AM6548: 720p 30 fps image pipelining

Hi,

Any inputs on this?

If it’s possible can you recommend me an evaluation board to start with. I prefer the DSP solution and I found that TI has image library but no examples on how to use it to do Image pipe line.

Thank you,

Franz

Franz, 

The title of this thread has AM6548, so I assume you generally referred SOC processors as DSP. But please note that the AM6548 does not have any of the TI C6x of C7x DSP cores, which may be more suitable for DSP/image processing. I will give some broad background then we can zoom in based o your response.

From the description, it seems you like to implement some programmable image pipe processing algorithms on the processor, for up to 720p 30fps. So you will need either a MIPI CSI-2 or Parallel video port to interface with image sensors, then use either a C66x, C7x or any of Arm cores on the device to perform image pipe processing. I list a few class of devices from "overkill" to "small":

1. TDA4, AM57x, TDA3 devices - these devices integrate Arm Cortex A and C66x/C7x DSPs. you can bring in the image from either CSI-2 or parallel port. Note TDA3 is a small device without Cortex A core.  

      https://www.ti.com/product/TDA4VM?keyMatch=TDA4&tisearch=Search-EN-everything&usecase=GPN

      https://www.ti.com/product/AM5749?keyMatch=AM5749&tisearch=Search-EN-everything&usecase=GPN

      https://www.ti.com/product/TDA3LA?keyMatch=TDA3&tisearch=Search-EN-everything&usecase=GPN

2. AM65x as you may already saw the datasheet. 

Please take a look of these devices and try to map to your application, based on:

1. Do you need Bayer processing, or just need to deal with RGB pixels?

2. How complex of your image pipe algorithms

3. What are other processing functions needed in the system, do you need to HLOS like Linux or you just need RTOS or baremetal

4. Are there power/thermal/cost constraints?

If you just need a small, camera-alike processor, maybe start with TDA3 (no HLOS). If you want a highly integrated SOC that support HLOS, image pipe, and some GPU, you may consider AM57x. If you want a 64bit CPU and HLOS to leverage open-source community, maybe AM65x, Finally, if your need a lot of image processing, and 64bit Linux, then TDA4. 

pls feel free to keep the discussion open so we can narrow down to fewer choices. sorry for the delay in response. 

jian 

Franz,

one additional note, some of the devices I mentioned do have build-in hardware image pipe, they are optimized for general purpose sensors or mostly natural light images. i assume they are not what you want but just wan to be sure. 

Jian

Hi Jian,

Thank you for the detailed answers! The customer is interested in TDA3 for Bayer processing. Can we provide an EVM? Please answer offline if you need more project info.

Best regards,

Franz