What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Camera Module Suppliers

 

Table 1 Camera module options for industrial equipment

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' UVC Cameras

UVC camera modules are connected via a USB cable. Most webcams connected to PCs for online conferencing and video streaming use these UVC camera modules. The advantage of these modules lies in their ease of use. This is because the module is compliant with the USB Video Class (UVC) standard, meaning the driver software is preinstalled in the computer's OS. The user simply connects the UVC camera to their computer, displaying the image on their monitor. Therefore, there is no need to develop driver software when integrating into industrial equipment. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages. Since UVC cameras are end products in themselves, their external dimensions are large, and their cost is high for camera modules to be incorporated into industrial equipment.

 

' IP Cameras

IP cameras are modules connected via Ethernet cables. The camera has an IP address and can be used simply by connecting the module to the Internet. These devices are sometimes also called network cameras. The main applications for these devices are for surveillance, but they can also be used for integration into industrial equipment. Their advantage is the same ease of use as with UVC cameras. There is no need to develop driver software when integrating a module into industrial equipment. Another advantage is that the connection distance is as long as 100 m. These modules can be used to monitor remote locations. The disadvantages are large external dimensions and high cost, similar to UVC cameras. A further disadvantage is that video signals are compressed for transmission, making real-time transmission impossible, resulting in a video delay of several frames.

 

' Wi-Fi Cameras

Wi-Fi cameras are positioned as a wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) version of the above IP camera. Thus, this allows wireless communication between the camera module and the monitor displaying the images. This wireless communication is the biggest advantage. Moreover, the connection distance can be long, up to approximately 200 m, making it highly user-friendly. The disadvantage of these modules is that, as with IP cameras, real-time transmission is not possible. Furthermore, there is a risk of disconnection depending on the surrounding environment, and the robustness of the connection is relatively low, raising security concerns. In addition, the large external dimensions and high cost for a camera module to be incorporated into industrial equipment may be cited as disadvantages.

 

' MIPI Cameras

MIPI cameras are modules that use MIPI CSI-2, a transmission standard that connects the camera to the SoC inside mobile devices, such as smartphones, as its video output interface. The advantage of using these modules is that the external dimensions are small, and the cost is low because they were originally intended for mobile devices. Further advantages include the possibility of real-time transmission and the robustness of the connection. On the other hand, there are two disadvantages. One is that the connection distance is short, being 30 cm at most. This makes it difficult to apply to industrial equipment where the distance between the camera module and the video processor is far. The other disadvantage is the need to develop driver software and write register code when integrating into industrial equipment. Unlike UVC and IP cameras, MIPI cameras cannot display video footage by simply connecting the camera.
However, the disadvantages related to connection distance can be eliminated to some extent if appropriate measures are taken. Specifically, MIPI cameras can be combined with the V-by-One HS high-speed serial interface from THine Electronics ((5) MIPI Camera + V-by-One HS in Table 1). This combination would extend the connection distance to about 15 m (Fig. 2). Moreover, there are few disadvantages that arise from this combination. The only disadvantage is a slight increase in component and development costs. The advantages of small external dimensions and the robustness of the connection remain unchanged.
 

Fig. 2 Combining a MIPI camera and V-by-One HS
 

The disadvantage of increased development costs when combining MIPI cameras with V-by-One HS can be largely eliminated with the MIPI Camera SerDes Starter Kit offered by THine Electronics. This starter kit includes a complete set of software required to send and receive MIPI CSI-2 signals and also provides a graphic user interface (GUI) tool that automatically generates register codes.

However, integrating a camera module into industrial equipment requires overcoming several obstacles, although they are by no means complicated. The first challenge engineers encounter at industrial equipment manufacturers is camera module selection. At present, there are four major camera module options. Specifically, these four types of camera modules are USB Video Class (UVC) cameras, Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, Wi-Fi cameras, and Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) cameras. These four camera modules are briefly described below.UVC camera modules are connected via a USB cable. Most webcams connected to PCs for online conferencing and video streaming use these UVC camera modules. The advantage of these modules lies in their ease of use. This is because the module is compliant with the USB Video Class (UVC) standard, meaning the driver software is preinstalled in the computer's OS. The user simply connects the UVC camera to their computer, displaying the image on their monitor. Therefore, there is no need to develop driver software when integrating into industrial equipment. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages. Since UVC cameras are end products in themselves, their external dimensions are large, and their cost is high for camera modules to be incorporated into industrial equipment.IP cameras are modules connected via Ethernet cables. The camera has an IP address and can be used simply by connecting the module to the Internet. These devices are sometimes also called network cameras. The main applications for these devices are for surveillance, but they can also be used for integration into industrial equipment. Their advantage is the same ease of use as with UVC cameras. There is no need to develop driver software when integrating a module into industrial equipment. Another advantage is that the connection distance is as long as 100 m. These modules can be used to monitor remote locations. The disadvantages are large external dimensions and high cost, similar to UVC cameras. A further disadvantage is that video signals are compressed for transmission, making real-time transmission impossible, resulting in a video delay of several frames.Wi-Fi cameras are positioned as a wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) version of the above IP camera. Thus, this allows wireless communication between the camera module and the monitor displaying the images. This wireless communication is the biggest advantage. Moreover, the connection distance can be long, up to approximately 200 m, making it highly user-friendly. The disadvantage of these modules is that, as with IP cameras, real-time transmission is not possible. Furthermore, there is a risk of disconnection depending on the surrounding environment, and the robustness of the connection is relatively low, raising security concerns. In addition, the large external dimensions and high cost for a camera module to be incorporated into industrial equipment may be cited as disadvantages.MIPI cameras are modules that use MIPI CSI-2, a transmission standard that connects the camera to the SoC inside mobile devices, such as smartphones, as its video output interface. The advantage of using these modules is that the external dimensions are small, and the cost is low because they were originally intended for mobile devices. Further advantages include the possibility of real-time transmission and the robustness of the connection. On the other hand, there are two disadvantages. One is that the connection distance is short, being 30 cm at most. This makes it difficult to apply to industrial equipment where the distance between the camera module and the video processor is far. The other disadvantage is the need to develop driver software and write register code when integrating into industrial equipment. Unlike UVC and IP cameras, MIPI cameras cannot display video footage by simply connecting the camera.However, the disadvantages related to connection distance can be eliminated to some extent if appropriate measures are taken. Specifically, MIPI cameras can be combined with the V-by-One HS high-speed serial interface from THine Electronics ((5) MIPI Camera + V-by-One HS in Table 1). This combination would extend the connection distance to about 15 m (Fig. 2). Moreover, there are few disadvantages that arise from this combination. The only disadvantage is a slight increase in component and development costs. The advantages of small external dimensions and the robustness of the connection remain unchanged.The disadvantage of increased development costs when combining MIPI cameras with V-by-One HS can be largely eliminated with the MIPI Camera SerDes Starter Kit offered by THine Electronics. This starter kit includes a complete set of software required to send and receive MIPI CSI-2 signals and also provides a graphic user interface (GUI) tool that automatically generates register codes.

From imaging to sensing, Compact Camera Module revenue will exceed $60 billion by .

OUTLINE:

• The CCM[1] market is expected to reach about US$60.2 billion in .
• CCM is driven by innovations in mobile handsets, the adoption of multiple cameras in cars, and emerging consumer applications.
• Some of the CCM applications are now slowly moving from imaging to sensing.
• In CCM manufacturing, China and South Korea together have a market share of about 90%. In , South Korean companies were involved in Samsung and Apple supply chains'

The CCM market grew tremendously in both volume and revenue from to . But then, in , revenue growth fell to 5.9% year-over-year, pushing the market to US$35.9 billion. Looking forward, automotive and consumer products will sustain a new growth cycle beyond mobile, although this will remain the most important market. That will lead to a US$60.2 billion market in , a 9% CAGR[2] from .

In this context, Yole Intelligence has developed a dedicated report to provide market data on key CCM metrics and dynamics. In its new Status of the Camera Module Industry report, the company, part of Yole Group, delivers an in-depth understanding of the CCM value chain, infrastructure, and players, and presents key technical insight and analyses regarding future technology trends and challenges.

According to Florian Domengie, Ph.D., Senior Technology and Market Analyst within the Photonics & Sensing division at Yole Intelligence, part of Yole Group, 'The metaverse will surely drive more camera modules into consumer products. For automotive, increasing levels of autonomy will require more cameras. ADAS[3], viewing, and in-cabin monitoring are integral parts of the future playground. In addition, the growing adoption of medical endoscopic solutions and security cameras will help the market thrive. The transition from imaging to sensing will sustain the camera module industry with many further opportunities'.

The whole supply chain will benefit from this industry momentum, including camera module assembly, CIS[4], optics, lens sets and AF[5]/OIS[6] actuating devices.

Perhaps obviously, the biggest camera module players have the biggest customers. LG Innotek passed US$10 billion in revenue in , benefiting from being Apple's supplier and serving the thriving automotive cameras industry. In contrast, Ofilm is still suffering from the US trade ban on its partner Huawei.

Regarding camera module manufacturing, Chinese and South Korean companies have about 90% of the market.

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Meanwhile, competition in CIS has become more intense. The ecosystem is still dominated by historical leaders like Sony, Samsung, OmniVision, and STMicroelectronics, who are strong players in the mobile and consumer markets.

GalaxyCore, Onsemi, SK Hynix, and SmartSens remain solid challengers and are increasing their shares of the camera module market.

In the lens market, Largan and Sunny Optical hold over 50% of the market and leave the rest far behind. New entrants are appearing in lens sets and AF devices, but historical top players still own high-end OIS.

From the technical side, innovation is expected to shrink devices and boost imaging and sensing performance. More light-sensitive image sensors are being developed. Wafer stacking remains a solid trend, and Sony is even introducing two-layer transistor pixels, from stacking three wafers. The lens set is now being upgraded to seven- or eight-element (7p or 8p) levels.

A 9p lens is also on the way. High-quality optics needs more lenses but adding glass to the lens is another approach. However, physical limitations are now slowing the pace of innovation. A new paradigm is needed, such as free-form or liquid lenses. Metalens devices are perhaps the ultimate evolution to decrease camera module cost and volume and bring new functionalities. For AF and OIS actuators, alternative approaches, such as MEMS actuators, are also appearing. OIS technology has updated from lens-shift to sensor-shift and even module-shift.

Yole Intelligence imaging team invites you to follow the camera module industry and the evolution of the technology on www.yolegroup.com. In this regard, do not miss the 3D Sensing for Consumer Forum , 'From smartphones into the metaverse: 3D sensing is shaping the future of reality', on December 8th. Register here.

Stay tuned!

[1] CCM: CMOS Camera Module

[2] CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

[3] ADAS: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

[4] CIS: CMOS Image Sensors

[6] OIS: Optical Image Stabilisation

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