PCIe adapter boards¶

Introduction¶

PCIe adapter boards

Here you can find descriptions and visuals of the various adapters (breakout boards) for xiX cameras and xiB cameras.
For NVIDIA Jetson carrier boards please check the following:
TX 1 and TX2

NOTE¶

It is critical to avoid mixing the ports of HOST and TARGET since it could lead to damage or failure.
A Port is an interface between a PCI Express component and the Link - it consists of differential transmitters and receivers.
Upstream Port is a port that is closer to the target (e.g. on the camera).
Downstream Port is a port that is closer to the host (e.g. on the computer rear side).

Overview¶

You can find visual representation and diagrams of the options and how they correlate in these files:

Overview of current adapter options - how do different breakout boards look like + 3D STEP files
Diagram for an explanation - how do different slots look like (Mini PCIe, M.2, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, iPass etc.)

The basic idea of these boards, switches, adapters or simply said Accessories, is either to connect PCIe camera with the computer (processing unit) or aggregate several cameras into a hub together for multi camera compact system.
It is important to distinguish between ports and cameras with x2 lanes and x4 lanes:
The x2 version provides/requires a bandwidth of 6.4 Gbits or 800 MB/s
The x4 version provides/requires a bandwidth of 14 Gbits or 1750 MB/s

Gen 2 x2 lane adapters¶

List of Breakout boards with x2 lanes - part numbers and description:

ADPT-MX-X2G2-IPASS-HOST
From: iPass X2G2 (X2G2 configuration)(Upstream Port)
To: X2G2 flat ribbon cable (Downstream Port)

Enables connection of fiber optics or copper iPass cable to a device like the xiB camera or xSwitch board.

There are two possibilities how to wire Master-Slave connection:

ADPT-MX-X2G2-IPASS-TARGET
From: X2G2 flat ribbon cable (Upstream Port) - opposite side of the board in the picture
To: iPass X4G2 (Downstream Port)

Enables connection of fiber optics or copper iPass cable to a device like the xiB camera or xSwitch board.

NOTE: Incorrectly exchanging two breakout boards mentioned above may cause damage to xiX cameras.

ADPT-MX-X2G2-MINI-PCIE
From: Mini PCIe
To: X2G2 flat ribbon cable

Enables the connection of xiX X2G2 camera models to mini PCIe socket on your computers main board.

ADPT-MX-X2G2-PCIE
From: PCIe interface
To: X2G2 flat ribbon cable

Enables connection of xiX X2G2 camera models directly to PCIe x4 socket on your computers main board.

There are three possibilities how to wire Master-Slave connection:

ADPT-MX-X2G2-M2
From: M.2
To: X2G2 flat ribbon cable

Enables connection of xiX X2G2 camera models directly to M.2 socket on your computers main board.

ADPT-MX-X2G2-M2SSD
From: X2G2 flat ribbon cable
To: M.2 SSD socket

Enables the connection of SSD storage via flat ribbon cable infrastructure.

Gen 2 x4 lane adapters¶

List of Breakout boards with x4 lanes - part numbers (description is the same only with x4 lanes):

ADPT-MX-X4G2-IPASS-HOST
From: iPass X4G2 (Upstream Port)
To: X4G2 flat ribbon cable

Enables connection of fiber optics or copper iPass cable to a device like the xiB camera or xSwitch board.