Camera Link Simulator
Camera Link Camera Simulator Card for Testing & Validating Imaging Systems
View DetailsHigh-Speed Camera Simulator - CamSim
Gidel Camera Simulator Options help you validate frame grabbers and full imaging pipelines without a physical camera. Use CamSim-CL for Camera Link and CamSim-X for CoaXPress—both provide programmable timing, pattern generation, and API + GUI tooling for rapid test iteration.
Camera Simulators: Overview & Comparison
| Product Name | CamSim-CL | CamSim-X |
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| Camera Types | Area | Line Scan | Area | Line Scan |
| Memory | 1GB | 8GB | 16GB | 1GB | 8GB | 16GB |
| Form Factor | Low-profile PCIe card | Low-profile PCIe card |
| OS Support | Windows 10/11; Linux | Windows 10/11; Linux |
- For Camera Link Frame Grabber Options, Visit Camera Link Grabbers
- For CoaXPress Frame Grabber Options, Visit CoaXPress Grabbers
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Camera Simulator Options
FPGA-based camera simulators for testing, validating, and developing high-speed vision systems without relying on physical cameras.
Related Frame Grabbers
Explore Gidel frame grabbers for high-speed image acquisition, validation, and integration with CoaXPress and Camera Link camera simulator workflows.
Datasheet
Gidel’s CamSim Demonstration
Accelerating image processing development and validation with camera simulation
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.
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.
FAQ
The correct camera simulator depends primarily on the camera interface used by the imaging system. Gidel offers the CamSim-CL for Camera Link and the CamSim-X for CoaXPress/CXP applications. Both systems generate programmable video streams and test patterns, enabling development and validation without relying on physical cameras during the early stages of a project.
A physical camera captures live image data from a sensor, while a camera simulator generates controlled and repeatable video streams that emulate the camera interface. Gidel camera simulators are intended for development, integration, validation, and debugging, allowing engineers to test imaging systems and frame grabbers under repeatable conditions without depending on a specific CoaXPress or Camera Link camera.
Yes. Gidel camera simulators are designed to replace physical Camera Link or CoaXPress cameras during testing and validation. By providing repeatable image streams, programmable timing, and configurable test patterns, they allow engineers to develop frame grabbers, imaging systems, algorithms, and processing pipelines before the final camera hardware is available.
Gidel camera simulators support BMP and RAW image files together with built-in grayscale and color test-pattern generation. The CamSim-CL supports Camera Link Base, Medium, Full, Deca, and Dual Base configurations, while the CamSim-X supports CoaXPress pixel formats and link speeds up to CXP-12 with up to four CoaXPress-12 output links. For additional image formats or camera configurations, please contact us.
Gidel camera simulators include GUI-based application software and APIs for both Windows and Linux, enabling configuration of image parameters, timing, transmitted data, and automated or custom simulator applications. Programmable camera-control lines are also available for triggering and synchronization.
Alternative Frame Grabber Options
Explore Gidel FPGA-based PCIe and Edge AI frame grabber platforms for high-bandwidth GigE Vision acquisition.
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- Custom configuration options
- Volume pricing available
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