Answering the Top FAQs on GigE Interface

The GigE interface is a global camera interface communication standard developed for video transmission using twisted pair ethernet cables up to 100 meters long. It offers data transmission rates up to 1Gbps.

Ethernet cable connect devices to the Internet or a local network and facilitate data transmission between them. It facilitates power and bidirectional data transmission using PoE technology.

Ethernet cable categories ranging from Cat1 to Cat5 are largely obsolete or not recommended, as they fail to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of modern applications.

The table below lists a detailed overview of the bandwidth specifications and data rate for categories starting from Cat5 and above.

PoE stands for Power over Ethernet. This technology transmits a power supply and data connection into a single Ethernet wire. GigE cameras with PoE technology simplify installations by eliminating the need for separate power sources.

PoE power sourcing equipment (PSE) delivers power to PoE PDs (Powered Devices) such as IP cameras, phones, or wireless access points through an ethernet cable. Common examples of PSE devices include PoE switches, PoE injectors, or routers that are PoE-enabled.

A PoE switch delivers power and data to connected devices through its multiple Ethernet ports, allowing it to support several PoE cameras simultaneously on a single network. PoE network switches are frequently utilized in network deployments with few power outlets or where the devices are situated in difficult-to-reach areas.

To connect the GigE camera directly to your PC, please follow these steps:

• 1. Connect the GigE camera to the POE injector's Data + Power Ethernet port
• 2. Connect a Data Ethernet port of the POE injector to your PC
• 3. Connect the power cord to the other side of the POE injector
• 4. Connect the other end of the power cord to the power supply
• 5. Turn ON the power supply

The below image shows the one-to-one connection of GigE to the PC.

A PoE injector supports non-PoE network devices by enabling them to provide power over Ethernet. If your switch or router does not have built-in PoE capabilities, a PoE injector can be placed between the network device and the powered device (such as an IP camera, wireless access point, or VoIP phone).

The PoE standards include IEEE 802.3af (PoE) with a maximum power output of 15.4 watts, IEEE 802.3at (PoE+) with a maximum power output of 30 watts, and IEEE 802.3bt (PoE++), with a maximum power output of 90 watts. It uses cabling standards as four twisted pairs in Category 5e or better cable for reliable power delivery at these levels.

Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is an Ethernet or IP-based protocol that synchronizes time clocks across IP-connected devices. It ensures sub-microsecond accuracy, facilitating seamless collaboration between several cameras and allowing them to capture synchronized views of the same image.

To learn more about precision timing and synchronization in ethernet cameras, please read our blog - The Role of Precision Time Protocol Synchronization in Ethernet Cameras - e-con Systems.

PTP functions on a master-slave architecture, with one master device as the reference clock and all other devices as slaves that synchronize their clocks with the master's time, which achieves synchronization with sub-microsecond accuracy.

Master-Slave Synchronization: In this configuration, one Ethernet camera serves as the master clock while the others are slaves.

Auto-Synchronization: Cameras determine the master clock by identifying the most accurate clock source among themselves by exchanging clock signals. This makes it convenient in dynamic scenarios where the master camera selection can change.

The key advantages include:

• Frame Alignment
• Multi-camera coordination
• Reduced jitter and latency
• Improved data integrity
• Real-time control and coordination

Multiple GigE cameras can be used on the same network, utilizing a PoE switch for power and data transmission while implementing PTP synchronization for precise timing across devices.

ONVIF is a standard Interface Forum that ensures interoperability between IP-based security products such as cameras, video management systems, and other networked devices. ONVIF support in GigE cameras enhances interoperability and integration between the host PC and the network, which is helpful in security and surveillance applications.

GigE cameras can use cable lengths up to 100 meters using standard Ethernet cables without requiring repeaters or hubs.

Cloud Storage

Modern Ethernet cameras use a hybrid storage approach, combining traditional SSD and HDD storage with cloud storage for backup. It makes high-volume data safe to store locally and, in the cloud, improving the dependability of embedded vision systems.

Video Data Encryption

Advanced Ethernet cameras use network security and data-level encryption technique to prevent unauthorized access.

Edge-based Video Analytics

High-resolution Ethernet cameras use AI and edge-based video analytics to detect people and objects within their field of view.

Advanced software with deep learning capabilities enables real-time image interpretation, enabling more accurate surveillance.

To know more about PoE cameras on end applications, please read our blog What is a PoE Camera & How Does It Help Ethernet-Based Vision Applications? - e-con Systems

• Simplified installation: Eliminates dedicated hardware ports such as serializer and deserializer required for GMSL.
• Standard Ethernet Cable: Transfer cable length over 100 meters.
• Flexibility: Can be installed in locations lacking power outlets.
• Reliability: Reduces risk of failure due to fewer components.
• Scalability: Effortless Network Expansion

Industrial Applications

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
• PoE cameras scan license plates, detect the presence of vehicles, classify them, and capture photos in real-time, creating a real-time map of parking availability and guiding drivers to available spaces.

Smart Retail Applications

Shelf Monitoring
• PoE cameras enhance store operations by monitoring aisles, managing inventory, and detecting stock levels. They also help identify misplaced items and potential thefts.

Medical Applications

Remote Patient Monitoring:
• PoE cameras are used to monitor patients remotely, allowing healthcare professionals to check on patients from a central location, reducing the need for constant physical check-ins, and ensuring timely responses in emergencies.

PoE cameras offer numerous applications that extend beyond those mentioned above.

Real-time Data Transmission: Stream high-definition video to monitor patients' vital signs and movements in real-time with low delay.

Low-Light and Near-Infrared Imaging: Manage diverse lighting situations in healthcare or residential settings.

Compatibility with AI Capabilities: Many Ethernet cameras support integration with artificial intelligence, allowing for automated monitoring, which can be used for various purposes, such as telemedicine, surgical monitoring, and laboratory research.

The camera feed is usually based on the RTSP protocol. Any standard RTSP receiver application can access the feed from the POE Camera.

The overall latency of a GigE Camera relies on the Host machine's Decoding capabilities and Network performance. For the RTSP protocol, the latency will usually be in the range of 150ms, provided hardware decoding and rendering are enabled in the host machine.

Yes, Gigabit Ethernet cameras support RTSP and UDP video streaming protocols.

Yes. It is possible to adjust the compression parameters of the Gigabit Ethernet Camera.

Gigabit Ethernet cameras can be effectively used with a Raspberry Pi 4 or Raspberry Pi 5.

GigE cameras utilize existing Ethernet infrastructure, reducing development costs by eliminating the need for additional cabling or specialized hardware and simplifying installation. It also supports a standard RTSP framework, reducing application development and integration efforts.