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OPINION | EMBEDDED VISION

Shaping the Scene for EMVA 1288 AND GENICAM STANDARDS
FOR IMAGE PROCESSING
Vision Standardization The EMVA currently hosts four machine-
vision standards. One is EMVA 1288, which
has become a globally established standard
for describing and comparing the image
By Werner Feith, European Machine Vision Association quality of cameras. Selecting the appropriate
camera for a particular image-processing
An embedded-vision standard can be built on earlier application often proves to be a challenging
task. The datasheets provided by manufac-
standardization experiences. turers can be difficult or even impossible to
compare. In addition, important informa-
IN MANY TECHNOLOGIES, standardization is the technological gateway to a barrier-free tion is not always available, leaving users
world. Standards simplify the adoption and integration of a technology; they reduce learning costs little option other than to perform a costly
for users as well as development costs for suppliers. For machine vision as a still relatively young comparison test. This is where the EMVA
technology, the global, joint standardization efforts of the past 15 years have been key to adoption. 1288 standard comes into play. It defines a
Since 2009, international machine-vision associations have been working under the umbrella of uniform method for measuring, calculating,
the so-called G3 Initiative to advance existing standardization initiatives and explore new fields of and presenting specification parameters for
standardization both within machine vision and in cooperation with adjacent vertical industries. cameras and image sensors, thereby creating
The European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) is one of the five G3 partners. transparency for comparing them.
Equally fundamental to the machine-
STANDARDIZATION CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED vision industry is the Generic Interface for
It is important to understand the mechanisms for how standardization comes about. The associ- Cameras, better known as GenICam. Today’s
ations, as the hosting organizations of a standard, primarily provide the framework. The actual digital cameras are packed with a multitude
work is done within the standard working groups, whose members are usually seconded by com- of functionalities. As a result, the complexity
panies that have an interest in the development of the respective standard, such as to integrate of the programming interface for cameras
it into their products. As a result, companies that would otherwise be competing in the market has continually increased. In this context, the
cooperate within the working group in the development of the standard. Furthermore, members GenICam standard has become the worldwide
of the working groups represent the scientific and research communities. All working groups are backbone for plug-and-play operation of
basically open for cooperation. For the G3 effort, therefore, anyone who would like to contribute cameras and devices in machine vision, with
is invited to contact the relevant working group or the EMVA as one of the hosting associations. all other established machine-vision hardware

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JUNE 2021 | www.eetimes.eu