With machine vision (MV) technology, you no longer need people to perform inspections for quality control. MV uses a combination of high-speed cameras and computers to perform complex inspection tasks in addition to digital image acquisition and analysis. You can use the resulting data for pattern recognition, object sorting, robotic arm control, and more.
MV applications include:
- Defect detection
- Gauging
- Guidance, part tracking, and identification
- Optical character recognition and verification (OCR/OCV)
- Pattern recognition
- Packaging, product, surface, and web inspections
Altera FPGA Advantages—Performance, Flexibility, and Connectivity
Figure 1. Flexibility—FPGAs Support Different Camera and Bus Interfaces
As illustrated in Figure 1, FPGAs such as Altera's Cyclone® III and Cyclone IV device families enable MV designers like you to:
- Achieve high-performance image preprocessing on frame grabber boards (using protocols such as Camera Link), approaching real-time frame rates
- Integrate real-time functions into the camera system for pixel-oriented gain control, compensation of defective pixels, increased dynamic range, and more
- Capitalize on the flexibility of FPGAs to support evolving camera interfaces such as GigE Vision and Camera Link
- Implement various bus interfaces such as PCITM, PCIe®, Gbps Ethernet, USB, and others
- Integrate a wide range of functions such as image capture, camera interfaces, preprocessing, and communication functions, all within a single FPGA
Related Links
- Machine Vision/Industrial Imaging partners
- White paper: Five Ways to Build Flexibility into Your Industrial Applications with FPGAs (PDF)
- White paper: Lowering the Total Cost of Ownership in Industrial Applications (PDF)
- White paper: A Flexible Solution for Industrial Ethernet (PDF)
- Webcast: Three Reasons to Use FPGAs in Industrial Applications
- Webcast: Achieve Lower Total Cost of Ownership for Industrial Designs
- Video: Three Ways to Quickly Adapt to Changing Ethernet Protocols
