#GMSL2 camera

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Cutting-Edge Automotive SerDes Technology and the Innovative SerDes Grabber Solution

Automotive SerDes (Serializer/Deserializer) technology is crucial for transmitting high-speed data between different components within a vehicle. This technology converts a multi-channel data signal into serial data for transmission over a single or a few pairs of wires (serialization) and then converts the serial data back into multi-channel data at the receiving end (deserialization). SerDes is especially important in modern vehicles, which have a growing number of sensors, cameras, and electronic control units (ECUs) that need to communicate quickly and reliably.

The increasing demand for connectivity, the proliferation of electronic components in vehicles, and the requirement for larger data capacity are driving the use of SerDes in the automotive industry. Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and self-driving capabilities necessitate high-speed data transfer and dependable connectivity between sensors, computers, and actuators in vehicles.

 

Leading Automotive SerDes Products

In the automotive SerDes market, the top three products are Texas Instruments' FPD-Link series, Analog Devices' (formerly Maxim Integrated) GMSL series, and Sony's GVIF. Here��s a detailed look at each:

 

I. Texas Instruments (TI)

Texas Instruments offers FPD-Link III and FPD-Link IV SerDes products for automotive applications, emphasizing reliability, high performance, and ease of use.

Key Highlights:

· High Speed: Supports up to 4Gbps per lane, suitable for high-resolution cameras and displays.

· Long Distance Transmission: Can transmit data up to 15 meters with minimal latency, essential for automotive applications.

· Integrated Features: Includes back-channel communication for bidirectional control and diagnostics, reducing the need for additional wiring.

· EMI Immunity: Features advanced shielding and noise reduction techniques to ensure reliable operation in noisy automotive environments.

· Power over Coax (PoC): Enables power delivery over the same cable used for data transmission, reducing complexity and weight.

· Scalability: Designed to support multiple cameras and displays, providing a scalable solution for ADAS and infotainment systems.

 

II. Maxim Integrated (now part of Analog Devices)

Maxim Integrated offers a range of GMSL2 and GMSL3 SerDes solutions designed for automotive applications, focusing on high performance, reliability, and ease of integration.

Key Highlights:

· High Bandwidth: Supports up to 6Gbps data rate, and GMSL3 supports up to 12Gbps data rate, suitable for high-resolution camera and display systems.

· Long Cable Support: Capable of driving video, audio, and control data over long cables (up to 15 meters) with low latency.

· Robustness: Designed to handle automotive environments with features like EMI resistance and error correction.

· Power Over Coax (PoC): Simplifies cabling by delivering power and data over a single coaxial cable.

· Flexibility and Integration: Supports multiple data lanes, allowing for the integration of several video streams in a single link. Works with various image sensors and display panels, providing a versatile solution for ADAS and infotainment systems.

 

III. Sony

Sony offers a range of SerDes solutions tailored for automotive imaging applications, leveraging its expertise in image sensor technology.

Key Highlights:

· High Data Rate: Supports high-speed data transmission, crucial for high-resolution camera systems used in ADAS.

· Robust Performance: Designed to operate reliably in harsh automotive conditions with features like high resistance to EMI.

· Seamless Integration: Optimized for use with Sony’s own automotive image sensors, providing a tightly integrated solution that ensures compatibility and performance.

· Advanced Features: Supports features like HDR (High Dynamic Range) and low-light performance, enhancing the overall imaging capabilities of the system.

· Multiple Data Streams: Capable of handling multiple data streams, allowing for sophisticated multi-camera setups.

 

 

Integration of Frame Grabbers with SerDes Technology

To achieve high-performance imaging and data transmission systems, SerDes technology is often paired with frame grabbers. Frame grabbers capture and digitize video frames from cameras equipped with SerDes for processing on a computer or other processing units. They are essential in applications requiring high-quality, real-time image capture and processing.

Modern high-resolution cameras, especially in applications like automotive ADAS or industrial inspection, often use SerDes technology to transmit data efficiently to the frame grabber. Frame grabbers receive high-speed serialized data from these cameras, then deserialize the data for further processing.

In automotive systems, SerDes enables long-distance data transfer from multiple cameras placed around the vehicle to the central processing unit or frame grabber with reduced cabling complexity. When designing imaging systems, engineers often use frame grabbers compatible with SerDes-equipped cameras to ensure seamless data capture and transmission.

 

Frame Grabbers and SerDes: A Symbiotic Relationship

Frame grabbers and SerDes technology work together to enhance the performance and efficiency of high-speed imaging and data processing systems. While SerDes enables efficient, long-distance data transmission with reduced cabling complexity, frame grabbers handle the crucial tasks of image capture, preprocessing, and transfer to host systems. Their integration is particularly beneficial in applications requiring real-time processing, high bandwidth, and reliable data transmission over extended distances.

 

Popular Frame Grabber Solutions

ECFG S-series Frame Grabbers:

· Compatibility: The ECFG S-series frame grabber is compatible with various deserializer chips and supports different deserializer chips used in combination. 

· Deserialization chips support: Currently, the S-series already support MAX9296, MAX96792, TI954, and TI9702. For chips not on the support list, users can order a customized daughterboard and integrate it through the SDK’s low-code interface.

 MAX9296 and MAX96792 deserializer boards

Overall, Automotive SerDes technology and frame grabbers are crucial for modern vehicle systems, enabling high-speed, reliable data transmission and processing necessary for ADAS, autonomous driving, and other advanced automotive applications. The integration of these technologies ensures efficient data handling, enhancing the overall performance and safety of modern vehicles.

Eyecloud.ai is the leading supplier of AI vision appliances and systems, aiming to support tech companies in overcoming the development and production challenges of Edge AI vision products with expertise in advanced hardware design and production, camera and machine vision systems development, image sensor and ISP tuning, and IoT device management. Eyecloud.ai has successfully developed mass-production machine vision solutions for customers around the globe in autonomous driving, electrical vehicles, mobility robots, and surveillance markets. Eyecloud.ai offers engineering services to enable customization and meet unique application requirements in rapid and cost-effective manner. Founded in 2018, Eyecloud.ai has received several industry awards for its insight and innovations in AI vision product deployment.

[lanshengic]

STMicroelectronics joins hands with Leopard Imaging to bring cockpit monitoring system to the general public

【Lansheng Technology News】In May last year, Leopard Imaging launched an in-car camera module at the Embedded Vision exhibition, which became a new milestone in the history of driver monitoring system development and opened up a road to popularize DMS in cars. As an authorized partner of STMicroelectronics, Leopard Imaging has previously launched a variety of in-car camera modules using STMicroelectronics' VG5761 devices.

Now it supports wider lighting conditions by using STMicroelectronics' VB56G4A back-illuminated global shutter image sensor to improve the accuracy of machine learning algorithms while reducing the overall power consumption of the system. As a result, Leopard Imaging can provide automobile manufacturers with more solution options, including modules with and without backlight, making driving monitoring systems and occupant monitoring systems mainstream applications.

ST's VG56G4A device allows DMS/OMS to adapt to more environments

Leopard Imaging has been in this field for 15 years, and VG56G4A can help them create new opportunities using their existing technology accumulation. In fact, the company has already launched camera modules that do not require fill light sources, such as DMS modules based on ST VG5761. In the past, they have mounted these modules behind the steering wheel and mounted the light source elsewhere. The problem is that this approach only works for certain cockpits. Therefore, Leopard Imaging believes that solutions must be customized according to the environment. In short, innovation is about enabling technology to function in a wider space.

Thanks to the 940nm near-infrared laser emitter, the VB56G4A's light source does not produce distracting red light. This wavelength is also not interfered by sunlight and can work in any lighting environment. In addition, the VCSEL light source can also be used with a 940nm narrow filter to better filter the infrared rays in sunlight.

In addition, replacing the rolling shutter sensor with a global shutter eliminates image artifacts, so rapid lateral movements can be detected and object edges can be detected more accurately. In addition, the use of back-illuminated image sensors also allows the installation of camera modules in camera locations that were previously impossible. Leopard Imaging demonstrated two camera modules, LI-ST-VB56G4A-DMS-GMSL2 and LI-ST-VB56G4A-MONO-DMS-ADJ, at the Embedded Vision exhibition.

Leopard Imaging has been researching cockpit monitoring technology for many years and has launched related solutions. These two new modules are of great significance because they enable greater customization, higher performance and energy efficiency at a lower price, and are easier to deploy, allowing the company to develop a Solutions for more use cases. Therefore, we regard the new modules based on VG56G4A as landmark innovations, not because they make DMS and OMS possible, but because they make them mainstream.

Another milestone in driving DMS and OMS into mainstream applications is the increasingly in-depth application of edge machine learning. As Leopard Imaging works with customers to collect training data with camera modules, it has noticed that heuristic-based DMS and OMS are shifting towards machine learning, a transformation that allows developers to implement more use cases without using more resources. , which also means reduced development costs. Rather than perfecting application solutions through decades of technology accumulation, machine learning algorithms shift the decision-making process to neural networks that can easily self-optimize over time.

As new policies and regulations continue to be introduced, DMS and OMS are increasingly valued by the industry. In 2021, U.S. senators proposed a new bill, proposing to study the benefits of DMS and mandate that DMS be installed on new vehicles from the factory. The European Parliament has been more proactive and approved in 2019 the implementation of DMS regulations by mid-2024. European safety organizations are considering requiring DMS to issue a five-star rating. Leopard Imaging has been working with solution developers to stay abreast of the new regulations and make their solutions compliant with the new regulations. As industry challenges continue to be overcome, DMS and OMS will also become standard features for ordinary Volkswagen vehicles.

Lansheng Technology Limited, which is a spot stock distributor of many well-known brands, we have price advantage of the first-hand spot channel, and have technical supports. 

Our main brands: STMicroelectronics, Toshiba, Microchip, Vishay, Marvell, ON Semiconductor, AOS, DIODES, Murata, Samsung, Hyundai/Hynix, Xilinx, Micron, Infinone, Texas Instruments, ADI, Maxim Integrated, NXP, etc

To learn more about our products, services, and capabilities, please visit our website at http://www.lanshengic.com

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Leopard Imaging launches two Driver Monitoring System (DMS) cameras for safer driving

Leopard Imaging launches two Driver Monitoring System (DMS) cameras for safer driving

Leopard Imaging recently launched driver monitoring system (DMS) cameras LI-OV2311-IR-GMSL2 and LI-AR0144IVEC-GMSL2 to support real-time assessment of the driver’s current cognitive state. These DMS cameras help increase safety on the roads—reducing the rate of accidents caused by driver drowsiness and disengagements. Driver monitoring system is an advanced safety system that uses cameras to…