Phrontier PHORTE PHE4Q & PHE4S Series
4-channel CXP-12 CoaXPress Fiber Extenders, Plug-and-Play over Fibre
Transparent in design with no programming needed, PHORTE fully supports CoaXPress 2.1 and CXPoF standards for high-speed bit rates up to 12.5 Gb/s. It is built for architecting a reliable, high-speed vision system, extending CoaXPress links as far as 10 kilometres over single mode fibre, or several hundred metres over cost-effective multimode fibre.
Key Takeaways
- Extends CXP-12 CoaXPress links from copper’s ~30 metre limit to up to 10 km over single mode fibre
- Fully supports CoaXPress 2.1 at up to 12.5 Gb/s per channel, plus the CXPoF standard
- Requires no drivers, firmware, or software configuration - the host sees a standard CoaXPress connection
- Supports PoCXP function to supply power to camera and receive power from grabber
- Multimode options (100–400 m) offer a lower-cost alternative for shorter, in-building runs
- Compact 88 x 147 x 41.25 mm housing fits into space-constrained camera enclosures
From Copper’s Limit to Fibre’s Reach
CXP-12 delivers the bandwidth that high-resolution and high-speed cameras need, but copper cable was never built to carry that signal far. Attenuation limits reliable CXP-12 transmission to roughly 30 metres. As light signals experience far lower attenuation over distance, a fibre link can extend the same CoaXPress connection to kilometres rather than metres, without compromising on data rate.
For compact systems with the camera mounted close to the frame grabber, this is not a constraint. The moment a production line, inspection tunnel, or logistics hall places the camera further away, distance becomes the limiting factor rather than the sensor or the software.
The PHORTE Series converts the CXP-12 signal to fibre and back without touching the CoaXPress protocol itself.
Key Benefits
Distance Without Compromise
Single mode fibre extends CXP-12 links up to 10 kilometres, so camera placement is defined by the application rather than by cable length.
Power Over CoaXPress
PoCXP allows the frame grabber module to supply power to the camera through the extended link, reducing the need for a separate power supply at the camera end.
Multimode Options for Shorter Runs
Where full kilometre range is not required, multimode fibre variants cover 100 to 400 metres, giving system builders a lower-cost option for in-hall or in-building installations.
Connector Format Matched to Site Infrastructure
PHE4Q’s QSFP+/MPO connector suits higher fibre-count runs, while PHE4S’s SFP+/LC duplex connector fits standard duplex fibre installations, so the extender matches the fibre already available on site.
Transparent, Configuration-Free Operation
The extender pair behaves as a direct CoaXPress connection to the host system. There is no protocol translation for the application layer to account for, and no software setup on either side.
Compact Footprint
At 88 x 147 x 41.25 mm, the PHORTE modules fit into space-constrained camera housings and enclosures without adding significant bulk to the system.
Specifications
The PHORTE PHE4Q & PHE4S Series pairs a camera-side module (PHORTE-CM) with a frame grabber-side module (PHORTE-FG), converting the CXP-12 signal to fibre and back without altering the data stream. Because the conversion is transparent, no configuration, drivers, or firmware changes are required on either end. Model selection depends primarily on the fibre infrastructure available on site and the required distance.
Support connection scenarios for different Camera/Frame grabber setup:
- Module combination PHE4Q-X-CM and PHE4Q-X-FG if the camera and frame grabber do not support CXPoF
- Only PHE4Q-X-CM camera module required if the frame grabber does not support CXPoF
- Other module combinations possible depending on Camera and frame grabber configurations.
| Parameter | PHE4Q-X | PHE4S-X |
|---|---|---|
CoaXPress standard |
2.1 (CXP-12, CXPoF) |
2.1 (CXP-12, CXPoF) |
Max. bit rate |
Up to 12.5 Gb/s |
Up to 12.5 Gb/s |
Fibre module / connector |
QSFP+ module, MPO connector |
SFP+ module, LC simplex connector |
Fibre count |
2 (LC-duplex) or 8 fibres (MPO) |
4 or 5 fibres (LC simplex) |
Max. distance (multimode) |
Up to 150 m (M) (MPO OM3) or 400 m (M1) (MPO OM4) |
Up to 400 m (M) (LC simplex OM4) |
Max. distance (single mode) |
Up to 10 km (S) (LC-duplex) |
Up to 10 km (S/B/C) (LC simplex) |
Status indication |
UART port + LEDs |
UART port + LEDs |
PoCXP |
Supported |
Supported |
Dimensions |
88 × 147 × 41.25 mm |
88 × 147 × 41.25 mm |
Configuration |
Plug-and-play |
Plug-and-play |
Application Areas
The PHORTE Series addresses distance limitations across four production environments where the camera and the processing hardware cannot sit close together.
Semiconductor Inspection
Wafer and panel inspection systems often place high-resolution cameras at a distance from control cabinets for cleanroom or space reasons. PHORTE extenders preserve full CXP-12 bandwidth over that distance without introducing latency-sensitive workarounds.
Intralogistics and Transport & Logistics
Sorting and tracking systems spanning long conveyor lines or warehouse halls need camera-to-processing links that copper cannot cover. Single mode PHORTE extenders connect cameras up to 10 kilometres from the control room while keeping the CoaXPress data stream intact.
Print & Packaging
Web inspection lines can extend well beyond the reach of copper CXP-12 cabling. Multimode PHORTE variants provide a cost-effective extension for in-hall runs where cameras sit further from the frame grabber than standard cabling allows.
Factory Automation
Large production halls with centralised image processing benefit from moving cameras to the point of inspection while keeping frame grabbers and processing hardware in a central, accessible location.
STEMMER IMAGING - From Components to Ready-to-Run
Selecting and deploying fibre extension for a CoaXPress system involves more than picking a model number, and our Technical Competence Centre supports that process from initial system design through to commissioning.
Operational Services
We assemble and test PHORTE extender pairs together with the connected camera and frame grabber incl. cable setup before shipment, so the link is verified and ready to commission on-site.
Engineering Services
Our engineers assess distance requirements, fibre type availability, and bandwidth needs to confirm the correct PHORTE model for your system and provide feasibility testing where system layout is not yet finalised.
Special Solutions & Applications
For installations with non-standard fibre routing, multi-camera synchronisation, or integration into existing infrastructure, our team develops a tailored extension concept as part of the wider vision system.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a CoaXPress system actually need fibre extension instead of standard copper cabling?
Copper CXP-12 cabling is reliable up to roughly 30 metres. Beyond that, or in installations where cable routing needs to cross long distances, fibre extension maintains full bandwidth and signal integrity that copper cannot guarantee. Where the camera sits close to the frame grabber, standard copper cabling remains the simpler and more cost-effective choice.
What is the difference between the PHE4Q and PHE4S models?
Both PHE4Q and PHE4S support CoaXPress 2.1 at up to 12.5 Gb/s and the CXPoF standard. PHE4Q uses a QSFP+ module with an MPO fibre connector across 2 or 8 fibres, suited to higher fibre-count, higher-density installations. PHE4S uses an SFP+ module with an LC duplex fibre connector across 4 or 5 fibres, matching more common duplex fibre infrastructure. The choice depends primarily on the fibre connectivity already available on site.
How do I decide between multimode and single mode fibre?
Multimode fibre (OM3/OM4) covers shorter distances, typically 100 to 400 metres, at a lower infrastructure cost, and suits in-hall or in-building runs. Single mode fibre extends the link up to 10 kilometres for CXP-12 and is the right choice where the installation spans a large site or connects separate buildings.
Does the PHORTE extender require any driver installation or configuration in the image acquisition software?
No. The extender pair is transparent to the CoaXPress connection, so the host system and image acquisition software, including STEMMER IMAGING's CVB Common Vision Blox, see the camera exactly as if it were connected directly by copper cable.
What does PoCXP support mean in practice?
On the CXP-12 models, Power over CoaXPress allows the frame grabber-side module to supply power to the camera through the extended fibre link. This removes the need for a separate power supply at the camera end, simplifying cabling in hard-to-access locations.
Can STEMMER IMAGING help determine which PHORTE model fits our system?
Yes. Our Technical Competence Centre reviews distance, available fibre infrastructure, bandwidth requirements, and camera specification to recommend the correct model, and can pre-assemble and test the extender with your camera and frame grabber before delivery.
Is the PHORTE Series suitable for retrofitting into an existing installation?
Yes. Because the extenders are plug-and-play and require no changes to the CoaXPress protocol, they can typically be added to an existing camera and frame grabber setup without modifying the surrounding software or system architecture, provided suitable fibre routing is available.
Can STEMMER IMAGING support the application with the suitable cables?
Yes. Our cable portfolio includes various industrial fibre cables also for drag chain applications and customized designs on request.