Published on: 07 July 2018
Last Updated on: 29 October 2024
A lot has been written about CMOS digital cameras. However, debates have arisen about the merits and demerits between CCD and CMOS digital cameras. The arguments continue and people have not come up with a conclusion. Nonetheless, it is not surprising that they have not come up with a definite answer since everyone has their preferences. Markets and technologies change with time influencing prices and technical feasibility. There are different imager applications, and they have different and evolving requirements. Some applications work better with CMOS imagers while some work better with CCDs, but this does not mean that one does not outperform the other.
CCD and CMOS image sensors :
With the advent of social media, today, everyone is buying a digital camera. Every digital camera has CCD or CMOS sensor to convert light into electric signals, but even though these sensors serve the same purpose, they have some differences which affect the camera prices and the quality of the image produced. CCD (charged coupling devices) was used in pioneer cameras for image conversion from to digital pixels from analog signals of light. Due to the manufacturing process used, conversion occurs in the chip, and this reduces distortion by creating high-quality sensors that produce clear images. Nonetheless, since they need a unique manufacturing process, they end up being pricier than the CMOS.
On the other hand, to transmit a charge through traditional wires, CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) utilize transistors for each pixel. Since each pixel is treated individually, flexibility is guaranteed. The CMOS is made through traditional manufacturing processes just like creating microchips making them easier to produce and cheaper than CCD sensors. They are the reason digital cameras are more affordable.
CCD sensors are different from CMOS sensors since, with their low nose or grain, they create high-quality images. However, CMOS also create high-quality images but with high noise or grain. At the right exposure, more light is required for CMOS to produce images with low noise but CCD sensors have more elevated light sensitivity. Nonetheless, this does not imply that CMOS sensors have utmost inferiority to CCD sensors since unlike CMOS that was invented some years ago, CCD sensors have been used in digital cameras for a long time and the technology used has been advanced over the years. CMOS sensors are also gradually being advanced and they will soon catch-up and match up with CCD sensors in terms of revolution and entire quality.
With the assurance of higher integration for smaller components and lower power consumption CMOS designers focus on adapting it for the highest volume image sensor application in the world, mobile phones. Designers have invested a lot to develop and fine-tune CMOS images and manufacturing processes. Due to this investment, image quality has greatly improved, and pixel sizes have even reduced. Considering the high volume consumers and line scan imagers, CMOS imagers outperform CCDs based on almost each performance parameter imaginable.
Comparison between CMOS and CCDs :
CMOS outperform CCDs, machine noise and speed being the key parameters. Conversion of signals from single charge to analog charge and finally to analog signals is different in CCDs and CMOS. CMOS ‘data path is highly parallel in area and line sensor imagers. This causes low bandwidth in each amplifier. By the time they reach the interface between the imagers and the off-chip circuitry, the data path bottleneck, CMOS are firmly ingrained in the digital domain. Conversely, due to their high speed, the output channels in CCDs are more parallel, but they cannot match up the parallelism in COSMOS imagers. Hence, every CCD imager possesses a high bandwidth causing high noise. Nevertheless, CMOS imagers, owing to their high speed, can be designed to lower noise, unlike high-speed CCDs.
Besides the performance differences between CCD and CMOS imagers, businessmen also focus on value. It is difficult to value the cost of pictures, but leverage could be used as a great value indicator. Currently, the images in the market are cheaper than custom imagers regardless of whether they are CMOS or CCD imagers. If you need to customize the imager, compared to CMOS imagers, it is less expensive to develop custom CCD. Developing CMOS imagers is pricier because the sub-micron used are deeper and more expensive. The circuitry needed to design CMOS is also higher, and even though this makes better performing custom CMOS imagers, CCD’s value proposition is still more favorable.
Final thoughts on CCDs and CMOS :
Currently, CCD cameras have higher quality images with higher resolution but CMOS technology is being advanced day by day, and due to its longer battery life and cheaper manufacturing methods, it is bound to capture and even overtake CCD cameras. Some years to come, CMOS will become the norm of digital cameras until new technology comes up.
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Whatever the business and industry, there’s no doubt IT support is the key element ensuring proper operations. It partially makes for the success of a company. With a countless number of IT support providers, it may be quite a hassle to decide on the format of such services. Should you choose managed or technical support?
The fundamental difference lies in the way things are handled. That is why businesses ought to evaluate their needs and requirements so that they can decide on the form of IT support. Today, we’ll discuss what managed and technical services are.
The Core of Managed IT Support
Managed IT support is a relatively new concept. Its proactive nature provides numerous benefits for a company. Even though it’s usually aimed at bigger enterprises, the trend of opting for managed services is increasingly growing in small businesses as well.
The core of this format is constant, 24/7 access to an IT team. In case an issue occurs, companies don’t even need to inform their managed services provider as thanks to the advanced technological infrastructure an error is already being handled. This way businesses can put their efforts into day-to-day tasks while a team of IT specialists is dealing with an issue. The result? Smooth operations as if nothing had happened.
Technical Support in a Nutshell
Technical support is a more traditional way of handling a company’s issues. If you don’t happen to have an IT department or an in-house IT team, you might find this option fit. Clients usually purchase pre-paid hours on a monthly/quarterly or even yearly basis and in case an issue occurs, they can use their provider’s manpower to fix the problem.
Having access to a team of IT experts can be highly beneficial in terms of running a business in a trouble-free manner especially when a company runs into a bigger project and faces difficulties juggling their efforts. Technical support comes in handy, allowing such a company to put its focus on the important matters while professionals are handling the issue.
Managed Services or Blocked Hours - Which is Better?
Whether a company should opt for managed services or blocked hours is very individual. Firewall Technical suggests evaluating the needs, profile, and requirements in order to make a smart decision. While managed support is a perfect and highly-efficient option for medium-sized and large enterprises, small businesses can find it fit too.
The biggest difference here lies both in the cost and effort. Managed services is a more pricey form of IT support but it generally pays off in the long-run. Technical support, while being a cheaper option, does not give companies full 24/7 access to a team of IT experts. The contract is based on a specific amount of blocked hours that can be used within a certain period of time.
That is why a thorough analysis should be done beforehand. However, if you own a digital company no matter the size, you would probably find managed services to be the more efficient option.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Listing pros and cons is always a good idea in order to estimate the best solution for your company. There’s a lot to consider in terms of budget, time, and effort. So what are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of managed services and technical support?
Managed IT Support
A growing number of companies are going for this type of IT support. No wonder, all the issues are handled right after they occur, or long before they even get the chance to. This is one of the biggest advantages of managed services, and that is why it makes a perfect fit for those whose operations rely heavily on IT systems.
Your company’s efficiency will most likely boost thanks to outsourcing it. Increased focus on development and innovation gives businesses additional asset - competitiveness. Experts at Miropoint emphasize that it’s not only about fixing issues and updating software but most importantly about preventing errors from happening in the first place.
Another very prominent pro of managed services is the level of security, which is crucial if you’re running a business that stores clients’ sensitive data. Cybercriminals like to hunt such companies down and this could cost you money, trust, and reputation.
When talking about the biggest cons of managed support, businesses usually mention the cost. It scares most small companies off since they simply can’t afford it. Well, that’s what they think. They seem to be forgetting about the long-term effects when managed support is a highly cost-efficient solution and does pay off.
Technical Support
IT support prevents your technological infrastructure from any malfunction but not 24/7. In fact, you can use the help of experienced IT professionals any time you need as long as you purchased enough blocked hours to fix your issue. Again, you can also have them improve your old systems so that they’re more compatible with new software. This solution, therefore, could be beneficial for companies that don’t rely on IT infrastructure entirely.
Another advantage is that you’re not bound by any contract. You pay for what you need. No overhead expenses, no flat monthly fee. Such providers are usually quite flexible when it comes to purchased hours so you don’t have to block the same number as the previous month for instance.
There are some drawbacks too. Even though technical support experts have access to state-of-the-art technology, they don’t monitor your systems 24/7, which can cause slight delays before the issue has been recognized. It is also said that sharing information with a third-party could be risky, however, the policy doesn’t allow them to use any information.
Conclusion
The true winner is hard to determine. For some managed services is the top option that provides continuous monitoring, updates, improvement, and security. It is quite costly, which may scare smaller companies off. In this case, they will probably opt for technical support and use an as-needed form of cooperation. No matter what you decide, remember to evaluate your company’s needs and choose the support accordingly.
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Worldwide, there has been a sharp increase in the number of mobile application downloads. Organizations aim to increase user engagement for their applications by releasing new features every few weeks to gain a foothold in this market. This increases the pressure on testing organizations to publish thoroughly tested mobile applications to increase user engagement.
To accomplish this, they must have a testing process that not only delivers applications that are free of bugs and function well but also has more thorough coverage. Naturally, automated mobile testing is becoming necessary to satisfy these demands. Automation testing is advantageous for all applications, including web and mobile ones.
Appium is the most widely used automation tool for testing mobile applications out of the many available options. Appium is a free and open-source test automation tool that aids in automating mobile app testing to provide users with a high-quality application and a better user experience.
The use of Appium on LambdaTest for mobile testing will be covered in this article. Before getting there, let's quickly review what mobile testing is and why Appium is utilized for this purpose.
What Is Mobile Testing?
The use of smartphones and mobile technology is growing exponentially. People find it difficult to see their lives without them. Today, we use mobile devices for practically everything, from grocery shopping to viewing films. To survive in the competitive market, mobile app testing has become imperative. Mobile testing guarantees that the apps and smartphones are safe, reliable, and easy to use.
Several tests are conducted on mobile devices to evaluate an application's reliability, functionality, and usability. Mobile testing can be divided into testing of mobile applications and testing of mobile devices. Mobile device testing verifies and validates both the physical components and software aspects of a device to authenticate its quality. It evaluates aspects like the screen, apps, camera, etc. On the other side, mobile application testing is a procedure used to test applications that are being created for mobile devices. The primary goals are to test the apps' usability, stability, and functioning. It makes sure that the chosen application, in terms of connectivity, hardware, and software, is compatible with the chosen device.
For an app to survive in the market today, mobile application testing is essential. The application is also tested in numerous other areas, such as its performance, security, and UI, to provide the best quality for the end users
Types Of Mobile Apps
There are three primary categories of mobile applications:
Native mobile apps
Native applications are platform-specific. In other words, they were created for a particular platform or operating system. It may be a Windows SDK, Android SDK, or iOS SDK. They have the extra benefit of being faster and more dependable in terms of performance because they concentrate on a single OS, but they are expensive to maintain. Such programs include Skype, Google Maps, and Snapchat, for instance.
Mobile Web Applications
Only mobile browsers are compatible with mobile web applications. They are accessible through mobile web browsers like Chrome and Safari. They are created using web-based languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Additionally, it is inexpensive and does not need users to install or update it. These include websites like AliExpress, OLX, Flipkart, etc.
Hybrid Mobile Applications
Native and web-based mobile apps are combined to create hybrid mobile apps. They can operate through browsers but can also be installed on native application devices. These apps are easy to create and affordable, but they lack the speed and power of native apps. These include services like Instagram, Uber, Gmail, etc.
Now to test these apps many testers and developers leverage automation test tools like Appium. Let's quickly define what Appium is.
Appium
Appium is a free, open-source, cross-platform test automation tool that uses the common WebDriver library to automate test cases for web, native, and hybrid applications. It primarily focuses on testing mobile applications while utilizing the same API across several mobile operating systems, such as Android and iOS.
The most popular mobile testing tool, Appium, offers simplicity, flexibility, and cost-friendliness for delivering the best user experiences with the continuous delivery method. It is used for quick and reliable testing across numerous platforms and devices.
Numerous programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, Python, PHP, Ruby, C#, etc., are supported by Appium. This gives testers the freedom to create test scripts in any programming language they choose. With its many features, mobile testing with Appium has quickly become popular in the mobile application organization.
Why Use Appium
Appium continues to be the top option for mobile app testing, regardless of whether the application is native, hybrid, or mobile and operating on Android, iOS, or Windows. By providing scalability and flexibility, Appium significantly improves the effectiveness of testing for mobile apps. It stands out as the best possible choice for testing mobile applications due to its broad feature set. Let's examine a few of its attributes.
It allows for the flexibility to write test code in a variety of programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, Python, and C#, and it can automate any mobile application created in any of these languages.
Appium allows test automation scripts to run simultaneously on various Android or iOS sessions. This ensures scalability while accelerating the testing process.
It has a built-in UI Automator that enables thorough examination of mobile apps while producing thorough logs and reporting structures for a better understanding of test results and enhanced troubleshooting.
Appium offers the reuse of the same code for many device platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows, which saves a significant amount of time and work.
It provides versatility in allowing users to select their testing environment and device by allowing testing of mobile applications on emulators, simulators, and real devices in the cloud.
It provides cross-platform compatibility, making it possible for the same tests to run on many platforms, expanding the coverage.
It provides real-time test monitoring that enables collaborators to see and share device interactions using the integrated collaborative screen-casting capability, thus strengthening the execution of tests.
Appium smoothly integrates with the TestNG testing framework, providing a greater number of capabilities.
Through test scripts, it gives QAs complete access to the databases and back-end APIs. This aids in evaluating errors that originate from databases or back-end APIs.
Why Use Lambdatest For Appium Tests?
As is already known, Appium enables the testing of mobile applications on emulators and simulators. However, keep in mind that emulators and simulators are completely insufficient for testing at the final stage. They are unable to duplicate several device features that are required to optimize the app for unfavorable events, such as low power, unstable network, IP geolocation, and many more.
Therefore, executing Appium tests on real device cloud is essential to provide conclusive, accurate results, make an app suited for working in actual user conditions, and ensure that the user experience is always at its best.
However, it is highly challenging and expensive to set up an internal device lab that must be regularly updated and maintained for both the newest and older versions. Therefore, using a cloud-based testing platform like LambdaTest is recommended because it makes thousands of real devices instantly accessible for testing.
Appium and LambdaTest, an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform, can work together seamlessly. As a result, testers can scale their existing testing across several platforms and develop, run, and analyze their test automation with Appium on LambdaTest's real device cloud. Additionally, QAs can use Appium on the LambadTest real device cloud to do manual and automated app testing.
LambdaTest enables testers to run Appium tests by offering online cloud-based access to more than 3000 real devices, browsers, and operating system combinations online. As a result, testers may meet deadlines more quickly and with less setup time.
The Appium automation testing on LambdaTest can assist with:
Simplify the entire CI/CD process, make it simple to write reliable Appium scripts, and minimize the complexity of test frameworks.
Support numerous mobile devices for parallel testing to speed up test execution and guarantee the best app performance across a range of devices, networks, and geographical regions.
Test apps on actual remote devices in real-world conditions to speed up development and quickly find and fix major flaws.
Additionally, LambdaTest offers a wide variety of advanced features that facilitate easy-to-use, effective testing. Here are a few of these features:
It has an inbuilt mobile inspector that makes it simple for testers to check the components of an app. Additionally, it enables them to record their test procedures from the same location.
It enables seamless integration with well-known technologies like Circle CI, Jenkins, Bamboo, and others to speed up DevOps and continuous delivery workflows.
Gives testers access to a variety of debugging tools for Appium testing, including text logs, network logs, device logs, Appium logs, extensive reports, and accompanying screenshots and videos for both successful test execution and complete test failure.
The test cases execution metrics reports can be retrieved whenever necessary from anywhere. This helps to support all remote team workflows.
A mobile app can now be developed utilizing a variety of technologies and programming languages. Thus, another fantastic benefit of using LambdaTest is that it covers all of the key technologies and programming languages required to support a particular set of development practices.
Furthermore, with LambdaTest, testers can benefit from manual cross-browser testing, automation testing, visual user interface testing, responsive testing, manual app testing, geolocation testing, and more, all with lifetime free access to LambdaTest.
The Prerequisites To Use Appium
There are a few prerequisites that must be installed on the system before automating apps with Appium.
Downloading and installing the JDK (Java Development Kit) and the Appium Desktop/Server.
Installing, and configuring the environment variable for Java.
Installing the Android Software Development Kit (SDK) after downloading it.
JAR file for Selenium Server.
Setting up the Eclipse IDE.
Having access to Google Play's APK app information.
js installation is not necessary. Because "Node.exe" and NPM are included by default whenever the Appium server is installed.
Integrating Appium With Lambdatest
LambdaTest integration with Appium is necessary to utilize Appium testing fully. The following actions are necessary for the integration process:
Visiting LambdaTest and creating an account.
Acquiring the API credentials needed for Appium integration. The credentials will facilitate linking the LambdaTest cloud infrastructure and the Appium tests.
Next, setting up and specifying the desired capabilities in the Appium tests to specify the device, operating system, browser, and any other essential factors that create the intended test environment and guarantee that tests are executed on the desired devices in the cloud. These configuration variables specify test environments and guarantee the smooth operation of the tests in such environments.
The next step is configuring the test execution by including the appropriate capabilities and the LambdaTest endpoint URL in the Appium test script. By doing so, the platform and the Appium tests will be connected.
Finally, run the Appium tests and keep track of their progress on the LambdaTest dashboard. The test results can then be analyzed to find any problems that require attention by examining the test reports, logs, and screenshots.
Conclusion
It may be concluded that due to Appium's cross-platform capability and simplicity of use, it has grown to be widely utilized in testing mobile applications for iOS and Android to meet the expectations of quick and dependable testing that spans numerous platforms, devices, and versions.
In comparison to alternative testing techniques, Appium offers greater efficiency, flexibility, and cost-friendliness, empowering teams to deliver excellent user experiences while utilizing the continuous delivery methodology.
It is advantageous to use Appium with a cloud testing platform like LambdaTest because it gives users access to automated test environments with cloud-hosted real mobile devices that are simple to use. The testing process is made more easy by having access to the vast array of functions offered by the cloud.
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Measuring the distance between two addresses is important for business and personal use.
Several methods are available for measuring the distance between two addresses, whether you're trying to plan a delivery route, determine how far apart two properties are, or estimate your estimated arrival time for brunch.
However, with an overwhelming amount of options, the next logical question is, "which method is best for your situation?" To determine this, you will need to answer some preliminary questions, including, "Am I measuring the driving distance between two addresses or a straight line distance?" and "Am I using exact addresses, coordinates, or city names?" This article will compare the different ways of calculating the distance between two addresses.
Here Are 3 Prime Steps To Measure The Distance Between Two Addresses
1. Using GPS
The first and most basic method is GPS, which provides a great way to get a general idea of distance and travel time. GPS devices use satellite technology to determine your location and the location of other points and can provide highly accurate distance measurements.
Searchers can use GPS by entering the two addresses into the device and selecting "enter" or "go." The result will give the inquirer the distance between the two points and the estimated travel time. However, this method can be limited in accuracy, especially if the addresses are remote or the roads are not well-mapped.
2. Google Maps
Google Maps is a convenient tool for measuring the distance between two addresses. To measure the driving distance, simply enter the addresses into the search bar and click on the "Directions" icon.
Select the "Driving" option and "Get Directions" to display the route and total distance on the map. Using this method can be helpful when planning a road trip or estimating travel time.
However, the driving distance displayed may differ from the actual mileage due to factors such as traffic and construction. Despite this, it can still be useful for measuring the driving distance between two points.
3. GIS Software
GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software is a tool that allows users to analyze and visualize geographic data.
GIS software typically includes a variety of tools for data management, spatial analysis, and mapping. GIS software can measure the distance between two locations in various ways, depending on the specific software and the available data.
Some of these ways are:
Measuring the straight-line distance between two points is often the most straightforward method, allowing users to use the "Measure Distance" or "Distance" tool, typically found in the toolbar or menu.
Measuring the shortest path distance between two points can be used when the data includes information about the terrain or other features that affect the distance between two locations.
Measuring the distance along a specific route can be used when the data includes information about roads or other transportation networks and can help determine the length along a particular way, such as the distance between two addresses on a map.
The only caveat is that GIS software does not consider the terrain or other features that can affect the distance between two locations.
Making Your Choice
Before deciding, it is important to consider the type of distance measurement you need (driving or straight line) and the accuracy required before choosing a method. Weighing the pros and cons will help ensure that you are making the best decision for what you are hoping to achieve.
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