IMAGO Firmware Update  2025-01-31
Firmware Release Notes

Table of Contents

Real-Time Communication Controller

The FPGA version numbers for the Real-Time Communication Controller (RTCC) are unique accross all hardware platforms.

The following table lists general feature changes for the RTCC:

General RTCC feature changes
FPGA version RTCC unit Changes
1.0.0.52 Multiplexer
  • Multiplexer Events:
    • Store events in a FIFO holding up to 256 entries in order to avoid dropped events
    • Measure time interval between events in micro-seconds and make it available to the CPU (GetEventTime())
1.0.0.38 I/O Scheduler
  • Add support for advanced features:
    freeze mode, reset signal, encoder multiplexer, automatic re-queue mode
1.0.0.37 Multiplexer
Service
  • The Watchdog can now optionally reset the Multiplexer and the Watchdog state is readable
1.0.0.29 TriggerGenerator
  • Counters and Dividers can take the encoder direction into account
1.0.0.22 Strobe
  • Add support for strobe unit timing "Sequences of pulses"
1.0.0.21 TriggerGenerator
  • Add support for Look-Up-Tables within the Trigger Logic
1.0.0.20 I/O Scheduler
  • Add support for the I/O Scheduler
DigitalOutput
  • Add support for using Multiplexer output lines as source signal (SetSource()) (not supported by the VisionBox AGE-X1 and VisionSensor PV)
Note
The Multiplexer in RTCC v1.0.0.52 ... v1.0.0.59 contains a bug which leads to generation of duplicate events. This problem was fixed in RTCC Version ≥ 1.0.0.61.

VisionBox AGE-X1

System type: Mainboard

Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC)
FPGA version MD5 hash (AGE_X1.bit) Changes
1.0.0.14
(2012-10) 		906b0d13f488b3b15169ad9f5277a0c3
  • Add support for two Look-Up-Tables to the TriggerGenerator
1.0.0.13
(2012-06) 		040fff16ecdd872f3118891697284ac7
  • Add support for hot reconfiguration for new PCB revision C
1.0.0.12
(2012-06) 		3e515d570c493f3ea402c80940c5014e
  • Add support for the FPGA unit TriggerGenerator
1.0.0.11
(2012-01) 		c3aa126b729070f98e28ccbb80326527
  • First public release
  • Add support for hot reboot with PCB revision B
1.0.0.10
(2011-12) 		66b7847fbc6a437dd20d4b8a829a3758
  • Fix strobe current measurement problem during high CPU load
1.0.0.8
(2011-08) 		854c21bcc27aa4d6028dbb4962c39c9e
  • First release for prototypes

VisionBox AGE-X2

Mainboard

System type: Mainboard

Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC)
FPGA version MD5 hash (AGE_X2.rbf) Changes
1.0.0.61
(2021-04-14) 		1e8e63c99a3824e34e643bcf8c26f87b
  • Multiplexer: fix generation of duplicate events (bug in RTCC ≥ 1.0.0.52)
1.0.0.52
(2020-05-12) 		21bf7529f66c84bd44f7613eee0e47da
1.0.0.40
(2017-11) 		298ebf090f06f3ac0a387a6b973954e2
  • Increase number of Multiplexer output lines to 24
1.0.0.38
(2017-09) 		a95ad6ddd33ee1a8241bbd12141b57c0
1.0.0.34
(2017-05) 		b8f6a6a75d0fae41a70f72d5ace4486f
  • Improve noise resistance for the SYNC signals, requires AGE-X2 CL firmware ≥ 1.0.0.9 for compatibility
1.0.0.29
(2016-03) 		6ffe8b4c1bcd5ed950806a800abb4c4f
1.0.0.26
(2015-06) 		73edd91422aacadafb35f6627e970929
  • Make signals from the second DigitalInput module available to the Multiplexer source signals
  • Fix temperature read out for AGE-X model Wildcat (USB)
1.0.0.24
(2014-10) 		3e1b921b7a62ad8db37c5882ddbcef18
  • Add support for the Camera Link interface
  • Add support for Smart Network interface
  • Fix incorrect LED / Watchdog time base
1.0.0.23
(2014-09) 		7c85e90664905fe06e4efd9fc1aba70a
  • Increase size of I/O Scheduler buffers to 128 entries
1.0.0.22
(2014-05) 		ff2efb85b179ac2c510b29f3094e0286
1.0.0.21
(2014-02) 		81fb8b7ea9bbe10ce4f3642bc1736258
1.0.0.20
(2014-01) 		c6b9030d3770076ad5efbb9405fc9678
1.0.0.19
(2013-07) 		1ea980911b47a48f37de967a7b49ccb4
  • Fix race condition on EEPROM access
1.0.0.18
(2013-05) 		2665bd28c16156b3dec7f2756b4cc435
  • Multiplexer: fix polarity for SYNC signals (RS-422)
1.0.0.17
(2013-01) 		7db48eb204df8549065fa2ad7d1f8777
  • Add internal multiplexer for using add-on signal sources (RS-422)
  • CameraTrigger: implement two devices with one channel for every add-on card
1.0.0.16
(2013-01) 		aa7b36c73d5767e2149c8fd4b7c05aab
  • First release

Smart NIC

System type: Network

Firmware component: MCU
MCU version MD5 hash (SMART_NIC.bin) Changes
1.0.5
(2018-06) 		93dc6b3ab98c7c2a813158a80259f0d7
  • Fix compatibility problem with Basler Performance Driver
1.0.4
(2018-03) 		c5cc40a605efca340c2beba7591da8b4
  • Add support for the VisionBox AGE-X5 Smart NIC
1.0.3
(2015-11) 		81b863852b5faa857c69ea11071a01a8
  • Add support for the VisionBoard PCIe Smart NIC
1.0.1
(2014-10) 		140433182b763db0f1741a9a6246b6ce
  • First release for the VisionBox AGE-X2

Camera Link

System type: CameraLink

Note
The Camera Link interface uses different hardware for the dual CL Base and the CL Full version. Therefore, the firmware update can't be used to switch between both modes.
Firmware component: FPGA (CL)
FPGA version MD5 hash
(AGE_X2_CL_Base.rbf / AGE_X2_CL_Full.rbf) 		Changes
1.0.0.19
(2021-07-01) 		Base: 7fdb959ab5e6a5ed6ee5ecc1bea46f05
Full: 2ee86707fcc3294115fe7b9ce7d87ddb
  • Fix PCIe DMA interrupt race condition with Linux driver at high frame rates: CameraLink::WaitForImageBuffer() incorrectly returned valid frames with error code ("...Image sync lost...").
1.0.0.17
(2020-10-07) 		Base: a4b33240ddd94b9a4b046cc669595b6b
Full: f8690e8c6384bc5e54b09300561a50d9
  • Fix possible race condition under Windows: first acquisition buffer could get lost during frame start
1.0.0.15
(2020-09-15) 		Base: f5804f4ebc23634156a3503a9c155d8d
Full: dd1108a5336bbf10068c147f9de2a88e
  • Add support for embedding image, trigger and timestamp counters into images
  • CL Full: add support for Camera Link DECA
  • Make detection of PoCL cameras more robust
  • Bug fixes:
    • Fix Camera Link clock phase for low frequency range (< 44 MHz)
    • Fix problems when reusing a DMA channel after a process crash
    • Fix possible DMA deadlock
1.0.0.9
(2017-05) 		Base: e45b4647ba397dccb7359d8c4c0def8c
Full: ee24fee72639a0f38d7a5ba726c60c2e
  • Improve noise resistance for the SYNC signals, requires AGE-X2 firmware ≥ 1.0.0.34 for compatibility
  • Fix support for CL Medium format 6 tap / 8 bit
  • Fix race condition while capturing images under high CPU load
  • Add support for Camera Link Full version
1.0.0.5
(2016-07) 		Base: a541c2a0d2e27d1ad86aa81f006c07c6
  • Support for frame size > 64 MB
  • Fix rare image corruption at high data rates
1.0.0.2
(2015-02) 		Base: a95d6aa75677adbaf681cbed36c192bc
  • First release

VisionBox AGE-X3

System type: Mainboard

Note
FPGA version ≥ 1.0.0.56 requires SDK version ≥ 1.7.5.0 for using Multiplexer Events or DigitalInput Events.
Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC)
FPGA version MD5 hash (AGE_X3.rbf) Changes
1.0.0.63
(2021-06-09) 		0f2a0980e96db34be776887eb780452a
  • Multiplexer: fix generation of duplicate events (bug in RTCC ≥ 1.0.0.52)
1.0.0.56
(2020-06-30) 		83792ae9c74ae3c5545160502083aca7
1.0.0.25
(2015-02) 		bbdc09ea6d0f88694bb6e5427ce945ad
  • First release
Firmware component: MCU
MCU version MD5 hash (SMART_NIC.bin) Changes
1.0.4
(2017-06-30) 		8a5d72461295846e914f4565fa56229d
  • USB: avoid empty outgoing Interrupt-IN packets
1.0.3
(2015-07-22) 		f3b7ee124bb65cfe664ec3c636870c9f
  • Machine Vision Manager: add support for GigE Action Command (ToE)
1.0.2
(2015-06-09) 		4ecc3654b71cfed71828a72eef83e02f
  • Add support for the Machine Vision Manager
1.0.1
(2015-03-11) 		6e13373bd9e8a8317347ba23e41d2d6f
  • Fix dropped USB Endpoint IN packets
1.0.0
(2015-03-24) 		4df22d9ae572667e8a7decbc8449a3bd
  • First release for the VisionBox AGE-X3

VisionBox AGE-X4

The VisionBox AGE-X4 uses VisionBoards (PCIe cards) to provide the RTCC and additional interfaces.

VisionBox AGE-X5

Mainboard

System type: Mainboard

Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC)
FPGA version MD5 hash (AGE_X5.rpd) Changes
1.0.0.62
(2021-06-09) 		e2de002ec4530163b271491695fbec1f
  • Multiplexer: fix generation of duplicate events (bug in RTCC ≥ 1.0.0.52)
1.0.0.57
(2020-10-30) 		5a9c839d8fefb13632181c74d1857fd1
  • Fix rare initialization problem leading to incorrect hardware detection
1.0.0.53
(2020-05-14) 		627afdbde0bfb13acc77c9ac2b5e9331
1.0.0.45
(2019-03) 		87729c123aacdcd79a2ef9f0bd747312
  • Add support for Camera Link interface
1.0.0.44
(2018-10) 		e7feedb7e752885405801b97281adec1
  • Fix encoder signal polarity
1.0.0.42
(2018-03) 		b8ac4b0b1cf73784df637a5d9cf4b0db
  • First release

Smart NIC

System type: Network

This interfaces uses the same firmware as the VisionBox AGE-X2.

Note
Support for Power-over-Ethernet and Trigger-over-Ethernet is optional for the Quad GigE Ethernet interface.

Camera Link

System type: CameraLink

This interfaces uses the same firmware as the VisionBoard Camera Link.

VisionBox AI

System type: Mainboard

Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC + CL)
FPGA version MD5 hash (VBAI_CL_Base.rpd / VBAI_CL_Full.rpd) Changes
1.0.0.77
(2024-07-01) 		Base: 2605490a6db50672d2ac62d44312114e
Full: c05403e9579b288f4078fdc9ffbb798f
  • Add support for the Strobe module
1.0.0.73
(2022-11-29) 		Base: 8c7ef8e0a136580a4a892d44cd539798
Full: e7ef964f30c0255c8d91cd12601311e0
  • First release

VisionBox LE MANS

System type: Mainboard

Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC)
FPGA version MD5 hash (LeMans.rpd) Changes
1.0.0.66
(2021-06-10) 		38d89cccabe95c1789f3029c858827b3
  • Multiplexer: fix generation of duplicate events (bug in RTCC ≥ 1.0.0.52)
1.0.0.58
(2020-10-30) 		1631ff50e15204cce2c0c8705b3ea76f
  • Increase number of Multiplexer output lines to 24
  • Increase size of I/O Scheduler buffers to 1024 entries
  • Fix rare initialization problem leading to incorrect hardware detection
  • See also general RTCC feature changes
1.0.0.35
(2017-05) 		c8567827d561a9c169aee01ffca54a86
  • Improve noise resistance for the SYNC signals, requires PCIe CL firmware ≥ 1.0.0.8 for compatibility
  • Turn off LEDs during power off
1.0.0.31
(2017-03) 		0042f5985141e543b636783328d2ddd2
  • First release
Note
The VisionBox LE MANS can also uses VisionBoards (PCIe cards) to provide additional interfaces.

VisionBox DAYTONA

System type: Mainboard

Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC)
FPGA version MD5 hash (Daytona.rpd) Changes
1.0.0.67
(2021-06-10) 		7f4eafebe3442f41f1b29e7c885826a1
  • Multiplexer: fix generation of duplicate events (bug in RTCC ≥ 1.0.0.52)
1.0.0.59
(2020-11-26) 		86ccd2e102058319268ab9fb0ee963d4
1.0.0.49
(2020-04-23) 		38e24daf8cc54fbe8358548e103fb8ae
  • Fix rare communication problems between SoC and FPGA (SPI)
1.0.0.47
(2019-07-12) 		c775db9f0b8651d217e28687dda2a90b
  • Add support for Trigger-Over-Ethernet
  • Reset FPGA logic during reboot
1.0.0.46
(2019-04-26) 		4d775e82632413cf944d476ac56fb6dc
  • First release

VisionCam XM

System type: Mainboard

Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC)
FPGA version Changes
1.0.0.65
(2021-06-10)
  • Multiplexer: fix generation of duplicate events (bug in RTCC ≥ 1.0.0.52)
  • Image acquisition: fix PCIe DMA interrupt race condition at high frame rates (FG_get_image() returned incorrectly valid frames with error code FG_ERROR_CODE_ExtraErrorInformation)
1.0.0.55
(2020-10-30)
1.0.0.50
(2020-02-17)
  • Increase maximum sensor interface clock frequency from 100 MHz to 120 MHz for higher frame rates with e2v sensors.
1.0.0.48
(2020-02-17)
  • Add support for embedding Image-, Trigger- and Timestamp counters into the captured images.
1.0.0.43
(2018-08)
  • Add Support for RS-422
  • Add Support for Dragster line scan sensor
  • Add Support for digital R-G-B gain with De-Bayer function
  • See also general RTCC feature changes
1.0.0.36
(2017-08)
  • Add Support for Python Sensor (5 MPixel)
1.0.0.32
(2017-02)
  • PCIe Interrupts: Fix possible race condition between the linux driver and the FPGA.
1.0.0.30
(2016-12)
  • First release

Instead of using the update tool, the firmware can also be updated by installing the provided Debian package fpga-visioncam-xm_…_armhf.deb.

Example:

~# dpkg -i fpga-visioncam-xm_1.0.0.50_armhf.deb
Note
The firmware for the VisionCam XM consists of a file in the file system which stored in the directory /boot. This file is loaded by the boot loader from the SD card every time during boot. Therefore, the firmware doesn't stay persistent after swapping the SD card or after installing a new OS image.

VisionCam XM2

System type: Mainboard

Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC)
FPGA version MD5 hash (VCXM2.rpd / VCXM2_MIPI.rpd) Changes
1.0.0.78
(2024-12-02) 		VCXM2.rpd: 46669b0f2bf969edf319fc9ef8ac0a65
VCXM2_MIPI.rpd: 639e23f2d289fb325625bbcf443e1ebd
  • Add support for the Sony IMX56x sensor
  • RTCC: increase number of I/O Schedulers from 2 to 4
1.0.0.76
(2024-05-07) 		VCXM2.rpd: 7e15a4a7e641f9f4208da334fa74c76b
  • Add support for Lince5M HDR mode
1.0.0.74
(2023-10-04) 		VCXM2.rpd: 8c602696ce699c47feead5729522d67d
  • First release

VisionSensor PV3

System type: Mainboard

Firmware component: FPGA (with RTCC for I/O Expansion)
FPGA version Changes
1.0.0.75
(2024-06-19)
  • Add support for the I/O Expansion hardware (external RTCC device)
  • Avoid over-triggering the sensor in line scan mode during free-run (was incorrect in v1.0.0.70).
1.0.0.70
(2022-09-06)
  • Add support for trigger sequencer
  • Add support for new lighting units:
    • Ring light with adjustable LED current
    • Multi-channel LED illumination unit (controlled by the sequencer)
1.0.0.68
(2021-09-24)
  • Sensor hardware trigger:
    • Make input adjustable (IN0, IN1, both)
    • Make signal edge adjustable (rising, falling, both)
    • Add trigger divider (1...65536)
  • Add support for line scan mode with frame trigger:
    • Frame trigger is IN1 (rising or falling edge)
    • Adjustable frame start delay
1.0.0.60
(2021-04-13)
  • Fix for DigitalInput event value: the location for changed signals was at bit 2 and 3 instead of bit 8 and 9
1.0.0.51
(2020-04-23)
  • First release

Instead of using the update tool, the firmware can also be updated by installing the Debian package fpga-visionsensor-pv3_…_arm64.deb. The FPGA will be flashed automatically by the Debian package.

Example:

~# dpkg -i fpga-visionsensor-pv3_1.0.0.51_arm64.deb
Note
When installing a new OS image, the firmware will be programmed to the version contained within the image.

Machine Vision Manager

The Machine Vision Manager is an external USB device containing the RTCC. There is currently only support for Windows available.

System type: USB

Note
FPGA firmware version ≥ 1.0.0.69 requires SDK version ≥ 1.7.5.0 for using DigitalInput Events.
Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC)
FPGA version MD5 hash (MVM0.rpd) Changes
1.0.0.69
(2021-12-09) 		a4d6a6369bee3180fa3e737437dfbdcd
  • Service: Add support for Watchdog (only SERVICE_WDT_RESET_TYPE_MULTIPLEXER reset mode)
  • Increase size of I/O Scheduler buffers to 1024 entries
  • See also general RTCC feature changes
1.0.0.27
(2015-10-06) 		bab9658e87f4c27f4d35c6a67aa9af55
  • First release
Firmware component: MCU
MCU version MD5 hash (SMART_NIC.bin) Changes
1.0.4
(2017-06-30) 		8a5d72461295846e914f4565fa56229d
  • USB: avoid empty outgoing Interrupt-IN packets
1.0.3
(2015-07-22) 		f3b7ee124bb65cfe664ec3c636870c9f
  • Machine Vision Manager: add support for GigE Action Command (ToE)
1.0.2
(2015-06-09) 		4ecc3654b71cfed71828a72eef83e02f
  • Add support for the Machine Vision Manager
1.0.1
(2015-03-11) 		6e13373bd9e8a8317347ba23e41d2d6f
  • Fix dropped USB Endpoint IN packets
1.0.0
(2015-03-24) 		4df22d9ae572667e8a7decbc8449a3bd
  • First release for the VisionBox AGE-X3

Machine Vision Manager 2

The Machine Vision Manager 2 is an external USB device containing the RTCC.

System type: USB

Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC)
FPGA version MD5 hash (MVM2.rpd) Changes
1.0.0.71
(2022-08-30) 		af496898ec1ef1cad25e67b31cdb63a2
  • First release

VisionBoards

VisionBoards are PCIe cards which can be used by the VisionBox AGE-X4, the VisionBox LE MANS and third-party computers.

Machine Vision Controller

System type: PCI

Firmware component: FPGA (RTCC)
FPGA version MD5 hash (MVC0.rpd) Changes
1.0.0.64
(2021-06-30) 		33c47d6527749f180ad627d770f31742
  • Multiplexer: fix generation of duplicate events (bug in RTCC ≥ 1.0.0.52)
  • Status LCD bugfix: clear display command could get lost after disabling the auto-update feature
1.0.0.54
(2020-10-29) 		7f59074f40c7d88f2703963b566a110d
1.0.0.41
(2017-11) 		56d968eb2d4cd03c3d1e768ed4eccee5
  • Increase number of Multiplexer output lines to 24
1.0.0.39
(2017-09) 		f50b8a9eac656b0de1e66d34dbe2db28
  • Increase number of I/O Schedulers to eight
  • Increase size of I/O Scheduler buffers to 1024 entries
  • FAN speed is now readable
  • See also general RTCC feature changes
1.0.0.33
(2017-05) 		e68707f8c59a60c4b673a13a2b3cdd84
  • Improve noise resistance for the SYNC signals, requires PCIe CL firmware ≥ 1.0.0.8 for compatibility
  • Increase number of SYNC modules (RS-422 connectors) available as sources to the Multiplexer from two to three
  • Fix race condition during simultaneous register access
  • See also general RTCC feature changes
1.0.0.28
(2015-11) 		830a8d6721bdc2169a2baa74b56a4e34
  • First release

Smart NIC

System type: Network

This board uses the same firmware as the VisionBox AGE-X2.

Camera Link

System type: CameraLink

There are two firmware variants available: one for Dual Base configuration and one for Full configuration. The firmware update tool can be used to switch between both configurations.

+ Example for switching from Full to Dual Base configuration using the command line mode
user@VisionBox:~# sh FirmwareUpdate.sh -i -s CameraLink.0 -f PCIe_CL_Base.rpd
IMAGO Firmware Update (Mar 21 2022)
Scanning for hardware...
Hardware component: PCIe Camera Link
System Identifier: CameraLink.0
Firmware installed: 1.0.0.18 (CL Full)
Installing firmware update for system 'CameraLink.0'
Hardware component: PCIe Camera Link
Firmware version: 'PCIe_CL_Base.rpd': 1.0.0.18 (CL Dual Base)
Starting update using the file 'PCIe_CL_Base.rpd', do not interrupt...
Please shutdown and reapply power to use the installed firmware.
user@VisionBox:~#
Firmware component: FPGA (CL)
FPGA version MD5 hash
(PCIe_CL_Base.rpd / PCIe_CL_Full.rpd) 		Changes
1.0.0.18
(2021-07-01) 		Base: 90e64f592dcfcbef461fe9b8693790c1
Full: a7f7092b06293bde32f5b038aa1812bb
  • Fix PCIe DMA interrupt race condition with Linux driver at high frame rates: CameraLink::WaitForImageBuffer() incorrectly returned valid frames with error code ("...Image sync lost...").
1.0.0.16
(2020-10-07) 		Base: 8ffe596c5afaf7437e8f9d4adcf1ee11
Full: 9c1d15912267301a3b8a1c464f8e5738
  • Fix possible race condition under Windows: first acquisition buffer could get lost during frame start
1.0.0.14
(2020-02-26 / 2020-03-09) 		Base: c8e60fdcb42e60e9b042a5e26a742232
Full: 02ca4cba64b5f3e7f18108465400e69b
  • Fix problems when reusing a DMA channel after a process crash
1.0.0.13
(2020-02-17) 		Base: b62a77bc70c5a70ffcdf732a26b2f684
  • Fix possible DMA deadlock
  • Add support for embedding image, trigger and timestamp counters into images
  • Make detection of PoCL cameras more robust
1.0.0.12
(2019-03-04) 		Base: 0b5ed362fdede12183f25abeb26654d0
Full: cbfc621ab50aa9404b2e856cf5e79f9a
  • Add support for the VsionBox AGE-X5 with Camera Link interface (uses the same firmware)
1.0.0.11
(2018-04-23) 		Base: db2e72a0c76442c9cb1ee48293195786
Full: 85fe0b01496939f1cd8e125978097b93
  • Allow higher amount of jitter for the Camera Link clock signal
  • Add support for Camera Link DECA
1.0.0.10
(2017-07-25) 		Base: 48f0b27398c60d8e79c3e053f2976489
  • Fix problem which could lead to invalid frames
  • PoCL: Increase timeout when waiting for CL clock startup to three seconds after power was applied
1.0.0.8
(2017-06-01) 		Base: 1a4b57873ad84ad740f09da599de5880
Full: ccf035cce107d17ef684a3b50d88305f
  • Improve noise resistance for the SYNC signals, requires RTCC firmware ≥ 1.0.0.33 for compatibility
  • Fix support for CL Medium format 6 tap / 8 bit
  • Add support for Camera Link Full mode
1.0.0.7
(2017-03-07) 		Base: a6e1ef783353ed6cec13f10198232bb8
  • Fix race condition while capturing images under high CPU load
1.0.0.6
(2017-01-04) 		Base: 2f91f7e8984678a6147892aac70d87eb
  • First release