Fluke Process Instruments

Overview

Considerations when planning network architecture for single or dual camera systems.

Data throughput rates without fusion enabled (visual data adds approximately 75Mbps per camera):

Values apply to TV cameras with firmware revision 1.0.4 and TV Software from .181

General network architecture considerations:

Avoid using >60% of quoted bandwidth for pc network cards and switches. This means that 3 x TV46/60Hz will likely run in to difficulty with a 1Gbps network switch or network card. You may experience communication dropouts, not just reduced frame rates.

Setting jumbo frames (MTU 9000) seems necessary on all network components (switches, network cards). This has been adopted as general GigE Vision advice and could be said to be a "belt and braces" approach. Gains may be marginal. However, the main benefit is reduced CPU load and freeing of data processing resources. Further testing is needed to verify there are no negative consequences (discarded jumbo packets etc).

So far, we have only had success with managed switches. 

Our earlier advice was to use a PCI Intel 350 chip based 4 port network cards for multi camera systems. This was based on the limitation of successfully tested and available networking switches at the time of launch.

There may still may be cases where the 4 port pc card is a better value solution according to the requirements of your setup - location and distance of the cameras to the pc etc

It will be necessary to use a suitable 2.5/5/10Gbps network card for the PC according to the total bandwidth requirement.

Our testing with 4 x TV46/60Hz was performed with 5Gbps USB adapter.

CAT7 network cable must be used for the uplink connection in order to maintain 10Gbps performance.

We have tested and can recommend the following:

NETGEAR MS510TXPP 10-Port Multi-Gigabit/10G LAN PoE Managed Switch 

This switch offers 2 x 5Gbps ports, 2 x 2.5Gbps ports, 4 x 1Gbps ports and 2 x 10Gbps uplink ports (1 Copper and 1 SPF+ Fiber)

Available PoE power is 180W and there is a non PoE version available. Thermoview cameras have 16W maximum power consumption. The PoE ports work with non PoE devices.

The only change to settings was to configure the MTU size to 9000.

Theoretically, this will support 8 x TV46 cameras running at 60Hz with fusion enabled, all within 60% of the quoted 10Gb uplink speed. However, our testing so far has been limited to 4 cameras.

Use this also for lower resolutions and frame rates. 

PC Specification Recommendation  (>2 cameras)

i7 Processor (or equivalent)

32GB RAM

SSD

Graphic card with its own RAM and GPU 

USB Adapters Supporting Thermoview Demo Use

USB adapters are always a compromise. Modern laptops often only have a USB-C port for docking station connection. Please note that there are not guaranteed values. Frame rate taken with TV46 with 60Hz and Fusion enabled. Jumbo packets set to 9K or the highest value.

Please note that not all USB adapters are good enough to allow streaming. This means that the camera will be discovered (IP address found) but will not stream data.

Only Gigabit adapters are suitable (TV46 at 60HZ with Fusion uses almost half the available bandwidth of a Gigabit connection).

What specification is the PoE Network Cable for connection to the camera?

Connection line M12 plug straight - RJ45 plug straight,8-pole, X-coded

Who manufactures the green version of the cable

Metz Connect GmbH

What is a typical part number

142M2X15050

https://www.metz-connect.com/en/products/142m2x15050

Further informatioon connector can be found here:

https://fluke.freshdesk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/19000123546-m12-x-coded-ethernet-connector