Overview of In-vehicle Camera

he camera on the left is an in-vehicle camera equipped in a luxury car in Germany. We purchased this from a foreign website. In order to select an in-vehicle camera, you need to obtain various information about the camera. First you need to get informations of the connector and serializer manufacturer names, then the IC type and register configuration file. With all these informations, you can finally capture the images.
This page is for ones who use SerDes (serializer, deserializer) products for the first time or who consider purchasing them. In particular, we will focus on SerDes made by TI, MAXIM, and Sony, which are mainly used in automotive products recently.

１、In-vehicle Camera System

 

　There are several types of in-vehicle cameras. They work in a similar way, Even if the manufacturers of Sensor, ISP (Image Signal Processor), and Serializer are different.

This is a type that converts the output from the sensor to YUV format by ISP and outputs it. When transitioning from NTSC, this was the most common type of camera.

This is a type that processes the output from the sensor by ISP and outputs it. The pixel format supports each format such as YUV, RAW, and HDR. This camera requires the register settings of Sensor, ISP and Ser after the power is turned on.

This is a type that outputs the output from the sensor as it is. The pixel format is the RAW format, and you can choose the depth and output format. This camera requires the register settings of Sensor and Ser after the power is turned on.

1. Type that outputs images after power-on
2. Type that requires register setting
3. Type that does not process images in the camera

２、What is SerDes

　SerDes is not very common, so we will explain it from the meaning of words. SerDes is the name combining two products, Ser and Des.
Ser is an abbreviation for Serializer or "parallel-serial converter", and Des is an abbreviation for Deserializer or "serial-parallel converter".

The serialization method is a manufacturer-specific method. It is different from LVDS transmission.

 

３、Purpose of Using SerDes

　Generally, devices (substrates) are connected by many wires, but increasing the number of wires has disadvantages in cost and design. 　

 

By using SerDes, the increased wiring (bus width) can be put together (serialized) and data can be transferred.

４、What are SerDes Products

   For automotive SerDes, Texas Instruments FPD-Link series, MAXIM GMSL series, and SONY GVIF series are popular.
   Also there are two types of SerDes: one for ADAS and the other for displays. We mainly support for ADAS.

5、Types of In-vehicle Camera Connector

　Several types of connectors are used for in-vehicle cameras as standard. Typical connectors are shown below. Since there is no common standard for each connector, pin assignments also differ depending on the user. You need to be careful.