Tracing the History of Wisenet SoC

When it comes to security cameras, the System on a Chip (SoC) is where the magic happens. It’s the brainpower packed into a tiny chip, handling everything from image processing to smart analytics. This combines multiple electronic functions into one super-efficient package. Advances in SoC have transformed security cameras, evolving them from bulky, inefficient systems to sleek, efficient devices.

While many manufacturers rely on third-party general-purpose SoCs, Hanwha Vision has distinguished itself by developing proprietary, in-house SoC solutions for over 20 years. This journey, which started with early in-house Image Signal Processors (ISP) development, was driven by our commitment to continuous innovation. This commitment to innovation is seen with the latest addition to our popular Wisenet chipset, Wisenet 9.

Wisenet 9 was first unveiled during ISC West (April 2-4, Las Vegas), one of the security industry’s largest and most influential events. The launch of Wisenet 9 and the history of previous Wisenet-branded SoCs illustrate how Hanwha Vision has helped lead the industry’s progression from analog setups to connected, network-based systems, and now to the world of AI-driven security.

The Power of In-House SoC

Historically, video processing involved discrete electronic components, resulting in large, inefficient systems. The introduction of integrated circuits, and subsequently SoCs, revolutionized this process, enabling significant miniaturization and enhanced performance.

The expanding network video surveillance market has driven demand for specialized SoCs. By fostering in-house SoC development, Hanwha Vision optimizes system performance, and facilitates customization, and drives ongoing technological advancements.

These efforts also help Hanwha Vision achieve long-term technological leadership and meet the evolving needs of the professional security market.

With in-house SoC development, Hanwha Vision has granular control over every aspect of the chip’s design, allowing for tailored acceleration of specific video analytics algorithms and enhanced image quality. This direct control translates to faster processing speeds, reduced latency, and more efficient power consumption, ultimately delivering superior performance and a more reliable security experience.

Furthermore, in-house SoC development enables quicker adaptation to emerging technologies and security requirements, providing a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market. Wisenet 9’s new capabilities, such as AI-based Noise Reduction (NR) and Extreme Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) for exceptional image clarity and RE-ID for enhanced person tracking and searching across multiple cameras, demonstrate this adaptability.

The Analog Era: Laying the Foundation (2004-2009)

Hanwha Vision‘s expertise in image processing began long before the Wisenet brand became synonymous with advanced network cameras. In the early 2000s, we focused on developing ISPs for analog cameras, which dominated the market at the time.

• W3 ISP: This marked the initial foray into chip development, laying the groundwork for future advancements.
• W5, A1, SV5 ISPs: These iterations demonstrated our commitment to refining image processing capabilities for analog systems, optimizing image quality and performance, and building the foundational knowledge for future digital SoCs.

The Digital Transition: Early Network ISP Development (2010)

As the video surveillance landscape shifted towards network (IP) cameras, Hanwha Vision recognized the need for digital solutions. This period marked our transition from analog to digital video processing, with the development of:

• Wisenet 1 and Wisenet 2 ISPs: These were the first ISPs developed specifically for IP cameras, addressing the unique image processing requirements of digital video. They represent Hanwha Vision‘s early commitment to the burgeoning network video surveillance market.

The Wisenet SoC Era: Advancing Capabilities (2011-2020)

The true revolution began with the development of the Wisenet S SoC, marking Hanwha Vision‘s move into integrated chipset design.

• Wisenet S: The first full-fledged SoC, designed for entry-level network cameras. This milestone transitioned the company from separate ISPs to integrated solutions, optimizing performance and efficiency.
• Wisenet 3: Building on the Wisenet S, this SoC introduced enhanced resolution support, the H.264 codec, intelligent video analytics, and the defog function, demonstrating a commitment to expanding processing power and features.
• Wisenet 5: This iteration propelled Hanwha Vision into advanced analytics, introducing sound classification, the H.265 codec, and WiseStream video compression technology, significantly improving video management efficiency.
• Wisenet 7: Representing a culmination of expertise, this technology-intensive SoC supported ultra-high resolution (4K), multi-sensor interfaces, and enhanced cybersecurity, while also greatly improving ISP performance and laying a foundation for advanced AI analytics.

Wisenet 9: The AI Revolution at the Edge (2025)

Building upon our legacy of SoC innovation, Hanwha Vision introduces Wisenet 9. This culmination of nearly four years of dedicated development delivers a quantum leap in performance, accuracy, and security, aligning with the industry’s demand for smarter, more efficient and secure solutions.

Wisenet 9 elevates our commitment to in-house SoC development by integrating powerful Neural Processing Units (NPUs) with a 3x improvement in inference performance compared to Wisenet 7. This enables advanced features like AI-driven image enhancements for superior clarity, intelligent efficiency through data volume reduction, and enhanced privacy through Dynamic Privacy Masking (DPM). Key innovations such as RE-ID for enhanced person tracking and searching, AI Sound Classification, and robust FIPS 140-3 Level 3 security further demonstrate the adaptability and technological leadership fostered by our proprietary SoC approach.

The Future of Wisenet: Leading the AI-Driven Security Revolution

Our commitment to in-house SoC development has positioned it as a leader in the video surveillance industry. As the demand for AI video analytics and enhanced security continues to grow, Wisenet SoCs, including our most advanced Wisenet 9, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of video surveillance.

Learn more about Wisenet 9’s key features here.