Vivotek Supreme IP8151 Quick reference guide

VIVOTEK Supreme Series
Professional Network Camera- IP8151
White Paper

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Contents
1. Introduction.................................................................................... 3
2. Sensor Technology........................................................................ 4
3. Application..................................................................................... 5
4. Real-time H.264 1.3 Megapixel...................................................... 8
5. Conclusion..................................................................................... 9

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1. Introduction
IP8151 represents the first in VIVOTEK’s SUPREME series of
professional security cameras, integrating a host of professional features
and unparalleled image quality for discerning users and demanding
applications. One of the key characteristics of the IP8151 is the newly
developed SONY Exmor11.3 Megapixel CMOS image sensor, designed
for situations which require exceptional performance in nighttime and low
light conditions. While megapixel cameras traditionally require a high
level of lighting for maximum picture clarity, with the improvement in new
sensor technology, the resulting IP8151 camera offers as one of its
significant features Supreme Night Visibility.
Fig.1 IP8151 is the first VIVOTEK Supreme Series network camera.
A conventional megapixel image sensor is the same size as a standard
VGACMOS sensor, with more pixels at a smaller size in the same area to
achieve the improved picture clarity. The drawback of this traditional
sensor design is that the change in light sensitivity raises the dB value of
the signal-to-noise ratio. In other words, a traditional megapixel CMOS
sensor produces more noise under low light conditions due to its physical
limitations, resulting in more light required for a clearer picture.
To combat this, VIVOTEK utilizes sensor technology and digital signal
1Exmor is a trademark of SONY Corporation.

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processing for higher sensitivity by increasing the amount of light
captured and reduce noise when analog-digital (A/D) conversion, thereby
improving the low light performance of a megapixel IP camera. Supreme
Night Visibility is a key feature of VIVOTEK’s latest product offerings,
allowing for low light visibility in color equal or better to that of traditional
analog or CCD cameras. First introduced in the IP8330, and with
continued refinement in the IP8151, this feature is key for users looking
for exceptional low light visibility.
2. Sensor Technology
The sensor technology used in the IP8151 is a groundbreaking
technology developed by SONY for the Exmor sensor, featuring the
column-parallel A/D conversion technique that meets or surpasses the
performance of CCD sensors while retaining the benefits of CMOS. This
new generation of CMOS sensors combines high sensitivity with low
noise, eliminating the traditional drawbacks of megapixel CMOS sensors.
As shown in Figure2, a pixel on a CMOS sensor consists of an on-chip
micro-lens, color filter, and inner lens to collect light, followed by the
wiring layer and photodiode. When the light passes through the micro
lens, color filter, and inner lens, it reaches the photodiode for
photon-to-digital conversion. Between the inner lens and the photodiode
is the wiring layer. If the wiring layer is too thick, it inhibits or obstructs
photon gathering, and thus reduces the light sensitivity of sensor. On the
other hand, by using copper (Cu) wiring to reduce the thickness of the
wiring layer, it allows the light to be collected effectively. As a result, the
camera provides color images with excellent sensitivity and visibility,
even in nighttime conditions.
Fig. 2 Cross-section of a pixel on a CMOS sensor.
Conventional Structure Structure with Cu Wiring
Micro lens
Color filter
Al wiring
Light receiving surface
Photodiode
Inner lens
Cu wiring

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3. Noise Reduction
High quality video and images rely on not only the image sensor, but also
the image signal processing (ISP) technology, which has been the
expertise of VIVOTEK for complete integration of the components of
camera sensor technology.
As the light signals are converted into electrical signals by the photodiode
array, these signals are then sent to the analog-to-digital conversion
(ADC) circuits, located adjacent to the photodiode on the upper portion of
the chip. Electronic noise is generated during the conversion process of
analog signals reaching the A/D converter (Figure 3). Under certain
conditions, even the occurrence of single-electron noise will be visible in
the image.
The new A/D conversion circuit design enables automatic noise
cancellation and reduction to dramatically improve the image quality of
analog signals before A/D conversion. After conversion, the noise is
further reduced for noise-free signals and unparalleled image quality
(Figure 4).
Fig. 3 Signal processing in a conventional CMOS sensor.
Noise
Reduction
Noise
Build-up

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Fig.4 Signal processing in the SONY Exmor sensor.
4. Application
SONY’s Exmor has already been deployed in consumer electronics such
as digital cameras and digital camcorders and has proven to be a great
success in capturing video in low light conditions. Thus, with the IP8151,
which features the IMX035 sensor specifically designed for the security
market, this next-generation camera can surpass the performance of
traditional cameras in low light environments.
Although most IP camera vendors recommend a minimum of 40 pixels
per foot in a scene to capture details such as license plates or faces,
during nighttime and poor lighting conditions, this can grow to as many as
120 pixels per foot. With the improved light sensitivity of the IP8151, a
scene which may have required 120 pixels per foot previously may be
recognizable at 95 pixels per foot or lower, even in low light conditions!
Thus, a scene which may have required a higher megapixel camera may
now easily be captured with the 1.3MP IP8151 camera.
Let’s look at a real-world example where security is prevalent: casinos.
The lighting in the interior of a casino or around the gaming machines
may not provide enough ambient lighting to monitor activity clearly. At the
same time, bright lighting may not always be possible as they may
interfere with the atmosphere or décor of the locale. In such cases, the
Noise
Reduction Noise Reduction

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importance of monitoring with a suitable camera such as IP8151 with
sufficient performance in low light such is ideal. The megapixel resolution
can help to monitor important details much more clearly, with details such
as face recognition and players’ movements easily recognizable. At the
same time, low light sensitivity allows the camera maintain a high shutter
speed to avoid blurring that may occur when monitoring a moving object.
Fig.5 The additional clarity of the IP8151 results in more ease in distinguishing
vehicle features.
Another example where low lux megapixel cameras are ideal is highway
or traffic monitoring. Typically, an extremely high shutter speed is
required to capture vehicles moving at high speeds, especially for license
plate recognition. This may not be as difficult in day time, but at night,
merely a high shutter speed is not enough; it also needs to be paired with
more lighting and/or better light sensitivity. By utilizing the new VIVOTEK
IP8151 and the Exmor sensor for low light sensitivity, the additional clarity
results in clearer recognition of distinguishing vehicle features, offering
better clarity and a 15-20%+ improvement in pixels per foot required.

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5. H.264 Real-time 1.3 Megapixel
In addition to low light sensitivity, the IP8151 has also adopted Texas
Instruments' newest video processor chipset named DaVinci2, which is
specifically geared toward professional video applications has a number
of features which also help to enhance image quality even further. The
chip itself features an ISP (Image Signal Processor) which allows for
additional processing of the raw video captured by the lens and sensor,
reducing the burden on the camera CPU and allowing for video quality on
the level of CCD sensors. Although CCD sensors are commonly believed
to feature better image quality than CMOS, the combination of the Exmor
sensor and DaVinci chipset has flattened these discrepancies, and offers
benefits such as reduction in phenomena such as blooming and
smearing which can commonly occur with CCD sensors.
Fig.6 The superb performance of the IP8151 is on par with CCD cameras, even
in night mode.
Beyond the ISP, the power of the DaVanci chipset allows for the perfect
transmission of 1.3-megapixel resolution video at 30fps compressed with
H.264. The H.264 compression technology is able to decrease bandwidth
usage and storage space up to 30% compared to MPEG4 and is the
common accepted standard for professional IP Surveillance today.
2DaVinci is a trademark of Texas Instruments.

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6. Conclusion
Megapixel technology is one of the key driving factors behind the growth
of Network cameras. Traditionally, megapixel cameras require more light
to achieve the picture clarity for object identification. With 1.3-megapixel
being the most popular megapixel camera standard today, VIVOTEK has
explored how to achieve better image quality and usability through
integration of the latest technologies. By using not only the SONY Exmor
sensor for Supreme Night Visibility, but also 30fps, H.264, and much
more, the IP8151 sets the standard in all fields of surveillance
applications.
Fig.7 Example of Supreme Night Visibility of the IP8151 in an extremely low light
environment.
Note: All screenshots in this document were taken with a 60mm lens.