NXP's Flexible camera interface

NXP LPC1857-based
design for 8-bit
camera interface
Flexible camera interface
Use this complete design example to add image-based features to your application. The
unique camera-to-MCU connection eliminates the need for a dedicated camera interface
and supports any clocked parallel camera module.
KEY FEATURES
`` Full design based on Keil MCB1800 evaluation board
`` 180 MHz ARM® Cortex™-M3 LPC1857 microcontroller
- 1 MB Flash, 136 kB SRAM, 16 kB EEPROM
- SCTimer/PWM subsystem
- Quad SPIFI interface
- Two 12 Mbps USB controllers
- Two CAN 2.0B controllers
- 10/100 Ethernet
- Graphic LCD controller
- External memory controller
- Two 8 ch/10 b ADCs, one 10-bit DAC
`` 8-bit OmniVision OV7670 QVGA camera module
`` Includes source code
`` Compatible with Keil µVision 4.70 IDE
TARGET APPLICATIONS
`` Toys
`` Face detection
`` Doorbell cameras
`` Biometrics authentication
`` Automated inspection
`` Quality assurance (detection of defects, flaws, missing parts)
`` Part sorting and identification
`` Barcode reading & verification
`` Camera-based fire or smoke detection
This camera-in-a-box design example, built around a powerful
NXP LPC1857 MCU, provides everything needed to add entrylevel camera functionality to an application.
Developers can use the design example to create a wide
range of imaging-related features. In the consumer segment,
they can use it to capture images and devices that support
face detection. In the security segment, they can add imaging
for use in biometric authentication, doorbell cameras, or
camera-based detection of fire or smoke. And in industrial
and manufacturing environments, developers can use the
camera function to enable automated inspection, part sorting
and identification, barcode reading and verification, and
quality-assurance functions such as detecting flaws, defects, or
missing parts.
The image-capture function uses only 8% of the full CPU
capacity, so the LPC1857 MCU has plenty of bandwidth left
over for image processing and connectivity. The LPC1857 also
supports a number of formats for outputting image data and/
or image analysis.
The design example eliminates the need for a dedicated
camera interface by using a highly flexible, patent-pending
peripheral, called the state-configurable timer and PWM
module (SCTimer/PWM). The SCTimer/PWM is available on
several NXP MCU families, so developers can use the design
example to explore features and then select a different MCU
for production. This gives developers the option to choose
from a range of supported features and functionality, and lets
developers create designs that are smaller, more compact, and
less expensive to produce.
The design example is equipped with an OmniVision OV7670
COMPLETE DESIGN
The design example is shipped with all the necessary
components for an image-capture application running on the
LPC1857 MCU. That includes source code, developed using
the Keil MDK-ARM environment and µVision version 4.70, the
OmniVision camera module, an adapter board and USB cable,
and a Quick Start guide.
Additional material, including an application note describing
the camera interface, is available on the design example’s
dedicated LPCware.com project page:
www.lpcware.com/content/nxpfile/an11365-sct-camerainterface-design-lpc1800-and-lpc4300
ABOUT THE LPC1857 MCU
The LPC1857 is a highly integrated MCU based on a 180 MHz
ARM Cortex-M3 CPU. It offers low power consumption,
enhanced debug features, and extensive connectivity options.
camera module that uses an 8-bit parallel output in RGB565
format with support for QVGA mode. The design example
works with any camera module that supports a clocked parallel
interface, so developers can easily swap out the provided
OmniVision module and use the best camera for their
application.
SCTIMER/PWM SUBSYSTEM
The SCTimer/PWM on the MCU works with the SCCB bus
on the camera module to provide all the control, data, and
timing functions for a full camera interface. The camera’s
8-bit data signals are connected to the MCU’s GPIO, and the
Vsync, Hsync, and PixClk signals connect to the SCTimer/PWM
subsystem.
The LPC1857 camera interface
In the design example, the SCTimer/PWM samples the video
data and then transfers it, using general-purpose DMA and
the external memory controller (EMC), to the onboard SDRAM.
Next, the graphic LCD controller on the LPC1857 uses its
dedicated DMA controller and the EMC to pull the frame
buffer data from the SDRAM for display on an LCD panel.
Project page on LPCware.com (includes app note and source code)
www.lpcware.com/content/nxpfile/an11365-sct-camera-interface-design-lpc1800-and-lpc4300
LPC1857 product page
www.nxp.com/products/microcontrollers/cortex_m3/LPC1857FET256.html
www.nxp.com
© 2014 NXP Semiconductors N.V.
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Date of release: February 2014
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