Material
Other, Global universal model
Condition
Other, Global universal model
Task
Other, Global universal model
Mathematical Model
Other, Global universal model
Signal
Other, Global universal model
Customized
Non-Customized
Structure
Other, Global universal model
NI PCIe-1427I. Overview
The NI PCIe-1427 is a high-performance vision acquisition card designed for industrial imaging applications. It specializes in capturing, digitizing, and transferring video data from high-speed cameras to a host PC via the PCI Express interface. Key features include:
High-Speed Data Transfer: Leverages PCIe Gen2 x4 interface (up to 1GB/s bandwidth).
Camera Compatibility: Supports Camera Link® (Base, Medium, and Full configurations) and GigE Vision® protocols.
Real-Time Processing: Onboard FPGA for preprocessing tasks (e.g., image cropping, binning).
Triggering & Synchronization: Advanced triggering capabilities for precise image capture timing.
II. Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specifications |
|---|
| Interface | PCI Express Gen2 x4 (8 GT/s aggregate bandwidth) |
| Camera Support | Camera Link® (Base/Medium/Full) and GigE Vision® |
| Data Rate | Up to 680 MB/s (Camera Link) or 1 Gb/s (GigE Vision) |
| Channels | 2 Camera Link channels or 2 GigE Vision ports |
| Trigger I/O | 8 TTL-compatible digital I/O lines (4 inputs, 4 outputs) |
| Trigger Modes | Edge, level, pulse width, and pattern matching |
| Onboard Memory | 512 MB DDR3 SDRAM (configurable as frame buffer or processing memory) |
| FPGA | Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA for custom image preprocessing |
| Power Requirements | 7.5 W (typical), 10 W (maximum) |
| Operating Temp | 0°C to 55°C (storage: -40°C to 85°C) |
| Dimensions | 167.6 mm × 106.7 mm (half-length PCIe card) |

III. Core Functionalities1. Camera Link® Interface
2. GigE Vision® Compatibility
3. Onboard FPGA Processing
Custom Algorithms: Programmable FPGA for real-time image preprocessing (e.g., ROI extraction, thresholding).
Data Reduction: Binning, decimation, and compression to reduce bandwidth requirements.
4. Triggering & Synchronization
IV. Software & Development Ecosystem1. Driver Support
NI-IMAQdx: Standard driver for image acquisition, compatible with LabVIEW, C/C++, Python, and .NET.
SDKs: Includes Camera Link® and GigE Vision® protocol libraries for custom applications.
2. Programming Environments
LabVIEW: Drag-and-drop vision tools for rapid development.
Vision Development Module: Advanced image processing functions (e.g., blob analysis, edge detection).
Third-Party Support: OpenCV integration for Python/C++ developers.
3. Configuration Tools

V. Typical Applications1. Industrial Inspection
Automated Visual Inspection: High-speed defect detection in manufacturing (e.g., PCB soldering, automotive components).
Robotic Guidance: Real-time image processing for pick-and-place operations.
2. Scientific Imaging
High-Speed Phenomena: Capturing fast events (e.g., ballistics, fluid dynamics) with frame rates up to 10,000 fps.
Microscopy: Precise synchronization with microscopy equipment for time-lapse imaging.
3. Traffic & Surveillance
VI. Working Principle1. Data Flow
Camera Interface: Acquires analog/digital video signals from Camera Link® or GigE Vision® cameras.
Digitization: Converts analog signals to digital (if applicable) and formats data for PCIe transfer.
FPGA Processing: Applies user-defined preprocessing (e.g., ROI extraction) to reduce data volume.
PCIe Transfer: Transfers processed data to host memory via DMA (Direct Memory Access).
2. Trigger Handling
Hardware Triggers: External signals (e.g., sensors, PLCs) initiate image capture without CPU intervention.
Software Triggers: Host applications trigger captures based on algorithmic conditions (e.g., motion detection).
3. Synchronization Mechanisms
Camera Sync: Uses dedicated sync lines to ensure all cameras in a multi-camera system capture images simultaneously.
Timestamping: Embeds precise timestamps into image data for post-processing synchronization.
VII. Comparison with Similar Models
| Feature | NI PCIe-1427 | NI PCIe-1433 | NI PCIe-1435 |
|---|
| Camera Link Support | Base/Medium/Full | Full | Full |
| GigE Vision Support | Yes | No | No |
| Max Data Rate | 680 MB/s (CL) | 2.72 GB/s (CL) | 2.72 GB/s (CL) |
| Onboard Memory | 512 MB | 1 GB | 2 GB |
| Target Applications | Mixed Camera Systems | Ultra-High-Speed CL | High-Resolution CL |
VIII. Installation & Integration1. Hardware Installation
2. Software Setup
Install NI-IMAQdx driver and relevant SDKs.
Configure cameras via NI MAX or custom software.
Develop applications using preferred programming environment.
3. System Considerations
IX. Summary
The NI PCIe-1427 excels in high-speed, multi-camera vision systems by combining Camera Link® and GigE Vision® support with onboard FPGA processing. Its flexibility makes it ideal for industrial inspection, scientific research, and surveillance applications where real-time image acquisition and preprocessing are critical. The card’s robust triggering capabilities and PCIe Gen2 interface ensure reliable data transfer even in demanding environments.