Acutance Imaging

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of the image quality team at Corephotonics. We manufacture cameras for smartphones and mobile devices.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Acutance Imaging?

As part of the development work, we needed assistance with image signal processor (ISP) tuning, using blocks, algorithms, and proprietary parts of the Qualcomm code to carry it out. Acutance is a company that’s qualified to work with the proprietary parts of Qualcomm code.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Acutance has provided software development and code migrations for different Qualcomm chipsets. We get new projects every couple of months for which we need to get decent levels of image quality and software. The cameras we develop need to be attached to the development platforms. We deal with the hardware and some algorithmic parts, but most of the software is done by them.

We’ve done ISP tuning for final products, which is something that Acutance knows how to do very well.

What is the team composition?

Each project has a project manager. We’ve worked with around 20 people from their team, including ISP tuners and developers.

How did you come to work with Acutance Imaging?

We researched different companies that could help us with such work. I don’t remember exactly how we found Acutance.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent almost $1 million so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2017, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

I have only positive feedback for Acutance. They deliver on time and do a very good job. They’re experts with a lot of experience working on different chipsets. Also, they know Qualcomm very well.

How did Acutance Imaging perform from a project management standpoint?

We have good communication. We communicate via email and phone and use spreadsheets for project management.

Each project has a very tight schedule and set milestones. They work directly with our project managers and have dedicated project managers on their side. Additionally, they acclimatize to our way of working. That’s why we’ve been working together for such a long time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They can manage a very high level of ISP tuning in a short time, for new Qualcomm chipsets.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clients must have the needed and required contracts with Qualcomm.