The Cypress EZ-USB CX3 enables Socionext to launch a 360° panoramic camera design solution

Socionext, a leader in soc-based image solutions, today announced the launch of a 360° panoramic camera design solution with a built-in Milbeaut family of image signal processors.

Socionext's product portfolio includes two products designed to meet the growing demand for 360° camera applications. The semi-professional model is based on the company's SC2000 high-performance processor and features real-time 4K image stitching. The general consumer model was designed in collaboration with Cypress Semiconductor and ImmerVision and has a built-in MBG967 IoT family processor. Both solutions come with board design reference information and a software development kit. Device manufacturers can easily develop customized high-performance ball cameras for their unique applications.

MBG967 designed for the general consumer

The demand for real-time 360° image shooting is increasing rapidly, including applications such as virtual reality video playback. To meet these needs, Socionext, together with Cypress and ImmerVision, has developed a camera attachment capable of connecting to smartphones and other mobile devices. The "EZ-USB® CX3" bridge chip is compatible with USB3.0 and USB 2.0 and supports USB video class(UVC), providing connectivity for high-resolution, high-speed image capture.

ImmerVision's patented Panomorph optical technology and software capture excellent 360° images even on small cameras. With these advanced technologies from our partners, Socionext introduced the MBG967, a 360° camera solution with a built-in MilbeautIoT processor that processes input data from two cameras at the same time. The solution's first product is two 16-megapixel cameras mounted on an 8cm x 8cm circuit board. Socionext will continue to expand its product line to meet a wide range of resolution and frame count requirements.

The SC2000 is designed for semi-professionals

The SC2000 is designed for high-performance cameras that require the ability to process large amounts of image data at high speeds. The product uses Socionext's proprietary image processing algorithms to consume less than 2W in a typical operating environment. Users can connect up to 4 cameras to the SC2000, and its chip has real-time video image stitching function, and the output image quality can reach 4K/30fps. The 360° ball camera with the SC2000 is ideal for applications such as high-end sports cameras and drones. It also provides perfect ball-shaped images for video conferencing systems, theaters and sporting events.