UVC reference design with dual Sony sensors

Tania is an easy to use, single-board plug-and-play USB3.1 Gen1(5Gb/Sec) UVC reference design kit packed with a powerful combination of SuperSpeed Cypress's EZ-USB CX3 USB3.1 Gen1 camera controller, advanced high-performance Socionext’s Milbeaut MBG967 ISP (image signal processor) and Sony‘s dual (21MP rear e-CAM210_MI230_MOD and 13MP front e-CAM130_MI258_MOD) colour autofocus camera modules based on Sony’s IMX230 and IMX258 image sensors respectively.

Tania allows developers to evaluate the latest-trend dual camera solution using sony’s Exmor RS technology image sensors with Socionext ISP. It comes with dual cameras with two different modes and it can be used as individual (front and rear) camera streaming or both cameras simultaneous streaming. This is one of the important features of TANIA which will enable customers to use in multiple ways. A high intensity on-board LEDs on both side of the kit allow cameras to capture even in low light environment. Tania has got the support for UVC extension control using which anyone can control variety of features like Auto Focus Region of Interest (ROI), Auto Exposure Metering, JPEG Compression Quality control, Flicker Detection etc. e-con Systems provide a sample application for both windows (e-camView) and linux (QtCAM with complete source code) for preview the streaming.

It is suitable for customers who want to speed up the time-to-market without expensive initial costs for developing camera firmware. This kit delivers high-resolution performance and advanced functions for a wide range of applications.

“The Cypress-Socionext Dual Camera Reference Design Kit combines the best-in-class Socionext ISP and Cypress' programmable Super Speed USB controller in a streamlined footprint," said Mark Fu, Senior Marketing Director of Wired Connectivity Business Unit at Cypress Semiconductor. "It provides camera designers a powerful tool to create 360-degree image capturing and enables new USB camera applications in video conferencing, VR content creation and 3D imaging."

“The MBG967 is one of Socionext’s most versatile, flexible and feature-rich image signal processors that can handle two image sensors simultaneously without compromising the picture quality,” said Mitsugu Naito, Corporate Senior Vice President at Socionext. “Our close collaboration with e-con Systems and Cypress has delivered a unique and powerful dual camera solution that can bring the user experience to the next level.”

"TANIA RDK is e-con’s first camera kit with Sony CMOS sensors and Socionext ISP. E-con has integrated a host of ISP features on the kit including simultaneous streaming of two cameras that enables wide range of applications such as 360° surveillance, AR/VR, Video conferencing applications and 3d colour video capture” said Ashok Babu, President of e-con Systems Inc. “e-con can customise the Tania kit with different CMOS sensors for enabling our customers to build innovative applications involving single or dual cameras."

Cypress’s CX3 adds SuperSpeed USB3.1 Gen1(5Gb/Sec) connectivity to any image sensor that is compliant with the MIPI Camera Serial Interface 2 (CSI-2) standard and Socionext’s Milbeaut MBG967 ISP supports the latest high-speed high-accuracy Auto Focus, Auto Exposure and Auto White balance and brings out the best picture quality from two image sensors simultaneously. TANIA includes firmware optimised for all USB camera functionality; Developers can use this smart reference design kit as a production-ready final product and can also utilise it as a development tool for simultaneous dual camera streaming.