Configuring Other Ethernet Settings

Stream Channel Destination Address

The stream channel destination address (SCDA) register is used to specify the streaming destination IP address. The default SCDA is the IP address of the network or computer to which the camera is connected. It can be set within a range so that the camera sends data as a multicast. As long as switches in the path between the sender and receivers support and are configured for multicasting, multiple receivers can listen to the data stream from the camera.

Multicast addresses are between 224.0.0.0 and 239.255.255.255.

Note: For more information on multicast address assignments, see http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc3171

To control SCDA use:

  • GenICam—GevSCDA in the Transport Layer Control

Heartbeat

The heartbeat is a mandatory GigE Vision feature to monitor the connection between an application and the camera. The application must continually reset the heartbeat timer, or the camera assumes an error has occurred and shuts down the connection. This is to allow a host that has stopped working to be able to take control of the camera once it is restarted or to allow a different host to take control of the camera.

The Spinnaker API manages the heartbeat communication of the camera at a low level so you do not need to continuously communicate with the camera after enumeration. However, the following two features are user controllable: Heartbeat Timeout and Heartbeat Disable. You may consider using these settings when you never want to lose connection with the camera such as a scenario where Ethernet communication may be removed from time to time. Also, the heartbeat timeout could be increased in situations where there is network congestion on a switch, preventing packets from being received on the host or device for a period of time. Generally, the default settings provide a stable method for connecting to the camera.

Heartbeat Timeout

Heartbeat timeout is the time, in milliseconds, that the camera waits before closing the connection. Heartbeat timeout can be set between 500 ms and 10 seconds. The default setting is 3000 ms (3 seconds). If there is no communication between the camera and the application for longer than the timeout value, the connection is shut down.

To control Heartbeat Timeout use:

  • GenICam—Under Transport Layer Control, GevHeartbeatTimeout.
  • Spinnaker API—The Spinnaker SDK supports configuring heartbeat timeout.

Heartbeat Disable

The heartbeat is enabled by default.

To disable Heartbeat use:

  • GenICam—Under Transport Layer Control GevGVCPHeartbeatDisable.
  • Spinnaker API—The Spinnaker SDK supports disabling heartbeat.