Fourteen machine vision manufacturers met in Rosemont, Ill., to create a camera-to-frame-grabber cable and connector standard. The meeting, which was hosted by Pulnix America Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., focused on the adoption of Santa Clara, Calif.-based National Semiconductor's Channel Link RS-644 low-voltage differential signaling technology. The companies hope that adoption of the standard will simplify production and improve customer support.

Channel Link allows data rates of more than 400 Mb/s with a differential output of 250 to 450 mV. With clock support of 66 MHz, the technology improves signal transmission cable length by 30 to 100 ft and reduces electromagnetic interference.