Clear distinction between "embedded vision" with the standard machine vision system is not always easy. A method of classification is to break them into three parts.
First part: comprises a PC with a camera and a separate classical vision systems.
Part II: comprising a camera on board, and application-specific hardware (such as a small PC) system.
Part III: You will find a highly integrated system, which has a strong degree of miniaturization, and only a few or no standardized components. For example, in the first part and the second part, you will typically find use GigE, USB, shielded cable such as a camera system, and in the third part, you're more likely to find LVDS with ribbon cables and other low-level interface.
In other words, along the path from the first stage to the third stage, the camera becomes smaller and the number of standardized components is reduced. Cost savings are the result of an embedded vision.
Compared with the traditional PC settings, embedded method can not only save space and energy. It can be achieved at a much lower cost. A major factor is the cost of embedded systems software. For example, Linux operating system and OpenCV image processing library is open source, free, so use this combination without worrying about licensing fees.
In addition, ARM-based processor family are escalating. As we all know, it has a cost-effective performance for a variety of performance levels, including the level of performance with a multi-core architecture. ARM-based process currently occupy a dominant position in the embedded field, and more common than x86-based processor.
For running on ARM and x86 architecture SDK, you can generally transplant program code, without having to spend a lot of time and effort. Have been developed code reusability can be significant cost savings.
Vision embedded hardware: System (SOC) on the chip, the system (SOM) on the module and a computer module (COM)
processing board embedded region is generally used in the x86 platform or ARM processors. The processor generally used herein means the pattern, and an interface bus system (USB, GigE, PCIe, etc.) concentrated on a so-called chip system or the SOC.
A computer system or hardware module integrated using the next module (COM or SOM, may be used synonymously). SOC, RAM, power management, and any other peripheral device in combination with the plug connector into a module on a circuit board.
Reduce costs through hardware development system module
within the scope of the development of embedded hardware applications, developers need only develop a so-called carrier or a substrate, and then by a suitable plug connector for mounting to SOM. Overall, this is an embedded processor board.
The advantage of this approach is that hardware development is the most complex part is done by the SOM. SOM is connected to the outside on the fundamental substrate interfaces (USB, GigE, HDMI, etc.), as compared to completely custom designed with all components required for the development, much more complex, lower development costs. For example, a single circuit board.
SOM various having various SOC (x86, ARM) may also be used in industrial applications. Manufacturers typically be designed to be compatible SOM, without adjusting the substrate, it is possible to use a lower performance higher SOM SOM easily replace performance.
Also established several manufacturer-independent standards such as COM Express, Qseven and SMARC. However, in this case, the compatibility of different manufacturers SOM products which usually covers only a portion of the function of the SOM.
SOM embedded vision system such that even if the developer at a small unit volume is also attractive. Although this method using SOM completely custom design is unlikely to reduce production costs, but compared with the traditional standard PC settings, it still has significant cost benefits.