Hardware Design of Thermal Night-Vision Camera System

Executive Summary

Our customer is a global leader in Infrared cameras, night vision and thermal imaging systems.

thermal-night-vision-camera

The customer engaged eInfochips to develop and deliver 2 different versions of their thermal camera – the low-end version with basic features and an enhanced surveillance solution by incorporating advanced features as per market requirements. eInfochips system design team delivered these Camera models successfully, which enabled the customer camera to detect any minor bodies like power lines, trees and other obstacles with improved visibility in "brown out" conditions.

eInfochips leveraged our past experience to integrate and optimize the customers proprietary algorithm, which enriched the camera performance with improved visibility in haze, rain, smoke, smog, dust and total darkness and thus is capable of identifying difficult, rugged and sloping terrain and detecting runway incursions. Our amplified offshore engagement model saved over 50% of total cost of ownership of the thermal camera to the customer.

The Customer

Our customer is a global leader in Infrared cameras, night vision and thermal imaging systems. Their products play pivotal roles in a wide range of industrial, commercial and governmental activities in more than 60 countries.
Being one of the Pioneers in the commercial infrared camera industry, the Company has been supplying thermography and night vision equipment to science, industry, law enforcement and the military force for over 30 years.
They offer the widest selection of infrared cameras - from predictive maintenance, condition monitoring, non-destructive testing, R&D, medical science, temperature measurement and thermal testing to law enforcement, surveillance, security and manufacturing process control to pros.

The Challenge

  • Understanding the existing system properly.
  • Designing the innovative features to enhance the existing surveillance solution of our customer.
  • Meeting the deadline - Team eInfochips had to complete the board design in a very short period of time as the customer was in an urgency to launch an advanced surveillance solution to meet the market requirements

The Solution

Design & Development
eInfochips was associated with the project to enhance the existing surveillance solution of our customer by incorporating advanced proprietary features to address the future market requirements.
eInfochips, based on customer’s proprietary requirements, developed technical specifications, and developed a complete board design and hardware design (based on Texas Instruments’ DM355) including BSP, peripherals driver development, Test application, environmental testing & manufacturing assistance.
Based on these requirements eInfochips has developed the following features:

  • Team eInfochips developed a DM355 based 8 layers Video board design based on technical specifications for security/surveillance product family which can enhance the visibility. .
  • To incorporate the Application Development, eInfochips’ team has developed a BSP Board Support Package
  • As the visibility in various conditions had to be improved eInfochips has developed Firmware, Drivers and Test Application to make the surveillance solution efficient.
  • eInfochips has supported the customer throughout , working with the 3rd party vendors related to prototyping and manufacturing and made the product launch successful.

Software
Team eInfochips enhanced the surveillance solution by the following additional features

  • Expert team has developed high-level SRS to make the vision clear.
  • Peripherals driver development was important & critical and eInfochips has incorporated this successfully with board support package development

Testing
With various test applications eInfochips has tested surveillance solution and delivered it with quality on time.

  • Team eInfochips developed test application with
    • Single channel capture and display
    • Perform other optional developments as desired

With this eInfochips has delivered all sources, patches and test applications on time to give an edge to the customer by introducing an advanced surveillance solution.
This proper testing of the system has helped the customer immensely in successfully releasing the product and the expert team of eInfochips supported the customer in mass production to give an edge in the market.

The Technology

  • TI DM355 Platform

The Benefit

  • eInfochips’ implemented proprietary advanced features to enable our customer to meet their go-to-market and at the same time achieve up to 50% saving on total cost of ownership
  • Adhering to our Brand Promise of “On Time Every Time” eInfochips executed the project as per schedule based on our CMMI Level 3 project management practices
  • eInfochips leveraged our past expertise and experience in this sector and suggested additional feature enhancements which we delivered at 25% time saving