How-to: Connect and operate a GenICam Ethernet Camera with ctrlX OS device using LumiScan CamDriver

Introduction

This how-to guide explains how to connect and operate an Ethernet-based, GenICam-compliant camera with ctrlX OS device like ctrlX CORE using the LumiScan CamDriver application.

By following this guide, you will learn how to:

• Establish the physical connection between camera and ctrlX OS device

• Configure the LumiScan CamDriver

• Access the camera via the ctrlX Data Layer

• Trigger image acquisition

• Retrieve captured images

• Optionally store images

The LumiScan CamDriver is fully controlled via the ctrlX Data Layer and supports all Ethernet cameras compliant with the GenICam standard.

Prerequisites

Hardware

• ctrlX OS device (e.g. ctrlX CORE X3)

• Ethernet-based, GenICam-compliant camera

• Ethernet switch (optional)

• Engineering PC

• Shielded Ethernet cables

Software

• LumiScan CamDriver

• ctrlX OS 3.6

• ctrlX Data Layer access (e.g. via browser or tools)

• Camera manufacturer configuration software

Requirements

Before starting, ensure that:

• The LumiScan CamDriver app is installed

• A valid license is available

• The camera supports GenICam over Ethernet

System Overview

The LumiScan CamDriver is configured and controlled entirely via the ctrlX Data Layer.

The system uses a two-level configuration structure:

• One application configuration (lumiscan-cam-driver.json)

• One configuration file per camera

All configuration files are located in:

Manage App Data → active → lumiscan-cam-driver

Control Mechanism (Handshake)

All operations (connect, capture, save, disconnect) are executed using a standardized handshake mechanism:

1. Wait until ready = true

2. Set request = true

3. Wait until ready = false

4. Reset request = false

5. Wait until ready = true again

This mechanism is used for:

• Camera connection

• Image acquisition

• Image storage

Step 1: Hardware Setup

1. Connect the camera to the engineering PC

2. Configure the camera network using the manufacturer’s tool:

   • Assign a static IP address

   • Disable DHCP

   • Disable Auto IP / Link Local

   • Enable persistent IP (if supported)

Example:

• Camera IP: 192.168.1.21

• Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

1. Disconnect the camera from the PC

2. Connect the following devices to the switch:

   • Camera

   • ctrlX CORE

   • Engineering PC

3. Configure the PC network:

   • IP: 192.168.1.X

   • Subnet: 255.255.255.0
     (X ≠ 1)

4. Open ctrlX CORE Web UI →
   Settings → Network Interfaces

5. Configure the interface (e.g. XF10):

   • IP: 192.168.1.1

   • MTU: 8000

6. Save settings

Note: Jumbo-frame-capable switches are recommended

Step 2: Configure LumiScan CamDriver

Navigate to:

Manage App Data → active → lumiscan-cam-driver

2.1 Configure Application Settings

Open:

lumiscan-cam-driver.json

Example:

{
  "configurations": [
    "camera_example.json"
  ],
  "system": {
    "debug": true,
    "logLevel": "INFO"
  }
}

Ensure that:

• All referenced configuration files exist

• Configuration names are correct

• No duplicate camera serial numbers are used

2.2 Configure Camera Settings

Open:

camera_example.json

Example:

{
  "id": "camera1",
  "serial": "LX123456",
  "exposureTimeUS": 4321,
  "pixelFormat": "RGB8"
}

Parameters:

• id: Camera identifier

• serial: Camera serial number

• exposureTimeUS: Exposure time

• pixelFormat: Image format

Supported formats:

• RGB8

• Mono8

After modification:

• Save file

• Restart LumiScan CamDriver

Step 3: Verify Camera Detection

Detected cameras appear in:

/hdvisionsystems/lumiscan-cam-driver/system

Relevant nodes:

• found-camera-ip-addresses

• found-camera-mac-addresses

• found-camera-modules

• found-camera-serials

Use these to verify:

• Camera detection

• IP configuration

• Serial number mapping

  

Step 4: Connect to the Camera

Path:

/hdvisionsystems/lumiscan-cam-driver/<module>/control/connect-camera

Procedure:

1. Check:

   Copy

   ready = true

2. Set:

   Copy

   request = true

3. Wait until:

   Copy

   ready = false

4. Reset:

   Copy

   request = false

5. Wait until:

   Copy

   ready = true

Verify:

/control/status/code = 0

Step 5: Trigger Image Acquisition

Path:

/hdvisionsystems/lumiscan-cam-driver/<module>/control/capture

Procedure:

• Execute handshake sequence (same as above)

Verify:

/control/status/code = 0

Captured image available at:

/hdvisionsystems/lumiscan-cam-driver/<module>/output/image

Step 6: Save Captured Images (Optional)

Supported storage:

• Internal storage

• USB

• SD card

• Samba network share

Example configuration:

"storage": {
  "type": "Internal",
  "parameters": {
    "remotePath": "images"
  }
}

After changes:

• Save configuration

• Restart application

Trigger saving via:

/control/save

Result

After completing this guide:

• The camera is successfully connected to ctrlX CORE

• The LumiScan CamDriver is correctly configured

• The camera is accessible via the ctrlX Data Layer

• Image acquisition can be triggered programmatically

• Captured images can be stored locally or on external systems

The Company

HD Vision Systems is a leading provider of industrial image processing and AI-based automation solutions. Our hardware-agnostic platform enables seamless integration across a wide range of cameras, sensors, robots, and industrial systems, giving customers maximum flexibility and future-proof scalability. By combining advanced machine vision software with strong partnerships across the automation ecosystem, we deliver tailored, high-performance solutions for quality inspection, process optimization, and intelligent manufacturing. Together with our technology partners, we help companies accelerate digital transformation and unlock the full potential of Industry 4.0.