With VisualApplets Embedder, Silicon Software has presented a hardware solution that is integrated only once into image processing devices like cameras and vision sensors for programming the FPGA directly in the device. New applications such as those in the Industry 4.0 and markets are addressable.

Embedded vision is one of the most commonly cited keywords for future markets in image processing. "Silicon Softwares embedded concept puts manufacturers in the position where they can set up a compatibility layer on their own on the FPGA of a image processing device. This allows them to graphically program the device flexibly, relevant to the project at hand, and as often as they want with VisualApplets, with no use of hardware description language," explained Dr. Klaus-Henning Noffz, Managing Director of Silicon Software. With VisualApplets, even complex real-time applications for image processing and preprocessing can be created using data flow diagrams. This is now possible on frame grabbers.

The VisualApplets Embedder integration environment is an extension of VisualApplets. It allows manufacturers of image processing devices, following the one-time implementation, to develop as many applications as desired, transfer them to further devices, and to open up development for their customers of their own applications. Manufacturers can reach new markets, modify their image processing applications to meet new customer and market needs in a timely manner, and implement complete product lines in almost no time. Users gain the ability to program their newly acquired devices themselves, ensuring them a high degree of investment security.

Image processing devices made Industry 4.0-ready
"With VisualApplets Embedder, manufacturers of cameras and vision sensors have an easy-to-implement solution right now for integrating FPGA image processing in real time on their hardware platforms," Noffz emphasized. "Together, we are making it possible for users to efficiently solve tasks themselves that in the past would have been reserved for customer-specific developments." The market has already gotten the message; the Baumer LX VisualApplets camera series has been equipped with VisualApplets Embedder, and concrete conversations with other manufacturers are underway.

Image processing is rapidly developing in the direction of decentralized, intelligent cameras and vision sensors integrated into one network. By using embedded processor technologies, these requirements can be diagrammed. VisualApplets Embedder concentrates primarily on FPGA technologies, but can also be implemented on system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions, such as Zynq architectures (FPGA und ARM-Cores), for example. The image processing industry profits directly from faster development of high-performance components in the field of embedded vision.

Silicon Software America Inc.
Mr. Mike Faulkner
Tel: +1 888 808 3670 Ext 101
E-mail: americas@silicon-software.com