In addition to its own FPGA algorithms, Sick will in future also use 'VisualApplets' from Silicon Software for the graphical programming of customized sensor and integration technologies. Both companies intend to use their combined know-how to participate jointly in the strong growth of the sensor and image processing market. Silicon Software is a provider of customized FPGA programming and frame grabbers.

The 'Sick AppSpace' is an open platform for programmable sensors that breaks through the boundaries of classic programming. The system offers system integrators and OEMs the opportunity to develop application solutions specifically to the needs and requirements of problems themselves.

To make 'VisualApplets' compatible with Sick sensors, a unique 'VisualApplets Embedder' has been implemented. This collaboration enables Sick to offer customers the right sensor solution in a targeted manner. The functional scope of 'VisualApplets' with over 200 operators and the approach of FPGA programming via data flow models on a graphical user interface will open up new markets and applications. "VisualApplets is the next logical extension of our Sick AppSpace software eco-system," explains Detlef Deuil, Head of Product Management Vertical Integration Products. "It is very easy for our own application software developers and possibly also for selected OEMs and system integrators to use the real-time data processing in our sensor and integration hardware and implement powerful application solutions."

'VisualApplets' is an integrated development environment for real-time applications on FPGA processors in image processing and opens up access to the FPGA processors of image processing hardware such as frame grabbers, industrial cameras, vision sensors and image processing devices in order to realize individual image processing applications.