Faster DSP boosts camera performance

Visual Inspection Systems is adding a new range of high performance models to its Smart Camera product range.

Visual Inspection Systems is adding a new range of high performance models to its Smart Camera product range.

A tremendous improvement in processing speed has been achieved by using the 400MHz TMS320C64xx DSP in place of the 150MHz processor used to date.

This has led to a three- to tenfold increase in speed, thanks to the higher clock speed and the more efficient architecture.

Measured processing power soars to 3200MIPS from the current 1200MIPS level: this is the approximate performance of a 2.6GHz Pentium PC, and all of this processing power is available for image processing, as only a very lean (although multitasking) and optimised operating system runs on the Smart Camera.

No less important, new models will be very aggressively priced, costing as much as 30% less than the closest comparable current models.

The current Smart Camera architecture will be retained (several formats of progressive scan CCD sensors with onboard A/D, frame memory, DSP and I/Os, 100M Ethernet connectivity).

C programs will be compatible with existing versions, and graphic development tools such as VisionTools will support all new models.

The first new model is the VCSBC4018, an open-frame single-board camera featuring a full frame 640 x 480 pixel, 32frame/s progressive scan sensor with external trigger, 16Mbyte RAM and 2Mbyte Flash, priced below Eur 1000.

Evaluation samples are available immediately, and commercial delivery will start in January 200.5 Models with higher resolutions and/or frame rates will also be available, as well as models in standard "camera cases" with SVGA video output.

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