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READY FOR PROJECT START
phyBOARD®-Pollux
Imaging kit
Embedded Vision development kit with NXP i.MX 8M Plus and phyCAM-M camera
- phyCORE-i.MX 8M Plus processor board
- 2 MIPI CSI-2 inputs
- 2 integrated image signal processors (ISP)
- NPU Neural Processing Unit
- Incl. Global Shutter HD color camera
- Ready to go: pre-installed Linux image with integrated V4L2 camera driver
- 4x Cortex-A53 and 1x Cortex-M7 processor cores
- Two independent phyCAM-M MIPI CSI-2 camera interfaces
- Hardware video encoder / decoder (H.264 / H.265)
- Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 3.0, miniPCIe
First division embedded vision
The phyBOARD‑Pollux with i.MX 8M Plus module opens up a new performance class for embedded vision applications:
- The integrated image signal processors (ISP) process the camera image data independently of the CPU. Bayer demosaicing of high-resolution live streams is possible in real time without CPU load.
- Two independent camera interfaces for MIPI CSI ‑ 2 camera modules of the last generation. With the standardized phyCAM ‑ M connector on the base board, different camera boards can easily be connected.
- The 1,6 GHz Quad Cortex-A53 NXP processor with an M7 real-time coprocessor enables the construction of completely new and powerful image processing systems.
- The advanced video encoder and decoder can also process H.265 formats in both directions.
Kit contents:
- phyBOARD-Pollux base board
- phyCORE-i.MX 8M Plus module
- Camera module VM-016-COL-M-M12
- Lens M12 (S-Mount), f = 12 mm
- Embedded Linux BSP
- pre-installed software image including camera driver
- preinstalled libraries: OpenCV, GStreamer
- reference schematics
- Commissioning guarantee
- power supply, cable
Sales manager Ralf Orschau explains the possibilities of the i.MX 8M Plus platform.
AI edge computing
The first module with an integrated neural coprocessor accelerates the processing of AI and machine learning drastically. The NPU unit with 2,3 TOPS can speed up the processing of neural networks by a factor of 20. Even more complex tasks can be calculated on the module without having to edit the data in the cloud. The NPU is integrated in the BSP via TensorFlow Lite.
Exceptional connectivity
The phyBOARD ‑ Pollux integrates the greatest possible variety of interfaces:
In addition to the two phyCAM‑M interfaces, the board has, among other things, 2x USB 3.0, 2x CAN FD, 2x Gigabit Ethernet, miniPCIe, LVDS display, MIPI DSI, HDMI, audio and digital I/Os.
Integrated ISP (Image Signal Processor)
The i.MX 8M Plus has two integrated Image Signal Processors (ISPs). These prepare the image data from the camera sensor for subsequent image processing without consuming CPU resources. The ISPs take on a lot of routine work that would otherwise be done in software or even on a separate chip. This makes the entire image processing system more cost-effective and performant.
Many of these functions require calibration for the camera and/or lens used. In some cases, calibration to the specific application environment may also be necessary.
Selected board-level cameras from our phyCAM series are already pre-calibrated for use with the phyCORE i.MX 8M Plus module. This means that basic ISP functions can be used directly.
These functions are already included as a basic calibration in the BSP of the
phyCORE-i.MX 8M Plus module for selected camera modules include:
Process | Description | VM016 VM116 | VM017 VM117 |
| demosaic | Conversion of the sensor's raw color data into RGB values | -COL | -COL |
| Denoise/Sharpen filter | visual image quality improvement | ● | ● |
| AEC (Auto Exposure Control) | automatic exposure control (base calibrated) | ● | ● |
| AWB (Auto White Balance) | automatic white balance (for color cameras, basic calibration) | -COL | -COL |
| BLC (Black Level Correction) | Black level equalization (for cameras without internal BLC) | ● | ○ |
| Defect Pixel Cluster Correction | automatic correction of defective pixels (for cameras without internal DPC) | ○ | ○ |
| WDR3 (Wide Dynamic Range) | Emphasizing details in difficult lighting conditions | ● | ● |
-COL = only required in color version
● = supported
○ = supported, not required
So that you can optimally benefit from the ISP functions of the i.MX 8M Plus in your application, we offer an individual calibration service for your application. As a result, you will receive a calibration file for your phyCORE-i.MX 8M Plus operating system for your special combination of board-level camera, lens and application parameters, which makes the desired ISP functions usable in your application.
Better integrated – faster in series production
The kit is based on the series-ready components phyCORE‑i.MX 8M Plus and phyCAM VM‑016‑M camera module. You develop with exactly the components that will later be used in your series device. This makes the transition to series production particularly easy and safe. Use our support, our enclosed reference circuit diagrams and our preliminary work for your designs or develop your design with us. The phyBOARD-Pollux Embedded Imaging Kit can also be delivered with other hardware configurations (e.g. with other camera modules of the phyCAM‑M series). Let us put together your individual dream kit.
| Ethernet | 2x 10/100/1000 Mbit/s |
| Wireless | 802.11 b/g/n (ac) 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz (via optional Wi-Fi Adapter) |
| Bluetooth | BLE 4.2 |
| USB | 2x 3.0 Host |
| Serial | 1x RS-232/RS-485 Full Duplex/RS-485 Half Duplex |
| CAN | 2x CAN FD |
| Digital I/O | optional via Expansion Connector |
| PCle | 1x miniPCIe |
| Mass Memory | microSD Card Slot |
| Display | LVDS (1x 4 lanes or 1x 8 lanes) , MIPI DSI (1x 4 lanes), HDMI |
| Audio | SAI via A/V Connector |
| Camera | 2x MIPI CSI-2 (phyCAM-M) |
| Expansion Bus | I²C, SPI, SDIO (8-bit), UART, JTAG, USB |
| JTAG | via Expansion Connector |
| User Control Elements | 1x Reset Button, 1x On/Off, 1x Boot source select |
| Boot Source | eMMC, SD Card, NOR, USB Serial Download, Internal Fuses |
| Camera model | HD Color Camera module VM-016-COL-M-M12 |
| Resolution | 1280 x 800 (1 MPixel) |
| Color/Monochrome | color |
| Interface | phyCAM-M (MIPI CSI-2) |
| Connector Type | FFC/FPC 30 pin, 0.5 mm pitch |
| Image Sensor | AR0144 |
| Shutter Type | Global |
| Frame Rate (full-size) | 60 fps (max.) |
| Lens Mount | M12 |
| Lens | f = 12 mm, M12 (S-Mount) |
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