Ambarella : 一家伟大的视频压缩处理芯片厂商

最近工作比较忙，没有好好的关注业界动态。今天首次听说Ambarella A5s，有种惊艳的感觉查其出身，才知道是Ambarella公司，一家位于加州Santa Clara的初创公司，主营H264压缩处理芯片。说是初创是相对于老牌芯片公司而言。Santa Clara，多少NB公司聚集于此。

Ambarella公司由C-Cube Microsystems公司三位元老于2004年组建。公司执行副总裁 Didier LeGall先生是著名学者，曾任MPEG协会的主席，曾是MPEG-1与MPEG-2标准起草委员会的两任主席。公司中文名为安霸，是低功耗，高清视频压缩和图像处理半导体工业领域的技术领导者，推出了基于最新H.264视频压缩标准的高集成SoC芯片，集成了各种关键系统功能，提供低成本高清整体解决方案。这家2004年才成立的IC设计公司已经在H.264高清专业广播编码设备市场站稳了脚跟，拥有近90% 的市场。而雄厚的技术背景是他们取得这一成绩的
主要原因——据悉，其大部分高管都来自曾经在视频播放器市场名噪一时的C-Cube微系统公司：LeGall本人曾是C-Cube的前任CTO以及联合创始人，该公司CEO Fermi Wang和CTO LesKohn也都分别担任过C-Cube家庭媒体部门的总经理和DVD录像机芯片Domino的首席架构师一职。

公司针对混合型摄像机的A5系列SoC平台现已处于样产阶段，该SoC可在一个很小的封装内实现很多关键的混合型摄像机功能，如1千万像素静态图像、全高清录像、以及快速Internet共享所需的两种分辨率同时录像。

A5家族包括A530、A550和A570。每个都有完整的参考设计。A530可以捕获1千万像素静态图片，同时以720p60和1080p30格式生成和压缩HD视频。A550也支持标准HD广播格式1080i60。A570每秒能捕获60帧高达530万像素图像。这允许在全HD视频录制的同时储存 530万像素的静态照片（16:9宽高比），而不会中断录制。

A5平台已经实现的先进性能包括人脸检测，它可帮助实现自动对焦和局部曝光反差。借助A5平台的双重录制性能，HD和移动视频可在同一时间录制，从而使得用户能够用最高的HD品质录制视频、在互联网上分享视频、以及在他们的移动设备上播放视频。现在已有多款DV/Hybrid Cam采用Ambarella芯片，品牌包括Kodak, SONY, Samsung等。

Ambarella公司的架构也是ARM+视频压缩单元，和TI DaVinci架构类似，尤其是DM6467和DM365。可惜的是Ti的DM6467目标是多路D1，而DM365的ARM9主频和性能都比较低，无一能和Ambarella A5s相当。TI的定位还是基于以前自己的强项：监控和数码相机，因此目前的产品还是朝着多路D1 H264压缩和数码相机的思路走的。而A5s的目标是做Hybrid Camera，即高清摄像机和数码相机的混合，没有多路输入来搅合事儿，就可以一门心思做好单路大分辨率的输入、处理、压缩了。目前A5s系列芯片主要有 A5s25、A5s30、A5s50。最高支持1400万像素输入，H.264/MJPEG编最大支持3200万分辨率，可以同时输4路码流(且帧率可调)，可以逐像素调节对比度使图像达到高动态，功耗不到1w，提供网络流输出，百万像素H264压缩码流可达2M。

安霸公司目前在上海、成都设有分支机构。

英文好的朋友可读读这个：

AMBARELLA A5 HYBRID CAMERA PLATFORM PUTS HIGH-QUALITY PHOTOS AND VIDEO ON A CHIP

Photo fun, full HD video, internet sharing can fit in pocket-sized form factor.

SANTA CLARA, CALIF. – January 5, 2009 -- Ambarella, Inc., the leader in low-power, high- definition video compression and image processing semiconductors, has announced the availability of the A5 system-on-a-chip (SoC) platform for hybrid cameras. The A5 platform enables key hybrid camera functions such as 10 mega-pixel (MP) still images, full high-definition (HD) recording, and simultaneous dual-resolution recording for fast internet sharing. Tucked into a small low-power package, the A5 SoC platform lets consumers take high-quality photos and video in affordably priced pocket-sized cameras.

The A5 family consists of three products: A530, A550 and A570. Each is available with a full reference design. The A530 integrated circuit can capture 10 MP still pictures while generating and compressing high-definition video in both 720p60 and 1080p30 formats. The A550 in addition supports the standard HD broadcast format 1080i60. The A570 captures as many as 5.3 MP at 60 frames per second. This allows full HD video recording while concurrently storing 5.3 MP still images (16:9 aspect ratio) without interrupting the video recording.

Advanced Features
The A5 family includes many advanced features of contemporary cameras -- such as face detection -- to help auto focus and local exposure contrast. On e novel feature is the dual recording capability: Both HD and mobile video are recorded at the same time. Most photographers want to record video in the highest possible HD quality, share the video on the internet, and play it on their mobile.

“By incorporating simultaneous capture of high-resolution stills, HD video and mobile video, the Ambarella A5 will enable a true mass market hybrid camera : on e that combines the best of still photography, HD video recording, and internet video sharing,” said Fermi Wang, Ambarella CEO.

High-Speed Video Capture Technology
The A550 and A570 support sensors with a high-speed serial interface. The A570 captures da ta as fast as 320 MP per second ; this is a number in excess of 60 frames per second at 5.3 MP. As is common in digital still cameras (DSC) and in most HD camcorders, a single color filter array sensor (Bayer) generates red, green and blue primaries (RGB). The A570 converts da ta from Bayer pattern to RGB (de-mosaic-ing) with a virtually artifact free and full-resolution video signal. This is more accurate in terms of clean edges, no Bayer artifacts, etc. than the simple binning (combination of adjacent pixels) commonly used in many cameras. It also yields a higher resolution output than the extrapolative techniques used with three sensors (3 CCD).

Noise Reduction for Still Images and Video
Imaging sensors generate a substantial amount of noise in low light, making it necessary to filter this noise to produce high-quality images. For still cameras, the A5 family implements advanced algorithms to enable clean, high-quality pictures at 3200 ISO . In video the challenge is to reduce the noise without causing a loss of resolution or a loss of detail, and advanced spatio-temporal (3D) filters must be used. Most of the solutions available are motion adaptive and switch from a predominantly temporal to a predominantly spatial filter based on detecting the presence of motion. The Ambarella A5 SoC uses motion compensation instead of being just motion adaptive and truly tracks the motion of the objects in the scene, thereby eliminating typical noise reduction induced motion artifacts.

A Breakthrough in Price and Functionality
The A5 platform represents a breakthrough in price and functionality for high-quality still and full HD video performance at a mass-market price. Ambarella expects that consumer hybrid cameras based on the A5 platform can be priced under the critical US $199 price threshold in 2009.

Pricing and Availability
The A5 platform is available now in sampling quantities. Manufacturers can choose multiple configurations to accommodate their specific requirements. Evaluation kits are also available now. Pricing information can be obtained directly from Ambarella at http://www.ambarella.com or by calling 1-408-734-8888.

The URL for this release is: http://www.ambarella.com/news/press_releases/pr_01052009.htm

About Ambarella
Ambarella is the technology leader in low-power, high-definition video compression and image processing semiconductors. Ambarella products are helping to define a new class of hybrid digital cameras that bring consumers unmatched high definition video and digital still images together in on e device. Many cameras and camcorders have been shipping using Ambarella A2 SoC. For more information on the Ambarella product line, please visit http://www.ambarella.com .

Contacts:
Didier LeGall, Ambarella, T: 1 408 734 8888, Barbara Kalkis, Maestro Marketing & PR, T: 1 408 996 9975,

Ambarella A5s IP camera platform delivers industry-changing combination of image quality, HD H.264 multi-streaming, CPU flexibility, and low power consumption

SANTA CLARA, CALIF. – March 16, 2010 -- a leader in low-power, high-definition video compression and image processing semiconductors, today announced the availability of the A5s Media Processor for the IP camera and video surveillance markets. Building on the success of the A2, the HD IP camera chip used by most leading companies today, the new A5s delivers HD H.264 multi-streaming, best-in-class image quality, a flexible ARM11 CPU, and record low power to enable IP cameras from entry-level SD to HD and beyond. Ambarella will demonstrate the A5s IP Camera Reference Platform at invitation-on ly events during the International Security Conference & Expo (ISC West 2010) to be held in Las Vegas, on March 23-25 ().

With A5s, Ambarella brings a combination of industry-firsts to the IP camera market:

? Multi-streaming HD 1080p30 H.264 encode plus simultaneous VGAp30 H.264 for thumbview and 5 MPixel (MP) JPEG for high-resolution makes HD surveillance practical;

? Image Sensor Pipeline (ISP) with 3D Motion Compensated Temporal Filtering (MCTF) and per-pixel Local Exposure Correction (LEC) improves video in challenging lighting conditions;

? 528 MHz ARM1136J-S? CPU with AES/3DES crypto engine delivers performance headroom for robust application support and secure video transmission;

? Low-power 45nm CMOS technology and SoC integration enables power- and space-sensitive applications, such as battery-operated wearable HD cameras and mini-domes with analytics .

The royalty-free, Linux-based A5s IP Camera Reference Platform comes with all documentation and software necessary to allow developers to quickly create fully-featured product lines of SD and HD IP cameras and video servers. A rich set of libraries and the headroom of the ARM11 CPU promote differentiation, such as tampering detection, face tracking, and encryption, while tunable AE, AWB, and AF assist in reducing optics costs and optimize quality..

“We believe the A5s represents a significant step forward in the industry’s transition to IP cameras,” commented Didier LeGall, Ambarella executive vice-president of sales and marketing. “With the A5s IP Camera Reference Platform, vendors can jump ahead of the curve and leverage Ambarella’s consumer-driven roadmap which brings rapid innovation and aggressive silicon integration to an increasingly demanding market.”

Further Technical Details
The A5s Media Processor system-on-a-chip (SoC) integrates an ARM1136J-S CPU, a DSP subsystem for ISP and H.264/MJPEG codecs, and peripherals (16-bit LPDDR2/DDR2/DDR3, NAND, SLVDS/parallel sensor i/f, BT.656 in/out, analog SD/HD out, HDMI, Ethernet MAC, USB 2.0, SSI/SPI, I2S audio, IDC, UART, RTC, WDT, GPIO, iris/AF motor stepper, and SDIO for SD Card and WiFi/3G). Based on low-power 45 nm CMOS technology, A5s consumes less than 1 Watt (including DDR) at full HD 1080p30, allowing an IP camera design to use as little as 2 Watts.

The ISP supports up to 32 MP resolution, 8- to 14-bit pixel processing, and 240 MP per-second capture, equivalent to 8 MP at 30 frames per second, enabling Digital Pan/Tilt/Zoom and oversampling to reduce aliasing. 3D MTCF noise reduction improves low-light imaging without causing motion blur, and LEC that brings out detail by adjusting the contrast for shadows and backlit portions on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Flexible 3A and video stabilization allows for differentiation and a wide selection of sensors is supported, including Aptina MT9M033 (1.3 MP WDR), Aptina MT9J003 (10 MP), OmniVision OV2715 (2 MP), and Sony IMX036 (3 MP).

Based on Ambarella’s professional broadcast technology, the H.264 Baseline/Main/High Pro file encoder delivers high compression efficiency and is tuned for video surveillance with attention to clarity of motion, region-of-interest, and low delay. The smart H.264/MJPEG encoder supports up to 32 MP resolution and up to four streams with on-the-fly changes of frame rate, GOP, and quality that can be controlled by, for instance, faces detected or activity level.

Pricing and Availability
Ambarella expects that IP cameras based on A5s, depending on feature set, will allow end-user pricing below US $150 as IP becomes a mainstream choice for CCTV.

The A5s family is currently shipping, with models targeting IP cameras from SD to HD and beyond. The A5s IP Camera Reference Platform with SDK is available for qualified partners.

News release URL: http://www.ambarella.com/news/press_releases/

Images: http://www.ambarella.com/news/press_releases/images/A5s_IPCAM/

About Ambarella
Ambarella is a technology leader in low-power, high-definition video compression and image processing semiconductors. Ambarella products are helping to define a new class of hybrid digital cameras that bring consumers unmatched high-definition video and digital still images together in on e device. Many cameras and camcorders from top brands have been shipping worldwide using Ambarella SoC’s. Ambarella technology is also widely used in broadcasting and a high amount of TV programming worldwide is transmitted using Ambarella compression chips. For more information about Ambarella, please visit .

Ambarella, Inc.
2975 San Ysidro Way
Santa Clara, CA 95051
T: 1 408 734 8888
F: 1 408 734 0788

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Ambarella : 一家伟大的视频压缩处理芯片厂商

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