Comparison of CoaXPress Camera Frame Grabbers
A CoaXPress (CXP) camera frame grabber is a PCIe-interface image acquisition device dedicated to connecting industrial cameras with CoaXPress interfaces. Its core functions are as follows:
It receives and decodes high-speed image data output by CoaXPress cameras via coaxial cables, and transmits the data to computer memory for processing, display or storage by host software.
CoaXPress is a high-speed serial point-to-point communication standard, mainly used for high-resolution, high-frame-rate industrial cameras (e.g., line scan, area scan sCMOS, TDI cameras). It features:
• Single-channel speed up to 12.5 Gbps (CXP-12), extendable to 25G with CXP Over Fiber
• Support for 4~8 parallel channels, with a total bandwidth of up to 100 Gbps (8 channels)
• Transmission via 75Ω coaxial cables (maximum 40 meters)
• Support for PoCXP (Power over CoaXPress): Power supply to cameras through coaxial cables
Ordinary computers do not have a CoaXPress interface, so a dedicated CXP frame grabber must be inserted into a PCIe slot to communicate with CXP cameras.
What are the differences compared with other types of camera interfaces?
|
Frame Grabber Type |
Interface |
Maximum Bandwidth |
Power Supply |
Typical Applications |
|
CoaXPress (CXP) |
Coaxial Cable |
100 Gbps (8×12.5G) |
✅ PoCXP |
High-speed area/line scan cameras |
|
Camera Link |
Dedicated multi-core cable |
~6.8 Gbps (Deca) |
❌ External power required |
Medium and high-speed cameras (gradually phased out) |
|
GigE Vision |
Network Cable (RJ45) |
1 Gbps / 10 Gbps |
⚠️ PoE (low power) |
Medium and low-speed, long-distance transmission |
|
USB3 Vision |
USB-C |
5 Gbps |
✅ (limited power) |
Low-cost, portable devices |
It is an essential bridge connecting high-end CXP industrial cameras to computers, and is irreplaceable especially in high-frame-rate, high-resolution and high-reliability scenarios.
Data source: Public network information. For any inaccuracies, please refer to the official websites of each party.
|
Category |
Vendors |
Core Positioning & Advantages |
|
International Tier 1 (Programmable + High Reliability) |
Basler, Si-Soft, Matrox, Euresys |
Leading global technology, high product reliability, complete software ecosystem |
|
Domestic/Emerging Tier 1 (Programmable + Highly Customizable) |
Star Test Electronics (hello-fpga) |
Open FPGA, support for high-precision synchronization, open-source software stack, with international Tier 1 technical capabilities |
|
International Cost-Effective (Fixed Function) |
KAYA Instruments, Active Silicon |
High cost performance, mature mass production, stable basic acquisition functions |
|
Mainstream Domestic (Mass-produced CXP Frame Grabbers) |
Hikvision, Dahua Technology |
Deep layout in industrial vision, high cost performance, perfect after-sales service |
3 Detailed Model Parameter Comparison Table (2025)
| Vendor | Model | CXP Standard | Number of Channels | Single-channel Speed | Total Bandwidth | PCIe Interface | FPGA Programmable | Linux Support | Domestic Brand |
| Basler | imaFlex CXP-12 Quad | CXP-12 | 4 | 12.5 Gbps | 50 Gbps | Gen3 x8 | ✅ (VisualApplets) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Matrox | Rapixo CXP 4 | CXP-12 | 4 | 12.5 Gbps | 50 Gbps | Gen3 x8 | ✅ (MIL / Design Assistant) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Euresys | Coaxlink Quad CXP-12 | CXP-12 | 4 | 12.5 Gbps | 50 Gbps | Gen3 x8 | ⚠️ (Limited preprocessing) | ✅ | ❌ |
| KAYA Instruments | Komodo-CXP | CXP-12 | 4 | 12.5 Gbps | 50 Gbps | Gen3 x8 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Star Test Electronics | PCIe-1004 | CXP-12 | 4 | 12.5 Gbps | 50 Gbps | Gen3 x8 | ✅ (Open customization) | ✅ (Arvis SDK) | ✅ |
| Hikvision | MV-CH400 | CXP-12 | 4 | 12.5 Gbps | 50 Gbps | Gen3 x8 | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dahua Technology | DH-CX400 | CXP-12 | 4 | 12.5 Gbps | 50 Gbps | Gen3 x8 | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Star Test Electronics (PCIe-1004) has elevated the positioning of domestic frame grabbers to support FPGA open programming (Xilinx native toolchain), which is an important breakthrough in the localization process.
4 In-depth Comparison of Key Capability Dimensions (Updated)
FPGA Programmability: Algorithm Offloading
|
Vendor |
Programming Method |
Learning Curve |
Suitable Scenarios |
Core Value |
|
Euresys |
VIVADO |
High |
Real-time processing |
VIVADO native tools |
|
Basler / Si-Soft |
VisualApplets (graphical) |
Medium |
Real-time defect detection, high-frame-rate preprocessing |
High ease of use, accelerating product launch |
|
Matrox |
Design Assistant / MIL C |
Medium-High |
High-reliability systems in medical and military industries |
High integration, closely combined with vision libraries |
|
Star Test Electronics |
Hardware customization / IP Core/HLS AI |
High |
Scientific research, highly customized industrial algorithms, domestic FPGA verification |
Filling the gap of domestic FPGA openness, supporting independent and controllable development; supporting embedded devices |
|
Hikvision / Dahua Technology |
❌ Not open |
— |
Only high-speed and stable acquisition of raw images |
Algorithms must run on host CPU/GPU |
5 Operating System & SDK Ecosystem
|
Vendor |
Windows |
Linux |
Python |
GenICam |
|
Basler et al. |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ (pylon) |
✅ |
|
Star Test Electronics |
✅ |
✅ (Based on GenTL/Aravis) |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Hikvision |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ (MVS SDK) |
✅ |
💡 Star Test Electronics Advantage: Adopting open-source Aravis or standard GenTL interface, the software ecosystem has stronger flexibility and compatibility, and is easy to integrate for scientific research users and Linux environments.
We have used the hardware and GUI of various vendors, among which software is the direct interaction layer for users. In terms of the user experience of software GUI, Euresys' egrabber performs the best; in terms of compatibility, Euresys also takes the lead. As an important promoter of the CoaXPress standard, Euresys has maintained its consistent leading edge. Domestic vendors still have a certain gap in this regard, which mainly lies in stability and ease of use, not in advanced technology. Even for the more advanced CXP Over Fiber interface, the gap between domestic and international vendors is only about 6 months. At present, Star Test Electronics' 100G CXP Over Fiber acquisition device has achieved initial commercialization.
