Zynq MPSoC-based 3D orthopedic foot scanner
Elinvision specializes in the production of medical 3D scanners for a wide range of applications such as podiatry and orthopaedics. Elinvision also provides computer vision quality inspection system technology for fertilizer, candy, tobacco and PET bottle manufacturers.
Elinvision’s 3D foot scanners are used in more than 40 countries worldwide, primarily in podiatry, orthopedic clinics, research centers, sports labs and custom shoe stores. The product is known for its durability, accuracy and reliability, eliminating the need for repeated recalibration like other portable measurement tools on the market.
Initially, such tools were developed based on CPUs, but eventually Elinvision switched to the Xilinx FPGA architecture and achieved higher scan quality while reducing the hardware size and cost of the scanner.Elinvision’s migration to Xilinx adaptive SoCs resulted in a portable wireless 3D foot scanner
Core architecture evolution: from CPU to FPGA to Zynq MPSoC
Since 2000, Elinvision has been working to develop vision data processing solutions for its 3D foot scanners, leveraging the latest scientific discoveries and working closely with universities. In 2012, Elinvision decided to move its core architecture from CPU to Xilinx FPGAs, thus reducing the hardware size and cost of the product. In addition, the FPGA architecture was able to support simultaneous connection and processing of data from more cameras, resulting in a significant improvement in scan quality for its new product.
In the near future, Elinvision is working to develop a new generation of 3D foot scanners that run faster, are more reliable, and are portable, and Elinvision wanted a solution that would further deliver high computational performance with high power efficiency. Among the many embedded system processors, Elinvision chose to incorporate the Xilinx Zynq® UltraScale+™ MPSoC device into the design of its latest product.
High Performance and Flexibility Key to Selection
“We chose the Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ for our new design because of the high demands we place on our computing systems,” said Mindaugas Šulcas, head of R&D at Elinvision.
Elinvision’s underfoot and full-foot 3D scanners accurately capture human foot dimensions to create custom insole footwear that fits without trying on. Its newest (and smallest) iQube S+ portable scanner weighs just 12 pounds and takes just five seconds to complete a foot measurement with 1mm accuracy, while the larger iQube S+ provides a more complete foot scan with 0.5mm accuracy.
“The flexibility of the system and the long-term support from Ceres help us to flexibly adapt to different customer requirements and the dynamic development of the ever-changing image sensor market. With a small modification to the FPGA design, we can build a different product without changing the printed circuit board, system architecture or program code.”
The Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC device provides 64-bit processor scalability while combining real-time control with soft and hard engines for graphics, video, waveform and packet processing. Built on a common real-time processor and programmable logic platform, the device is capable of supporting different variants that range from dual-core application processor (CG) devices to quad-core application processor GPU (EG) devices, offering unlimited possibilities for a wide range of applications.
Zynq Delivers Sustainable Competitive Advantages and Opportunities
Mindaugas said the Xilinx Zynq MPSoC is an enabler for Elinvision to build market-leading products.
The parallel image data processing provided by the Zynq processor helps Elinvision speed up the operation of its scanners, while the FPGA-like flexibility of the Zynq processor supports Elinvision’s ability to expand its system capabilities.
Mindaugas noted, “The Xilinx devices continue to provide new opportunities for our systems. The low power consumption and fast data processing has allowed us to build a portable, wireless 3D foot scanner that runs faster. The scanner can be used with mobile applications and is a cut above the competition.”
In addition, Mindaugas highlighted the pleasure of working with Ceres: “The Ceres ecosystem is easy to use and understand. They provide high quality debugging tools, a large selection of example projects, and an active community that helps us solve problems during product development and move our products to market. We have been using Xilinx devices for nearly a decade and we see Xilinx devices continuing to break new ground year after year.”
