Smart Cameras
Allied Vision Alecs Open Smart Cameras
Smart Cameras bring image capture, processing, and analysis together in one powerful industrial device.
The Alecs Open Smart Camera Series combines Allied Vision’s advanced Alvium CSI‑2 imaging core with NVIDIA Jetson Orin system-on-modules to provide a fully integrated, all‑in‑one machine vision platform. Each Alecs model unifies high-performance image acquisition, on-device AI compute, storage, lighting control, and industrial connectivity within a rugged IP67 housing. This integration eliminates the need for external computers, simplifies system architecture, and reduces total cost of ownership.
Allied's efficient thermal design offers the widest operating temperature range AND the highest computational power of any smart camera on the market.
Allied Open Smart Cameras give users the freedom to build algorithms, integrate third-party software, and shape their systems exactly to their needs.
The Alecs line of Open Smart Cameras enables highly intelligent point-of-capture image analysis and decision-making. Each Alecs model unifies high-performance image acquisition, on-device AI compute, storage, lighting control, and industrial connectivity within a rugged IP67 housing. This integration eliminates the need for external computers, simplifies system architecture, and reduces total cost of ownership.
Unlike conventional 'closed' smart cameras that come with pre-installed software for specific applications, Alecs offers a powerful hardware platform and a comprehensive software support package. Users are empowered to develop and deploy software to leverage Alecs into an application-specific smart camera.
“Alecs delivers sensor‑to‑compute performance with unmatched simplicity — a true intelligent camera.”
Series Overview:
The Alecs family consists of two powerful platforms—NX16 and NA8—which share a unified mechanical design, IP67 environmental protection, industrial I/O, C-mount optics, and the Alvium imaging core. Each device integrates 128 GB NVMe storage and operates within –20 °C to +65 °C.
At the core of every Alecs camera is Allied Vision’s Alvium technology, providing low-latency access to Sony’s latest global-shutter sensors through a native CSI‑2 interface. Combined with NVIDIA Jetson Orin compute modules, Alecs systems can execute complex neural networks, image processing pipelines, and deterministic real‑time machine vision applications directly on the camera.
The Alecs platform supports both GenICam for CSI‑2 (full camera control and image parameter access) and Video4Linux2 (V4L2) for broad compatibility with Linux-based imaging ecosystems such as GStreamer and OpenCV. A robust software stack based on Allied Vision’s Vimba X SDK and NVIDIA JetPack ensures stability, portability, and reliable field updates to deployed systems.
Key System Advantages:
· All‑in‑one smart camera integrating sensor, compute, storage, and I/O.
· Flexibility in application development
· Fast time-to-market: Accelerated design-in processes
· Reliability: Based on Allied Vision's future-proof camera platform Alvium and the leading NVIDIA Orin SoM
· Jetpack 6.2 (Jetson Linux 36.4.3 - Ubuntu 22.04)
· Low-latency CSI‑2 pipeline for high-bandwidth image acquisition.
· Rugged IP67 housing | 1GigE interface | industrial M12 interfaces for harsh environments.
· Comprehensive image-processing controls (LUTs, ROI, binning, debayering, noise correction).
· Dual access modes: GenICam + V4L2 for flexible software pipeline integration.
· Integrated recovery mode, diagnostics, counters, timers, and field‑upgradeable firmware.
· Compatibility with Open eVision Image analysis libraries from Euresys
Alecs Selection table
Comparison of Orin Nano 8GB vs Orin NX 16GB platforms
| Feature | Orin Nano 8GB | Orin NX 16GB |
| CPU | 6‑core Arm Cortex‑A78AE | 8‑core Arm Cortex‑A78AE |
| GPU | 1024‑core Ampere (40 Sparse INT8 TOPS) | 1024‑core Ampere (100 Sparse INT8 TOPS) |
| Accelerators | None (CPU+GPU only) | DLA + PVA accelerators for vision and inference |
| Memory | 8 GB LPDDR5 | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| AI Throughput | Moderate inference workloads | High-performance multi-model pipelines |
| Recommended Applications | Compact automation, OEM devices | Robotics, SLAM, advanced inspection, 3D vision |
