Valens Semiconductor and Imavix Engineering Launch Innovative MIPI A-PHY Platform Revolutionizing Machine Vision
In a significant advancement for machine vision technology, Valens Semiconductor and Imavix Engineering have announced the introduction of the first production-ready MIPI A-PHY-based platform tailored for high-performance machine vision applications. This innovative platform integrates the latest A-PHY connectivity standard, allowing camera manufacturers to develop products that are not only smaller but also more robust and cost-effective compared to traditional machine vision cameras. This partnership is further enhanced by CIS Corporation's unveiling of the industry's first A-PHY-compliant camera module for machine vision, which packs impressive capabilities into a compact form factor measuring just 22mm x 22mm x 22mm.
The new camera module represents a significant leap towards miniaturization, providing a product that is less than half the size of existing devices in the market while achieving remarkable improvements in Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) robustness. This development is crucial, as the MIPI A-PHY standard was specifically engineered to address the growing demand for integrated, cost-optimized, and resilient connectivity solutions, especially as industries evolve towards 4.0 methods of operation.
The MIPI A-PHY platform utilizes Valens' advanced chipset in tandem with Imavix's intellectual property (IP), supported by the renowned machine vision software HALCON developed by MVTec. Notably designed on an Efinix FPGA, the platform supports seamless input of A-PHY while delivering an impressive output of 10Gbps via GigE Vision (v3.0 based on RDMA). This configuration allows straightforward connectivity with IPCs commonly employed in machine vision, enhancing the integration process for developers.
As traditional machine vision standards like GigE Vision, USB3 Vision, and CoaXPress serve their respective niches well, there is an increasing urgency among manufacturers to adopt solutions that provide greater integration and cost-effectiveness. Gili Friedman, Head of the Cross-Industry Business Unit at Valens Semiconductor, highlighted that MIPI A-PHY offers unparalleled benefits, including ample bandwidth to support high-resolution cameras, lengthy link distances, and exceptional noise immunity. According to Friedman, there's a surge of new products already being developed using their reference design, a partnership with Imavix that transformed existing challenges into opportunities.
Imavix's CEO, Jan Pech, emphasized the significance of their collaboration with Valens, stating that their IP development successfully addresses the industry's need to connect to Industrial PCs (IPCs). This solution represents a shift away from conventional standards, allowing smoother transitions into modern applications using standardized machine vision software. Yusuke Muraoka, President of CIS Corporation, expressed pride in launching the first A-PHY-compliant camera for machine vision, projecting major advancements for their clients in various fields, including factory automation, robotics, and intelligent transport systems.
The joint demonstration of this pioneering platform and A-PHY camera module will take place at the upcoming ITE 2025 exhibition in Yokohama, Japan. Visitors can find Valens at booth #RT-D2 where they can interact with various A-PHY-enabled products. The MIPI Alliance will also collaborate with Valens to present informative sessions on the A-PHY standard's applications in machine vision, exemplified through a presentation titled "MIPI A-PHY Applications in Industrial Imaging - Machine Vision and Industrial Camera Use Cases" slated for December 3rd.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of connectivity and imaging technologies, Valens Semiconductor and Imavix Engineering stand at the forefront, reshaping what is possible in machine vision through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to meeting the industry's climbing demands.