An Early Look at GigE Vision 3.0

GigE Vision 3.0, currently in development by A3 and its GigE Vision Technical Committee, will offer unparalleled advances for machine vision applications by leveraging cutting-edge RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) technology.

Designed to serve data-intensive, high-speed environments, the RoCE protocol allows devices to transfer data without involving the operating system. RoCEv2, the version integrated into GigE Vision 3.0, also delegates error detection and recovery tasks to dedicated hardware.

For machine vision applications, this means zero copy image transfer and all its benefits. Bypassing the CPU lowers latency and increases connection stability and frees up resources for image processing. Network interface cards (NICs) compatible with RoCEv2 also offer better integration with a wide range of Ethernet networks, giving GigE Vision 3.0 even greater interoperability and flexibility.

GigE Vision Developments Over the Years

GigE Vision has evolved over 18 years to serve the needs of the machine vision community. It set standards for maximum cable lengths and data throughput rates. As the interface became an industry standard, GigE Vision led to lowered prices and greatly increased accessory options for cameras from a wide range of manufacturers.

igE Vision 2.0’s augmented cable clock speeds allowed simultaneous use of multiple cables to increase throughput. The addition of IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) also brought improved accuracy and reduced latency through accurate camera synchronization, which is particularly useful for multicamera applications.

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GigE Vision 2.1 introduced multipart payloads, which enabled the transport of 3D image data within a single container. The generic data container (GenDC) streaming support added by GigE Vision 2.2 made possible the efficient transmission of a wide range of data types simultaneously, an advancement that particularly serves hyperspectral and multispectral imaging.

RoCEv2, a technology originally designed for extremely demanding environments such as hyperscale data networks and enterprise data centers, is a force multiplier enhancing all of GigE Vision’s benefits simultaneously. Integration of RoCEv2 will make GigE Vision 3.0 one of the most important advancements in machine vision in almost two decades.

Expect GigE Vision 3.0 in 2025

A3 expects to release the updated interface sometime next year. GigE Vision 3.0 is designed as a supplement, not a replacement, for version 2.2. Engineers and integrators don’t need to worry about taking preparatory steps in anticipation of version 3.0’s release.

The GigE Vision Technical Committee does, however, invite the same engineers and integrators to lend their experience and expertise to help develop the revolutionary new interface. Learn more about RoCEv2 here, the GigE Vision standard here, or reach out to Bob McCurrach, Director of Vision & Imaging Standards, A3.