New Alvium overcomes current limitations for embedded vision applications

Allied Vision, one of Germany’s leading machine vision camera manufacturers has released their long-awaited Alvium series of cameras, at the heart of which is ALVIUM Technology, a unique System-on-Chip designed by them.

Built to accommodate the high standards of industrial and scientific imaging, this family of cameras is designed to provide choices, flexibility and freedom to machine vision and embedded vision applications.

Currently two sets of models are offered the Alvium 1500 and Alvium 1800. Alvium 1500 offers entry level models that provide a starting point for deploying cost-efficient solutions for both PC-based and compact vision systems. The advanced Alvium 1800 camera series gives additional flexibility by providing more sensor possibilities, a greater range of features and different housing options.

Freedom, flexibility and choices
This series is designed on an innovative camera platform that addresses the limitations associated with current camera and sensor modules for embedded applications. It offers embedded system designers a previously-unknown level of freedom with open housing or closed housing versions and various lens mount options for easy optics integration.

The ALVIUM System-on-Chip sensor's interface is designed to support all current and future sensors from leading sensor manufacturers with resolutions ranging from VGA to 21 Megapixels. The first Alvium models released include four sensors from 0.5 to 5 Megapixel and Allied Vision will progressively add new sensors to expand the range.

Cost effective and resource-efficient
The Alvium SoC incorporates an Image Signal Processor coupled with a powerful Image Processing Library allowing system engineers to perform image corrections and preprocessing tasks onboard the camera rather than on the host system or embedded board. This reduces the workload on the host processor saving its power for application-specific, image processing algorithms; or the designer can choose to downsize the host to reduce overall system cost.

Another resource-saving benefit is their low power consumption which is in direct contrast to the high power usage of FPGA-based cameras. If an application requires a small number of features, Alvium ensures that the application receives just enough power for those needs and the rest is shut off. Entry-level models draw less power than the advanced models.

User development time is reduced because hardware and software are easily integrated, adding another form of saving.

Other features
Bulk is an issue with FPGA cameras but not with the single-board Alvium series and, although small, offers a large number of high-performance features. The Alvium's ultra-compact, single board design with all electronic components fitted on both sides of one 27 x 27 mm board, is small and light and provides the most robust solution for applications subject to shock and vibration. Housed versions offer the highest standards of sensor alignment for optimal image quality.

A selection of housing options are available ranging from board-level, to an open-front part-housing, through to a fully-housed camera. A choice of back and side connections are also available for the USB Alvium 1800 camera version.

All models come in monochrome and colour and for both series, colour models come with an IR cut filter while monochrome models are without a filter or protection glass.

With a choice of CMOS sensor resolutions from a variety of manufacturers, systems designers can leverage Allied Vision’s ALVIUM technology which includes advanced image processing features, new standards in quality imaging and performance, a small footprint, low power consumption and decreased development time.

Entry-level models: for ultra-compact and low weight cameras with good image quality

ROI for applications with limited space and requiring only specific regions of an image to be read, eg bar code

Entry-level models: Any medical application needing an ultra-compact size and outstanding image quality, eg pathology

Advanced models: licence-plate recognition where outstanding image quality and multiple regions of interest are required

Advanced models closed housing option: For quality images with extremely low noise

Advanced models: High-respolutions provide outstanding image quality for aerial mapping, and a sequencing feature that enables shooting images with different conditions

CMOS Type 1/3.6

CMOS Type 1/2.5

800 × 600

1280 × 960

2592 × 1944

4.8 × 4.8

3.75 × 3.75

2.2 × 2.2