Range Extenders FAQ

Last modified by Lev Andronov on 2025/03/30 14:32

Range Extender system structure
- Unit identification
Range Extender installation
- Connection rules
How to control PoCXP on CoaXPress extender over fiber

Range Extender system structure

Regardless of whether you use a CLHS or CoaXPress Range Extender, the basic system structure remains the same.

The Range Extender system consists of one or two converter units:

Device unit
Connects to the camera and provides power (PoCXP via the CoaXPress connection).
Host unit
Connects to the Frame Grabber

Each unit can be used as a standalone solution, depending on the device configuration and connection topology.

Although the two units appear similar, they are constructed differently and serve distinct roles. Incorrect connectivity configuration may result in partial functionality or complete system failure.

Unit identification

A label located at the back of each CoaXPress Range Extender unit will help identify the unit.

An additional option is to access the unit using a USB cable and use the "status".
The instructions for connecting to the Range Extender can be found in the Firmware Update section.

For more information on system installation and available configurations, please review section "Installation procedure" of the user manual

Range Extender installation

Depending on the unit part number you can refer to our documentation:

Camera Link compatible Range Extender over Fiber
- KY-EXT-CL: user manual, data sheet
  - KY-CL2F-D — Device unit: firmware update
  - KY-CL2F-H — Host unit: firmware update
CoaXPress Range Extender over Fiber
- KY-FEXT: user manual, data sheet, firmware update
  - KY-FEXT-D — Device unit
  - KY-FEXT-H — Host unit
CoaXPress Range Extender over Coax
- KY-FEXT6G: user manual, data sheet, firmware update
CoaXPress v2.1 Range Extender over Fiber
- KY-FEXT-II: user manual, data sheet
  - KY-FEXT-II-D — Device unit: firmware update
  - KY-FEXT-II-H — Host unit: firmware update

After connecting USB cable to the PC and extender, restart the power of the extender and check again the status

Connection rules

While using the CoaXPress Range Extender, please follow these rules:

Maintain the correct connection topology by connecting channels numerically (CH0 = CH0, CH1 = CH1, CH2 = CH2, etc.).
Do not connect fiber cables to the SFP modules unless an active CoaXPress link is connected, as this can seriously impact performance.

How to control PoCXP on CoaXPress extender over fiber

The PoCXP of the CoaXPress extender over fiber can be controlled by a CoaXPress Frame Grabber. To control the PoCXP, register 0x1000 should be written as BigEndian value, for each port individually, with one of the following options:

0 - PoCXP Off (always Off)
1 - PoCXP Auto (turn On when a camera is physically connected on a specific link)
2 - PoCXP force On (always On)

Here an example of PoCXP control register 0x1000 using Vision Point API:

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typedef enum
{
POCXP_OFF = 0,
POCXP_AUTO = 0x01000000,
POCXP_ON = 0x02000000,
}POCXP_REMOTE_CONTROL;

#include "KYFGLib.h"
#include <stdio.h>

// ==========================================
int main()
{
   int detectedDevices = 0;
    KY_DeviceScan(&detectedDevices);
    FGHANDLE fgHandle = KYFG_Open(0);
   if (fgHandle == -1)
    {
        printf("Bad connection to grabber\n\r");
        getchar();
    }
   else
    {
        printf("Good connection to grabber 0x%x\n\r", fgHandle);
    }

   static const uint64_t POCXP_REMOTE_CONTROL_ADDR = 0x1000;
   for(int fgPhysicalLink = 0; fgPhysicalLink < 4; ++fgPhysicalLink)
    {
        KYFG_WritePortReg(fgHandle, fgPhysicalLink ,POCXP_REMOTE_CONTROL_ADDR, POCXP_OFF);
    }

    Sleep(1000);

   for(int fgPhysicalLink = 0; fgPhysicalLink < 4; ++fgPhysicalLink)
    {
        KYFG_WritePortReg(fgHandle, fgPhysicalLink ,POCXP_REMOTE_CONTROL_ADDR, POCXP_AUTO);
    }

    KYFG_Close(fgHandle);

   return 0;
}