Lattice, Valens collaborate on reference design for surveillance market

The HDBaseT reference design enables up to two cameras to be supported with the output being an HDBaseT CAT5 cable containing both uncompressed video streams. Powered from the power over Ethernet (POE) CAT 5 cable, the solution doesn't require compression at the camera or a local power supply and, according to Lattice and Valens, can drive down the cost of megapixel security cameras. The reference design solution can accept multiple 1080p sensor cameras and transmit uncompressed high definition video over a single 150m CAT5e cable to the dvr. Unlike IP cameras, Lattice and Valens claim that the camera is simpler, cheaper and can provide an excellent image quality with zero latency. Designed to ease the implementation of enhanced video analytics in the dvr with real time monitoring, the architecture is said to simplify installation and remove the need for special configuration or maintenance. This makes it suitable for analogue and PTZ camera replacement or upgrade. Valens' HDBaseT chipset is designed to enable long reach wired connectivity of uncompressed hd content via a standard LAN cable. In addition to the security surveillance market, the capability to transmit uncompressed video also enables use in consumer electronics and professional AV markets. According to Valens, its chipset delivers 'significant' value to the entire home entertainment ecosystem as it can transmit HDMI audio video content in an uncompressed format too. The low power LatticeECP3 fpga device is suitable for multiplexing video streams and formatting data to the Valens HDBaseT Tx driver. It has the necessary memory blocks, fpga logic, SERDES and configurable I/O to implement a variety of applications. Lattice says the device provides manufacturers with ability to adapt and format interfaces to leverage the HDBaseT bandwidth capability. "We are excited to work with Valens Semiconductor and to offer customers a cost effective, compelling technology," said Ted Marena, Lattice's director of Business Development. "We look forward to supporting end customers in the security and surveillance space as well as the consumer electronics market." Eli Ofek, vp, products at Valens, added: "We are delighted to collaborate with Lattice and together offer another unrivalled HDBaseT based architecture that offers an easy to install and simple to use solution for the surveillance market. We are confident that this collaboration will define the next generation of standard cameras for the surveillance industry."