Enabling Flexible Multi-Sensor USB Cameras with Lattice CrossLink-NX FPGAs

USB cameras are deeply embedded in modern product categories, from laptop webcams and industrial inspection systems to medical imaging devices and biometric terminals. These rely on a camera pipeline that can capture, process, and stream image data reliably over USB. Therefore, it can be challenging to bridge sensor data across interfaces, run image signal processing in real time, and match output to host-side USB expectations.

e-con Systems has launched a USB camera solution on Lattice Semiconductor’s CrossLink-NX33U FPGA, which is ideal for flexible, high-throughput sensor bridging with native USB connectivity.

In this blog, we’ll examine the structural problems in traditional USB camera architectures, explain why FPGA-based approaches are gaining traction in embedded camera design, and walk through the key elements of the CrossLink-NX33U-based solution.

Challenges of Traditional USB Camera Architectures

Rigid sensor-to-USB pipelines

Most fixed-function USB camera chips define a hard data path from sensor input to USB output. The interface protocol, lane configuration, timing parameters, and output format are determined at silicon tape-out. If the target sensor doesn’t match (wrong protocol, different lane count, non-standard timing, etc.), there is no firmware path to reconfigure the hardware, and the pipeline becomes immutable.

Limited scalability

Adding capability to a fixed-function USB camera design, such as a higher resolution, an additional sensor stream, or a faster USB mode, almost always means replacing the camera controller with a different device. There is no upgrade path within the same silicon. Each new capability requires a hardware change, a new bring-up cycle, and a fresh round of system validation.

Complex ISP integration

Image signal processing is mandatory in any production camera design. Debayering, auto white balance, auto exposure, gamma correction, and noise reduction must all be executed. When ISP performance is inadequate, teams accept image quality limitations or offload processing to a host application processor.

Multiple boards for different sensors

Applications needing capture from multiple sensor types can’t use just one fixed-function camera controller. The usual solution is two camera modules, two PCBs, and two USB connections to the host. This increases BOM cost, board space, and assembly complexity. On the host, it demands two USB devices and driver stacks. There is no natural way to synchronize the two streams at the application layer.

Long development cycles

The above constraints together make development cycles longer. Engineers then spend less time on product differentiation. In markets where camera features set products apart, long hardware cycles slow time-to-market and reduce response to competitors.

Why FPGA-Based USB Camera Architectures Matter

The major advantage is re-configurability. In an FPGA-based architecture, the sensor interface logic, the data path, the ISP pipeline, and the USB output formatting are implemented in programmable fabric. This helps overcome the above challenges.

• Rigid pipelines become software-defined data paths that can be reconfigured to match different sensor protocols, lane counts, and output formats
• Scalability is managed with logic updates, which means the same physical board can handle different resolutions, sensor streams, and USB configurations
• ISP integration is fully tunable per sensor and environment, with no external processing needed.
• Multiple boards are replaced by one platform with programmable routing. This maps multiple sensor inputs to independent USB output endpoints.
• Development cycles get shortened because sensor changes, ISP adjustments, and feature additions become firmware and configuration tasks.

Importantly, for embedded camera applications specifically, the additional arrival of FPGAs with integrated USB PHYs removes the USB controller.

CrossLink-NX FPGA-Based USB Camera Solution: How it Works

e-con Systems’ CrossLink-NX33U-based solution is an evaluation-ready, compact USB camera platform based on the Lattice LIFCL-33U FPGA. It is developed for laptops, embedded vision systems, and other applications where multi-sensor flexibility, full ISP capability, and high-speed USB output are required without sacrificing power efficiency or board footprint.

How it works:

• Sensor data arrives over MIPI CSI-2 or LVDS/Sub-LVDS.
• It passes through e-con Systems’ TintE ISP (entirely within the FPGA’s programmable fabric)
• Processed video frames are then delivered to the host
• UVC-compliant USB video streams over the LIFCL-33U’s integrated SuperSpeed USB PHY

The following capabilities that traditionally required separate components are integrated in a single device:

• Native SuperSpeed USB PHY: On-chip at 5 Gbps (USB 3.x Gen1), eliminating the need for an external USB controller.
• Flexible sensor interface: Covering both MIPI CSI-2 and LVDS/Sub-LVDS, accommodating a wide range of image sensors and IR sensors.
• Programmable logic fabric: Executing the full ISP pipeline, sensor control, USB data formatting, and multi-stream routing, all in a 6 x 6 mm package.

Furthermore, e-con Systems’ TintE ISP runs entirely on the LIFCL-33U. It does not require a separate ISP chip or host-side processing. Ready-to-use ISP pipeline support is provided for the Sony IMX715 and a broad range of e-con Systems’ MIPI camera modules, with expert ISP tuning services available for additional sensors.

Key Design Highlights

Versatile multi-sensor support

The solution supports image sensors with MIPI CSI-2 or LVDS/Sub-LVDS interfaces — covering the two dominant interface standards in embedded and industrial camera design. It is compatible with e-con Systems’ off-the-shelf MIPI cameras out of the box, and can be adapted to other sensors through ISP configuration and expert fine-tuning.

Dual UVC camera capability

The solution enables simultaneous connection of an image sensor and an IR sensor as two independent UVC cameras. This is presented to the host as a single, unified solution over one USB connection. Both streams appear to the host as standard UVC devices, requiring no custom driver.

Multiple resolution support

Output resolutions of 4K, Full HD, HD, and VGA are supported, with the achievable resolution dependent on the connected sensor. This range covers the practical needs of most embedded camera applications, from high-resolution medical and industrial imaging down to compact VGA-class vision systems.

TintE ISP (full imaging pipeline in FPGA fabric)

TintE ISP is e-con Systems’ FPGA-implemented image signal processor. It runs entirely within the CrossLink-NX33U’s programmable logic and provides a complete imaging pipeline: debayer, auto white balance, auto exposure, gamma correction, and additional image quality processing. Ready-to-use TintE ISP pipelines are available for the Sony IMX715 and a wide range of e-con Systems’ MIPI camera modules.

Also, expert ISP image quality tuning is offered for additional sensor models, covering calibration and parameter optimization for different sensors and operating environments.

High-speed USB via integrated SuperSpeed PHY

The LIFCL-33U includes an integrated SuperSpeed USB PHY operating at 5 Gbps: the USB 3.x Gen1 class. The USB output is handled natively on-chip, with no external USB controller or bridge IC required. Such integration reduces board component count and provides sufficient bandwidth for uncompressed high-resolution video streaming at practical frame rates.

Ultra-low power and compact form factor

The CrossLink-NX33U delivers up to 75% lower power consumption than competing approaches, in a 6 x 6 mm package. Therefore, the solution is perfect for slim laptops, battery-powered embedded platforms, and thermally constrained industrial modules where power budget and board real estate are tightly managed constraints.

IQ tuning for any sensor

For sensors beyond the off-the-shelf library, e-con Systems provides expert ISP image quality tuning to maximize imaging performance for different sensor models and deployment environments. Support covers the full calibration workflow, allowing engineering teams to bring new sensors onto the platform without needing to develop in-house ISP expertise.

Top Real- World Applications

• Laptops and notebook cameras: The compact 6 x 6 mm footprint and low-power profile make this platform a natural fit for slim consumer and commercial laptop designs. Native USB 3.1 Gen1 output means no additional USB controller is needed on the system board.
• Industrial vision systems: MIPI CSI-2 and LVDS/Sub-LVDS compatibility covers the range of sensors deployed in machine vision and industrial inspection. The reconfigurable ISP pipeline enables the same hardware platform to be adapted to different inspection tasks and imaging conditions.
• Medical imaging equipment: Medical imaging applications require accurate color reproduction, high resolution, and reliable image quality across lighting conditions. The TintE ISP’s full imaging pipeline and per-sensor tuning capability address these requirements. The compact, low-power form factor is matched to portable and point-of-care medical devices where miniaturization is a design constraint.
• Biometric authentication devices: The dual UVC camera capability enables multi-modal biometric capture. It ensures face recognition, iris capture, and other biometric modalities that require synchronized visible and IR imaging without separate USB modules.

e-con Systems: A Leader in OEM & ODM Vision Solutions

Since 2003, e-con Systems has been designing, developing, and manufacturing embedded vision solutions, such as custom OEM cameras and end-to-end ODM platforms. With deep expertise in image sensors, ISP development, and USB camera architectures, we offer a broad portfolio of off-the-shelf MIPI cameras, custom camera modules, and FPGA-based imaging solutions, including the TintE ISP, a production-ready image signal processor.

Use our Camera Selector to browse through our complete portfolio.

To learn more about our CrossLink-NX33U-based USB camera solution or get in touch with our vision experts, please write to camerasolutions@e-consystems.com.

FAQs

What sensor interfaces does the CrossLink-NX33U-based solution support?

The solution supports sensors with MIPI CSI-2 and LVDS/Sub-LVDS interfaces, which are the two most common interface standards in embedded and industrial camera design. It is compatible with e-con Systems’ off-the-shelf MIPI cameras natively, and can be adapted to other sensors through ISP configuration and tuning support.

Can this solution work with sensors from vendors other than e-con Systems?

Yes. While the TintE ISP includes ready-to-use pipeline support for the Sony IMX715 and e-con Systems’ MIPI cameras, the FPGA-based architecture is not locked to any specific sensor vendor. e-con Systems provides expert ISP tuning services to support additional sensor models.

What does dual UVC camera capability mean in practice?

It means the solution can stream two independent camera feeds to the USB host simultaneously, presenting both as standard UVC-compliant cameras over a single physical USB connection. No custom driver is required. Both devices appear to the host operating system as standard webcams.

What resolutions are supported?

The solution supports 4K, Full HD (1080p), HD (720p), and VGA output. The achievable resolution depends on the connected sensor. The integrated SuperSpeed USB PHY provides the bandwidth needed for high-resolution, uncompressed video streaming.

Where does the TintE ISP run – on the device or on the host?

TintE ISP runs entirely within the CrossLink-NX33U’s programmable logic fabric on the device. Image processing (debayer, AWB, AE, gamma, etc.) is performed before video data is sent over USB, keeping host-side CPU load minimal and avoiding the latency associated with host-based ISP processing.