Standardization is highly relevant to any industry, and none more so than the relatively complex and globally distributed Machine Vision industry. For this reason, EMVA plays an active role in the development of Machine Vision standards.
Our approach is based on the following principles:
- Industry-driven: Standards are developed by experts of the machine vision industry to ensure high quality and relevance to the sector.
- Openness: All machine vision companies are invited to participate in the standardization activities of the EMVA.
- Transparency: Information on the standards and on the status standards development is regularly available.
- Fairness: Standardization work is conducted in a spirit of co-operation with the objective of adding value to the development of the machine vision industry at large.
Standards hosted by EMVA
Currently, EMVA is hosting two standards that are widely accepted by the Machine Vision industry.
EMVA1288 is a standard for the specification and measurement of machine vision sensors and cameras. It is useful for both manufacturers and users of sensors and cameras because it creates transparency by defining reliable and exact measurement procedures as well as data presentation guidelines that makes the comparison of cameras and image sensors much easier.
GenICam provides a generic programming interface for all kinds of cameras and devices. It provides a standard application programming interface (API), no matter what interface technology is being used (GigE Vision, USB3 Vision, CoaXPress, Camera Link HS, Camera Link, 1394 DCAM, etc.).
By using the GenICam API, a user has the freedom to select the camera and interface technology that fits best with his requirements without the need of changes in his application software. GenICam has become increasingly popular and support of GenICam is therefore mandatory in new interface standards like USB3 Vision and CoaXPress.
OOCI targets an open lens camera communication standard, which may have different mechanical connections but a common protocol closely linked to the GenICam Standard.
Amazingly, there is one component in an image system that has not yet changed since the early days of the machine vision industry: the lens mount. C-mount is the most common type of screw lens mount and much older than the machine vision industry. In the constantly changing world of machine vision, the lens mount seems to be something rock solid. But this also hindered progress. Such a standardized system is still not available for the machine vision industry. Already, major camera and optics manufactures have joined the working group.
Worldwide cooperation on standards – G3
Because developing standards is very time-consuming and many competing standards is contra productive, EMVA sought cooperation on the field of standards development with other Machine Vision associations. As a result of this EMVA (Europe), AIA (North America) and JIIA (Japan) entered into a cooperation agreement on standards called the “G3” in 2009. Two more associations joined “G3”: VDMA (Germany) in 2014 and CMVU (China) in 2015.
Through this cooperation in G3, EMVA members have access to the working groups of standards that are hosted by the other G3 associations.
For more information, please refer to Global G3 Standards
G3 Future Standards Forum
In 2012, the Future Standards Forum (FSF) was established as a working group under the umbrella of the G3 in order to provide the necessary oversight of standards, and to plan future standard developments. The future standards forum is chaired by representatives of the G3 associations and meets twice a year during the International Vision Standards Meeting that alternately takes place in Europe, Asia and North America.
More information about the Future Standards Forum can be found under International Meetings
Machine Vision Standards Brochure
One of the first deliverables of the Future Standards Forum was the Global Machine Vision Interface Standards Brochure which is the first and only overview of all major MV interface standards in use today. The brochure is regularly updated to reflect the latest standard developments.
Please find your free copy in the Download section of this page (right hand column).
