Glossary

 

 

 

Broadcast and ProAV systems capture, process, and distribute high-quality audio and video content across a wide range of applications, including live production, fixed installations, event staging, streaming, and enterprise communications.

 

These systems require performance characteristics such as low latency, high bandwidth, precise synchronization, and versatile connectivity. This glossary defines key terms used in Broadcast and ProAV technologies to support engineers, system designers, and decision makers working with modern media transport and distribution systems.

 

 

 

12G-SDI
12G-SDI is a high-bandwidth variant of SDI that supports uncompressed 4K video at 60 frames per second over a single coaxial cable, simplifying infrastructure for high-resolution systems.

 

Audio Embedding
Audio embedding refers to the integration of audio signals with video streams within a single transport format, ensuring synchronized delivery of audiovisual content.

 

Broadcast System
A broadcast system is a structured set of equipment and protocols for capturing, processing, and delivering audio and video content to audiences, whether over traditional broadcast channels or modern IP-based networks.

 

Color Space
Color space defines the range and representation of colors in a digital video signal. Common color spaces include Rec.709 and Rec.2020, which specify how colors are encoded and displayed.

 

Control Protocols
Control protocols are communication standards used to manage and automate broadcast and ProAV devices. Examples include RS-232, RS-422, and IP-based control systems.

 

Dante
Dante is a digital audio networking technology that transports multi-channel audio over standard IP networks, commonly used in professional audio and AV installations.

 

Frame Rate
Frame rate is the number of video frames captured or displayed per second. It determines motion smoothness and is typically expressed in frames per second (fps). Common frame rates include 24, 30, 60, and higher for high-motion content.

 

HDR (High Dynamic Range) Video
High Dynamic Range (HDR) video captures and displays a broader range of brightness and color levels than standard video, improving contrast and realism in visual content.

 

IP Video Transport
IP video transport refers to the transmission of video and audio streams over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. IP transport enables flexible, scalable distribution and supports workflows such as remote production and cloud-based media services.

 

JPEG-XS
JPEG-XS is a low-latency, lightweight video compression standard designed for high-quality, real-time applications such as live broadcast and ProAV over IP networks.

 

Latency (Video)
Latency in video systems refers to the delay between a video signal being captured and the corresponding output being displayed. Low latency is critical for live production, interactive displays, and synchronized multi-screen environments.

 

Live Production
Live production refers to the capture, mixing, and delivery of audio and video content in real time, often for broadcast, streaming, or event staging.

 

Matrix Switcher
A matrix switcher is a device that routes multiple audio and video inputs to multiple outputs in any combination, enabling flexible signal distribution in broadcast and AV systems.

 

Media Server
A media server is a powerful computing platform that stores, manages, and delivers audio, video, and interactive content in broadcast and ProAV applications.

 

ProAV System
A ProAV (Professional Audio-Visual) system refers to integrated technologies used for audio and video distribution in corporate, education, live event, and public venue environments. ProAV systems emphasize flexibility, scalability, and high-quality performance.

 

PTP (Precision Time Protocol)
Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is a time synchronization standard that aligns clocks across networked devices with sub-microsecond accuracy, essential for synchronized media production and playback.

 

Remote Production
Remote production involves controlling cameras, mixing, and other production equipment from a location separate from the event, enabled by IP transport and low-latency connectivity.

 

Resolution (Video)
Resolution describes the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in a video image. Higher resolutions (such as 4K and 8K) offer greater detail and clarity for broadcast and ProAV content.

 

Scalability (Media Systems)
Scalability in media systems refers to the ability to expand signal sources, displays, and network capacity without compromising performance, enabling future growth and flexibility.

 

SDI (Serial Digital Interface)
Serial Digital Interface (SDI) is a family of digital video standards used for transporting uncompressed video and audio signals over coaxial cable. SDI variants include HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI, and 12G-SDI, each supporting increasing resolutions and frame rates.

 

SMPTE
SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) is a professional organization that develops technical standards for film, television, and media technology, including frame rates, timecode, and media exchange formats.

 

Stream Monitoring
Stream monitoring refers to the processes and tools used to observe and validate live or recorded media streams to ensure quality and integrity throughout distribution.

 

Timing and Synchronization
Timing and synchronization refer to methods used to align audio and video signals across devices and systems. Accurate synchronization ensures audio and video remain in lockstep and eliminates drift and artifacts in distributed systems.

 

Video Codec
A video codec is a technology that compresses and decompresses digital video to reduce bandwidth or storage requirements while preserving image quality. Common codecs include H.264, HEVC (H.265), and JPEG-XS.

 

Video Wall
A video wall is a large-format display composed of multiple screens tiled together to form a single, unified visual surface, often used in control rooms, events, and digital signage.

 

 

 

Imaging and vision systems are the foundation of modern automation, robotics, medical devices, security, and intelligent infrastructure.

 

From image capture and optics to processing, AI, and data transport, these systems must work together reliably under real-world constraints such as latency, power, bandwidth, and long product lifecycles.

 

This glossary defines the core imaging and vision concepts that underpin complete systems, not just individual components. It is designed to help engineers, architects, and decision makers understand how sensors, optics, processing, and interfaces interact across applications.

 

Macnica supports imaging and vision systems end to end, connecting capture, process, and communicate technologies with engineering expertise and long-term supply assurance. This glossary serves as a shared reference point across industrial, medical, robotics, security, and media applications.

 

 

 

Back-Illuminated Sensor (BSI)
A back-illuminated sensor places wiring behind the photodiode, allowing more light to reach the pixel. BSI architecture improves sensitivity and low-light performance, especially in compact sensor designs.

 

Bit Depth
Bit depth defines the number of digital levels used to represent pixel intensity. Higher bit depth allows more tonal gradation and improved image fidelity, which is important in medical imaging and precision inspection.

 

Camera Module
A camera module integrates an image sensor, optics, and interface electronics into a single unit. Camera modules simplify system integration and reduce development time.

 

CMOS Image Sensor
A CMOS image sensor uses Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor technology to integrate image capture and signal processing on a single device. CMOS sensors are widely used in modern imaging systems due to their low power consumption, high integration, and flexibility across industrial, medical, and embedded vision applications.

 

Color Sensor
A color sensor uses a color filter array, such as a Bayer pattern, to capture color information. Color sensors are used when accurate color reproduction is required, such as in medical imaging or quality inspection.

 

Depth Map
A depth map is a representation of distance information captured by a 3D imaging system. Depth maps are used in robotics, automation, and spatial perception applications.

 

Dynamic Range
Dynamic range is the ratio between the brightest and darkest areas an image sensor can capture simultaneously. A wide dynamic range allows imaging systems to preserve detail in scenes with both bright highlights and deep shadows, which is essential in industrial inspection and medical imaging.

 

Embedded Vision
Embedded vision refers to imaging systems where image capture and processing occur within a compact, integrated platform. Embedded vision is widely used in robotics, medical devices, and smart infrastructure.

 

Exposure
Exposure defines how long an image sensor collects light for a single frame. Proper exposure balances brightness and motion blur and is influenced by shutter time, aperture, and illumination.

 

Frame Rate
Frame rate is the number of images captured per second, measured in frames per second. High frame rates are critical for applications such as high-speed inspection, robotics, and motion analysis, where fast-moving objects must be captured without blur.

 

Full Well Capacity
Full well capacity is the maximum amount of charge a pixel can store before saturation. Higher full well capacity improves dynamic range and helps preserve detail in bright areas of an image.

 

Gain
Gain is the amplification applied to the sensor signal to increase image brightness. While gain can improve visibility in low-light conditions, excessive gain may introduce noise and reduce image quality.

 

Global Shutter
A global shutter captures all pixels in an image simultaneously. This eliminates motion distortion when imaging fast-moving objects, making global shutter sensors ideal for robotics, automation, and high-speed inspection systems.

 

High Dynamic Range (HDR)
HDR imaging combines multiple exposures or uses advanced pixel architectures to capture a wider range of brightness levels in a single image. HDR is commonly used in industrial inspection, security, and medical imaging systems.

 

Image Sensor
An image sensor is a semiconductor device that converts incoming light into electrical signals to form a digital image. Image sensors are the foundation of all imaging systems and are used in applications ranging from machine vision and robotics to medical imaging and security. Sensor selection directly impacts resolution, sensitivity, frame rate, and overall system performance.

 

Image Signal Processor (ISP)
An image signal processor is a hardware or software block that converts raw sensor data into usable images. ISP functions include demosaicing, noise reduction, color correction, and tone mapping.

 

Long-Term Availability
Long-term availability refers to the ability to source imaging components consistently over extended product lifecycles. This is a critical consideration for industrial and medical systems that require stable production over many years.

 

Machine Vision
Machine vision is the use of imaging systems to automatically inspect, measure, and guide processes. It plays a critical role in industrial automation, quality control, and robotics.

 

MIPI CSI-2
MIPI CSI-2 is a high-speed serial interface commonly used to connect image sensors to processors in embedded vision systems. It enables compact designs with high data throughput.

 

Monochrome Sensor
A monochrome sensor captures light intensity without color filters. These sensors provide higher sensitivity and resolution than color sensors and are often used in machine vision and scientific imaging.

 

Near-Infrared (NIR) Imaging
NIR imaging captures wavelengths just beyond the visible spectrum. It is used in applications such as medical diagnostics, security, and industrial inspection where visible light is insufficient or undesirable.

 

Pixel
A pixel is the smallest light-sensitive element on an image sensor. Each pixel converts photons into an electrical charge that represents image brightness. Pixel size and structure influence sensitivity, noise performance, and dynamic range.

 

Pixel Pitch
Pixel pitch is the distance between the centers of adjacent pixels on an image sensor, typically measured in microns. Smaller pixel pitch enables higher resolution in compact sensors, while larger pixels generally offer better low-light sensitivity and dynamic range.

 

Read Noise
Read noise is electronic noise introduced during the process of converting pixel charge into a digital signal. Low read noise is critical for capturing fine detail, especially in low-light and medical imaging applications.

 

Resolution
Resolution refers to the total number of pixels on an image sensor, usually expressed in megapixels. Higher resolution enables finer detail capture, but also increases data bandwidth, processing requirements, and storage needs.

 

Rolling Shutter
A rolling shutter captures an image line by line over time rather than all at once. Rolling shutter sensors often offer higher resolution and lower cost, making them suitable for applications where motion is limited or controlled.

 

Sensor Format
Sensor format describes the physical size of an image sensor, often expressed as a fractional inch designation. Sensor format affects field of view, lens compatibility, and light-gathering capability, making it a key consideration in imaging system design.

 

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
Signal-to-noise ratio measures the strength of the desired image signal relative to background noise. Higher SNR results in clearer images with better contrast and detail, particularly in low-light conditions.

 

Time-of-Flight (ToF)
Time-of-flight imaging measures distance by calculating how long it takes light to travel from a source to an object and back. ToF sensors enable 3D vision, depth mapping, and spatial awareness.

 

Vision-Guided Robotics
Vision-guided robotics uses imaging systems to enable robots to perceive their environment, locate objects, and make movement decisions. This approach improves flexibility and precision in automation systems.

 

 

 

Medical imaging systems play a critical role in diagnostics, monitoring, and clinical procedures. These systems must deliver consistent, high-quality images under strict performance, reliability, and regulatory constraints, where imaging accuracy can directly influence clinical outcomes.

 

This glossary defines key medical imaging concepts that build on foundational imaging and vision principles, with a focus on clinical requirements such as low-light performance, image consistency, low latency, and long-term availability. It is intended to support engineers, product teams, and decision makers developing imaging-enabled medical devices.

 

Macnica supports medical imaging systems end to end, connecting sensing, processing, and communication technologies with engineering expertise and lifecycle-focused supply programs.

 

 

 

Color Accuracy
Color accuracy describes how closely captured images represent true colors. Accurate color reproduction is important in applications such as pathology, dermatology, and surgical visualization.

 

Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic imaging refers to imaging techniques used to detect, diagnose, and monitor medical conditions. These systems prioritize image accuracy, repeatability, and consistency to support reliable clinical decision making.

 

Endoscopy Imaging
Endoscopy imaging uses compact camera systems to visualize internal organs through minimally invasive procedures. Key requirements include small form factor, high sensitivity, and stable image quality.

 

Fluorescence Imaging
Fluorescence imaging captures emitted light from fluorescent markers to highlight specific tissues, structures, or biological processes. These systems rely on very high sensitivity and stable low-light performance.

 

Image Consistency
Image consistency refers to stable imaging performance over time and across devices. In medical systems, consistent imaging is essential for reproducible diagnostics and longitudinal patient monitoring.

 

Image Noise
Image noise is unwanted variation in image data that can obscure fine detail. Minimizing noise is important for preserving diagnostic clarity and supporting accurate interpretation.

 

Latency (Medical Imaging)
Latency in medical imaging describes the delay between image capture and image display. Low latency is especially important in surgical and real-time monitoring applications.

 

Low-Light Performance
Low-light performance refers to an imaging system’s ability to produce clear and usable images under minimal illumination. This capability is critical in applications such as fluorescence imaging, endoscopy, and surgery.

 

Medical Device Lifecycle
The medical device lifecycle includes development, validation, production, and long-term support. Imaging components must maintain consistent performance and availability throughout this lifecycle.

 

Medical Imaging System
A medical imaging system is a combination of sensors, optics, processing, and software used to visualize anatomical structures, physiological processes, or medical instruments for diagnosis, monitoring, or treatment.

 

Near-Infrared (NIR) Medical Imaging
Near-infrared medical imaging uses wavelengths beyond visible light to reveal tissue features not visible under standard illumination. It is commonly used in surgical guidance and specialized diagnostic applications.

 

Radiation-Free Imaging
Radiation-free imaging uses optical and electronic imaging technologies rather than ionizing radiation. These systems are well suited for repeated, continuous, or real-time imaging applications.

 

Regulatory Compliance (Medical Imaging)
Regulatory compliance ensures that medical imaging devices meet required safety, performance, and quality standards for clinical use and market approval.

 

Sensor Calibration
Sensor calibration is the process of correcting and aligning sensor output to ensure accurate brightness, color, and spatial measurements. Proper calibration supports reliable and repeatable imaging results.

 

Surgical Imaging
Surgical imaging provides real-time visualization during medical procedures. These systems emphasize low latency, high sensitivity, and accurate color reproduction to support precise clinical workflows.

 

 

 

Robotics and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) increasingly rely on integrated sensing, perception, compute, and control technologies to operate safely, accurately, and efficiently in dynamic environments. These systems combine vision, navigation, localization, machine learning, and real-time decision making to perform tasks ranging from material handling and inspection to human-robot collaboration.

 

This glossary defines key concepts used in robotics and AMR systems to support engineers, integrators, and decision makers who are building, deploying, or maintaining robotic solutions.

 

 

 

3D Vision
3D vision is a robot’s ability to perceive three-dimensional information about its environment, enabling more accurate navigation, object manipulation, and spatial understanding.

 

Autonomous Fleet Management
Autonomous fleet management refers to systems that coordinate multiple robots or AMRs to work together, optimize routing, balance workloads, and ensure safe operation across a facility.

 

Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR)
An autonomous mobile robot (AMR) is a robot capable of navigating and performing tasks independently within an environment, adapting to changing conditions using sensors, perception, and path-planning algorithms.

 

Autonomous Navigation
Autonomous navigation is the capability of a robot to move through its environment without human intervention, using perception, mapping, and planning to make path decisions.

 

Battery Management System (BMS)
A battery management system (BMS) monitors and controls battery performance, charging, and health, which is especially important for AMRs that rely on sustained uptime.

 

Collaboration Robot (Cobot)
A collaboration robot, or cobot, is a robot designed to work safely alongside humans, often with integrated safety systems and compliant motion control.

 

Control System
A control system is the set of algorithms and hardware that govern a robot’s movements and actions, ensuring that behavior follows desired commands and responds appropriately to feedback.

 

Depth Sensing
Depth sensing refers to the measurement of distance information from sensor data, such as from stereo cameras or time-of-flight sensors, to support navigation, obstacle detection, and spatial perception.

 

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)
Human-robot interaction refers to the study and design of how humans and robots communicate, collaborate, and work together safely and effectively.

 

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is a sensor package that measures acceleration, angular velocity, and sometimes magnetic field data to support motion estimation and orientation tracking.

 

Localization
Localization is the process by which a robot determines its position and orientation within an environment, often using sensor data, maps, and algorithms to establish accurate spatial awareness.

 

Localization Drift
Localization drift is the gradual loss of positional accuracy over time in a robot’s localization system due to sensor noise or estimation error, which may be corrected through sensor fusion and loop closure.

 

Localization Map
A localization map is a representation of landmarks and spatial features used by a robot’s localization system to determine its position relative to known reference points.

 

Loop Closure
Loop closure is a SLAM technique where a robot recognizes that it has returned to a previously visited location, allowing it to correct accumulated positional errors and refine the map.

 

Manipulation
Manipulation refers to a robot’s ability to physically interact with objects in its environment, including reaching, grasping, and manipulating items using robotic arms or end-effectors.

 

Mapping
Mapping refers to the creation of a representation of the environment that a robot can use for navigation and planning. Maps may include obstacle information, free space, and semantic context.

 

Obstacle Avoidance
Obstacle avoidance refers to techniques used by robots to detect and navigate around obstacles in real time, enabling safe movement through complex environments.

 

Path Planning
Path planning is the process of calculating an optimal route for a robot to travel from one location to another while avoiding obstacles, minimizing cost, and satisfying movement constraints.

 

Perception Stack
A perception stack is a layered software architecture that includes modules for sensor input, perception algorithms, object recognition, and environmental interpretation that robots use to make sense of the world.

 

Real-Time Processing
Real-time processing describes computation that is guaranteed to complete within strict timing constraints, which is critical for perception, control, and safety in robotic systems.

 

Robot Perception
Robot perception refers to the ability of a robot to interpret data from sensors, such as cameras and lidar, to understand its environment, recognize objects, and assess spatial relationships.

 

Robotics
Robotics is the field of engineering and science focused on designing, building, and operating robots that can perceive their environment, make decisions, and execute actions with varying degrees of autonomy.

 

Safety-Rated Vision
Safety-rated vision refers to vision systems that meet defined standards for functional safety, enabling robots to detect hazards and operate in safety-critical contexts.

 

Sensor Fusion
Sensor fusion is the process of combining data from multiple sensing modalities, such as vision, lidar, ultrasonic, and inertial sensors, to improve environmental understanding and decision making.

 

SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping)
SLAM is a computational process in which a robot builds a map of an unknown environment while simultaneously determining its own location within that map, enabling autonomous navigation without prior infrastructure.

 

Task Scheduling
Task scheduling refers to the management and timing of multiple activities that a robot must perform, ensuring efficient execution, resource allocation, and path prioritization.

 

Visual Odometry
Visual odometry is the technique of estimating a robot’s motion over time by analyzing changes in visual data, often used in combination with other odometry sources for accurate movement tracking.

 

Waypoint
A waypoint is a defined coordinate or position that a robot uses as a target within a navigation path plan, serving as a milestone in autonomous routing.

 

 

 

Smart city and mobility systems integrate sensing, connectivity, data processing, and analytics to improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of urban environments. These systems support applications such as intelligent transportation, traffic management, public safety, environmental monitoring, and connected infrastructure.

 

This glossary defines key concepts used in smart city and mobility solutions, with an emphasis on real-world deployment, system interoperability, data reliability, and long-term operation. It is intended for engineers, planners, system integrators, and decision makers working on connected urban and transportation systems.

 

 

 

Anomaly Detection
Anomaly detection identifies unusual or unexpected behavior within data streams, supporting applications such as incident detection and infrastructure monitoring.

 

Connected Infrastructure
Connected infrastructure consists of physical assets equipped with sensors and communication capabilities that enable real-time monitoring, control, and data exchange.

 

Cyber-Physical System
A cyber-physical system integrates computational elements with physical processes, enabling real-time monitoring and control of infrastructure.

 

Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity encompasses measures used to protect smart city systems from unauthorized access, data breaches, and malicious attacks.

 

Data Fusion
Data fusion combines information from multiple data sources to create a more complete and accurate representation of urban conditions.

 

Data Privacy
Data privacy refers to the protection of personal and sensitive information collected by smart city and mobility systems.

 

Edge Computing (Smart Cities)
Edge computing in smart city systems processes data close to where it is generated, reducing latency, bandwidth usage, and reliance on centralized data centers.

 

Environmental Monitoring
Environmental monitoring uses sensors to track conditions such as air quality, noise levels, temperature, and weather to support public health and urban planning.

 

Infrastructure Monitoring
Infrastructure monitoring involves the continuous observation of assets such as bridges, tunnels, and roadways to detect degradation, damage, or abnormal conditions.

 

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)
An intelligent transportation system combines sensors, communication networks, and software to manage traffic flow, improve road safety, and support efficient transportation operations.

 

Interoperability
Interoperability is the ability of systems and devices from different vendors to work together seamlessly using common standards and interfaces.

 

License Plate Recognition
License plate recognition is the automated identification of vehicle license plates from images or video, commonly used in traffic management and enforcement systems.

 

Lifecycle Management
Lifecycle management includes planning, deployment, operation, maintenance, and long-term support of smart city and mobility systems.

 

Long-Term Availability
Long-term availability refers to the ability to source and support system components over extended deployment lifecycles typical of city infrastructure projects.

 

Mobility Infrastructure
Mobility infrastructure refers to the physical and digital systems that support transportation, including roads, intersections, signaling systems, transit platforms, and connected devices.

 

Multimodal Transportation
Multimodal transportation integrates multiple forms of transport, such as cars, buses, bicycles, pedestrians, and rail, into a unified mobility ecosystem.

 

Pedestrian Detection
Pedestrian detection is the use of sensing systems to identify and track people in public spaces or roadways, supporting safety applications and accessibility.

 

Public Transit Optimization
Public transit optimization uses data and analytics to improve scheduling, routing, and capacity utilization of buses, trains, and other transit services.

 

Reliability
Reliability describes the ability of a system to operate consistently and correctly over time, even under varying environmental conditions.

 

Scalability (Smart City Systems)
Scalability refers to the ability of smart city systems to expand in size, coverage, or functionality without compromising performance.

 

Situational Awareness
Situational awareness is the ability of city systems to perceive, understand, and respond to conditions in the urban environment in real time.

 

Smart City
A smart city uses connected technologies, data analytics, and automation to enhance urban services, improve quality of life, and optimize the use of resources such as energy, transportation, and public infrastructure.

 

Smart Intersection
A smart intersection integrates sensors, communication systems, and control logic to improve safety, traffic flow, and coordination between vehicles and pedestrians.

 

Sustainable Mobility
Sustainable mobility focuses on transportation solutions that reduce environmental impact, improve efficiency, and support long-term urban sustainability.

 

Traffic Monitoring
Traffic monitoring involves the collection and analysis of data related to vehicle movement, congestion, and road usage to support traffic management and planning decisions.

 

Traffic Signal Control
Traffic signal control systems dynamically manage signal timing at intersections based on traffic conditions, pedestrian activity, and priority vehicles to improve flow and safety.

 

Urban Analytics
Urban analytics refers to the analysis of data collected from city systems to identify patterns, trends, and opportunities for improving services and infrastructure.

 

Vehicle Detection
Vehicle detection refers to the identification and tracking of vehicles using sensors such as cameras, radar, or other sensing technologies to support traffic analysis and control.

 

Video Analytics
Video analytics applies automated analysis to video data to detect events, patterns, or anomalies in traffic, public spaces, and infrastructure.