Tuesday, May 15, 2012

BOB-4 Video text/picture On Screen Display Modules

Fourth-generation low-cost video information overlay module, now available in a rugged 2x20 header connector format with industrial temperature specs as well as the original 30-pin SIMM format. BOB-4 lets your microcontroller or PC display text and vector graphics on standard TV monitors. With large user-definable character sets, BOB-4 also supports bitmap graphics and multiple languages. BOB-4 generates background video on-board, or automatically genlocks to your video source and superimposes characters over the image. Printable characters and commands drive BOB-4 through fast SPI or RS-232 style data links, much like a serial terminal or printer. BOB-4 links directly to most microcontroller chips and modules. NTSC and PAL video standards are supported in a single hardware version.


Key Features:

  • Simple hookup; requires just 5VDC, serial data, video I/O
  • Immediately prints plain ASCII text in default configuration
  • High display density; up to 480x240 (NTSC) or 480x288 (PAL)
  • Arbitrary custom font sizes and proportional font support
  • Bitmap graphics and vector graphics commands
  • Off-board memory expansion for huge fonts & bitmap graphics
  • Industry-standard ANSI control protocol (ECMA-048)
  • Automatic vertical scrolling
  • Text crawl (single-line smooth horizontal scroll)
  • Mirror-image reverse text display capability
  • VBI (vertical blanking interval) data transmission
  • Async (RS-232 style) and SPI control ports
  • Automatic video mode control (local/genlock)
  • Customer-configurable video standard (NTSC or PAL)
  • Stand-alone operation for simple video source ID, target reticle, etc.
  • Software-controlled digital logic outputs (5)
  • Analog voltage inputs (two 10-bit ADC channels; BOB-4H only)
  • Consumes only 1/2W at 5VDC
  • Lead-free and nominally RoHS-compliant
  • Designed for maximum production lifetime; no OSD chips!
  • Industrial operating temperature range is standard; -40 to +85C
  • Accurate 75-ohm video terminations and unity gain
  • Handles S-Video (Y/C video) with simple external circuit
  • Firmware can be upgraded in the field via PC connection
  • Independent debug serial port assists in application development



Suggested Applications:

  • Remote Video Inspection
  • Industrial Process Monitor
  • Black Screen Generator
  • Home Automation
  • RPV ~ Remotely Piloted Vehicles
  • Robotics & Teleoperated Mechanisms
  • GPS Data Overlay
  • MATV ~ Cable TV ~ Pay TV
  • CCTV Security & Surveillance
  • Electronic Signs & Information Displays
  • ROV ~ Underwater Video
  • ATV ~ Amateur TV
  • Dumb Serial Terminal
  • Athletic Events & Motor Racing
  • UAV and R/C Aircraft
  • Law Enforcement