Description
Key Technical Specifications
- Model Number: PCI-1424
- Manufacturer: National Instruments (NI)
- Interface Standard: Camera Link Base (1x), Compliant with Camera Link 1.2
- Image Support: 24-bit RGB Color, 8/10/12-bit Monochrome (Software-Configurable)
- Pixel Clock: Up to 85 MHz (Max Data Rate: 255 Mbps)
- Bus Interface: 32-bit PCI (33 MHz), Plug-and-Play Compliant
- Data Transfer: Direct Memory Access (DMA) to Host RAM, No CPU Overhead
- On-Board Memory: 16 MB Frame Buffer (Supports Multi-Frame Capture)
- Triggering: External Trigger Input (TTL), Software Trigger, Camera Trigger Output
- I/O Signals: 4x TTL Inputs, 4x TTL Outputs (Camera Control/Status)
- Connectors: 1x 26-Pin SCSI-II (Camera Link), 1x 15-Pin D-Sub (I/O/Trigger)
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 55°C (Standard), -40°C to 85°C (Extended Temp)
- Power Consumption: 7W Typical, 10W Maximum (From PCI Bus)
- Isolation: 2500V AC Input-to-Chassis Isolation (I/O Lines)
- Software Compatibility: NI-IMAQ Driver, LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, C/C++, Vision Development Module, Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7 (32/64-Bit)
- Physical Dimensions: 16.5 cm (L) × 10.2 cm (W), Weight: 0.4 kg (0.9 lbs)
NI PCI-1424
Field Application & Problem Solved
In industrial manufacturing—automotive assembly lines, electronics production, and packaging facilities—machine vision systems are critical for quality control, but connecting high-speed cameras to industrial PCs was a persistent challenge. Legacy frame grabbers often lacked Camera Link compatibility, suffered from CPU bottlenecks during image transfer, or failed to handle high-resolution/high-frame-rate cameras. For example, an electronics factory inspecting printed circuit boards (PCBs) needed to capture 10 MP images at 10 fps to detect solder defects, but older frame grabbers either dropped frames or slowed down the production line.
This Camera Link base frame grabber solves those issues by providing a dedicated, high-speed interface for machine vision cameras. You’ll find it in automotive plants verifying part placement on assembly lines, electronics factories inspecting PCB solder joints, and packaging facilities checking label alignment. It’s also a staple in legacy system upgrades—when replacing obsolete cameras or PCs, it maintains compatibility with existing Camera Link cameras without rewiring or reconfiguring inspection software.
Its core value is reliable, real-time image acquisition without production downtime. The 85 MHz pixel clock handles high-frame-rate cameras, while DMA transfer offloads data processing from the CPU, ensuring the inspection system keeps up with line speeds (up to 600 parts per minute in automotive applications). For field engineers, this means consistent defect detection—no missed errors due to frame drops, and minimal maintenance in 24/7 operations.
Installation & Maintenance Pitfalls (Expert Tips)
- Camera Link Cable Length Limitations: Camera Link Base cables max out at 10 meters—rookies often use longer cables, causing signal degradation and frame dropouts. Beyond 10 meters, use a Camera Link extender or fiber-optic cable. In an automotive plant, a 15-meter cable caused 20% frame loss, leading to missed part defects—replacing it with a 8-meter cable resolved the issue.
- Pixel Clock Mismatch Between Camera & Grabber: The grabber’s 85 MHz max pixel clock must match the camera’s output. Setting the camera to 100 MHz (exceeding the grabber’s limit) results in corrupted images or no data. Use NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to verify the camera’s pixel clock setting—never assume it’s compatible out of the box. I’ve fixed countless “garbled image” issues in electronics factories by adjusting this parameter.
- Insufficient Host RAM for Multi-Frame Capture: The 16 MB on-board buffer is for temporary storage—long-duration inspections (e.g., 1 hour of continuous capture) require sufficient host RAM. A packaging facility with 2 GB RAM experienced buffer overflow during 30-minute runs; upgrading to 4 GB RAM eliminated data loss. Calculate RAM needs upfront: 10 MP 24-bit image = 30 MB per frame × 10 fps × 3600 seconds = 1.08 TB (use disk streaming for long runs).
- Outdated NI-IMAQ Drivers Break Camera Compatibility: Legacy NI-IMAQ drivers (pre-4.0) don’t support newer Camera Link cameras or 64-bit OSes. Update to NI-IMAQ 5.0+—it includes bug fixes for high-temperature operation and improved compatibility with modern cameras. In a PCB factory, an outdated driver prevented communication with a 12-bit monochrome camera—updating the driver resolved the issue in 15 minutes.
NI PCI-1424
Technical Deep Dive & Overview
The PCI-1424 is a workhorse frame grabber designed for industrial machine vision’s demands. At its core, a dedicated Camera Link interface controller handles data transfer between the camera and host PC, supporting Camera Link Base’s 1x lane configuration (up to 85 MHz pixel clock). This controller decodes the camera’s video stream (color or monochrome) and sends it to the on-board 16 MB frame buffer, which acts as a buffer to prevent frame drops during high-speed acquisition.
DMA transfer is a critical design feature: it bypasses the CPU, sending image data directly to host RAM. This eliminates CPU bottlenecks, allowing the PC to run inspection software (e.g., LabVIEW Vision) simultaneously with data acquisition—critical for real-time defect detection on fast-moving production lines.
The grabber’s 24-bit color and 8/10/12-bit monochrome support makes it flexible for diverse applications: color inspection (e.g., label color matching) and high-precision monochrome tasks (e.g., solder joint contrast analysis). The 4x TTL inputs/outputs enable tight integration with industrial control systems—triggering image capture when a part enters the camera’s field of view (via a proximity sensor) and sending pass/fail signals to a PLC.
Isolation (2500V AC) protects the grabber and host PC from voltage transients common in manufacturing environments, while the extended temp variant (-40°C to 85°C) ensures reliability in harsh conditions (e.g., unheated factories).
While PCI is an aging bus, the grabber’s performance remains relevant for most machine vision applications. Camera Link Base’s 255 Mbps data rate is sufficient for 10 MP cameras at 10 fps, and the PCI bus (132 MB/s) handles continuous transfer without issues. For field engineers, its biggest strength is compatibility—working with thousands of Camera Link cameras and legacy industrial PCs—making it a trusted component in critical quality control systems worldwide. It’s a tool built for the factory floor: rugged, reliable, and designed to keep production lines running while catching defects.
