STMicroelectronics B-CAMS-IMX

Overview

B-CAMS-IMX from STMicroelectronics is a camera module accessory board (MB1854) integrating a Sony 5-Mpx RGB CMOS image sensor, dual-lane MIPI CSI-2® interface, inertial motion unit, and multizone direct Time-of-Flight sensor - all powered at 3.3 V and delivered with an M12 × 0.5 lens holder and manual-focus 87° FOV lens. It enables full-featured computer vision on STM32 microcontrollers with compatible 22-pin FFC connectors.

For engineers reviewing the B-CAMS-IMX datasheet, B-CAMS-IMX pinout, B-CAMS-IMX application, or B-CAMS-IMX equivalent, key selection considerations include MIPI CSI-2 lane count, integrated ToF/lens/motion sensor co-location, STM32 FFC connector compatibility, and Class 1 laser safety compliance for embedded vision deployment.

Technical Context

The B-CAMS-IMX implements a tightly integrated vision subsystem: the Sony CMOS sensor outputs raw RGB data over two MIPI CSI-2 lanes at up to 5-Mpx resolution; the onboard ToF sensor provides depth mapping with multizone direct measurement; and the IMU delivers synchronized motion data for sensor fusion applications.

It interfaces exclusively via a 0.5 mm-pitch, 22-pin flexible flat cable (FFC) to STM32 Discovery/Evaluation boards featuring native MIPI CSI-2 support - no external bridge IC or level-shifting circuitry is required, and all power regulation is handled onboard at 3.3 V.

Key Specifications

Availability

B-CAMS-IMX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial machine vision prototyping, STM32-based edge AI inference systems, and embedded gesture/depth-sensing applications requiring stable component supply and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for B-CAMS-IMX includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, sensors, power management, and analog chips for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The B-CAMS-IMX belongs to ST's STM32 ecosystem accessory portfolio - engineered specifically to accelerate computer vision development on STM32 MCUs/MPUs by delivering pre-integrated, FFC-connected sensor modules with validated firmware support.

FAQ

Does B-CAMS-IMX require external power regulation or level shifting?

No. The board operates solely from a 3.3 V supply delivered through the 22-pin FFC connector. All voltage regulation, sensor biasing, and interface logic levels are internally managed - no external LDOs, DC-DC converters, or level translators are needed for integration with STM32 boards supporting MIPI CSI-2 and the specified FFC interface.

Is the M12 lens included with B-CAMS-IMX replaceable with third-party optics?

Yes. The board features a standard M12 × 0.5 threaded lens holder compliant with ISO/DIN 8062, allowing direct mechanical and optical replacement with any commercially available M12 lens - including fixed-focus, auto-focus, wide-angle, telecentric, or IR-corrected variants - without modification to the PCB or firmware.

Can B-CAMS-IMX be used with non-STMicroelectronics host processors?

No. The module is designed exclusively for STM32 Discovery and Evaluation boards with a native 22-pin MIPI CSI-2 FFC connector (e.g., STM32H747I-DISCO, STM32MP157C-DK2). It lacks USB, parallel, or generic SPI/I2C video interfaces, and its firmware, timing, and power sequencing are optimized for ST's CSI-2 PHY and HAL drivers.

What is the role of the integrated Time-of-Flight sensor in B-CAMS-IMX?

The multizone direct ToF sensor provides real-time per-pixel depth data synchronized with the RGB image stream - enabling applications such as proximity-triggered UI, hand-gesture control, object volume estimation, and background segmentation without requiring stereo matching or external depth cameras.