Camera Engineering: IP cores, design services, and development of customized FPGA-based CMOS camera systems.
Helion GmbH
Duisburg (Headquarter)New on Amplifa
About Helion Vision
Helion GmbH is a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute IMS, founded in Duisburg in 2003, and specializes in camera engineering and image processing. The company develops and implements IP cores for real-time image pre- and post-processing in FPGA devices and offers comprehensive design services for customized camera systems, imaging modules, and complete camera and display systems. The range of services includes feasibility studies, PCB layout and manufacturing, software implementation, prototype development on its own VESTA technology platform, as well as component sourcing, manufacturing and quality assurance up to mass production planning. The licensable IONOS ISP library comprises more than 150 individual IP cores and supports image sensors up to 16 MP with HDR image processing up to 192 dB scene dynamic range. With over 20 years of experience in image pre-processing, Helion serves the Automotive, Medical, Security, and Industrial sectors. The company is represented worldwide through Macnica ATD Europe (formerly ATD Electronique, sales partnership since 2011).
- Site
- Duisburg
- Processes
- FPGA Design Services (Image Processing IP Cores IONOS ISP), Customized Camera Development (camera development), PCB Layout and Manufacturing, Software Implementation, Feasibility Studies, Components Supply, Manufacturing & Quality Assurance (Mass Production), Prototyping on VESTA Technology Platform (Rapid Prototyping), Image Processing Training Courses / Support Seminars
- Materials
- CMOS Image Sensors (SoC: VGA to 5MP, Non-SoC: VGA to 16MP), Aptina Image Sensors, Sony Image Sensor Head Boards, FPGA (Lattice ECP3, LatticeECP3-70 / LFE3-70EA), FPGA (Lattice ECP5), Varioptic liquid autofocus lens, Sunex lens, TFT Display Systems
- Founded
- 2003
- Industries
- Automotive, Medical, Security/Video Surveillance, Industrial
- 01
Support & Consulting
- 02
Feasibility Study / Requirements Specification
- 03
Prototype Development on the VESTA Platform
- 04
PCB Layout and Manufacturing
- 05
Software Implementation
- 06
Component Sourcing, Manufacturing & Quality Assurance
- 07
Mass Production Planning
Technologies & Components
IONOS Imaging IP Cores
Library with more than 150 IP cores for image pre- and post-processing, licensable in whole or in part.
CMOS Image Sensors
SoC sensors from VGA to 5 MP, non-SoC sensors from VGA to 16 MP, among others from Aptina and Sony.
Lattice FPGAs (ECP3, ECP5)
Carrier platform for real-time image processing, integrated in the HDR-60 camera development kit.
HDR Image Processing
HDR/WDR pipelines with up to 192 dB (32-bit) scene dynamic range and HDRI tone mapping.
TFT Display Systems
Subject of consulting and engineering services.
Lenses (Sunex, Varioptic Liquid Autofocus)
Used on Helion head boards such as the NanoVesta Head Board.
Site
Duisburg
DEHeadquarter, Development & Engineering
- Lot size
- Prototypes to series production
- Materials
- CMOS Image Sensors, Lattice FPGAs, TFT Displays
- VESTA Camera Development Platform
- HDR-60 Base Board (LatticeECP3 FPGA)
- NanoVesta Head Board
- ECP5 Versa Development Kit
Products & Assemblies
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FPGA Design Services (Image Processing IP Cores IONOS ISP)Engineering | – | – | – | – | FPGA |
| Customized Camera Development (camera development)Engineering | – | – | – | – | CMOS Image Sensors |
| PCB Layout and ManufacturingEngineering | – | – | – | – | PCB |
| Software ImplementationEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Feasibility StudiesEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Components Supply, Manufacturing & Quality Assurance (Mass Production)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Prototyping on VESTA Technology Platform (Rapid Prototyping)Engineering | – | – | – | – | CMOS Image Sensors, FPGA |
| Image Processing Training Courses / Support SeminarsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Consulting Services (CMOS Image Sensor Technology, TFT Display Systems)Engineering | – | – | – | – | CMOS Image Sensors, TFT Display |
4 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera Development Platform VESTA (modular: image sensor boards, FPGA processing boards, interface | Helion VESTA | – | Board sizes 25mm x 36mm x 50mm | – | Duisburg |
| Camera Development Kit HDR-60 Base Board | Lattice Semiconductor HDR-60 (LatticeECP3 FPGA) | – | – | – | Duisburg |
| NanoVesta Head Board (Aptina sensor, Sunex lens) | Helion NanoVesta | – | – | – | Duisburg |
| Development Kit ECP5 Versa Development Kit | Lattice Semiconductor ECP5 Versa | – | – | – | Duisburg |
Additional services
Reference customers
History
- 2003
Founded as a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute IMS, Duisburg
- 2011
Start of business relationship with ATD Electronique (Montesson, France)
- 2012
Joint enhancement of the Lattice HDR-60 evaluation board (Sony head boards, Varioptic liquid autofocus lens)
- 2015
Presence at the Altera SoC Developers Forum; cooperation on the Lattice ECP5 Versa Development Kit