Camera kit for automotive black box recorders from Lattice and friends

I don’t know about you, but I'm finding it hard to keep up with all of the exiting things that are happening in programmable space (where no one can hear you scream). For example…

… I just heard from the folks at Lattice Semiconductor that they – along with the guys and gals at Leopard Imaging – have just announced the release of a dual camera module kit that allows the DaVinci TMS320DM368 video processor from Texas Instruments (TI) to interface to two 720p image sensors.

This kit is ideal for customers who are designing black box car drive recorders or other applications that require two cameras.  For black box car drive recorder applications, one camera can be pointed out the front of the vehicle, while the other can be directed toward the driver.  This new dual image sensor design utilizes the low power, low cost Lattice MachXO2 PLD (programmable logic device) to interface to both image sensors and combine the images before sending the data to the DaVinci DM368 video processor.  The images from the two cameras are merged in a side-by-side configuration.

The dual camera module kit, part number LNC-DUALCAM – HD IP Camera, includes the HD dual camera module and the Leopardboard 368 camera with firmware updates, as well as a mounting bracket and necessary cables.  Development engineers can leverage this cost-effective kit to produce sharp digital pictures “out of the box.”  The kit can produce still or continuous video with side-by-side images in a 1920 x 720 configuration.  Because the HD dual camera module uses the 36 pin Zip interface, it can also be connected to other TI IP cameras.  The output video or individual frames can be recorded to an SD memory card or sent via Ethernet; a WiFi option is available as well.  The dual camera module kit is available now for $399.00 at www.leopardimaging.com/dualcamera.html  


“The high level of integration that the low power DM368 video processor offers is ideal for cost-sensitive camera applications that need efficient multichannel H.264 BP/MP/HP compression.  Together with the Lattice MachXO2-1200 device, this dual camera kit reduces the time to market for any application where two cameras are needed,” said Jacob Jose, video security business development manager at TI.

“The dual camera module kit leverages the flexibility of the MachXO2 PLD and expands our ever- growing camera IP portfolio,” said Ted Marena, Director of Business Development for Lattice.  

“We are pleased to work with Lattice and offer this low cost dual camera module kit so customers can quickly implement dual camera-based designs,” said Bill Pu, VP of Marketing for Leopard Imaging.

About the Texas Instruments Design Network
Lattice Semiconductor and Leopard Imaging are members of the TI Design Network, a premier group of independent, well established companies that offer products and system-level design and manufacturing services complementing TI’s semiconductors to a worldwide customer base to accelerate product innovation and time-to-market.

Network members provide product design, hardware and software system integration, turnkey product design, RF and processor system modules, reference platforms, software development, proof-of-concept design, feasibility studies, research, certification compliance, prototyping, manufacturing, and product life cycle management.

For more information about the TI Design Network, please visit www.ti.com/designnetwork

---

If you found this article to be of interest, visit Programmable Logic Designline where – in addition to my Max's Cool Beans blogs – you will find the latest and greatest design, technology, product, and news articles with regard to programmable logic devices of every flavor and size (FPGAs, CPLDs, CSSPs, PSoCs...).

Also, you can obtain a highlights update delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for my weekly newsletter – just Click Here to request this newsletter using the Manage Newsletters tab (if you aren't already a member you'll be asked to register, but it's free and painless so don't let that stop you [grin]).