MVTec
HALCON, the standard machine vision software from MVTec Software GmbH, is well prepared for new developments in the embedded vision environment. MVTec's modern machine vision software can acquire and process images from MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) camera modules.
Existing HALCON interfaces, such as Video4Linux, GenTL, as well as shared memory access, can be used for this.
MVTec HALCON is compatible with MIPI
The hardware interface experts at MVTec have successfully tested the VC MIPI OV 9281 camera module from Vision Components in conjunction with Raspberry Pi 3 and 4, using HALCON 19.05. They also utilised the same HALCON version to successfully test the MIPI IMX290 sensor module from The Imaging Source on an NVIDIA Jetson Nano via FPD-Link III (cable lengths of up to 15 metres). These tests document for the first time that the machine vision software is fully compatible with the camera modules, which were developed specifically for high-volume embedded applications and that meet strict industrial standards.
Prominent hardware manufacturers, such as NVIDIA, NXP, and the Raspberry Pi Foundation, already provide dedicated interfaces for MIPI as a standard feature. The transmission standard allows for the seamless integration of a wide range of image sensors. Thus, digital image data can be acquired – to some extent – without imposing any additional load on the CPUs of embedded devices. This makes it possible to use the full performance of the processors for vision applications. Users also benefit from a maximum transmission rate of up to 17.1 Gbit/s. With these advantages, MIPI paves the way for entirely new business areas beyond industrial machine vision, thanks in part to the lower cost of embedded devices. Such areas include medical technology, agriculture, as well as the logistics and retail sectors. New applications are now possible, which could not previously be implemented with embedded devices due to unsuitable sensor modules.
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