Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: pca@reality.demon.co.uk (Patrick Arnold)
Path: brunix!cat.cis.Brown.EDU!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!demon!reality.demon.co.uk!pca
Subject: VVL chip cameras
Organization: Creative Realities Ltd.
Reply-To: pca@reality.demon.co.uk
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Date: Wed, 3 Aug 1994 10:19:07 +0000
Message-ID: <775909147snz@reality.demon.co.uk>
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Hi all.

I just this minute got some more datasheets through on the VLSI Vision chip
camera that produces digital output, the VVL1070. Quoting from their 
datasheet, the specs are as follows.

160x160 pixel array
4 image formats (120x120, 120x160, 160x120, 160x160)
10.5um sq. pixel size
1.68mm sq. effective array size
2000:1 ranger exposure control
gain control
frame rate variable from 0.5 to 24 fps
onchip 8 bit ADC
automatic dark current compensation
onchip optical shielding
serial or parallel digital output
analog output
power consumption <100mW at 5v
44 pin LCC or PQFP package

The chip needs about 30 or so external resistors and capacitors to set 
various bias voltages, etc, and seems to be very easy to drive. In digital 
mode, it gives a clock pulse out every time a pixel is ready to be read, 
which could be used to clock the data into a FIFO. Connecting it to a CPU 
should be very easy to do.

The camera has a facility for simple automatic exposure control, over a wide 
range. It needs an external clock that can range from 260kHz to 48MHz, at TTL
levels. The thing looks like it will be ideal for robotics purposes. The data
says that it will be available from August in sample quantity, and September 
in production quantities. Price is not mentioned, but it is being pushed for
use in toys, etc, so it can't be too expensive! It is distributed by Kudos 
Thame Ltd, 55 Suttons Park, London Road, Reading, Berkshire,RG6 1AZ England.
Their phone number is (0734) 351010, and their fax number is (0734) 351030.

I am thinking of doing a PCB for it, incorporating an 8 bit FIFO, that could
be linked to any 8 bit microprocessor bus, as soon as I can lay hands on a 
sample.

Hope this is of interest.

Patrick.

-- 
Patrick Arnold - Creative Realities Ltd.
pca@reality.demon.co.uk
Any Opinions(tm) in this message are mine unless stated otherwise!
