HD streaming Video/Audio platform for Smart Homes

GainSpan Corporation in collaboration with GEO Semiconductor and ON Semiconductor introduces a low-power, battery-operated video doorbell reference design capable of streaming high definition (HD)  video and two-way, telephony quality audio over Wi-Fi networks. Developed in response to the rapidly growing IoT market for video/audio streaming products in the home, the reference design platform speeds time to market and reduces product development cost and cycle times for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Through this partnership, customers benefit from the leadership each company has shown in its respective field: GEO Semiconductor’s low power, highly integrated video encoder solutions, ON Semiconductor’s leading image sensor solutions and GainSpan’s expertise in low-power, cloud-connected Wi-Fi solutions.

The solution features GEO’s power-efficient MAX64380 video compression chip and ON Semiconductor’s AR0330 CMOS image sensor integrated with GainSpan’s GS2011M low power, Wi-Fi module on a small printed circuit board.  The GainSpan GS2011M serves as the system host controller, running embedded streaming protocols and application software, also developed by GainSpan. The platform delivers crisp 1080p (1920×1080) HD video at 30 frames per second and utilizes the MAX64380’s internal audio processing features to deliver high quality, full duplex voice audio with on-board acoustic echo cancellation and noise reduction.   The platform is an ideal, low power and cost-effective reference design for internet-connected video doorbell and smart camera products. The platform’s wireless connectivity features and software enable video and audio streaming directly to smartphones that use either iOS or Android operating systems or through cloud connections. The solution comprises hardware and software needed for engineers to quickly and simply add video and audio streaming capabilities into their IoT-based product designs, thereby reducing development costs and accelerating time to market. The GS-ADK-Video+FD Audio-1080p ADK is accompanied by a complete software suite, plus a series of sophisticated mobile Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and mobile demo applications for Android and iOS devices. The ADK is available through GainSpan and its distributors.

“GEO Semiconductor is pleased to partner with GainSpan and ON Semiconductor to create system solutions that meet customer needs for emerging markets where low power, high quality video and 2 way audio communications are key requirements. GEO believes the rich feature set of this joint design will exceed customer expectations and fill a void in the IoT marketplace,” says Ronald Allard, Vice President Worldwide Sales at GEO Semiconductor Inc.

Central to this solution is ON Semiconductor’s AR0330 1/3-Inch optical format CMOS image sensor, which delivers superior imaging quality in low light conditions. Using its 2304 x 1296 active-pixel array, this device has the capacity to capture 3 megapixel (MP) still images. It also incorporates advanced on-chip camera features, such as column/row subsampling, windowing, mirroring and snapshot modes.

“This cooperative agreement with GainSpan and GEO Semiconductor, and the products that will be derived from it, will have considerable positive impact on the IoT sector. The attributes that each company brings to the partnership complement each other perfectly,” states Radhika Arora, IoT Product Line Manager, Automotive Imaging and Scanning Division at ON Semiconductor. “This allows us to fully capitalise upon the possibilities for video-enabled IoT implementations, in home automation, security, smart lighting, building access and infant monitoring systems.”

“By expanding our partnership with GEO Semiconductor and ON Semiconductor we are providing customers with a truly cost-effective, low-power wireless video and 2-way audio platform,” says Richard Najarian, GainSpan senior director, solutions marketing. “Product manufacturers can leverage the system and software integration advantages of the platform to greatly speed up development of their IoT video and audio-based offerings.”