Developers may encounter a series of challenges when it comes to configuring, controlling, and validating image sensors. To address this, onsemi offers a powerful multifunctional tool, DevWareX, designed to assist developers in completing image sensor development tasks more quickly, accurately, and efficiently.
This tool supports programming of image sensors, enabling the display and evaluation of images, and running Python scripts to capture and save images. It comes with built-in debugging tools and also provides the ApBase library, a software development kit (SDK) that supports the development of custom applications for image sensor control and display.
Image sensors are configured and controlled through a set of "registers," and once configured, they output image streams at the specified size and speed (frames per second or "fps"). With DevWareX and ApBase, image sensors can perform these operations seamlessly.
onsemi offers three different types of image sensors, all supported by DevWareX:
1. Image Sensors: Commonly used to provide "raw" images, these sensors can be connected to an Image Sensor Processor (ISP) for configuring, controlling, and processing the streaming images.
2. System on Chip (SOC): Combines the image sensor and ISP in a single package.
3. Image Sensor Processor (ISP): Configures, controls, and processes images from the image sensor.
DevWareX Development Examples
The following are the sensor control and display features of DevWareX:
1. Application Controls: Includes control over application settings and sensor display options.
2. Function Toolbar: Sensor-specific control options.
3. Real-time Video: Streaming output images from the sensor.
4. Register Log: Captures settings applied to the sensor.
5. Sensor/Demo Information: Information regarding application and sensor configurations.
6. Monitoring Window: Supports real-time observation of register value changes.
7. Image Charts: Real-time analysis using common evaluation methods.
8. Sensor Control: Primary control page for the sensor and application. Easily access common sensor and DevWareX functions.
9. Registers: Displays and controls the sensor's registers.
10. Presets: Configuration and control settings for the sensor application.
DevWareX serves as the main application containing the DevSuite image sensor application set. DevSuite provides beginner tutorial documents and training videos that detail various functions and concepts. Additionally, detailed DevWareX documentation and its latest features are available.
DevWareX offers various methods for users to develop their own configuration and control scripts, plugins, and applications, including:
1. INI and Python format presets: Creating scripts to run within DevWareX.
2. Plugins: Developing Windows DLLs that can run within DevWareX to interface with the image ColorPipe component. This component, part of DevWareX, is used to obtain "raw" sensor images and adjust them for optimal viewing. The DLL can also assist in controlling other devices within the system, such as image sensor autofocus control.
3. Standalone Applications: Creating applications similar to DevWareX using ApBase to perform custom configuration, control, and display of image sensors. Detailed information about various SDKs is provided, with ApBase being a popular choice among customers.
onsemi's image sensors find wide applications in the automotive and industrial sectors, with the Hyperlux LP series receiving praise from customers and the media. This product utilizes excellent analog design and pixel architecture to optimize two crucial factors consumers consider when purchasing devices: image quality and battery life. It delivers outstanding performance, significantly extends battery life, and produces exquisite, detailed images.
A standout feature of the Hyperlux LP series is its motion wake-up function, allowing the sensor to operate in super-low power mode, consuming only a fraction of the power required in full-function mode. Once the sensor detects object movement, it quickly transitions to a higher performance state with shorter response times. Leveraging this unique advantage alongside other performance aspects, the Hyperlux LP series finds broad applications in scenarios such as smart access control, security cameras, augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR)/mixed reality (XR) headsets, machine vision, and video conferencing.