First Heterogeneous Embedded Vision Systems Combining Jetson and FPGA

Redefining Edge Imaging with Breakthrough Heterogeneous Computing

Big news for vision, imaging, and AI applications. Gidel introduces the first heterogeneous computer that combines NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX with an FPGA-based acquisition and acceleration engine, creating an exceptionally powerful embedded vision system for real-time, high-bandwidth imaging at the edge.

The new configuration brings the NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX 16GB module into the FantoVision20 and FantoVision40 product line. With current NVIDIA JetPack support, the Jetson Orin NX 16GB can deliver up to 157 sparse TOPS in MAXN_SUPER mode, providing up to approximately five times the AI compute performance of the previous Jetson Xavier NX generation. As a result, developers gain substantially higher AI throughput, deterministic FPGA acquisition, and real-time image processing capabilities. When paired with Gidel’s FPGA-based frame grabbing, pre-processing, and compression, the platform sustains more than 1 gigapixel per second of imaging throughput.

FantoVision: A Complete Embedded Vision System for High-Speed Imaging

The FantoVision series provides a ready-to-use environment for advanced imaging and AI applications. Each system integrates:

• NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX 16GB

• Gidel’s FPGA image acquisition and acceleration engine

• High-bandwidth camera connectivity

• Real-time compression and enhancement options

• Compact, industrial-grade mechanics

• SWaP-optimized design: 134 × 90 × 60 mm, 750 g

Therefore, developers can deploy real-time and high-resolution vision systems with shorter integration cycles and improved reliability.

Multi-Interface Flexibility for Demanding Vision Applications

The FantoVision20 integrates Camera Link and GigE Vision within the same compact edge computer. Consequently, system designers gain flexibility when selecting the right camera interface for their industrial vision pipeline.

The FantoVision40 model supports high-bandwidth CoaXPress-12 imaging and can also be configured with optional 10GigE Vision connectivity. This gives developers additional flexibility for high-speed and multi-camera system architectures while maintaining deterministic performance.

Together, the FantoVision20 and FantoVision40 platforms deliver versatile, multi-interface embedded vision systems. As a result, designers can address a wide range of machine vision requirements with a common heterogeneous architecture.

FantoVision can acquire directly from high-throughput CoaXPress cameras, networked GigE Vision cameras, and existing Camera Link cameras, allowing system designers to match the acquisition interface to bandwidth, cabling, synchronization, and application requirements.

Jetson Orin NX + FPGA Acceleration Enables Real-Time AI Vision

The NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX combines CPU and GPU computing for AI workloads, while the integrated Gidel FPGA handles deterministic image acquisition, preprocessing, and acceleration.

In addition, the integrated FPGA performs:

• High-speed frame grabbing and ROI extraction

• Real-time image enhancements such as HDR

• Compression (JPEG, lossless, H.264/H.265, Quality+)

This heterogeneous architecture enables FantoVision to sustain more than 1 gigapixel per second of imaging throughput. Meanwhile, NVIDIA JetPack supports the Jetson software and AI environment.

A Turnkey Platform for Embedded AI Vision Systems

“The combination of Gidel’s FPGA and image-processing expertise with NVIDIA accelerated computing breaks another barrier between AI and machine vision,” said Reuven Weintraub, Founder and CTO of Gidel.
This heterogeneous architecture, which brings FPGA and GPU processing together in one embedded vision system, gives engineers a turnkey platform for running AI workloads alongside real-time, high-speed imaging.

Gidel showcased the Jetson Orin NX-enabled FantoVision systems at Embedded World 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany, held March 14–16, 2023.