Human vision in indispensable and often taken for granted. Similarly machine, or embedded, vision influences daily human life in ways thought impossible.
Simply, machine vision refers to the ability of embedded systems to “see”. Key system components include cameras or image sensors, analog-to-digitals converters and complex compute engines like DSPs, FPGAs or GPUs. Additional IP, firmware and applications software provide functional guidance based on what the system “sees”.
Need an example? Think of the facial recognition capabilities on the latest smart phones. If the device does not “recognize” a video or picture of the user, the smart phone will not unlock. Or, the smart phone will pick an emoji based on the user’s facial expression. Cool, right?
Machine Vision Development Kits
Machine vision systems are not simple. They rival voice recognition in complexity. System architects and hardware and software engineers have two tasks. Use the latest machine vision solutions and get it to market as quickly as possible.
Thankfully, a number of machine vision development kits are available. These solutions ease the embedded vision design process. Their modular designs enable evaluation of multiple image sensors, compute engines and various transmission protocols like CoaXpress, 12G-SDI, GigE Vision and more.
As an example, look at Macnica’s EasyMVC Easy Machine Vision Camera. The EasyMVC is ideal for both hardware engineers and software developers who need to evaluate FPGA-based machine vision systems. The kit includes an image sensor board, an FPGA board and an interface board. The flexibility offers mix-and-match capability to configure almost any machine vision system.
The EasyMVC image sensor and FPGAs boards connect via Samtec Q Strip® High-Speed Mezzanine Connectors. The Samtec Q Strip® connectors are designed for high speed board-to-board applications where SI is essential.
The EasyMVC boards use the 0.5mm spaced QTH series terminals and QSH series sockets. Both families have surface mount signal contacts and ground planes for improved electrical performance. Other options include guide posts, alignment pins and locking clips.
Samtec Machine Vision Interconnect Solutions
Samtec offers a number of interconnect solutions enabling all components of a machine vision system. Samtec backs that up with the highest level of service and support in the industry.
CoaXPress
CoaXPress (CXP) is the world’s leading standard for high-speed imaging. CXP is an interface to connect cameras to frame grabbers. It combines the simplicity of coaxial cable with state of the art high speed serial data technology. It runs at up to 12.5 Gbps data rate per cable. Plus, it includes device control and power in the same cable.
CXP is a point-to-point scalable interface. The physical medium between the camera and frame grabber is 75 Ω coaxial cable. Samtec has a large variety of compliant CXP 2.0 HD-BNC 75Ω connectors and components.
CoaXPress Optical Interface
For faster rates over longer distances, CXP also defines an optical backend. The Optical Interface guidelines utilize an optical media interface to communicate between the Device and Host via existing protocols. Samtec addresses this need by means of a custom ECUO FireFly™ module acting as the interconnect solution between the electrical module and optic-receptacle adaptor.
12G-SDI Broadcast Video
Video has transformed from being an analog 6 MHz bandwidth signal to a 12 Gbps digital data stream. As signaling transitioned to 12 Gbps 4K UHD-SDI standards, the demand for meeting stringent return loss requirements up to 12 GHz emerged.
Samtec has the largest variety of 12G-SDI products available, including right-angle and low-profile options.
For more information on these and other solutions, please download Samtec’s Embedded Vision Solutions Guide.
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