(Click here for a larger view of E-con's e-CAM32_OMAP35x)
E-con, which has previously produced a variety of other e-CAM modules for various platforms, is now targeting the OMAP35x EVM, produced for TI by Mistral (see later in this story for details). The company says its e-CAM32_OMAP35x uses the same 3.2 megapixel Omnivision OV3640 CMOS image sensor as some of its other e-CAMs, but is designed specially to snap onto the OMAP35x EVM's expansion connector (below).


Econ's e-CAM32_OMAP35x mounted on the bottom of TI's OMAP35x EVM
(Click to enlarge)
According to E-con, the e-CAM32_OMAP35x features autofocus, supports strobe or LED flash units, and can capture either still pictures or 30fps, VGA-resolution video. In addition, the device is said to be able to reduce or magnify incoming images, by factors of 0.25 to 4, without any software overhead. This is useful for realtime image analysis applications, the company says.

Background

The TI OMAP35x EVM, designed by Mistral Solutions and marketed by TI, supports the chipmaker's Cortex A8-based OMAP3530, a top model in the OMAP35x product line (below).


TI's OMAP35x product line
(Click to enlarge)
The OMAP35x processors are based on a 600MHz Cortex-A8 core, with integrated peripherals, and target embedded applications and consumer electronics devices. For more information, see our earlier coverage, here.


The top of TI's OMAP35x EVM
(Click to enlarge)
The OMAP35x EVM, pictured above, includes not only an OMAP3530 processor module, but also a main board measuring 7 by 4.25 inches. The combination provides 128MB of RAM, 256MB of flash storage, and a 3.7-inch touchscreen display available in 640 x 480 or 320 x 240 resolutions, says Mistral.

"Real world" interfaces include the following, according to the company:

• USB 2.0
  
• TV-out with both composite and S-Video
  
• Audio line in and headset out
  
• SD/SDIO slot
  
• 10/100Mbps Ethernet
  
• Keypad
  
• I2C
  
• 2 x UART ports
  
• JTAG

Meanwhile, the following additional interfaces are said to be available via the device's expansion connector:

• Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
  
• I2C (2)
  
• UART (3)
  
• MMC/SD (2)
  
• 16-bit GPMC (general-purpose memory controller)
  
• 12-bit digital video in for camera
  
• 4-bit digital video out for display
  
• GPIOs
  
• Embedded trace macrocell interface

According to E-con, its e-CAM32_OMAP35x comes with a Window CE 6.0 driver, supplied in both binary and source code versions. The driver supports Microsoft's DirectShow and closely integrates with the OMAP3530's IVA (image video and audio) 2.2 subsystem, the company says.

Further information

E-con Systems did not release pricing for the e-CAM32_OMAP35x, but the module appears to be available now. More information may be found on the company's website, here.

Meanwhile, the OMAP35x EVM is available now, priced at approximately $1,500. The required OMAP3530 processor module adds another $650, according to Mistral.

For more information on the OMAP35x EVM, see the Mistral Solutions website, here.

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