India-based E-con Systems announced a three megapixel version of its camera daughtercard, intended for the company's Marvell PXA270 reference platform and other products. The "e-CAM" supports Linux, and now offers image stabilization, plus support for LED and strobe flashes, says E-con.

(Click here for a larger view of E-con's three megapixel e-CAM)

E-con's Sirius reference platform
(Click image for more information)The e-CAM includes a daughtercard-mounted image sensor, designed to connect to development platforms such as E-con's own Sirius (right), plus other products marketed by Ka-Ro Electronics, and U.K. VAR (value-added reseller) Direct Insight. The product was first offered in a 1.3 megapixel version, featuring an OmniVision OV9653 CMOS sensor with a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024, and E-con later added a 2 megapixel version that uses an autofocus sensor from Micron and is said to provide up to 1680 x 1024 resolution.

E-con says the newest version of the e-CAM is now built around a three megapixel sensor, Omnivision's OV3640. The sensor features an image stabilization mode that makes it "very much suitable for capturing pictures in low and variable light." Also touted for the three megapixel e-CAM is a focal range from 10cm to infinity, support for LED or strobe flash units, and "ultra-low" power consumption.

Previously, E-con's e-CAMs worked only with Marvell's PXA230 and PXA320 processors, with whose camera interface they were designed to connect. But, according to E-con, the devices can now also operate with other camera interface-equipped CPUs too, mating with development kits shipped by Freescale for its i.MX31 processor, and by RMI for its Alchemy Au1250 CPU.

E-con says the three megapixel version of the e-CAM does not yet include autofocus, but will be upgraded to feature it later. Like the earlier variants, it comes with drivers for Linux 2.6, Windows CE 5.0, 6.0, and Windows Mobile, Video for Linux and Microsoft's DirectShow are both supported, the company adds.

Pricing and availability for the e-CAM was not released. However, more information may be found on the company's website, here.


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