One introduction at the Photokina Trade Show in Koln Germany should make mobile camera manufacturers take note. A partnership of Silicon Hive and Acutelogic just spawned a new family of HiveGo programmable camera imaging subsystems (CSS) for SoC manufacturers in the mobile phone and consumer electronics space.

By co-optimizing leading parallel processing and digital imaging processing technologies, the combined efforts of Silicon Hive and Acutelogic result in the first subsystems that offer programmability at 16 MP images and sufficient processor headroom available to continue to upgrade features and software in the future.

According to Atul Sinha CEO at Silicon Hive, "Driven by consumer demand, the rapid pace in improved image quality and new features in various camera systems requires an integrated, scalable, and flexible camera solution. The partnership enables both companies to profit from technology synergies as well as strong footholds in different market segments and geographies, enabling a worldwide presence and round-the-clock customer support."

The three initial products offered as licensable IP are:

• HiveGo CSS 3016J which targets DSC, DVC and UMPC cameras, incorporates Silicon Hive's 3rd generation HiveFlex ISP 2300 scalable SIMD processor, a control processor, and accelerators for filters, scaling, smooth digital zoom, and distortion correction. The hardware configuration yields ultra-high quality still capture at up to 260 Mega Pixels per second, or 16MP at 15 frames per second (fps) 'on the fly,' or capturing and processing HD video streams at 1080p 60fps. Camera input formats such as SMIA-CCP2 and MIPI-CS12 are supported. Robust GPIO connections for camera systems controls such as lens, focus, and flash are included.
• HiveGo CSS 3012J targets high quality imaging demands of mobile Internet devices (MIDs). The mid product performs still capture at up to 200 Megal Pixels/sec or 12 MP at 15 fps.
• HiveGo CSS 3108J targets high-volume smart phones, performing still capture at up to 130 Mega Pixels/sec or 8 MP images at 15 fps.

"For mobile applications, High Definition movie functions will soon become available in the market place. There is no doubt that such mobile devices will require a high performance feature set and very low power consumption simultaneously. Silicon Hive has finally solved this longtime trade-off issue," said Osamu Fukushima, CEO of Acutelogic.

Acutelogic's image signal processing technology and 3A (Auto White Balance, Auto Exposure, Auto Focus) technology, provide a complete software package. The full range of algorithms provide such highlights as: correcting lens imperfections; noise reduction, removal of artifacts. In total the software library includes over 30 different functions, with more anticipated.

For more information see Silicon Hive