MATLAB: What is the maximum bit rate that can be achieved using the CMU DCAM Driver version 6.4.4 when communicating with FireWire cameras using Image Acquisition Toolbox 3.3 (R2009a)

avtImage Acquisition Toolbox

I am using the Image Acquisition Toolbox 3.3 (R2009a) to communicate with camera PIKE F-032B from the vendor Allied Vision Technologies. This is a firewire camera that has a 9-pin connector and uses the 1394b interface.
When I use the driver provided by the vendor, I am able to achieve a frame rate of 372 fps which is the maximum specified frame rate. Additionally, when I use the vendor's application to test the camera, I am able to set the maximum bit rate to one of three values: 100, 400, 800 Mbps.
However, when I use the CMU DCAM driver version 6.4.4, I am able to see only a maximum bit rate of 400 Mbps in the 1394CameraDemo application. I expect to see a maximum of 800 Mbps as it is a 1394b interface. Additionally, I am able to achieve only a frame rate of 200 fps.
Why am I not able to achieve a data rate of 800 Mbps using the CMU DCAM driver?

Best Answer

The following information is obtained from the SoftwareSelectorGuide provided by Allied Vision Technologies.
This maximum data rate is limited to 400 Mbps due to a limitation of the Windows Operating System. The built-in OHCI IEEE-1394 driver supports by default only data rates of 400 Mbps. Therefore, the only alternative to support data rates of 800 Mbps for AVT's 1394b cameras is to use the driver of the AVT FirePackage that replaces the Microsoft OHCI IEEE-1394 driver.
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