Introduction to Embedded Camera Modules
In today's increasingly connected and visually-driven world, embedded camera modules have become integral components across a wide range of industries and applications. These compact, powerful imaging solutions are revolutionising how we capture, analyse, and utilise visual data in real-time.
Embedded camera modules are self-contained units that incorporate image sensors, optics, and often on-board processing capabilities. Unlike traditional cameras, they are designed to be seamlessly integrated into larger systems or devices, offering a perfect blend of functionality and compactness. Their versatility makes them ideal for applications ranging from wearable technology and security systems to industrial automation and quality control.
As technology advances, the demands placed on these modules have grown exponentially. Modern applications require not just high-resolution imaging, but also features like low-light performance, wide dynamic range, and even on-board image processing and artificial intelligence capabilities. This is where Shikino's range of embedded camera modules excels, offering cutting-edge solutions that meet the diverse and exacting needs of various industries.
In this article, we'll explore the technical considerations behind selecting the right embedded camera module, with a focus on three key application areas: body worn video, security and surveillance, and process control in food and industrial manufacturing. We'll delve into the specific requirements of each field and examine how Shikino's advanced camera modules are uniquely positioned to address these challenges.
Whether you're an engineer working on a new product design, a systems integrator looking for the perfect imaging solution, or simply interested in the latest developments in camera technology, this deep dive into embedded camera modules will provide valuable insights into this rapidly evolving field.
Key Applications for Embedded Cameras
Body Worn Video
Body worn video (BWV) has become an essential tool in law enforcement, security, and even healthcare settings. These cameras provide an unbiased record of events, enhancing accountability and safety for both wearers and the public.
The technical requirements for BWV cameras are particularly demanding:
Size and Weight: Cameras must be compact and lightweight to avoid interfering with the wearer's movements. Shikino's KBCR-S07VG, measuring just 24 x 27 mm, exemplifies this compact design.
Durability: BWV cameras need to withstand harsh conditions, including impacts, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Many of Shikino's modules, such as the KBCR-S03TG, operate in temperatures from -10°C to +60°C, making them suitable for diverse environments.
Image Quality: Clear, high-resolution video is crucial for capturing important details. The KBCR-S01TL offers 1920 x 1080 resolution at 60 fps, ensuring smooth, detailed footage.
Low-light Performance: BWV cameras often need to operate in challenging lighting conditions. Shikino's sensors with larger pixel sizes, like those in the KBCR-S03TG, offer improved low-light sensitivity.
Battery Life: Extended recording times are essential. Shikino's modules, with their low power consumption (e.g., KBCR-S07VG at 0.44W max), help maximise operational time.
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Security and Surveillance
The security and surveillance sector has seen a dramatic shift from traditional CCTV to advanced IP-based systems. This evolution demands cameras with superior capabilities:
High Resolution: Modern surveillance requires clear, detailed images for identification purposes. Shikino's 2M pixel cameras, like the KBCR-S01TU, deliver crisp 1080p video.
Wide Dynamic Range (WDR): Surveillance cameras often need to capture details in both bright and dark areas simultaneously. Models like the KBCR-S02TU offer HDR functionality to address this challenge.
Network Connectivity: IP-based surveillance systems require cameras with robust networking capabilities. Shikino's LAN cameras, such as the KBCR-iC21MG-N2L/P, offer easy integration into network infrastructures.
Analytics-ready: Many modern surveillance systems incorporate video analytics. Shikino's intelligent cameras, like the KBCR-iC41MG with its AI accelerator, can perform edge computing for real-time analysis.
Process Control in Food and Industrial Manufacturing
In manufacturing environments, embedded cameras play a crucial role in quality control, process monitoring, and automation:
Robustness: Industrial cameras must withstand harsh conditions including vibrations, dust, and sometimes extreme temperatures. Shikino's industrial-grade cameras are designed with these factors in mind.
High-speed Imaging: For fast-moving production lines, cameras need to capture clear images of objects in motion. The KBCR-S51MM, with its global shutter and frame rates up to 120 fps, is ideal for such applications.
Precision and Consistency: Manufacturing processes require consistent, high-quality imaging for accurate inspections. Shikino's cameras offer various image adjustment functions to ensure optimal results.
Integration Capabilities: These cameras need to interface seamlessly with other industrial systems. Shikino offers a range of output formats (e.g., MIPI, USB) and control interfaces to facilitate integration.
Specialised Imaging: Some processes may require specific types of imaging, such as IR or UV. Shikino offers customisation options to meet these specialised needs.
AI image Processing:
In each of these application areas, Shikino's diverse range of embedded camera modules offers solutions tailored to the specific challenges faced. From the compact, durable designs ideal for body worn video, to the high-resolution, analytics-ready modules perfect for modern surveillance, to the robust, high-speed cameras suited for industrial applications, Shikino provides cutting-edge technology to meet the demands of these critical fields.
Download our guide to using Shikino's embedded cameras in food processing and packaging control here:
Technical Considerations for Embedded Camera Selection
When choosing an embedded camera module, several key technical factors must be considered to ensure optimal performance for the intended application. Shikino's diverse product line addresses these considerations comprehensively.
Image Sensor Technology
The heart of any camera module is its image sensor. Two primary types of sensors are used in modern cameras:
Rolling Shutter: Most common in CMOS sensors, rolling shutters capture images by scanning across the sensor sequentially. They're generally more cost-effective and energy-efficient. Shikino's KBCR-S03TG, with its 1/2.7-inch rolling shutter sensor, is excellent for applications where motion blur isn't a significant concern.
Global Shutter: These sensors capture the entire image simultaneously, eliminating motion artifacts. This makes them ideal for fast-moving subjects or when the camera itself is in motion. Shikino's KBCR-S51MM, featuring a 1/4.5-inch global shutter sensor, is perfect for industrial applications requiring precise motion capture.
Sensor size and resolution are also crucial:
Larger sensors: (e.g., 1/2.7-inch in KBCR-S01TL) generally offer better light sensitivity and dynamic range.
Higher resolutions: (like the 1920x1080 in KBCR-S01TU) provide more detail but may require more processing power and storage.
Shikino offers a range of sensor sizes and resolutions to suit various needs, from the compact 1/4-inch VGA sensor in the KBCR-S07VG to larger, higher-resolution options.
Output Formats and Interfaces
The choice of output format and interface significantly impacts system integration and performance:
Digital Output: Cameras like the KBCR-S03TG offer YUV422 8-bit output, suitable for direct processing or encoding.
USB: Models such as the KBCR-S01TU provide USB 3.1 output, offering high-speed data transfer and plug-and-play convenience.
MIPI: The KBCR-S08MM uses MIPI CSI-2, a standard interface in mobile and embedded applications, offering high-speed, low-power data transfer.
Selecting the right interface depends on factors like required bandwidth, power constraints, and compatibility with the host system.
Power Consumption and Thermal Management
In many embedded applications, particularly portable or battery-powered devices, power efficiency is crucial:
Shikino's modules are designed with power efficiency in mind. For instance, the KBCR-S07VG consumes only 0.44W maximum.
For applications requiring even lower power, consider modules with selectable frame rates or resolution, allowing power optimisation based on the use case.
Thermal management is closely related to power consumption. Shikino's modules are designed to operate across a wide temperature range (typically -10°C to +60°C), making them suitable for various environments.
Size and Form Factor
The physical dimensions of the camera module can be a critical factor, especially in space-constrained applications:
Shikino offers ultra-compact designs like the KBCR-S07VUE, measuring just 15x40mm.
For applications requiring more features in a small space, modules like the KBCR-iC11VG-N1U integrate additional functionalities such as distortion correction in a compact form factor.
When considering size, also account for lens protrusion and any required connectors or interface boards.
Advanced Features
Modern embedded cameras often include advanced features that can significantly enhance their capabilities:
Auto Sensing Support (ASS): Shikino's proprietary ASS technology, featured in cameras like the KBCR-S03TUA, allows for advanced exposure control, improving image quality in challenging lighting conditions.
On-board Processing: The KBCR-iC41MG includes an AI accelerator, enabling edge computing and reducing the load on the main system processor.
Built-in Image Correction: Features like lens distortion correction in the KBCR-iC11VG-N1U can simplify system design and improve overall image quality.
These technical considerations form the foundation for selecting the right embedded camera module. Shikino's diverse product line ensures that regardless of the specific requirements - be it size constraints, power efficiency, image quality, or advanced features - there's a solution that fits the needs of the application. By carefully evaluating these factors and matching them with Shikino's offerings, designers can ensure they select the optimal camera module for their embedded system.
Advanced Features of Shikino's Camera Modules
Shikino's camera modules go beyond basic imaging, incorporating cutting-edge features that address complex challenges in various applications. Let's explore some of these advanced capabilities:
Auto Sensing Support (ASS)
Shikino's proprietary Auto Sensing Support (ASS) technology is a standout feature in cameras like the KBCR-S03TUA:
Adaptive Exposure: ASS allows for independent exposure settings on even and odd frames, enabling the camera to capture high-quality images in challenging lighting conditions.
Enhanced Dynamic Range: By combining differently exposed frames, ASS effectively increases the camera's dynamic range without the need for specialised HDR sensors.
Application Flexibility: This technology is particularly useful in scenarios with rapidly changing light conditions, such as in security applications.
Compared to traditional HDR, ASS offers more flexible control, allowing users to fine-tune the exposure settings based on their specific image processing requirements.
Distortion Correction and Image Processing
Several Shikino modules, like the KBCR-iC11VG-N1U, come with built-in distortion correction and image processing capabilities:
Lens Distortion Correction: This feature compensates for optical distortions, particularly useful with wide-angle lenses commonly used in security applications.
Viewpoint Conversion: The ability to convert the image to a top-down view is valuable in applications like parking assistance systems.
Panorama Conversion: This feature can transform fisheye images into panoramic views, expanding the effective field of view.
These on-board processing capabilities reduce the computational load on the main system processor and can simplify overall system design.
AI and Edge Computing Capabilities
The KBCR-iC41MG represents Shikino's foray into AI-enabled camera modules:
AI Accelerator: This module includes hardware acceleration for AI tasks, enabling efficient execution of machine learning models directly on the camera.
Edge Computing: By processing data at the edge, these modules can reduce latency, bandwidth usage, and privacy concerns associated with cloud-based processing.
Versatile Applications: This technology is particularly valuable in scenarios requiring real-time analysis, such as object detection, facial recognition, or anomaly detection in industrial processes.
High-Performance Image Capture
Several Shikino modules offer advanced capture capabilities:
High Frame Rates: Models like the KBCR-S51MM can capture up to 120 fps, ideal for applications requiring analysis of fast-moving objects.
Global Shutter: This feature, available in models like the KBCR-S51MM, eliminates rolling shutter artifacts, crucial for accurate imaging of moving objects or in vibration-prone environments.
Flexible Interface Options
Shikino's product line covers a wide range of interface options:
MIPI CSI-2: Modules like the KBCR-S08MM use this high-speed, low-power interface, ideal for mobile and embedded applications.
USB 3.1: The KBCR-S01TU offers high-speed data transfer with the convenience of a standard USB interface.
Ethernet/PoE: Models like the KBCR-iC21MG-N2L/P provide network connectivity and Power over Ethernet, simplifying installation in IP camera systems.
Customisation and Integration Support
Shikino goes beyond off-the-shelf solutions:
SDK Availability: The KBCR-iCLSDK-A/B development kits provide tools and libraries for customising camera behavior and integrating advanced features into user applications.
Expansion Board Options: Shikino offers customisable expansion boards to support various interfaces and functionalities, allowing for tailored solutions to specific application needs.
Environmental Adaptability
Many Shikino modules are designed for challenging environments:
Wide Temperature Range: Most modules operate from -10°C to +60°C, with some models offering even wider ranges.
Compact, Robust Design: The small form factors and durable construction make these modules suitable for use in harsh industrial environments or portable devices.
These advanced features demonstrate Shikino's commitment to providing not just cameras, but comprehensive imaging solutions. By integrating capabilities like ASS, on-board image processing, AI acceleration, and flexible interfaces, Shikino's modules can address complex imaging challenges across a wide range of applications, from body-worn cameras and surveillance systems to industrial process control and beyond. This level of integration and functionality allows system designers to create more capable, efficient, and compact embedded vision systems.
Integration and Development Considerations
Integrating advanced camera modules into embedded systems requires careful planning and the right development tools. Shikino provides comprehensive support to ensure smooth integration and efficient development processes.
Software Development Kits (SDKs)
Shikino's KBCR-iCLSDK-A/B are powerful tools for developers working with their camera modules:
Development Environment: The SDKs come with Renesas e2studio (Version 6.3) as the Integrated Development Environment (IDE), providing a familiar and robust platform for embedded software development.
Compiler and Libraries: Renesas GCC compiler is included, along with essential libraries for IO control, camera control, image processing, and communication.
Sample Code: The SDKs provide source code samples in C# for USB (CDC/UVC) and LAN (TCP/UDP) communication, giving developers a head start in integrating the cameras into their systems.
Image Processing Libraries: Developers can leverage libraries for general-purpose image processing tasks such as binarisation and labelling, as well as drawing functions for characters, lines, rectangles, and circles.
RTOS Support: The inclusion of CMSIS RTOS RTX allows for real-time operating system capabilities, crucial for time-sensitive applications.
AI SDK
An AI SDK solution is available for fast and easy development of your AI applications using Renesas RZ/V2L. A variety of useful AI applications are provided free of charge including:
Head Count
Tumble Detection
Gesture recognition
Gaze analysis
and more...
These comprehensive SDKs enable developers to focus on their application-specific code, significantly reducing development time and effort.
Customisation Options
Shikino offers flexibility in customising their camera solutions:
Lens Selection: A wide range of lenses is available, allowing developers to choose the optimal field of view, focal length, and other optical characteristics for their specific application.
Board Customisation: Shikino provides options for customising expansion boards, enabling the integration of additional interfaces or functionalities as needed for specific projects.
OEM Opportunities: For large-scale deployments, Shikino offers opportunities for OEM customisation, allowing companies to tailor the camera modules to their exact specifications.
Integration Challenges and Solutions
When integrating Shikino's cameras, developers should consider:
Interface Compatibility: Ensure the chosen camera module's interface (USB, MIPI, etc.) is compatible with the host system. Shikino's diverse range of interface options helps address this challenge.
Power Management: Consider the power requirements of the camera module and how it fits into the overall power budget of the system. Shikino's modules are designed with power efficiency in mind, but proper integration is key.
Thermal Considerations: Adequate thermal management is crucial, especially in compact or enclosed systems. Shikino's modules operate across a wide temperature range, but system-level thermal design is still important.
Data Handling: High-resolution, high-frame-rate cameras generate significant amounts of data. Ensure your system can handle the data throughput, especially when using features like the AI accelerator in the KBCR-iC41MG.
IP Core for Image Processing
Shikino not only designs camera modules but also creates its own IP cores for image processing. The internally developed Shikino-LS provides high efficiency and performance for lossless encoding and decoding, featuring a 16-bit width and processing of 1 sample per clock. Additionally, Shikino offers various IP cores compliant with the JPEG standard but enhanced with some improvements. Depending on the specific application requirements, users can select from different versions. For instance, the KJN-EX core allows processing of up to 32 samples per clock, facilitating highly efficient implementation in FPGAs (e.g., achieving 8k YUV422@200MHz, 96fps with only around 400k gates).
Application-Specific Considerations
Different applications may require specific integration approaches:
Body Worn Video: Focus on compact integration, power efficiency, and robust data storage solutions.
Security and Surveillance: Consider network integration, video compression, and long-term reliability in outdoor environments.
Industrial Process Control: Emphasise real-time processing capabilities, integration with industrial control systems, and resistance to electromagnetic interference.
Support and Documentation
Shikino provides comprehensive support for integrators and developers:
Technical Documentation: Detailed datasheets, application notes, and integration guides are available for each camera module.
Technical Support: Shikino offers expert technical support to assist with integration challenges and application-specific questions. From our own experience with customers, the Shikino team is extremely responsive and committed to achieving the best outcome.
Testing and Validation
Proper testing is crucial for successful integration:
Image Quality Testing: Validate the camera's performance under various lighting conditions and scenes relevant to your application.
Environmental Testing: For industrial or outdoor applications, conduct thorough environmental testing to ensure reliability in the intended operating conditions.
EMC/EMI Testing: Especially important in industrial environments, ensure the camera integration doesn't introduce electromagnetic compatibility issues.
Future-Proofing
Consider future requirements when integrating Shikino's cameras:
Scalability: Choose a camera module that not only meets current needs but can also accommodate future enhancements to your system.
Upgradability: Shikino's modular approach allows for easier upgrades in the future, potentially extending the life cycle of your product.
Conclusion
As we've explored throughout this article, embedded camera modules have become indispensable components in a wide array of modern applications, from body-worn cameras and security systems to industrial process control. Shikino's diverse range of camera modules stands at the forefront of this technology, offering cutting-edge solutions that address the complex challenges faced in these demanding fields.
The technical sophistication of Shikino's offerings is evident in their advanced features such as the innovative Auto Sensing Support (ASS) technology, on-board distortion correction, and AI acceleration capabilities. These features, combined with a variety of sensor options, interface choices, and form factors, provide system designers with the flexibility to create powerful, efficient, and compact embedded vision systems.
Moreover, Shikino's commitment to supporting developers through comprehensive SDKs, customisation options, IP Core development and expert technical assistance ensures that integrating these advanced camera modules into your projects is a smooth and efficient process. Whether you're developing next-generation body-worn cameras, upgrading surveillance systems, or enhancing industrial automation processes, Shikino's camera modules offer the performance, reliability, and adaptability needed to bring your vision to life.
As the demand for sophisticated embedded vision solutions continues to grow, partnering with a leader like Shikino can give your projects a significant competitive edge. Their dedication to innovation, quality, and customer support makes them an ideal choice for businesses and developers looking to push the boundaries of what's possible in embedded imaging.
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