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A Short Demonstration of GM’s EN-V Capabilities
January 12, 2011 by Randy Frank
Filed under Featured, Vision
I attended the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and had the opportunity to look for sensors in a variety of applications. General Motors two-wheel EN-V concept vehicle provided a great example.
Driven in a variety of modes, including autonomous driven over a programmed path, the electric vehicles demonstrated both tracking and collision avoidance capabilities. Using sophisticated sensing technology, the EN-V detected obstacles in its path, including another EN-V and even pedestrians, and automatically came to a stop.
The by-wire vehicle used a touch screen display to obtain driver input. For both an outside and inside experience, check out the video.
Legislating More Sensors
December 26, 2010 by Randy Frank
Filed under Featured, Image, Vision
If the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gets its way, backup cameras will be required on all new vehicles by 2014. Intended to prevent drivers from backing over pedestrians, the Rule could add the cost of camera and display electronics to low-end cars, the most cost-sensitive vehicles. NHTSA data indicates an average of 292 people die each year from back-over accidents. The victims are primarily children and the elderly. In addition to the fatalities, over 18,000 injuries occur per year.
CMOS image sensors are commonly used in high-end and high-feature content vehicles. For vehicles with a display screen for navigation and/or driver information, the cost may be in the $88 to 158 range. However, for other vehicles, the backup camera system could add $159 to $203 to the vehicle’s cost. Traditional automotive camera suppliers, such as Sanyo, stand to benefit from the proposed legislation.
For more information on the proposed NHTSA Rule, click here.
For more information on Sanyo’s backup camera, click here.
Communicating Camera Data in the Vehicle
October 29, 2010 by Randy Frank
Filed under Featured, Signal Conditioning, Vision
At Convergence 2010 in Detroit, National Semiconductor’s Dac Tran explains how serial-deserialization (SerDes) technology plays a critical role in delivering camera sensing data in vehicles. The SerDes in the demo is National Semiconductor’s FPD-Link III that provides real-time bidirectional control.
For more information on National Semiconductor’s FPD-Link III, click here.
To view the video, click here.
Four Cameras and Xilinx FPGA Provide Surround View for Vehicles
October 29, 2010 by Randy Frank
Filed under Featured, Vision
At Convergence 2010, Xilinx’
Paul Zoratti explains how new vehicle applications for cameras are possible using field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology. With Xilinx SP605 evaluation board, four cameras can be used for a surround view system or decoupled into multiple systems including rear view parking and blind spot detection.
The cameras are OmniVision OV9715 automotive-grade megapixel sensors. The OV9715 uses a 3-micron pixel to achieve low light sensitivity of 3300 mV/lux-sec that make it attractive for use in automotive vision and sensing systems. Market research firm Techno Systems Research Co., Ltd., projects that megapixel sensors for the automotive market will increase from 1.3% market share in 2010 to nearly 35% market share by 2014.
For more information on Xilinx SP605 evaluation board, click here.
For more information on OmniVision camera sensors for automotive applications, click here.
To view the video, click here.
Automotive Camera Module Operates in Low-Light Applications
October 26, 2010 by Randy Frank
Filed under Featured, Vision
Melexis’ Mark White demonstrates the capability of the Melexis automotive camera module for night vision applications at Convergence 2010. With its high dynamic range and high sensitivity for low light levels and sensitivity to near infrared light, Melexis automotive camera module (ACM), the MLX75403, can be used for night sensing applications.
For more information on Melexis MLX75403 automotive camera module, click here.
To watch the video, click here.
KEYENCE Laser Displacement Sensor Provides Fast Sensing
July 13, 2010 by Randy Frank
Filed under Featured, Image, Vision
KEYENCE LK-G5000 Laser Displacement Sensor uses a newly developed RS-CMOS sensor to provide a sampling rate of 392 kHz – eight times faster than previous models. With ±0.02% Full Scale Linearity and 0.01µm repeatability, the sensor also has several additional capabilities. ABLE (Active Balanced Laser Control Engine) II balances laser emission time, laser power and gain for optimum performance. The sensor has three selectable built-in algorithms:
1-Real Peak Detect (RPD) algorithm avoids pattern distortion of translucent object
2-Multi-Able Control optimizes the laser intensity for transparent targets
3-Center and Peak Composition (CPC) algorithm attains more stable high-definition measurements for high luster resins
The LK-G5000 can also measure speed and acceleration while measuring displacement.
For more information about KEYENCE LK-G5000 Laser Displacement Sensor, click here.
IC Insights Says Image Sensors will Grow 31% in 2010
June 30, 2010 by Randy Frank
Filed under Featured, Image, Market Research, Vision
With growth of 31% in 2010, image sensor devices will reach a record high of $8.5 billion in 2010 according to a new report from IC Insights. Driven by applications for CMOS-based devices, that are projected at 61% of sales, the remaining 39% will come from charge-coupled devices (CCDs). The increased demand is expected from the increased use of vision sensors in digital cameras, camera phones, and machine-vision systems. Automotive applications are projected to be 17% of the total 2014 market of $8.3 billion.
For more information on IC Insights’ Image Sensor research bulletin click here.
Compact Vision System Ideal for 3D Vision Robotic Guidance
ADLINK Technology, Inc., released the EOS-1000, the industry’s first compact vision system based on the Intel® Core(TM)2 Duo P8400 processor. The EOS-1000 provides four independent PoE (Power over Ethernet) ports with data transfer rates up to 4.0 Gb/s and combines high computing power and multi-camera imaging-ideal for applications such as 3D vision robotic guidance.
The EOS-1000 is a compact-size 7.8″ W x 6.5″ D x 3.3″ H (200 x 165 x 85 mm) vision system designed for demanding industrial environments and mission critical applications. It has undergone harsh vibration and shock testing during its design to ensure durability. While in operation, the EOS-1000 can tolerate vibrations of up to 5 G. Long-life embedded components were selected and system monitoring components were incorporated to monitor CPU temperature, fan speed, and system responsiveness to further provide a very robust and reliable platform.
The PoE technology featured on the EOS-1000 allows power to be supplied through the Ethernet cable. Vision applications will greatly benefit by the extended cable distances of up to 100 m. Such PoE solutions can simplify system installation and lower the maintenance costs. The EOS-1000 also provides an auto detection function to ensure compatibility with both PoE, and conventional non-PoE devices.
The recent emergence of 3D robot guidance has improved accuracy and speed. Position and orientation are determined based on the obtained three-dimensional data. Processing this information requires a high performance, multi-core solution. The EOS-1000 combines this processing capability with four on-board PoE ports to provide a cost-effective system ideal for 3D robotic guidance, vision inspection, and other such applications used on production lines.
The EOS-1000 also features multiple I/O options, including two RS-232/485, four USB, 32 isolated digital lines, and dual storage options (HDD and CompactFlash) for a ready-to-use vision system.
“Smart” Contact Lens Promises To Detect Glaucoma Earlier
STMicroelectronics will develop and supply a wireless MEMS sensor that acts as a transducer, antenna and mechanical support for additional read-out electronics in a breakthrough platform developed by Swiss company Sensimed AG. This solution will enable better management of glaucoma patients via earlier diagnosis and treatment that is optimally tailored to the individual patient.
Known as the SENSIMED Triggerfish®, the solution is based on a “smart” contact lens that uses a tiny embedded strain gauge to monitor the curvature of the eye over a period of, typically, 24 hours, providing valuable disease management data that is not currently obtainable using conventional ophthalmic equipment.
Glaucoma(3), the second most common cause of blindness around the world, is an irreversible progressive disease of the optic nerve that can eventually lead to blindness. Â Although it cannot be cured, its progress can be controlled once it is diagnosed and treated properly. The standard test is the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), using an instrument known as a tonometer, during periodic visits to an ophthalmologist. However, the tonometer may fail to detect an elevated IOP, especially in glaucoma patients, because the pressure varies during the day and often peaks during sleep or outside of office hours. As a result, the disease is often diagnosed only after significant damage to the optic nerve has already occurred, and the disease keeps progressing in many patients due to inadequate treatment.
Sensimed’s ingenious solution is a two-part system comprising the smart contact lens and a small receiver worn around the patient’s neck. Â In addition to the strain gauge the lens contains an antenna, a tiny dedicated processing circuit and an RF transmitter to communicate the measurements to the receiver. The lens is powered via the received radio waves and does not need to be connected to a battery. The embedded components are positioned in the lens in such a way that they do not interfere with the patient’s vision. The lens is fitted by the ophthalmologist and when the patient returns the next day the ophthalmologist removes the lens and receiver, obtaining a complete record of IOP changes over the preceding 24 hours.
The SENSIMED Triggerfish® has obtained the CE mark(4), is currently running numerous application trials, and is commercially available in selected centers.  ”The device is easy to use and has facilitated and improved patient care substantially,” said Dr.Kaweh Mansouri who has been using the Triggerfish at the University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
ST engineers are now working with Sensimed to translate this breakthrough technology into a reliable commercial MEMS product ready for mass production. ST expects the development of the MEMS sensor to be completed in Q2 2010 and manufacturing to start in Q3 2010, with availability outside trials to doctors and patients subject to regulatory approvals. Sensimed and ST anticipate progressively rolling out the product country-by-country across Europe beginning in Q3 and entering the US market by the end of 2011.
Digital Light Sensor Works Behind Darkened Glass
Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions®, Inc., announced the first members of its next generation digital ambient light sensor (ALS) and proximity detection family that is designed to provide consumer electronics manufacturers with greater freedom to produce sleeker, more appealing and innovative product designs. These latest TAOS devices eliminate the need to use clear glass/plastic in front of the sensor or drill holes/slots into the display, bezel or frame in order for light to reach the sensor.
Specifically designed to operate behind darkened glass or other translucent materials, the TSL2771 device family provides both ambient light sensing and proximity detection in a single device that consumes far less power than currently available comparable solutions. Proximity detection is ideally suited for touch screen smart phones to automatically turn off the display or control other user functions and can also be used in laptops, desktop computers and monitors to conserve energy or maintain information privacy when the user is not present. Other emerging applications for proximity sensing technology include touchless display controls activation and management as well as human gesture detection.
