Embedded vision bundle offers uniquely low-level camera solution with extremely low latency

Released last month by Digilent, the Pcam 5C is an open-source peripheral camera module designed specifically for use with the Zybo Z7 Zynq-7000 ARM/FPGA development platform. Unlike many other camera solutions requiring HDMI or USB, the company are enabling direct communication between the sensor and the FPGA. This results in a uniquely low-level camera solution with extremely low latency. From now through to 23rd February, the company is offering the Embedded Vision Bundle which includes the Zybo Z7-20 with SDSoC voucher, Pcam 5C and 10 cm flat-flexible cable, complete with a video streaming demo/tutorial and open-source IP. The Zybo Z7 is an upgrade to the popular Zybo board, which now includes the flat-flexible cable (FFC) connector in use with the Pcam 5C. It is currently the company's only development platform offering this connector. The camera module transfers data over a dual-lane MIPI CSI-2 interface via the 15-pin FFC connector. The connector is pin-compatible with the connector found on the Raspberry Pi board. The module includes a factory installed fixed focus lens. Depending on the application, the lens can be adjusted manually by the user. The camera module is a uniquely low-level design as data is transferred over the Omnivision OV5640 image sensor's native interfaces, CSI-2 and I2C. As the video data is streamed into the FPGA rather than to a hard silicon CSI-2 decoder (as on the Raspberry Pi), users can scrutinize exactly how the D-PHY and CSI-2 decoding works. This makes the Zybo Z7 + Pcam 5C a valuable combo for those wishing to study embedded vision concepts or develop their own embedded vision products and applications. The company has designed the Pcam 5C + Zybo Z7 demo project to enable users to get started with the bundle. The demo passes video data from the image sensor out through the Zybo Z7 HDMI port to a display. All IP used in the demo is open-source and free. This includes a CSI-2 decoder, D-PHY receiver, Bayer to RGB converter and gamma correction.