Allied Vision has started the camera series with the release of three 1500 series models with a MIPI CSI-2 interface and one 1800 series model with USB3 vision interface.
Unique ASIC for industrial embedded vision: The Alvium camera series is an innovative camera platform that combines the advantages of embedded sensor modules with the performance of industrial cameras for image processing – extensive functions for image correction and optimization, a large selection of state-of-the-art sensors, intelligent energy management, and a cost-optimized and compact design. The camera series is based on ALVIUM® technology, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with integrated image signal processor (ISP) and image processing library (IPL).
The Alvium 1500 series: Embedded vision made easy: The Alvium 1500 series is the perfect camera for easy hardware and software integration in embedded applications. All models are equipped with a MIPI CSI-2 interface, which is particularly suitable for embedded vision applications as it can address the dedicated hardware of the embedded boards. The Alvium 1500 series offers a basic feature set. Software integration can be done via Video4Linux2 (V4L2) to GStreamer and OpenCV, or direct register access. Open source drivers for selected processor architectures are provided for V4L2 sup port, enabling easy integration and fast go-to-market on the customer side. This drastically reduces development time for customers. The image pre-processing functionalities can be configured directly on the ISP in the camera.
The Alvium 1800 series: The best of both worlds: The first model of the 1800 series is equipped with USB3 vision interface. Models with MIPI CSI-2 are planned. The 1800 series can be used for both industrial embedded vision and machine vision applications. With an extended range of functions for image correction and optimization as well as various trigger functions, the camera series combines the advantages of classic industrial cameras with the advantages of integrated sensor modules. It opens new possibilities for the user to switch from PC-based image processing applications to embedded systems.
Easy integration: The ALVIUM® technology ASIC supports all common sensor interfaces and is designed for a wide range of current and future image sensors with resolutions from VGA to 21 megapixels. For the CSI-2 models, a single driver directly supports all camera models. With minimal development effort, different cameras can be tested with different sensors, different resolution variants of a system can be developed, or existing systems can be converted to new sensors. This not only saves developers time, but also significantly reduces their development costs.
In close partnerships Allied Vision develops Vimba CSI-2 drivers for Alvium cameras. A number of embedded boards such as NXP i.MX 6/8-based boards and the Nvidia Jetson boards, are initially supported. The USB variants can be easily integrated with the established Vimba Suite on Windows, Linux and Linux arm platforms.
