SDI-2CH-M2 - Dual-Channel 12G-SDI Video Frame Grabber
M.2 12G-SDI Video Capture
Dual-channel 12G-SDI frame grabber built for EO/IR sensor fusion, engineered for turret and gimbal-mounted defence platforms.
SDI-2CH-M2 is a compact M.2 (2280, Key M) frame grabber module providing two independent SDI input channels with full auto-rate support from SD-SDI up to single-link 12G-SDI. Designed for electro-optical (EO/IR) turret and gimbal integration, it captures day/EO and thermal/IR feeds simultaneously with sub-frame latency, embedded KLV/STANAG 4609 telemetry, and genlock/timecode synchronisation for multi-camera arrays. A dedicated 1080p high frame rate mode up to 120 fps supports fast-moving targets and stabilised gimbal tracking where standard 50/60 fps capture is insufficient.
Packaged on a standard M.2 2280 Key M edge connector, SDI-2CH-M2 drops directly into SWaP-constrained mission computers and sensor payloads without the size, weight, and power penalty of a conventional PCIe capture card, delivering encoded, metadata-tagged video straight to the host over PCIe Gen3 x4.
Overview
SDI-2CH-M2 is a compact, M.2 (2280, Key M) form-factor 12G-SDI video capture module engineered for embedded systems that demand deterministic performance under extreme environmental conditions. It ingests two independent SDI video channels — with full auto-rate support from SD-SDI up to single-link 12G-SDI — and delivers them to the host system with sub-frame latency, making it purpose-built for EO/IR sensor fusion, real-time video tracking, and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) payloads.
Packaged on a standard M.2 edge connector, SDI-2CH-M2 drops directly into mission computers, single-board computers, and compute modules already used across ground vehicles, UAV/UGV payload bays, naval systems, and man-portable kit — without the size, weight, and power (SWaP) penalty of a conventional PCIe capture card.
Key Features
- Dual-Channel 12G/6G/3G/HD/SD-SDI Input — Two micro-coax (SMA-style) connectors with auto rate detection, supporting single-link 12G-SDI up to 4K/60p.
- 4K Ultra HD & DCI up to 60 fps — 3840x2160 and 4096x2160 (DCI) at 50/59.94/60 fps, 10-bit YCbCr 42.
- 4K Low Frame Rate Mode — 23.98-30 fps with colour depth up to 12-bit RGB 44 for colour-critical EO imagery.
- 1080p High Frame Rate Mode up to 120 fps — 1080p100/119.88/120 for fast-moving targets and stabilised gimbal tracking, plus standard 1080i50/59.94/60.
- EO + IR Sensor Fusion Dual Capture — Simultaneous day/EO and thermal/IR capture from the same turret, with independent per-channel resolution and frame rate.
- KLV Metadata Injection (STANAG 4609 / MISB ST 0601) — Onboard telemetry tagging for full-motion video (FMV) distribution.
- Genlock & SMPTE Timecode Sync — Tri-level/blackburst genlock and LTC/VITC timecode keep multi-camera arrays frame-accurate.
- Sub-Frame Capture Latency (<1 Frame) — Preserves frame timing for closed-loop targeting and tracking algorithms.
- RS-422/RS-485 Gimbal Control Passthrough — Carries gimbal/camera control commands alongside the video path over the module's 6-pin header.
- Onboard H.264/H.265 Hardware Encoding — Network-ready, telemetry-tagged video with zero-copy DMA delivery to the host, minimising CPU load.
- M.2 2280 Key M Form Factor — PCIe Gen3 x4 host interface, drops into existing mission computer card slots.
- MIL-STD-810G Shock & Vibration Rated — Rugged construction for turret and vehicle-mounted deployment.
- -40C to +85C Operating Range — Wide thermal envelope for vehicle-mounted, airborne, and exposed enclosure installations.
- Linux & Windows Driver Support — Kernel driver (Linux) and WDF driver (Windows) SDK.
Built for the Field, Not the Lab
Designed for defence and rugged industrial deployment, SDI-2CH-M2 targets:
- Wide operating temperature range (-40C to +85C), supporting reliable operation across the extended thermal envelopes typical of vehicle-mounted, airborne, and exposed enclosure installations.
- Rugged construction, rated to MIL-STD-810G for shock and vibration common to mobile and tactical platforms.
- Compact, SWaP-optimised footprint, fitting directly into existing mission computer M.2 card slots.
(MIL-STD-461 EMI/EMC qualification is optional and should be confirmed against the applicable program specification as required by the platform.)
Application Fit
| Mission Need | How SDI-2CH-M2 Delivers |
|---|---|
| EO/IR sensor fusion | Simultaneous dual-channel day/EO + thermal/IR capture from a single turret, with independent per-channel resolution and frame rate |
| Target tracking & fire control | Sub-frame latency and a 120 fps 1080p high frame rate mode preserve frame timing for tracking and gimbal feedback loops |
| Full-motion video (FMV) telemetry | Onboard KLV metadata injection (MISB ST 0601) and STANAG 4609 compliant muxing |
| Multi-camera arrays | Genlock and SMPTE timecode (LTC/VITC) sync keep feeds frame-accurate |
| SWaP-constrained payloads | M.2 2280 Key M footprint fits mission computers, UAV/UGV payload bays, and vehicle compute enclosures |
Software
- Linux (kernel driver) and Windows (WDF driver) SDK
- Onboard H.264/H.265 hardware encoding
- Zero-copy DMA frame delivery to host memory
For detailed electrical, mechanical, and environmental specifications, or to request a datasheet and evaluation unit, contact your program engineering representative.