Camera Link Cable Supplier- Assemblies for High-Speed Industrial Imaging

 

Karobert manufactures precision Camera Link (CL) cable assemblies engineered for high-bandwidth industrial cameras, frame grabbers, automated optical inspection (AOI), and scientific imaging systems. Supporting Base, Medium, and Full configurations up to 85 MHz pixel clock frequencies, our cable solutions deliver zero-frame-loss image transmission and reliable Power over Camera Link (PoCL) functionality.

 

 
  • Camera Link Cable
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  • Highly Flexible Towline for Industrial Cameras
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  • Visual Transmission Cable
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  • High Speed Transmission Cable
    In today's data-driven productivity landscape, the core of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing has shifted from physical equipment to invisible high-speed data streams. Industrial cameras capture
  • Automation Cable
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  • Industrial Equipment Cable
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  • AI Cable
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Select Camera Link Cables by Interface & Application

 

MDR-to-MDR Cable Assemblies

Standard 26-pin Miniature Delta Ribbon connectors for traditional camera-to-frame grabber links.

01

SDR-to-SDR / Micro-CL Assemblies

Compact Shrunk D Ribbon (SDR) interconnections designed for space-constrained vision hardware.

02

MDR-to-SDR Hybrid Assemblies

Cross-interface cables connecting modern SDR frame grabbers with legacy MDR cameras.

03

High-Flex Dynamic PoCL Cables

Extra-fine stranded assemblies rated for >10 million dynamic flex cycles in drag-chain and robotic motion platforms.

04

Right-Angle & Low-Profile Assemblies

Custom 90-degree connector orientations (Up, Down, Left, Right) to minimize bending stress in tight enclosures.

05

 

Technical Specifications

 

Parameter

Karobert Specification

Engineering & Application Notes

Interface Standard

Camera Link v1.2 / v2.0 compatible

Designed for Camera Link machine vision systems and compatible with applicable JIIA specifications

Supported Configurations

Base / Medium / Full / Extended

Available in single- and multi-cable configurations according to camera and frame grabber requirements

Connector Options

26-Pin MDR, SDR, HDR

Connector selection depends on the camera and frame grabber interface; locking backshell options available

Power over Camera Link (PoCL)

PoCL & Non-PoCL Options

PoCL configurations are available for compatible cameras and frame grabbers; power requirements should be confirmed before selection

Pixel Clock Frequency

20 MHz to 85 MHz+*

Cable performance should be evaluated according to the actual camera clock rate, cable length, and system configuration

Differential Impedance

100 Ω ± 5 Ω*

Controlled differential impedance helps maintain signal integrity and reduce reflections and crosstalk in high-speed links

Cable Construction

Fixed-Installation / Ultra-High-Flex TPU or PUR

High-flex constructions are available for robotic, drag-chain, and repeated-motion applications

Dynamic Flex Life

Up to 10 million cycles*

Flex performance depends on bend radius, movement pattern, speed, and cable routing conditions

Shielding

Dual Shield: Aluminum Foil + Tinned Copper Braid

Designed to improve EMI resistance in industrial environments with servo drives, motors, PLCs, and switching equipment

Flame Rating

UL VW-1 available*

Flame-retardant jacket options can be provided according to project requirements

Compliance

RoHS / REACH / CE / UL options*

Compliance documentation should be confirmed according to the exact cable construction and target market

Electrical Testing

100% Continuity & Cable Testing

Production inspection can include continuity, conductor resistance, shielding, and other specified electrical tests

High-Speed Testing

TDR Testing Available*

TDR can be used to evaluate impedance consistency and identify discontinuities in the cable assembly

Custom Length

0.5 m to 10 m+*

Final usable length depends on clock frequency, cable construction, connector performance, and system link requirements

Connector Configuration

MDR-MDR / MDR-SDR / SDR-SDR / Custom*

Custom connector combinations and orientations can be evaluated for OEM applications

Operating Environment

Application-Specific

Jacket material, temperature range, flexibility, and mechanical protection can be selected according to the installation environment

OEM /

   

 

Camera Link Cable

 

Precision Differential Signal Integrity

Camera Link transmits high-speed LVDS (Low-Voltage Differential Signaling) data and clock signals across multiple parallel pairs. At clock speeds up to 85 MHz, pair-to-pair skew, differential impedance variance, and high-frequency attenuation can lead to image jitter, horizontal line dropouts, or communication timeouts.

Karobert ensures high signal margin through rigorous physical cable construction:

 

Strict 100 Ohm Differential Impedance: Precision foam-dielectric extrusion maintains tight spacing between differential pairs, preventing signal reflections.


Ultra-Low Pair-to-Pair Skew: Matched conductor lengths within each assembly guarantee simultaneous signal arrival across all data channels.


True PoCL Integration: Separate, shielded power lines eliminate power-supply ripple from interfering with sensitive LVDS data channels.


Cross-Brand Hardware Compatibility: 100% compatible with major vision hardware manufacturers, including Teledyne DALSA, Basler, FLIR/Point Grey, Vieworks, Euresys, Matrox Imaging, National Instruments, and Active Silicon.

 

Static vs. Dynamic High-Flex Cable Construction

 

Selecting the appropriate mechanical construction prevents fatigue failure and unexpected downtime in industrial environments.

STATIC / FIXED INSTALLATION 
[Solid/Standard Conductor] [Foam PE Dielectric] [AL Foil + Braid] 
Focus: Low Attenuation, Long Transmission Distance, Cost Efficiency 

HIGH-FLEX MOTION-RATED CABLE 
[Fine-Stranded Alloy] [Low-Friction PTFE] [Dual Shield] [PUR Jacket] 
Focus: Flex Life (>10M Cycles), Small Bend Radius, Torsion Resistance 
 

Fixed Enclosure Installation
For stationary machine vision frames and alignment systems, selection prioritizes maximum signal margin, lower attenuation, and cost-effective cable routing up to 10 meters at full 85 MHz clock rates.

 

Continuous-Motion & Dynamic Robotics
For pick-and-place equipment, dynamic inspection stages, and robotic arms, standard cables suffer from internal conductor work-hardening and shield breakdown.

 

Factory Quality Assurance & Testing

Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Testing

Verifies 100 Ohm differential impedance uniformity and confirms exact pin-to-pin termination quality.

Automated Continuity & Short Testing

100% verification of pinout mapping, shield grounding continuity, and insulation resistance.

High-Frequency Skew & Attenuation Check

Measures pair-to-pair skew to guarantee full performance at 85 MHz clock rates.

PoCL Voltage Drop & Insulation Testing

Tests integrated power lines under load to ensure stable 12V DC power delivery without thermal buildup.

 

 

OEM / ODM Customization Capabilities

Custom Cable Lengths: Cut and terminated to exact millimeter specs to eliminate cable clutter in tight enclosures.


Custom Connector Orientations: Right-angle Up, Down, Left, or Right configurations to reduce strain on camera ports.


Mixed-Interface Harnesses: Custom pinouts, hybrid power/data breakout cables, or molded strain reliefs.


Private Labeling & Packaging: Customized cable jacket printing, batch serialization, custom part numbering, and OEM packaging.


Rapid Prototyping & Low MOQ: Prototype samples delivered within 3 to 5 working days for engineering validation.

Highly Flexible Towline For Industrial Cameras

 

 

FAQ

 

 

Q: What is the maximum recommended cable length for a Camera Link connection?

A: Under standard Camera Link specifications operating at a 85 MHz pixel clock, the recommended maximum length for standard cables is up to 5 to 7 meters. However, for lower clock frequencies (e.g., 40 MHz) or when using low-loss, thicker gauge conductors, stable transmission can reach up to 10 meters. For distances beyond 10 meters, active repeater hardware or fiber-optic extenders are recommended.

Q: What is the difference between MDR and SDR connectors, and are they electrically compatible?

A: MDR (Miniature Delta Ribbon) and SDR (Shrunk D Ribbon, also known as Mini-Camera Link) differ only in physical form factor and footprint. SDR connectors are significantly smaller, making them ideal for compact cameras and high-density frame grabbers. Electrically, their 26-pin signal assignments are identical. An MDR-to-SDR cable provides seamless communication between hardware featuring different connector types without signal conversion.

Q: How do I know if I need a PoCL (Power over Camera Link) cable?

A: You require a PoCL cable if your camera is designed to draw its 12V DC operating power directly from the frame grabber via the Camera Link cable, eliminating a separate power supply cable. PoCL cables feature internal wiring designed to carry DC current safely while maintaining data line shielding. Using a non-PoCL cable on a PoCL system will prevent the camera from powering up, whereas using a true PoCL cable on non-PoCL hardware is generally safe if the hardware adheres to PoCL safe-power standards.

Q: Can Karobert Camera Link cables withstand continuous drag-chain motion?

A: Yes. Our High-Flex Camera Link cables are specifically engineered for moving applications, such as gantry cranes and robotic arms. Built with high-strand alloy conductors, low-friction PTFE insulation, and a dynamic PUR jacket, they are tested to withstand over 10 million dynamic bending cycles at a minimum bend radius of 10 times the cable outer diameter (10x OD).

Q: Can I request low-MOQ samples and custom right-angle connectors for prototyping?

A: Yes. We provide engineering samples and low minimum order quantities (MOQ) for system integrators and OEMs during the design phase. We offer straight, top-angled, bottom-angled, and 90-degree side-angled connectors to fit tight mechanical spaces. Prototype samples are typically manufactured and dispatched within 3 to 5 business days.

We're known as one of the most professional camera link cable manufacturers and suppliers in China, also support customized service. Please feel free to buy high quality camera link cable made in China here from our factory. For price consultation, contact us.

Highly Flexible Towline for Industrial Cameras, AI Cable, Industrial Equipment Cable
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