Embedded Systems @ De Nayer Instituut

Multifunctional Embedded Digital Camera System
About
Project Introduction

Because of the constant evolving micro electronics, different companies use modern CMOS camera sensors with extreme capabilities. These sensors may offer high resolutions (up to 16 megapixels) and/or high framerates (up to 1000fps). These multi million pixel camera chips are used in e.g. specific high end consumer products like digital cameras. The high speed versions are implemented in specific applications where the detailed evolution of a certain process has to be studied. Both application fields have there specific abilities and characteristics.

Any recently designed CMOS camera sensor can open up new possibilities. Though, to test a few new applications, no low cost evaluation boards and no embedded interfaces for evaluation and integration of these components is available. Today's solutions consist mostly of a combination camera/PC or another computer system that is responsible for processing of the captured images. The amount of image data and the needed transfer speeds to be able to process the data is increasing rapidly and is hitting problematic values. Exactly this combination of capturing at one hand and processing on another system on the other hand is blocking the research to new applications. Some companies are dreaming of an advanced "webcam" with built-in PC functionality. A lot of these companies are wondering whether the processing or other operations on the image data could be done in an embedded camera system. Certain image processing could be faster, more efficient and more flexible using a "multifunctional embedded digital camera". The industry expects increasing integration possibilities and a continuous price drop of the digital components that could lead to such affordable systems.

Goal

The goal of this HOBU funded project is to research the technological possibilities and the feasability of such a "multifunctional embedded digital camera system". The functionality should be demonstrated by implementing a system iwth recent CMOS technology, a microprocessor and reconfigurable chips. By implementating a case that is useful for one of the participating companies the feasability and possibilities will be examined. The results of this research project will be available to all the participating partners.

Tasks and expected results
  1. The design and implementation of an embedded camera system using the available CMOS chips and modern embedded processor and reconfigurable chips, embedded OS and application software.
  2. The feasability of such a "multifunctional embedded digital camera" system will be demonstrated by using relevant chips, applications and the necessary software.

    Attention will go to:
    • interfacing with different camera chips
    • onboard reconfigurable logic for flexible interfacing.
    • onboard pre/post-processing in hard and/or software.
    • embedded OS.
    • embedded applications with needed interfacing.
    • flexible adaption of OS and applications.
    • communication with the system
    • security (encryption, communication etc.)
    • open interface with other computer systems.
    • Applications

    Some of the concrete base configurations and base applications will be implemented as prototype and can be used as is or as prototype by the participating companies.
  3. Using the implementation, prototype evaluation and presentations to the committee, the organisation of a seminar and publication of the research results, the results will be made public.
Multifunctional Embedded Digital Camera System
Contact Project Members

Project Employees

Name:ing. Patrick Pelgrims
Email:ppe-at-denayer.wenk.be
Mobile:+32 473 76 08 76
Name:ing. Bjorn Van de Vondel
Email:bvd-at-denayer-dot-wenk-dot-be
Mobile:+32 495 48 39 09
Name:ing. Gerrit Van de Velde
Email:gvd-at-denayer-dot-wenk-dot-be
Mobile:+32 486 79 15 90