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The Camera Link standard was initially released in 2000. It is a robust, well-established communications link that standardizes the connection between cameras and frame grabbers and defines a complete interface, including provisions for data transfer, camera timing, serial communications, and real-time signaling to the camera. Camera Link is a non packet-based protocol and remains the simplest camera/frame grabber interconnect standard. Currently in version 2.0, the standard specification includes Mini Camera Link connectors, Power over Camera Link (PoCL), PoCL-Lite (a minimized PoCL interface supporting base configurations) and cable performance specifications.
The standard specification is maintained by Automated Imaging Association.
[text excerpt from Global Machine Vision Interface Standards Brochure, http://www.visiononline.org/vision-standards.cfm, courtesy of AIA, www.visiononline.org] Additional information: http://www.visiononline.org/vision-standards-details.cfm?type=6