Improvements in image sensors, processing power, energy consumption, and computer algorithms have combined to enable the rapid growth of embedded vision technology in areas such as automotive, consumer, healthcare, and home automation, in addition to the established area of computer vision-based analytics for industrial applications.
The first kit is the Kinetis Camera Development Kit, which is based on NXP's low-cost Freedom K82F microcontroller development platform and uses the Kinetis K82F Cortex-M4 MCU. The Kinetis kit also includes a miniature TD7740-FBAC VGA camera module with a flexible connector, an IR filter, and a 90° horizontal field-of-view lens. Used as a highly flexible, low-power video solution, the K82F board can capture still images or transmit low-resolution video in real time at QQVGA (160x120) resolution at 25 fps (frames per second) and deliver the still images or video via USB.
The Kinetis K82F is a highly configurable, low-power MCU with a FlexIO interface that can simulate protocols such as UART and SPI, as well as integrate a camera interface. The K82F board is ideal for a wide range of video applications, including low-resolution USB video streaming, surveillance systems, automated inspection, parts sorting and identification, camera PIR sensors, security and surveillance, home automation, access control systems, and logistics and retail analytics.
The second low-cost solution is the mbed-enabled STM32F7 camera development kit. It offers low power consumption, a USB interface, a 4.3-inch capacitive color touchscreen, and all the necessary hardware and software to enable rapid development of embedded vision for the Internet of Things (IoT), home automation, and other video applications. The kit is based on the STMicroelectronics STM32F7 development board and enables a wide variety of applications including video, audio, multi-sensor support, graphics, security, and high-speed connectivity features.
The advanced STM32 Cortex-M7 microcontroller family comes with a variety of memory options, as well as the option with or without a JPEG codec. A range of TD miniature camera modules can interface with the STM32F7 to deliver VGA or lower resolution video quality. All these capabilities make the kit ideal for a wide range of applications, including home automation, security and video surveillance, and industrial monitoring systems, among others.
Both embedded vision kits can be seen at the Avnet Silica booth at electronica 2016, in Hall A4, Stand 179 and are available now from Avnet Silica.
