Perfect interaction between the camera and AI

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It’s what’s inside that counts

The image sensor: the centerpiece of the camera

Not all pictures are created equal! A wide variety of factors play a part here. You need to assess exactly what the camera or sensor should do for you and how these requirements will be implemented in economic terms. The following aspects should be considered:

Costs

  • Image sensors are only mass-produced by a few manufacturers (e.g. Sony, OnSemi and LG). This makes sensors for industrial applications more expensive generally than for consumer products (such as smartphones), because the quantities are smaller. You should also expect higher costs for obtaining the best hardware for your application.

Features

  • The price of a camera or image sensor can vary widely depending on its features.

Spectral sensitivity

  • Depending on the sensor model, different light wavelength ranges are covered. This range can also be narrowed if necessary with the use of optical filters. Which wavelength do you need?

 

More about the image sensor

Allied Vision tips for image sensors

1/5 A low purchase price isn’t all that matters:

The question of which camera and which sensor to use should not be made based on the purchase price alone. The longer the product lifecycle should be, the more reason there is to get an industrial camera.

Allied Vision tips for image sensors

2/5 A color sensor is not always necessary:

Cameras and sensors are available in monochrome (also called “grayscale”) and color variants. The color sensor is more expensive than a monochrome sensor with the same resolution, so it’s worth asking whether color information is really necessary in your application.

Allied Vision tips for image sensors

3/5 Sharpness is not always the most important factor:

The choice of shutter method and frame rate influences the sharpness of images of moving objects. But even for applications such as counting tasks, collision prevention or aerial shots, image transmission and processing speed are more important than the perfect sharpness.

Allied Vision tips for image sensors

4/5 Keep data volume in mind:

The data volume per second is determined by the image resolution and recording speed. However, it’s important to remember that this data speed is always lower at the camera’s output than the pure sensor speed!

Allied Vision tips for image sensors

5/5 Image sensors grow with their tasks:

Similar to computer chips, image sensors become more powerful with each generation. As such, it is worth studying the latest sensor technologies in the design phase and/or asking experts for advice on how sensor development is progressing.

Clever combination

Smart solutions with embedded vision and artificial intelligence (AI)

Looking for something a bit more flexible? Embedded vision cameras are the first choice for special applications. They offer a high degree of customization and can be adapted optimally to the use of AI algorithms.

  • Embedded vision is characterized by low energy consumption and little space – such as in a drone for aerial scanning. This opens up a whole new array of application fields.
  • Sensor modules are more cost-effective compared to full cameras, but only offer basic features and require extra effort to develop in integration. This is worthwhile for high quantities and simple applications, such as in the retail sector.
  • AI on board – this makes a lot of sense for high quantities and low costs, such as in traffic and automotive applications. It allows a high level of compatibility, but limits the range of applications.

MORE ABOUT EMBEDDED VISION AND AI

Allied Vision tips for system setup

1/8 All processor chips produce heat:

The electrical power consumption of all system components causes heat to be generated, which needs to be taken into consideration especially for compact designs. In most cases, cooling fins or thermal bridges to the external parts of the housing are sufficient to ensure the dissipation of heat. If such measures are not feasible due to the design, then you should consider operating time and possible power-save modes.

Allied Vision tips for system setup

2/8 Count on partner companies:

Embedded vision is made up of four different technical components that must be attuned to one another. With the right partner companies at your side, this complexity is very easy to manage.

Allied Vision tips for system setup

3/8 More than a camera:

Of course, an image sensor or a camera is needed for an embedded vision solution. But you also need an embedded board, a carrier board, custom hardware if necessary and drivers for communication between the components – important parts that you should learn about.

Allied Vision tips for system setup

4/8 Drivers – standard, DIY or open source:

There is currently no standard for MIPI CSI-2 drivers. Programming your own driver software is only recommended if your team includes experts in that area. It’s much easier to use program codes that are available in open-source communities and adapt them to your needs if necessary. The CSI-2 drivers for the Allied Vision Alvium camera series are available on the open-source platform OpenCV or GitHub, for example.

Allied Vision tips for system setup

5/8 Alvium driver – one for all:

Each sensor type has a specific behavior and timing, which is why each sensor also needs a specific driver. With the Alvium camera series from Allied Vision, one driver works for all of the sensors in our product range! This is a major advantage if, for example, different sensors will be offered in the final product, or if different product variants will be implemented on a shared technological basis, such as in plant manufacturing.

Allied Vision tips for system setup

6/8 Congestion in data transmission:

Because every electronic component in the image chain also has its own processing speed, the data volumes produced are different. As such, it is important to consider data volume and processing speed throughout the chain. If the differences are too high, there can be “congestion”, or in other words, individual frames will be lost. An image buffer can help with this.

Allied Vision tips for system setup

7/8 Faster on the market thanks to a complete solution:

A camera offers image pre-processing, SDK (software development kit), APIs for programming plus drivers and relevant documentation. This makes the integration of a camera much simpler and faster than with a sensor module. If a fast market launch is crucial to the success of your product, there are strong arguments in favor of integrating a complete camera!

Allied Vision tips for system setup

8/8 Direct comparison is worthwhile:

As illustrated above, cameras have a wider scope of functions than sensor modules. This enables faster integration, but the costs per unit are higher (BoM: Bill of Material). It is therefore advisable to evaluate the higher project costs for a sensor module against the higher per-unit costs of a camera in a break-even analysis. In our experience, the break-even point is often in the area of about 10,000 units of production volume.

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