[RTL8735B / AmebaPro2] SC231HAI Sensor Support: Missing iq_sc231h.bin, WDR/HDR Capability, and Hardware Reference Design

Hardware
1

Hi Ameba IoT Team / Realtek FAE,

We are evaluating image sensors for an upcoming 1080p security camera project on the RTL8735B (AmebaPro2) platform. We are considering the SmartSens SC231HAI, but during our SDK audit, we identified potential discrepancies regarding IQ tuning files and HDR support that critically affect our component selection and BOM freeze.

SDK Investigation Findings

Inspecting the official SDK ([ GitHub - Ameba-AIoT/ameba-rtos-pro2: Realtek Official IoT Software Development Kit for Ameba Series SoC: (Ameba Pro2) · GitHub ]( GitHub - Ameba-AIoT/ameba-rtos-pro2: Realtek Official IoT Software Development Kit for Ameba Series SoC: (Ameba Pro2) · GitHub )), we found the sensor binary in component/soc/8735b/fwlib/rtl8735b/lib/source/ram/video/voe_bin/:

  • sensor_sc231h.bin exists (3,700 bytes).

  • project/realtek_amebapro2_v0_example/inc/sensor.h defines #define SENSOR_SC231H 0x12 with {1920, 1080, 30}.

  • Issue: iq_sc231h.bin is completely missing from voe_bin/, making SC231H the only sensor candidate in the SDK matrix that lacks an accompanying IQ file.

Sensor Support Matrix Comparison (sensor.h vs. voe_bin/)

Sensor Model Driver FCS IQ (in sensor.h) HDR / WDR Resolution iq_*.bin Status in voe_bin/
SC231H $\checkmark$ - $\checkmark$ - 1920x1080@30 MISSING (iq_sc231h.bin not found)
SC2336 $\checkmark$ $\checkmark$ $\checkmark$ - 1920x1080@30 Present (iq_sc2336.bin)
SC2310 $\checkmark$ - $\checkmark$ $\checkmark$ 1920x1080@30 Present (iq_sc2310.bin)
SC301 $\checkmark$ $\checkmark$ $\checkmark$ $\checkmark$ 2048x1536@20 Present (iq_sc301.bin)
IMX307 $\checkmark$ - $\checkmark$ $\checkmark$ 1920x1080@30 Present (iq_imx307.bin)
IMX662 $\checkmark$ $\checkmark$ $\checkmark$ $\checkmark$ 1920x1080@30 Present (iq_imx662.bin)

Technical Questions & FAE Clarification Requested

Since SC231HAI is currently our primary candidate, we kindly request clarification on the following blockers:

  1. [Q1 / B-1] Missing iq_sc231h.bin & IQ Tuning Provision:

    • sensor.h marks IQ as supported ($\checkmark$) for SC231H, but iq_sc231h.bin is missing. How can we obtain the IQ binary for SC231HAI? Is it provided under project NDA, requires a custom request, or is the entry in sensor.h a documentation error?

  2. [Q2 / B-2] IQ Fine-Tuning Service & Lead Time:

    • If iq_sc231h.bin requires custom ISP fine-tuning, does Realtek offer IQ tuning services for SC231HAI, or do you recommend certified 3rd-party tuning vendors? What are the typical lead times and service flows?

  3. [Q3 / B-3] WDR / HDR Capability on SC231HAI:

    • Security applications require WDR for high-contrast backlight environments (e.g., doorways/windows). The SDK matrix shows HDR unsupported (-) for SC231H. Can SC231HAI support hardware WDR/HDR on the RTL8735B VOE engine, or is it strictly limited to Linear Mode (SDR)?

  4. [Q4 / B-4] Recommended 1080p30 WDR Sensor Alternative:

    • If SC231HAI lacks full IQ binary support or WDR capability, which sensor does Realtek officially recommend for 1080p30 + WDR/HDR security applications (e.g., SC2310, IMX307, or IMX662)?

  5. [Q5 / B-5] Hardware Integration & Interface Details:

    • Could you share the reference MIPI CSI-2 lane configuration (1-lane / 2-lane), clock rate, power-up sequencing, and schematic guidelines for SC231HAI on RTL8735B?

  6. [Q6 / B-6] Day/Night Switching & IR-Cut Control:

    • What are the recommended GPIO/PWM control interfaces and reference designs for Day/Night mode switching and IR-Cut filter driving on this platform?

Thank you for your assistance. Your feedback is crucial for our upcoming hardware design freeze.