Introduction to UVC Camera (USB Video Bus Camera) for Beginner

Introduction

Cameras play a crucial role in embedded vision systems as they allow the system to gather real-time visual information from its environment. Embedded vision systems are used in a broad range of applications including industrial inspection, robotics, security, and medical imaging. In such applications, cameras are used to capture high-resolution images or video streams, which are then processed by the embedded vision system to extract relevant information and make data-driven decisions.

USB video bus cameras, or UVC Cameras, have become a popular choice for embedded vision applications due to their high bandwidth, reliability, and smooth integration. These cameras are used in a wide range of applications including biometric and access control systems, robotic vision, medical imaging, surveillance drones, augmented reality, and more.

In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of UVC cameras, their history and the advantages they offer. We will also draw a comparison between the UVC and MIPI cameras.

What is UVC?

The USB Video Class (UVC) protocol is a standard for transmitting video data over a USB connection. It was developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) to standardize the way in which digital cameras could transmit video over a USB connection, making it easier for devices to connect and communicate with one another.

The UVC protocol is supported by a wide range of devices, including laptops, desktop PCs, smart-phones, and tablets. It is commonly used in applications such as video conferencing, streaming, and online broadcasting. One of the key features of the UVC protocol is its plug-and-play capability, which allows UVC-compliant devices to be easily connected to a computer or other host devices without the need for additional drivers or software.

History of UVC

The USB Video Class (UVC) specification was developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) in the early 2000s to standardize the way in which digital cameras could transmit video over a USB connection. The first ever version of the UVC specification i.e UVC 1.0, was released in 2003. The UVC specification facilitated easier communication and connection between devices that supported this standard.

Since the release of UVC 1.0, the specification has undergone several updates. UVC 1.0a was released in December 2003 and featured additional descriptor subtypes for “extension” types. After that, UVC 1.0b was released and included updates on protocol STALL behavior and current/future payload header formats. UVC 1.0c was released in June 2004 and provided information on motion JPEG characteristics. UVC 1.1 was a major update which was released in June 2005. This update included new documents specifying stream and frame based payloads, latency optimizations for stream-based formats, and other technical details. UVC 1.5, the latest version of the specification, was released in June 2012 and added H.264 and VP8 payloads, as well as controls for video encoders. It also included references for USB 3.0.

What is UVC camera?

A UVC camera, or USB Video Class camera, is a type of digital camera that is capable of capturing video and transferring it to a computer or other host machines using USB protocol. These cameras are commonly used for video conferencing, streaming, and other applications that require the ability to capture and transmit live video.

One of the key features of UVC cameras is their plug-and-play capability, which allows them to be easily connected to a computer or other host device without the need for additional drivers or software. This makes them particularly suitable for applications where quick and easy setup is required, such as in video conferencing or streaming.

Overall, UVC cameras are a convenient and affordable solution for capturing and transmitting live video, and are widely used in a variety of applications including video conferencing, live streaming, and more.

Advantages of UVC compliant camera

UVC cameras offer some major advantages over other types of cameras in the context of embedded vision systems. Some of the salient advantages of UVC cameras are listed as following:

1. Plug-and-play: UVC cameras can easily be connected to a computer or other host devices without the need for additional drivers or software, making them quick and easy to set up.
2. Low cost: UVC cameras are usually less expensive than other types of digital cameras, making them an affordable solution for embedded applications.
3. Wide availability: UVC cameras are widely available and can easily be purchased from electronics retailers and online marketplaces.
4. Compatible with a wide range of devices: UVC cameras are supported by a wide range of devices, including laptops, desktop PCs, smart-phones and tablets.
5. Compact and lightweight: UVC cameras are generally compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry and transport.
6. Versatile mounting options: UVC cameras are typically designed with convenient mounting options. They can easily be mounted on PCs, laptops, and other host devices.

What operating systems UVC cameras support?

Due to the widespread adaption of USB standard on the computing devices, UVC specifications are supported by almost all the major operating systems. Some of the examples include:

• Windows: UVC cameras are supported by all modern versions of Windows OS, including Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista.
• Mac OS: UVC cameras are supported by all recent versions of mac OS, including the latest version, Big Sur.
• Linux: UVC cameras are supported by most Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.
• Android: UVC cameras are supported by Android devices running Android 4.0 or later.
• iOS: UVC cameras are supported by iOS devices running iOS 6 or later.

Comparison of UVC and MIPI cameras

UVC and MIPI cameras are both types of digital camera interfaces that are used in a variety of embedded vision applications. However, there exist some fundamental differences between these camera interfaces.
One main difference is the interface used to transmit data. UVC cameras use a USB interface to transmit data, while MIPI cameras use a MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) interface. MIPI interfaces are typically found in mobile devices and are designed to be low-power and high-speed. MIPI cameras are often used in applications where power consumption is a constraint, such as in mobile phones and drones.

Another difference between UVC and MIPI interfaces lies in the type of data being transmitted. UVC cameras are primarily used for transmitting video data while MIPI cameras can transmit both video and imaging data. MIPI cameras are often used in applications that require the ability to capture high-quality still images such as in mobile phone cameras.

The choice between UVC and MIPI cameras depends on the application requirements. UVC cameras are easy to set up and use, with a wide range of supported devices, and are well suited for applications that require the transmission of video data. MIPI cameras are suitable for applications that require the transmission of both video and imaging data, and are often used in mobile devices due to their low power consumption.

Conclusion

In the age of social media, it is hard to imagine smart devices without any cameras. Owing to the high demand of cameras in embedded vision systems, different types of cameras interfaces have come into existence. UVC or USB video class is a widely used USB camera specification that is used for the transmission of video over a USB connection. Low cost, wide availability, support for all major operating systems, and plug-n-play capability are the major advantages of UVC cameras that render them suitable for embedded vision applications requiring the transmission of video data.