Security and surveillance cameras are an indispensable part of modern security systems. They play a crucial role in monitoring and recording activities to enhance safety and deter crime. These systems are deployed in various environments, including residential areas, commercial properties, industrial sites, and public spaces, to provide vigilant monitoring of premises. This article introduces the development of security and surveillance camera applications and the solutions offered by onsemi for these applications.
Security and surveillance cameras with advanced features
Security and surveillance cameras are used in various applications to enhance safety and monitor activities. In residential settings, they provide homeowners with real-time monitoring and remote access to ensure property security. In commercial and industrial environments, these cameras deter theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access while ensuring employee safety. In public spaces such as parks, streets, and transportation hubs, surveillance cameras enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by providing evidence of criminal activities.
Security cameras come in various types, including IP cameras that offer high-resolution images and remote viewing; cost-effective analog cameras, now with HD capabilities; and thermal imaging cameras that detect heat signals for visibility in poor conditions. Advanced features such as HD video, night vision, motion detection, and remote access via mobile devices make these systems highly effective. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning further enhances their capabilities, enabling facial recognition and anomaly detection for comprehensive security coverage. These advancements ensure that security and surveillance cameras continue to meet the evolving security demands across diverse environments.
Wake on Motion feature enables low-power operation for cameras
Wake on Motion (WoM) feature allows cameras to operate in low-power mode, which is critical for security camera systems, particularly in terms of energy efficiency for battery-powered wireless cameras. These wireless systems rely on battery power, and may face challenges under certain constraints.
The Wake-on-Motion feature in image sensors enables visual systems to operate based on detected object movements. In WoM mode, the sensor remains in a low-resolution, low-frame-rate pre-detection state. When motion is detected, the sensor confirms the motion and alerts the Image Signal Processor (ISP) or System-on-Chip (SoC). The ISP/SoC then verifies the relevance of the motion to the application and activates the full visual system if necessary. This feature is particularly useful as most applications do not require continuous operation in native mode (full resolution and maximum frame rate). Typically, only brief periods of full operation are needed, allowing the sensor to remain in low-power pre-detect state for most of the time.
onsemi’s Hyperlux LP family of image sensors include the WoM feature, which can be customized for non-contiguous Regions of Interest (ROI). This enhancement is designed for ultra-low power consumption, significantly improving the capabilities of visual systems in various applications. In pre-detect state, the Hyperlux LP image sensor consumes less than 1/100th of the power used in native mode, leading to substantial power savings and extending the operational cycles of power-sensitive visual systems.
Additionally, High Dynamic Range (HDR) is critical in image sensors as it significantly enhances the quality and realism of captured images. By extending the range of light and dark details that can be recorded, HDR more accurately represents scenes with varying lighting conditions. This feature is especially important in applications such as photography, videography, and surveillance, where capturing fine details in both bright and shadowed areas is essential. Adaptive Local Tone Mapping (ALTM) is a technology used for HDR imaging that enhances the visual quality of images. It works by adjusting the brightness and contrast in different areas of an image, simulating how the human eye perceives light and contrast. This ensures that both the bright and dark areas of an image are displayed with optimal detail and clarity.
The Hyperlux LH and LP sensor families from onsemi feature Wake on Motion (WoM), sub-sampling modes (binning, summing, skipping, and windowing), and multiple functional modes, as well as Global Reset Release (GRR), triggering, and context switching capabilities. These features minimize processing latency, reduce ISP/SoC power consumption, and lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Together with an extended dynamic range, these capabilities enable smart vision systems to deliver high performance.
Ultra-low-power advanced image sensor family
onsemi’s Hyperlux LP series of image sensors incorporates cutting-edge electronic rolling shutter technology and includes three product variants: the AR0544 with a resolution of 5MP, the AR0830 with a resolution of 8.3MP, and the AR2020 with a resolution of 20MP. All sensors in the Hyperlux LP family share the same pixel size and optical performance. The product lines provide a variety of options, including monochrome, RGB, and RGBIR variants, available in both packaged and die forms. This extensive selection allows vision system designers to optimize development efforts, reduce expenses, and accelerate time-to-market by leveraging diverse solutions.
In pre-detect state, Hyperlux LP image sensors consume less than 1/100th of the power used in native mode, significantly saving power and extending the operational cycles of power-sensitive visual systems. Compared to existing architectures, battery life is doubled, with power consumption in Wake-on-Motion mode below 2mW, achieving twice the battery life of competitors. Additionally, Hyperlux LP image sensors deliver high-performance imaging capabilities, featuring exceptional low-light performance with 1.4μm back-side illuminated (BSI) pixels and quantum efficiency (QE) of 45% at 850nm in Near-Infrared (NIR) mode. They support resolutions up to 20MP at speeds of 60 fps.
The Hyperlux LP AR0544 is a 1/4.2-inch BSI stacked CMOS digital image sensor with a 2592 x 1944 active pixel array. It is designed to capture images using rolling shutter readout in either linear or enhanced Dynamic Range (eDR) mode. The AR0544 stands out with its built-in Wake on Motion (WoM) feature, enabling the sensor to operate in low-power mode, consuming only a fraction of the energy required in full-performance mode. Upon detecting movement, the sensor rapidly transitions to a higher performance state.
onsemi’s Hyperlux LP AR0830 image sensor is an ideal choice for modern security and surveillance systems. It provides eDR mode for high-quality imaging under challenging lighting conditions and excellent low-light performance with NIR responsiveness at 850nm and 940nm. Its power-efficient characteristics make it suitable for continuous operation, and it supports various sub-sampling modes, such as binning, summing, and skipping, to enable flexible image capture. These features ensure unmatched image quality, versatility, cost-effective operation, and enhanced security.
The smart ROI feature in onsemi’s AR2020 image sensor allows the sensor to capture multiple specific regions within a scene, optimizing data processing and power consumption. By focusing on relevant regions, smart ROI reduces bandwidth usage and improves energy efficiency. For instance, in video conferencing, smart ROI can automatically focus on the speaker, providing a clear, high-resolution image of the speaker while maintaining a view of the entire room.
Image sensor family supporting high-quality imaging
onsemi’s Hyperlux LH family of image sensors is designed to deliver exceptional performance for security and surveillance cameras, ensuring high-quality imaging under varying lighting conditions. These sensors feature an industry-leading 150dB HDR, capturing detail-rich images even under extreme lighting contrasts. Enhanced NIR sensitivity is optimized for low-light and nighttime surveillance, providing clear visuals where traditional sensors may fail. Additionally, advanced LED Flicker Mitigation (LFM) technology effectively eliminates flickering effects caused by LED lighting, ensuring consistent image quality.
The Hyperlux LH sensors support 4K video resolution, delivering ultra-high-definition images critical for identifying fine details in security footage. Designed with a 2.0 µm pixel size, these sensors enhance sensitivity and image clarity. Furthermore, their low power consumption makes them ideal for battery-powered devices and reduces the overall energy costs of surveillance systems. This combination of features ensures that security and surveillance cameras equipped with Hyperlux LH sensors provide reliable, high-quality visual data essential for effective monitoring and secure operations.
onsemi’s Hyperlux LH AR0822 image sensor is a cutting-edge solution designed to enhance the performance of security and surveillance cameras. With its advanced features and robust capabilities, it ensures exceptional image quality and reliability under various lighting conditions. The AR0822 offers 8MP resolution and 60fps 4K video, ensuring images are clear and detailed. It also features 120dB eHDR, capturing high-quality images even in challenging lighting environments. The sensor’s efficient NIR functionality delivers excellent performance in low-light conditions, which is crucial for nighttime surveillance. Additionally, the AR0822 features high power efficiency, with integrated energy-saving functionalities such as Wake-on-Motion, optimizing energy consumption and making it ideal for continuous monitoring applications.
onsemi’s AR0246, part of the Hyperlux LH image sensor family, is a 2MP 1/4-inch BSI stacked CMOS digital image sensor with a 1920 x 1080 active pixel array. This advanced sensor captures images using rolling shutter readout in linear, eDR, or embedded HDR (eHDR with 120dB) modes. The AR0246 includes ALTM functionality to compress high-dynamic-range images into a reduced bit depth, ensuring compatibility with non-HDR processors or displays with limited bit depth. The AR0246 enables ALTM in the Bayer domain, allowing HDR image rendering using common 10-bit or 12-bit pipelines.
Comprehensive complementary products and development tools to accelerate product development
In addition to image sensors, onsemi offers a wide range of complementary products, including PoE power management, AC-DC power management, DC-DC power management, memory, transceivers, interface protection, battery protection, Bluetooth, audio amplifiers, stepper motors, and more. These products meet the demands of security and surveillance camera applications, accelerating product development.
onsemi also provides a complete set of development tools and resources to assist customers in product development. For example, the AGB1N0CS-GEVK Demo 3 image sensor development board offers a powerful and efficient solution for interfacing with onsemi image sensors. Its main features include support for high-bandwidth USB 3.0 interfaces, a 1 Gb memory buffer to manage high data rates, HDMI output with frame rates of 720p 60 and 1080p 60, and compatibility with MIPI, HiSPi, CCP, and parallel interfaces.
onsemi has also introduced image sensor headboards designed to facilitate the evaluation and demonstration of onsemi semiconductor devices, particularly image sensors. These headboards connect to larger systems, such as the Demo3 platform, via connectors and provide access to critical signals through strategically placed test points and configurable jumpers. They are an essential part of development and testing, enabling precise interaction with onsemi devices under controlled conditions and evaluating their performance metrics.
Additionally, onsemi’s PRISM (Premiere Reference Image Sensor Module) system is a high-quality, verified, and tested reference module designed for superior imaging. It is versatile and can be used for every industrial and commercial sensor during the early sample phase, utilizing standardized universal connectors to ensure flexibility between sensors. onsemi also provides adapters for seamless integration with SoC platforms. For mass production, this system can be converted to the Image Access System (IAS) through distributors. By integrating the module with ecosystem partners’ hardware adapters and development kits, it simplifies the prototyping process, accelerates the design phase, and shortens time to market.
On the other hand, onsemi also provides image sensor development software – DevWareX – which can be used with the Demo3 kit to program the imagers, display, and evaluate images. onsemi’s sensor demonstration software is designed to display and process images from sensors, specifically for the development and evaluation of onsemi image sensor products.
Conclusion
As the demand for security and surveillance continues to grow, high-performance and high-resolution camera solutions have become the core driving force of the industry. These advanced technologies not only improve image quality but also introduce innovations such as artificial intelligence, edge computing, and low-power design, making security systems smarter and more efficient. In the future, as technology continues to evolve, these solutions will better meet the needs of diverse scenarios, including smart cities, smart homes, and industrial surveillance. The image sensors and related complementary products launched by onsemi will be key to enabling safer and more reliable surveillance systems.