Processors make the most of CMOS image sensors

National Semiconductor has released the first three members of a new line of real-time digital image processors it reckons dramatically improve video quality for imaging systems.

National Semiconductor has released the first three members of a new line of real-time digital image processors it reckons dramatically improve video quality for imaging systems.

When paired with National's family of CMOS image sensors, the new image processors create a complete, seamless solution for developers of digital imaging products for consumer and industrial applications.

Based on a new architecture, National's image processors solve a problem that plagues many digital imaging solutions - inadequate real-time image processing performance, slow click-to-click time and poor quality streaming video.

National's LM97xx family of imaging processors has a hardwired, configurable pipeline that assumes the computing-intensive workload from the embedded CR16 and ARM7 processor.

This innovative architecture enables fast click-to-click time, enabling real-time image processing at a low system cost.

National's image processors manage image storage and provide connectivity to transmit images and data.

Each processor also features the lowest power consumption of any device in its speed class, which significantly extends the battery life of portable imaging devices.

The chip scale packaging also reduces overall cost, giving consumers a high performance camera at an affordable price.

The incorporated imaging pipeline, paired with National's firmware, operating system and hardware development kit, enables designers to easily program and configure the image processor, saving development cost and reducing time to market.

"Consumer demand for imaging-enabled products, from cellphones to PDAs and digital cameras, is being driven by the desire to share digital images through the Internet or wireless networks.

With our strength in mixed signal, embedded cores, wireless and wired connectivity, National Semiconductor possesses the key technologies to create affordable image-sharing systems for developers and consumers", said Joe Montalbo, vice president for National's Custom Solutions Group.

Following the introduction earlier this year of National's seven new CMOS image sensors, the LM9704, LM9702 and LM9701 are the first three members of National's complete line of digital imaging processors.

Paired with National's LM9648 image sensor, the LM9704 real-time digital image processor supports up to 8frame/s in full 1.3Mpixel resolution.

Consuming just 95mW of power, the LM9704 is ideal for consumer applications such as 1.3Mpixel digital still cameras.

Paired with National's monochrome LM9638 SXGA or the LM9647, LM9628, LM9637, LM9618, LM9627 and LM9617 VGA, or even lower resolution sensors such as the LM9630, the economical LM9702 real-time digital image processor allows up to 30frame/s in full VGA resolution.

Consuming just 90mW of power, the LM9702 is designed for camera-enabled cellphones and PDA clip-on cameras.

National's LM9701 digital image processor combines the streamlined architecture, low power consumption and high performance necessary for the consumer market, along with the flexibility required for implementing imaging algorithms required by the industrial and automotive markets.

The LM9701 has a resolution of up to 8Mpixel, allowing developers to program the embedded ARM7 core to create compelling, complete imaging product solutions.

The LM9704 real-time image processor and LM9704DEV-KIT development platform, along with the CMOS image sensor headboards and optional CR16-IM04-00 firmware developer's kit, are available now.

Samples of the LM9702 real-time image processor and a complete development platform will be available in January 2003.

Samples of the LM9701 real-time image processor will be available in February of 2003.

All image processors are in chip scale packaging.

In 10,000 unit quantities, the LM9704 is priced at $9.10, the LM9702 is $6.50 and the LM9701 is $7.80.

(This was Electronicstalk's Top Story on 15 November 2002).

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