Balluff - BVS CA-SF Technical Documentation
Introduction

Table of Contents

Figure 1: BVS CA-SF2

The BVS CA-SF is a compact USB 3 camera which is compliant to the USB3 Vision standard. The BVS CA-SF offers

  • a wide range of CMOS sensors,
  • high frame rates,
  • I/Os suitable for industrial applications, and
  • wide range of resolutions.

The image memory of the camera enables a high-speed-buffer mode (a.k.a. burst mode) which writes images faster in the camera's memory as they are transferred. With this mode, image losses are a thing of the past.

BVS CA-SF cameras are ideally suited for all classical areas of machine vision and especially for applications in the medicine and microscopy area. The hardware capabilities can be teamed with any other third party libraries which are compliant to USB3 Vision.

Software concept

The BVS CA-SF is a USB3 Vision compliant device, using a GenICam XML-file describing the device capabilities. Within this XML-file it uses the names, units, data types etc. recommended by the SFNC to describe the devices features. Whenever custom features have been added to the BVS CA-SF firmware these can clearly be spotted by the leading 'mv' in the features name. The device can communicate with every third party compliant USB3 Vision capture driver that can interpret GenICam XML-files.

Note
Given that the mvBlueFOX USB 2.0 camera family is not a GenICam based device, it is not compatible with the BVS CA-SF. I.e. software written for the mvBlueFOX USB 2.0 camera family has to be adapted concerning the initialization of the camera (minor changes necessary) and the changing of settings. However, the Impact Acquire interface can remain the same.

The following figure shows the software concept of GenICam™ GenTL compliant devices built by Balluff/MATRIX VISION:

Figure 2: Software concept

As shown in figure 2, for the BVS CA-SF the Impact Acquire interface is stacked on the USB3 Vision and Genicam layers. The Impact Acquire interface internally uses the GenICam runtime libraries, so that it can be considered as a user application written with the GenICam interface.

Order code nomenclatures

BVS CA-SF1

The BVS CA-SF1 nomenclature scheme is as follows:

Sensor Model name MATRIX VISION model name
1.2 Mpix, 1280 x 960, 1/3'', MT9M031, CMOS BVS CA-SF1-0012BG/C mvBlueFOX3-1012bG/C
1.2 Mpix, 1280 x 960, 1/3'', MT9M034, CMOS BVS CA-SF1-0012DG/C mvBlueFOX3-1012dG/C
1.3 Mpix, 1280 x 1024, 1/1.8'', EV76C560, CMOS BVS CA-SF1-0013ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-1013G/C
1.3 Mpix, 1280 x 1024, 1/1.8'', EV76C661, CMOS BVS CA-SF1-0013EG mvBlueFOX3-1013GE
2.0 Mpix, 1600 x 1200, 1/1.8'', EV76C570, CMOS BVS CA-SF1-0020ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-1020G/C
2.0 Mpix, 1600 x 1200, 1/1.8'', EV76C570 _AxT6, CMOS BVS CA-SF1-0020AG/C mvBlueFOX3-1020aG/C
3.2 Mpix, 2064 x 1544, 1/1.8'', AR0331, CMOS BVS CA-SF1-0031ZC mvBlueFOX3-1031C
10.7 Mpix, 3856 x 2764, 1/2.35'', MT9J003, CMOS BVS CA-SF1-0107ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-1100G/C
Series Sensor Color HW Variant CUP/STD
Typecode BVS CA-SF1- xxxxx G/C - see legend below - see legend below
MATRIX VISION typecode mvBlueFOX3-1 xxxx G/C - see legend below - see legend below
Legend Model name MATRIX VISION model name
HW Variant

(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)

(1): Handling
1: Standard handling
2: Extended temperature

(2): Lensholder
0: None
6: CS-Mount, (no adjustment)
9: C-Mount (CS-mount, same as 6 + 5 mm spacer)
V: S-Mount 13mm

(3): Filter
0: None
1: IR-CUT (standard)
2: Glass
3: Daylight cut (only without backfocus adjustment)

More filters on request

(4): Housing
0: No housing
1: Color black (standard)
2: Color black, no logo

(5): I/O
0: None (standard)
2: With I/Os (standard)

(6): Software Adjustments
0: None

(1)(2)(3)(4)

(1): Lensholder
0: None
1: CS-Mount, (no adjustment) | None (mvBlueFOX3-M1)
2: C-Mount (CS-mount, same as 1 + 5 mm spacer) | S-Mount 13mm (mvBlueFOX3-M1)

(2): Filter
1: IR-CUT (standard) | None (mvBlueFOX3-M1)
2: Glass
3: Daylight cut (only without backfocus adjustment)
9: None

More filters on request

(3): Housing
0: No housing
1: Color black (standard) | None (mvBlueFOX3-M1)
2: Color black, no logo
(4): I/O
1: None (standard)
2: With I/Os (standard) 1
CUP/STD 001

1: With mvBlueFOX3-M1 - if I/O is needed, use separate article: mvBlueFOX3-IO

BVS CA-SF2

The BVS CA-SF2 nomenclature scheme is as follows:

Sensor Model name MATRIX VISION model name
0.3 Mpix, 656 x 520, 1/4'', IMX991, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0003SG mvBlueFOX3-2003sG
0.4 Mpix, 728 x 544, 1/2.9'', IMX287, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0004FG/C mvBlueFOX3-2004G/C
1.3 Mpix, 1296 x 1032, 1/2'', IMX990, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0013SG mvBlueFOX3-2013sG
1.6 Mpix, 1456 x 1088, 1/2.9'', IMX273, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0016ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-2016G/C
1.7 Mpix, 1600 x 1104, 1/1'', IMX425, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0017ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-2017G/C
2.4 Mpix, 1936 x 1216, 1/1.2'', IMX174, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0024ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-2024G/C
2.4 Mpix, 1936 x 1216, 1/1.2'', IMX249, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0024AG/C mvBlueFOX3-2024aG/C
2.4 Mpix, 1936 x 1216, 1/2.3'', IMX392, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0024BG/C mvBlueFOX3-2024bG/C
3.2 Mpix, 2064 x 1544, 1/1.8'', IMX252, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0032ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-2032G/C
3.2 Mpix, 2064 x 1544, 1/1.8'', IMX265, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0032AG/C mvBlueFOX3-2032aG/C
5.1 Mpix, 2464 x 2056, 2/3'', IMX250, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0051ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-2051G/C
5.1 Mpix, 2464 x 2056, 2/3'', IMX264, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0051AG/C mvBlueFOX3-2051aG/C
5.1 Mpix, 2472 x 2064, 1/1.8'', IMX547, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0051DG/C mvBlueFOX3-2051dG/C
6.4 Mpix, 3096 x 2080, 1/1.8'', IMX178, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0064ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-2064G/C
7.1 Mpix, 3216 x 2208, 1/1'', IMX420, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0071ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-2071G/C
7.1 Mpix, 3216 x 2208, 1/1'', IMX428, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0071AG/C mvBlueFOX3-2071aG/C
8.1 Mpix, 2856 x 2848, 2/3'', IMX546, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0081AG/C mvBlueFOX3-2081aG/C
8.9 Mpix, 4112 x 2176, 1'', IMX255, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0089ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-2089G/C
8.9 Mpix, 4112 x 2176, 1'', IMX267, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0089AG/C mvBlueFOX3-2089aG/C
12.4 Mpix, 4112 x 3008, 1.1'', IMX253, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0124ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-2124G/C
12.4 Mpix, 4112 x 3008, 1.1'', IMX304, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0124AG/C mvBlueFOX3-2124aG/C
12.4 Mpix, 4128 x 3008, 1/1.1'', IMX545, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0124DG/C mvBlueFOX3-2124dG/C
12.4 Mpix, 4064 x 3044, 1/1.7'', IMX226, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0124RG/C mvBlueFOX3-2124rG/C
16.2 Mpix, 5328 x 3040, 1.1'', IMX542, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0162AG/C mvBlueFOX3-2162G/C
20.4 Mpix, 4512 x 4512, 1.1'', IMX541, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0204AG/C mvBlueFOX3-2204G/C
20.5 Mpix, 5544 x 3692, 1'', IMX183, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0205ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-2205G/C
24.6 Mpix, 5328 x 4608, 1.2'', IMX540, CMOS BVS CA-SF2-0246A/C mvBlueFOX3-2246G/C
Series Sensor Color HW Variant CUP/STD
Typecode BVS CA-SF2- xxxxx G/C - see legend below - see legend below
MATRIX VISION typecode mvBlueFOX3-2 xxxx G/C - see legend below - see legend below
Legend Model name MATRIX VISION model name
HW Variant (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)

(1): Handling
1: Standard handling

(2): Lensholder
0: None
1: C-Mount, Type2, with high durability and factory-set backfocus, fixed square filter
2: C-Mount, Type1, with adjustable backfocus, round filter with screw ring, Ø23.2 mm
4: CS-mount Type1, with adjustable backfocus, round filter glued, Ø20 mm
5: C-Mount, Type3, low cost, factory-set backfocus, D23.2mm Filter
A: C-Mount, Type 2, with high durability and factory-set backfocus, fixed square filter, adjustable center position
B: C-Mount Type 2 + D23.2mm Filter with screwring
Y: S-Mount, 13 mm length for sensors with image circule <= 2/3 inch

(3): Filter (only valid with lensholder)
0: None
1: IR-CUT (standard)
2: Glass
3: Daylight cut

More filters on request

(4): Housing
0: Without housing
1: Color black (standard)
2: Color black, no logo

(5): I/O
1: None (standard)
2: With I/O

(6): Software Adjustments
0: None 		(1)(2)(3)(4)

(1): Lensholder
0: None
1: C-Mount, Type2, with high durability and factory-set backfocus, fixed square filter
2: C-Mount, Type1, with adjustable backfocus, round filter with screw ring, Ø23.2 mm
4: CS-mount Type1, with adjustable backfocus, round filter glued, Ø20 mm
5: C-Mount, Type3, low cost, factory-set backfocus, D23.2mm Filter
A: C-Mount, Type 2, with high durability and factory-set backfocus, fixed square filter, adjustable center position
B: C-Mount Type 2 + D23.2mm Filter with screwring
Y: S-Mount, 13 mm length for sensors with image circule <= 2/3 inch

(2): Filter (only valid with lensholder)
1: IR-CUT (standard)
2: Glass
3: Daylight cut
9: None

More filters on request

(3): Housing
1: Color black (standard) | None (mvBlueFOX3-M2)
2: Color black, no logo
5: Mounting and thermal conduction plate for board level camera

(4): I/O
1: None (standard)
2: With I/O
CUP/STD 001

BVS CA-SF3

The BVS CA-SF3 nomenclature scheme is as follows:

Sensor Model name MATRIX VISION model name
6.4 Mpix, 3096 x 2080, 1/1.8'', IMX178, CMOS BVS CA-SF3-0064ZG/C BF3-3M-0064ZG/C
Series Sensor Color HW Variant CUP/STD
Typecode BVS CA-SF3- xxxxx G/C - see legend below - see legend below
MATRIX VISION typecode BF3-3M xxxxx G/C - see legend below - see legend below
Legend Model name / MATRIX VISION model name
HW Variant (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)

(1): Handling
1: Standard handling

(2): Lensholder
0: No lensholder
Y: S-Mount, 13 mm length for sensors with image circule <= 2/3 inch

(3): Filter (only valid with lensholder)
0: No filter
1: IR cut (standard)
2: Glass
3: Daylight cut filter
6: Dualband filter DB850

More filters on request

(4): Housing
0: None (standard)

(5): I/O
Note: only available via BF Embedded Interface boards which are available as accessories

(6): Software Adjustments
0: None
CUP/STD 001

BVS CA-SF4

The BVS CA-SF4 nomenclature scheme is as follows:

Sensor Model name MATRIX VISION model name
16.9 Mpix, 5472 x 3080, 4/3'', IMX387, CMOS BVS CA-SF4-0169ZG/C BF3-4-0169ZG/C
19.6 Mpix, 4432 x 4432, 4/3'', IMX367, CMOS BVS CA-SF4-0196ZG/C BF3-4-0196ZG/C
31.5 Mpix, 6480 x 4856, APS-C'', IMX342, CMOS BVS CA-SF4-0315ZG/C BF3-4-0315ZG/C
Series Sensor Color HW Variant CUP/STD
Typecode BVS CA-SF4- xxxxx G/C - see legend below - see legend below
MATRIX VISION typecode BF3-4 xxxxx G/C - see legend below - see legend below
Legend Model name / MATRIX VISION model name
HW Variant (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)

(1): Handling
1: Standard handling

(2): Lensholder
N: M42x1 mount, 12mm factory-set backfocus, fixed square filter
P: M42x1 mount, 45.5mm factory-set backfocus, fixed square filter
Q: F-Mount, 46mm factory-set backfocus, fixed square filter
T: Lensholder with TFL-Mount or Adapter for M42 to TFL-Mount

(3): Filter (only valid with lensholder)
0: No filter
1: IR cut (standard)
2: Glass

More filters on request

(4): Housing
1: Black housing (standard)

(5): I/O
0: None (standard)
2: Standard I/Os

(6): Software Adjustments
0: None
CUP/STD 001

BVS CA-SF5

The BVS CA-SF5 nomenclature scheme is as follows:

Sensor Model name MATRIX VISION model name
0.4 Mpix, 728 x 544, 1/2.9'', IMX287, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0004FG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0004FG/C
1.6 Mpix, 1456 x 1088, 1/2.9'', IMX273, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0016ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0016ZG/C
2.4 Mpix, 1936 x 1216, 1/1.2'', IMX174, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0024ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0024ZG/C
2.4 Mpix, 1936 x 1216, 1/1.2'', IMX249, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0024AG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0024AG/C
2.4 Mpix, 1936 x 1216, 1/2.3'', IMX392, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0024BG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0024BG/C
3.2 Mpix, 2048 x 1544, 1/1.8'', IMX252, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0032ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0032ZG/C
3.2 Mpix, 2064 x 1544, 1/1.8'', IMX265, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0032AG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0032AG/C
5.1 Mpix, 2464 x 2056, 2/3'', IMX250, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0051ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0051ZG/C
5.1 Mpix, 2464 x 2056, 2/3'', IMX250_POL, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0051PG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0051PG/C
5.1 Mpix, 2464 x 2056, 2/3'', IMX264, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0051AG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0051AG/C
5.1 Mpix, 2472 x 2064, 1/1.8'', IMX547, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0051DG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0051dG/C
6.4 Mpix, 3096 x 2080, 1/1.8'', IMX178, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0064ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0064ZG/C
8.1 Mpix, 2856 x 2848, 2/3'', IMX546, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0081AG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0081aG/C
8.9 Mpix, 4112 x 2176, 1'', IMX255, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0089ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0089ZG/C
8.9 Mpix, 4112 x 2176, 1'', IMX267, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0089AG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0089AG/C
12.4 Mpix, 4112 x 3008, 1.1'', IMX253, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0124ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0124ZG/C
12.4 Mpix, 4064 x 3044, 1/1.7'', IMX226, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0124RG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0124RG/C
12.4 Mpix, 4112 x 3008, 1.1'', IMX304, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0124AG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0124AG/C
12.4 Mpix, 4128 x 3008, 1/1.1'', IMX545, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0124DG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0124dG/C
16.2 Mpix, 5328 x 3040, 1.1'', IMX542, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0162AG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0162AG/C
16.9 Mpix, 5472 x 3080, 4/3'', IMX387, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0169ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0169ZG/C
19.6 Mpix, 4432 x 4432, 4/3'', IMX367, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0196ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0196ZG/C
20.4 Mpix, 4512 x 4512, 1.1'', IMX541, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0204AG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0204AG/C
20.5 Mpix, 5544 x 3692, 1'', IMX183, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0205ZG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0205ZG/C
24.6 Mpix, 5328 x 4608, 1.2'', IMX540, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0246AG/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0246AG/C
31.5 Mpix, 6480 x 4856, APS-C'', IMX342, CMOS BVS CA-SF5-0315Z/C mvBlueFOX3-5M-0315ZG/C
Series Sensor Color HW Variant CUP/STD
Typecode BVS CA-SF5- xxxxx G/C - see legend below - see legend below
MATRIX VISION typecode BF3-5M xxxxx G/C - see legend below - see legend below
Legend Model name / MATRIX VISION model name
HW Variant (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)

(1): Handling
1: Standard handling
2: Extended Temperature Range
3: Extended cleanliness
8: Customized handling

(2): Lensholder
0: None
1: C-Mount, Type2, with high durability and factory-set backfocus, fixed square filter
5: C-Mount, Type3, low cost, factory-set backfocus, D23.2mm Filter
A: C-Mount, Type2, with high durability and factory-set backfocus, fixed square filter, adjustable center position
B: C-Mount Type 2 + D23.2mm Filter with screwring
N: M42x1 mount, 12mm factory-set backfocus, fixed square filter
Y: S-Mount, 13 mm length for sensors with image circule <= 2/3 inch

(3): Filter (only valid with lensholder)
0: No filter
1: IR cut
2: Glass
3: Daylight cut filter
5: Bandpass filter BP680
6: Dualband filter DB850
8: Customized filter type

More filters on request

(4): Housing
0: No housing
5: Mounting and thermal transfer plate for board level camera
8: Customized housing

(5): I/O
Note: only available via BF Embedded Interface boards which are available as accessories

(6): Software Adjustments
0: None
CUP/STD 001

Ordering code samples

Model name MATRIX VISION model name Description
BVS CA-SF1-0013ZG-111110 mvBlueFOX3-1013G1 CMOS, 1.3 Mpix, 1280 x 1024, 1/1.8", gray scale.
BVS CA-SF2-0024ZC-112120 mvBlueFOX3-2024C-1212 CMOS, 2.4 Mpix, 1936 x 1214, 1/1.2", color, CS-mount without back focus adjustment, glass filter, etc.
BVS CA-SF1-0107ZG-123120 mvBlueFOX3-1100G-2312 CMOS, 10 Mpix, 3856 x 2764, 1/2.35", gray scale, C-mount without back focus adjustment, daylight cut filter, with I/O

1: -1111 is the standard delivery variant and for this reason it is not mentioned.

What's inside and accessories

The BVS CA-SF is shipped without any accessories.

For this reason, you will need at least

  • a lens (by default, the BVS CA-SF is shipped without lens) and
  • a USB 3 cable

to use the BVS CA-SF.

Note
Although maximum cable length is not specified in the USB 3 standard, the electrical properties of the cable and signal quality limitations may define the practical maximum length.
There are different USB 3 cable qualities available on the market. If you want to use your own USB 3 cables, you have to ensure that the data quality and shielding of the cable is sufficient.
As a rule of thumb thin cables will only work for short distances up to max. 3m.
Better cable qualities which go alongside with thicker cable diameter will allow longer distances such as 5m or even 8m.
We recommend to use the cables we supply to be on the safe side.

Accessories for the BVS CA-SF

Recommended accessories for the BVS CA-GX can be found on the product pages: