Update on CoaXPress v3.0
Our CTO, Chris Beynon, has returned from the International Vision Standards Meeting (IVSM) in Haikou, China, with an update on the CoaXPress (CXP) standard. Chris is technical chair for the standard and is committed to driving developments to ensure that it keeps ahead of the demands of modern machine vision.
At the CXP meeting, Chris presented the current draft of version 3.0 to the attendees to bring them up to speed on progress as well as chairing a discussion on resolving outstanding issues.
New Key Features of CoaXPress v3.0
Version 3.0 of the standard is edging closer to reality with plans for an initial release candidate by the end of the year and an approved release by next April’s IVSM. Key features of the release include adding 25 Gbps speeds for both traditional coax and fiber, the integration of fiber optic technology, a faster triggering rate over coax and support for forward error correction.
The revision to the standard brings CoaXPress over Fiber into the main CXP standard. Supporting imaging over fiber optics is an essential progression for CXP as an option instead of coax, with significant benefits where very long cable runs are required, or cameras are placed in harsh electrical environments.
The improved triggering rate for CXP systems will be enabled by sharing the triggers across all connections of a CXP camera, rather than the current set up of only one connection. This would therefore lead to 4x faster triggering with a 4xCXP system.
The new version also includes support for forward error correction on fiber systems. Forward error correction adds redundant information to the data stream so that the receiver can automatically detect and correct certain errors without needing a retransmission. This is another key element which becomes more important as transmission speeds over fiber increase.
GenICam Update
In other news from the wider standards meeting, GenICam has now moved to a new GitLab development system to replace the legacy SVN system. Using modern tools will ease the ongoing development and deployment of GenICam.
Compatibility Testing at the IVSM
The usual PlugFest took place, with high participation from Chinese manufacturers. This was a benefit of holding the event in China for only the second time and provided participants with a wider range of cameras and components to test with.
IVSM – the Meeting of Machine Vision Minds
Of course it wasn’t all work, and delegates enjoyed the relaxed setting of Haikou – a visa-free zone on the southern island of Hainan. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t so relaxed as three separate typhoons made their effects felt through the week!
The Spring IVSM will take place in Prague, Czechia on 13th-17th April 2026. Keep up to date with our news channels to hear the next developments, and read our resources on CoaXPress and Camera Link to understand more about machine vision standards.
