HILLSBORO, OR — (Marketwire) — 11/05/12 — Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: LSCC) today announced that it will demonstrate a LatticeECP3-based video camera supporting New Imaging Technologies- (NIT) NSC1005 Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) 720p image sensor at Vision Stuttgart 2012, the International Trade Show for Machine Vision, November 6-8 (). The NSC1005 WDR demonstrations can be seen at the NIT booth I-18 and the Helion GmbH booth E-81.
The NSC1005 high dynamic range image sensor from NIT is available mounted on a headboard, called the Widy Board, complete with lens and is intended for use with the . The sensor is fully supported with a 60 frames per second color Image Signal Processing (ISP) pipeline implemented on a LatticeECP3 FPGA.
“The combination of Lattice-s innovative FPGA technology and NIT-s wide dynamic range imaging sensors creates a unique product for customers who wish to build dedicated camera and imaging systems,” said Pierre Potet, Chief Executive Officer at New Imaging Technologies. “Due to their unique logarithmic response, NIT sensors are particularly useful for automotive and transportation applications as well as medical applications.”
The hardware is designed to support full 720p resolution of the NIT NSC1005 sensor at 60fps in streaming mode through the FPGA, without the need for an external frame buffer. The integrated Image Signal Processing IP pipeline provides end-to-end ISP support from sensor to displayable image, and incorporates sensor interfacing and noise reduction. Other features include high-quality DeBayer operating in the log domain, Auto White Balance and Gamma Correction and Overlay for both character and graphics. Lattice HDMI PHY IP enables output to HDMI/DVI monitors.
“We are pleased to be able to provide NIT-s native WDR image sensor technology on our HDR-60 Camera Development Kit, supported by the IONOS Image Signal Processing tool kit from Helion,” said Kambiz Khalilian, Lattice Marketing Manager for Industrial Markets. “NIT-s native WDR characteristics allow the implementation of simple, cost efficient image signal processing solutions based on the low cost LatticeECP3 FPGA.”
The NSC1005 is a native high dynamic range image sensor outputting true WDR images at levels greater than 140dB. Unlike conventional wide dynamic range image sensors, the NSC1005 has a logarithmic intensity response that eliminates the image lag, smearing or blooming artifacts seen on conventional WDR image sensors.
The dynamic range offered by the native WDR sensor exceeds 140dB due to its patented pixel architecture, in which the pixel operates as a solar cell photodiode. Unlike conventional CMOS imaging sensors, in which the photocurrent is accumulated into an integration capacitor, the native WDR pixel is used in voltage readout mode, eliminating all potential saturation or capacitor overflow.
While conventional HDR sensors require a variable exposure time to match the scene-s dynamic range, the NIT native WDR does not require any exposure time, making the sensor extremely easy to use. The images taken from NIT sensors are always accurate, regardless of scene illumination conditions. The required processing power is much less than is needed for conventional sensors. NIT sensors are particularly useful for machine vision applications, where an immediate decision must be made based upon the scene analysis.
Native WDR sensors do not require the setup of knee points or use multi-exposure time to provide full dynamic range performance. The 140dB is natively provided by the solar cell pixel with no special setup needed. This is a compelling advantage over conventional HDR sensors, which require complex algorithms and large processing resources from the FPGA. The native WDR characteristics of the NSC1005 allow the implementation of low cost image signal processing solutions, which are ideally supported by Lattice Semiconductor-s low cost and low power LatticeECP3 FPGAs.
The Widy board is available for purchase from NIT from stock at $99.00 USD, including lens and bitstream.
New Imaging Technologies (NIT) designs and manufactures CMOS imaging sensors based upon a unique and patented pixel technology that provides intrinsic high dynamic range response of more than 140dB with no noticeable fixed pattern noise and operability without image artifacts to more than 90 degrees C. NIT offers a complete range of standard, customized and full custom CMOS imaging sensors for a variety of applications where performance, cost, quality and reliability are of premium importance. For more information, please visit .
Lattice is a service-driven developer of innovative low cost, low power programmable design solutions. For more information about how our , and programmable devices help our customers unlock their innovation, visit . You can also follow us via , , or .
Brian Kiernan
Corporate Communications Manager
Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
503-268-8739 voice
503-268-8688 fax
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