In-depth Comparative Analysis of CoaXPress Frame Grabbers: StarTest Electronics vs Euresys and Other Vendors

1 Comprehensive Parameter Comparison Table

1.1 Mechanical Specifications

1.2 Host Bus

1.3 Core CXP Specifications

1.4 CXP Connection Speed

All three products support all 7 levels of downstream speeds (CXP-1 to CXP-12) and 2 levels of upstream speeds (20.83/41.66 Mbps), which are completely consistent.

1.5 PoCXP Power Supply

1.6 Supported Pixel Formats

1.7 On-board Processing — FPGA and Memory

1.8 On-board Processing — Image Preprocessing Functions

PCIe1004 provides customizable image preprocessing functions.

1.9 General Purpose I/O System

1.10 Encoders and Timers

1.11 Camera Control — Area Scan Cameras

1.12 Camera Control — Line Scan Cameras

1.13 Multi-card Synchronization

1.14 Software Ecosystem

1.15 Environmental Conditions

2 In-depth Analysis of Differences

Core Differences Comparison Table of the Three Products

2.1 Fully Compatible Parts Among the Three

The specifications of the three products are consistent in the following dimensions, forming the technical basis for interchangeability:

2.1.1 Hardware Interface Layer

2.1.2 CXP Protocol Layer

2.1.3 Basic I/O Layer

2.1.4 Software Standard Layer

2.2 Unique Capabilities of StarTest

2.2.1 FPGA Open Platform

This is StarTest's core differentiated capability and the most fundamental difference from Euresys and KAYA.

Euresys's FPGA provides fixed firmware functions, and users can only customize within the limited CustomLogic framework. KAYA does not open the FPGA at all, and users cannot modify any underlying logic. In contrast, StarTest provides a complete FPGA project, allowing users to add custom logic. Although the source code of the CXP Host IP is not provided, users can fully understand and call its interfaces through rich documentation and usage examples.

This model is similar to the IP core licensing method of Xilinx/AMD — the IP core itself is closed-source, but users can freely integrate and extend it in a complete project environment. For customers with FPGA development capabilities, this means they can implement custom image preprocessing algorithms, edge AI inference, custom I/O control logic, etc., on the frame grabber, which cannot be provided by Euresys and KAYA.

2.2.2 Complete Product Ecosystem — More Than Just a PCIe Card

This comparison only involves StarTest's PCIe-1004 product. In fact, StarTest has a complete product matrix covering from embedded to desktop, from standard CXP to CXP Over Fiber, and from digital to analog:

2.2.3 Open Source Software Stack — No Vendor Lock-in

Based on Aravis (Open Source GenICam Implementation):

2.2.4 Domestic Independent Controllability

In sensitive fields such as military industry, aerospace, and government, this is an irreplaceable advantage.