Lattice Semiconductor and Helion collaborate on FPGA-based machine vision camera solutions

Lattice Semiconductor Corp. and Helion have collaborated on a new low-density FPGA-based machine vision camera solution, which the two companies will showcase at SPS IPC Drives 2013 in Nuremberg, Germany from November 26-28, 2013.

With the LatticeECP3 FPGA HDR-60 camera development kit and Helion’s IONOS image signal processing IP as the base platform, experts will demonstrate the solution using Sony Exmor IMX104 and IMX136 CMOS image sensors and an On Semiconductor VITA 1300 global shutter CMOS image sensor.

The Lattice HDR-60 camera development kit is a fully production-ready high dynamic range (HDR) camera which supports 1080p resolution at 60 fps in streaming mode through the FPGA, without the need for an external frame buffer. It supports up to 16 MPixel image sensors with up to two sensors simultaneously and features >120 dB HDR performance and an image processing IP library. Helion’s IONOS image signal processing IP provides end-to-end ISP support from sensor to displayable image, and incorporates sensor interfacing, defective pixel correction, and 2D noise reduction, among other features.

Sony’s IMX136 image sensor supports HD 1080p and HD 720p modes, achieves a frame rate of 120 fps, and features a switchable I/O interface and built-in 10 and 12-bit A/D converters. In addition, the image sensor features a 2.8 µm x 2.8 µm pixel size and multiple frame set output mode. The IMX104 image sensor supports SXGA/HD 720p modes, achieves a frame rate of 120 fps, and features a switchable I/O interface and a +12dB signal-to-noise ratio.

The VITA 1300 image sensor from On Semiconductor is a 1/2" CMOS image sensor which features a 4.8 µm x 4.8 µm pixel size, achieves a frame rate of 150 fps at full resolution (LVDS) and 37 fps at full resolution (CMOS.) In addition, it features an on-chip 10-bit analog-to-digital converter, 8-bit or 10-bit output mode, and on-chip fixed pattern noise correction.

This collaborative effort from Lattice and Helion offer a plug-and-play machine vision camera solution which reportedly runs right out of the box at 60 fps when connected to an HDMI or DVI monitor. Representatives from Lattice and Helion will demonstrate the capabilities of the system at stand 146 in Hall 7A at next week’s SPS IPC Drives exhibition.

View the press release.

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