Demo
Camera Link Camera Simulator for testing & validating imaging systems
- Simulates all Camera Link v2.0 configurations
- Supports BMP and RAW input image files
- Pattern generator for transmitting color and grayscale test patterns
- Fully programmable image timing and data parameter configuration via user-friendly GUI
- API methods for developing user simulator applications
- User-configurable Camera Control (CC) lines for triggering options
- Ideal for testing tailored designs developed on Gidel’s customizable Frame Grabbers and Jetson Edge Computer
- Form factor: full-height, single-slot, half-length PCI Express card
- Optional: Low Profile
CamSim-CL: Camera Link Simulator
The CamSim-CL is a high-performance Camera Link simulator designed for testing and validating imaging systems and Frame Grabbers. Fully compliant with Camera Link v2.0, it generates test patterns and video streams that accelerate development, ensure robust system validation, and reduce time-to-market.
Performance and Simulation Capabilities
The CamSim-CL supports all Camera Link v2.0 configurations and delivers unmatched flexibility for developers. It transmits BMP and RAW image files as well as grayscale and color test patterns using its built-in generator. Moreover, users can program image timing and data parameters through an intuitive GUI, providing full control over simulation accuracy and flexibility. As a result, developers gain both precision and efficiency during testing.
Flexible Development Tools
The CamSim-CL offers a complete development environment:
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Application Software: GUI-based control for transmitting images, configuring parameters, defining timing, and displaying results.
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API Methods: A robust set of APIs for Windows and Linux, enabling tailored simulator applications.
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User-Configurable CC Lines: Programmable Camera Control lines for versatile triggering and synchronization.
In addition, these tools ensure seamless integration into diverse workflows and simplify the process of creating custom test setups.
Boosting Productivity and Reducing Costs
By enabling simulation in a low-cost lab environment, the CamSim-CL eliminates reliance on expensive cameras during early-stage development. In addition, its data-flow repetition capability ensures reproducible testing, allowing engineers to validate algorithms and quickly identify and resolve rare bugs. Consequently, teams gain higher productivity and stronger confidence in their imaging systems.
Why Choose the CamSim-CL? (Camera Link Simulator)
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Fully compliant with Camera Link v2.0.
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Flexible test pattern generation with BMP/RAW and color/grayscale options.
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FPGA-based transmission for accurate, repeatable simulations.
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GUI and API support for fast customization.
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Cost-effective solution for developing and validating imaging pipelines.
The CamSim-CL provides engineers with a reliable, flexible, and cost-effective Camera Link simulator built to streamline imaging system development.
Need a Camera Link frame grabber? Check out the HawkEye-CL Grabber
For a Jetson-based Camera Link grabber solutions, see FantoVision20-CL and FantoVision20 Edge Computers.
Looking for a CoaXPress Camera Simulator solution? visit CamSim-X.
General
Camera Link Modes
- 80-bit (Deca)
- Full, Medium and Base Camera Link
User Image Source
- Raw Files
- DNG Raw Files
- BMP Files
Output Pixel Formats
- Mono - (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 bits/color)
- Bayer - (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 bits/color)
- RGBA(I) - (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 bits/color)
- RGB - (8, 10 and 12 bits/color)
Max. Resolution
- Horizontal: 16 K pixels (24-bit)
- Vertical: 65 K lines (16-bit) or infinite in Line scan simulation
Configurations
All configurations as defined by the Camera Link standard, including 80-bit (Deca):
10 taps/8bits, 8bits/10taps.
10 taps/8bits, 8bits/10taps.
Camera Link Pixel Clock
Up to 85 MHz
Connectors
- 2x SDR26 (mini Camera Link)
- 15-pin header I/O
Memory
1 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB
Camera Types
- Area
- Line Scan
Form Factor
Full-height, single-slot, half-length PCIe card
Optional: low profile
Optional: low profile
Host Bus
PCIe x8 Gen. 3,
Power
5-32W: Depends on user application and FPGA Type
Cooling
Passive cooling | Active cooling (fan)
MTBF
> 450K hours
Environmental conditions
Temperature
Operating ambient air temperature: 0 – 55° C
Humidity
- Continuous Operation: 10 - 80% (non-condensing)
- Peak Operation: 10 - 90% (non-condensing)
Environmental Compliance
The CamSim-CL is highly modular!
Want to observe tailored Camera Simulator according to your Vision?
CamSim-CL SDK
CamSim
The Camera Link Simulator provides a complete environment for generating, controlling, and analyzing Camera Link video streams.
It enables developers to replicate real-world camera operation with full control over image formats, timing, and synchronization—ideal for testing frame grabbers, vision systems, and processing algorithms before real hardware is available.
Application Features
Simulation & Control Tools
The Camera Link Simulator offers GUI + API control to generate video streams from BMP/RAW files or built-in pattern generators; configure Camera Link timing and parameters; repeat identical sequences for deterministic debugging; and control CC lines for trigger modes. Optional software/FPGA customization supports extended machine-simulation behaviours.
User Image Source
- Raw Files
- DNG Raw Files
- BMP Files
Image Format
Simulate Camera Link image formats including:
- Mono - (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 bits/color)
- Bayer - (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 bits/color)
- RGBA - (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 bits/color)
- RGB - (8, 10 and 12 bits/color)
Tap Arrangements and Pixel Clock
Supports 10 taps × 8-bit and 8-bit × 10 taps arrangements with pixel clock rates up to 85 MHz.
Image Resolution
Resolutions up to 16K × 65K and infinite line-scan length are supported for stress testing continuous pipelines.
I/O and synchronization
Use CC lines to implement free-run or triggered operation, and connect to external equipment via RS-422, opto-coupler, or LVTTL GPIO interfaces (up to 30 V @ 0.9 A). Two SDR-26 connectors support all Camera Link modes. Frame and line timing are fully programmable to emulate camera behavior for both area-scan and line-scan modes.
Application Interfaces
GUI Applications
CamSim
APIs
CamSim with supporting examples
Software Compatibility
Operation Systems supported
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows Server 2022
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2016
- Linux (kernel 2.6.x- 6.12)
| Name | Description | Type | Size | |
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CamSim-CL
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Datasheet | 189.0 KB | ||
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CamSim-CL
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Block Diagram | PNG | 130.3 KB | |
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CamSim-CL
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System Overview | PNG | 84.3 KB | |
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CamSim AppNote
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Accelerating image processing development and validation with camera simulation | 534.4 KB |
Concurrent Real-Time (Guest Article) – From Lab to Real-Time with Camera Simulation
See how CamSim™ delivers reproducible CoaXPress/Camera Link inputs for real-time validation. This guest article with Concurrent Real-Time shows how teams replay exact frames, synchronize multi-camera pipelines, and run closed-loop tests without risking optics—so bugs are deterministic and fixes are confirmed fast.
Read CCRT Article
VSD – How to Accelerate Image Processing Development with Camera Simulation
Vision Systems Design explains how camera simulation speeds testing, lowers costs, and improves repeatability—especially for multi-camera/HDR scenarios. Practical overview of using field sequences and controlled replay to validate algorithms before on-site installs.
Read on VSD
FAQ
The CamSim-CL is a high-performance simulator designed to replace physical cameras during the testing and validation of imaging systems and frame grabbers. By simulating a camera source, it allows developers to validate algorithms, identify rare bugs through reproducible data-flow repetition, and accelerate time-to-market without relying on expensive or fragile camera hardware.
The CamSim-CL is fully compliant with Camera Link v2.0. It supports all standard configurations, including Base, Medium, Full, and 80-bit (Deca) modes. With a pixel clock of up to 85 MHz, it provides the high-fidelity signal required to test even the most demanding high-bandwidth frame grabbers.
The simulator offers unmatched flexibility in data generation. Users can transmit BMP, RAW, and DNG RAW files, as well as grayscale and color test patterns from the built-in generator. It supports a wide range of output pixel formats—including Mono, Bayer, RGB, and RGBA—with bit depths ranging from 8 to 16 bits per color.
Yes. The system is engineered to simulate both standard Area scan and Line scan cameras. It supports horizontal resolutions up to 16K pixels and vertical resolutions up to 65K lines (or infinite in Line scan simulation).
To simplify integration into diverse workflows, the CamSim-CL includes an intuitive Application GUI (for Windows) for configuring parameters and transmitting images. For automated or custom test environments, Gidel provides a robust API suite for both Windows and Linux, along with programmable CC (Camera Control) lines for versatile triggering and synchronization.
All models offer the same full-standard compliance and logic capabilities, but differ in onboard memory to accommodate different dataset sizes:
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CamSim-CL-Lite: 1 GB Onboard Memory.
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CamSim-CL: 8 GB Onboard Memory.
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CamSim-CL-16G: 16 GB Onboard Memory for massive high-resolution image sequences.
All Gidel products come with a 12-month warranty, dedicated technical support, and regular firmware and driver updates to ensure high-performance reliability in demanding, long-term deployments.
Need more? Check out our other products!
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