connectors and optical transceivers have locking latches that hold them in their ports. Before disconnecting a component, identify its release control—the part you press, pull, or pivot to disengage the latch. Some connectors combine the latch and release control in a single flexible tab. Release mechanisms can differ even among connectors with the same SFP+, SFP28, or QSFP28 form factor.

Before connecting a cable, confirm that its connectors, any transceivers, and both device ports support the required interface and link rate. See Network Cables and Optical Transceivers for component-selection guidance.

Stop image acquisition before disconnecting a data cable. Disconnecting an RJ45 cable also interrupts power to a camera powered through that connection. At each endpoint, align connectors carefully and insert them straight into the port. Do not force a connector. If a connector or transceiver resists removal, stop and check its release mechanism.

Connect and disconnect an RJ45 cable

An RJ45 plug has a plastic locking tab. Some plugs have a snagless guard or boot over the tab. See Figure 5 to identify the locking tab and its release direction.

To connect an RJ45 cable:

1. Align the keyed RJ45 plug with the port.
2. Hold the plug body and push it straight into the port until it is fully seated and latched.
3. Connect the other end to the corresponding RJ45 port.

To disconnect an RJ45 cable:

1. Hold the plug body.
2. Press the locking tab toward the plug body. If the plug has a snagless guard, press the guard where it operates the locking tab.
3. Keep the tab depressed and pull the plug straight out of the port. Do not pull on the cable.

‍Figure 5: Press the RJ45 locking tab to release the plug from the port

Connect and disconnect a DAC or AOC assembly

Direct-attach copper (DAC) and active optical cable (AOC) assemblies have permanently attached pluggable ends. Depending on the product, the end may use a pull tab, pull handle, or another release mechanism. See Figure 6 for examples of the release controls.

To connect a DAC or AOC assembly:

1. Confirm that the assembly and both ports support the required interface and link rate.
2. Align one cable end with the port.
3. Hold the connector housing and push it straight into the port until it is fully seated and latched.
4. Connect the other end to the corresponding port.

To disconnect a DAC or AOC assembly:

1. Identify the release control fitted to the cable end.
2. For a pull-tab or pull-handle design, pull the release control straight away from the port to disengage the latch. If the release control differs, follow the instructions for that cable assembly.
3. With the latch released, grip the connector housing and pull it straight out of the port. If the cable manufacturer specifies using the release handle to withdraw the connector, use that handle instead. Do not pull on the cable itself.
4. Repeat the procedure at the other endpoint.

Release mechanisms differ between products. Do not assume that an SFP+, SFP28, or QSFP28 cable end uses the same release action as another cable with the same form factor.

‍Figure 6: Example of a pull tab on DAC and AOC cables

Install and remove an optical transceiver and LC fiber cable

A modular fiber connection uses a separate optical transceiver at each endpoint and a fiber-optic cable between them. The LC plug has its own locking tab; a duplex LC connector has two plugs, which may have separate tabs. The transceiver has a separate release control, such as a hinged bail clasp or a pull tab or handle. Pivot a bail clasp or pull a handle only as specified for that transceiver. See Figure 7 to distinguish the LC latch from the transceiver release control.

Warning: Never look into optical ports or fiber ends. Use electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection when handling transceivers.

To install a transceiver and connect an LC fiber cable:

1. Confirm that the transceiver, fiber type, connectors, and host port support the required connection.
2. With the fiber cable disconnected, align the transceiver with the port. For a bail-clasp transceiver, set the clasp to the installation position specified by its manufacturer.
3. Hold the transceiver housing and push it straight into the port until it is fully seated and latched.
4. Remove the protective caps from the transceiver and LC plug immediately before making the connection. Do not touch the exposed optical surfaces.
5. Align the LC plug with the transceiver receptacle.
6. Hold the LC plug body and push it straight into the receptacle until it is fully seated and latched.
7. Install the corresponding transceiver and connect the other end of the fiber cable at the other endpoint.

To disconnect the fiber cable and remove the transceiver:

1. Hold the LC plug body and operate its release latch.
2. Pull the LC plug straight out of the transceiver. Do not pull on the fiber cable.
3. Fit clean protective caps to the disconnected LC cable ends. Leave the transceiver dust plug off until after removing the transceiver.
4. Identify the transceiver’s release mechanism, such as a hinged bail or pull handle.
5. Operate the release mechanism in its specified direction to disengage the transceiver.
6. Hold the transceiver housing or fitted handle and pull the transceiver straight out of the port.
7. Fit the transceiver’s protective dust plug and store the transceiver in antistatic packaging.

Do not attempt to remove the transceiver by pulling on the connected fiber cable. Release the LC plug before operating the transceiver’s release mechanism.

‍Figure 7: The LC latch releases the fiber plug, while the transceiver release mechanism releases the module from the device port