Flat Panel Display (FPD) -Link was first introduced in the early 2000s and quickly rose to prominence due to its ability to support higher resolutions, better color depth, and higher frame rates. The FPD-Link interface enabled the transfer of digitized video from cameras to displays with low latency and high performance, making it a revolutionary technology for the time. Today, the FPD-Link interface is an incredibly common technology, found in most electronic devices.
FPD Link III Camera is a crucial component in many modern imaging systems. Learn more about the FPD Link III Camera and its applications in the automotive industry and embedded visions.
Flat Panel Display Link (FPD)
Streaming digital video from graphics processors to digital displays uses the Flat Panel Display (FPD) communication protocol. It is an internal interface that transmits pairs of serialized video bits using low-voltage differential signaling.
With flat panel devices, volume, weight, as well as power consumption, are all reduced as compared to Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT). CRTs have been replaced by flat panel displays because of the benefits they provide over CRTs. On flat panel displays (FPDs), the user can view data, graphics, text, and images. Because flat panel devices are compact, they can be used to deliver video streaming through any electronic device. As such, flat panel devices offer an unprecedented level of convenience and flexibility for consumers, particularly when it comes to automobile applications.
Furthermore, the FPD-Link II and III chipsets have been tested to meet the ASIL-D functional safety level which is a requirement of automotive systems. They also incorporate on-chip ESD protection circuitry and feature low EMI, low power consumption, wide voltage range operation, fast signal transmission, robust connections even in harsh environments, and a small form factor.
FPD-Link II Camera
By eliminating the need for a second twisted pair dedicated to clock transmission, FPD-Link II utilizes only one differential pair to transmit the data used in infotainment and safety camera applications, leading to a more compact design that is lightweight and cost-effective.
FPD-Link III allows for a more reliable, higher-speed transmission than FPD-Link II, as the communication channel can confirm that data has been received without additional bandwidth or wires.
FPD-Link III Camera
A bidirectional transmission medium embedded in the same differential pair is the main characteristic of FPD-Link III. This bidirectional channel can carry HDCP, EDID, and other information needed to configure a display properly. The result of this is an increase in system flexibility, as the number of cables can be significantly reduced, as well as in overall cost.
There are FPD-Link III serializers and deserializers (SerDes) that have been designed specifically for connecting a processor to a camera or a display, respectively. The deserializer may create the frame synchronization internally or via an external signal. On the FPD-Link III, the bidirectional control channel and the video forward channel can coexist on the same cable whereas they occupy distinct locations in the frequency domain.
There must be a circuit that divides the input signal into two branches for power over coax (POC). The POC circuit receives DC power from one branch, while the signals are carried by the second branch without DC power. To achieve this, a component is inserted into the signal-path branch that avoids the DC but transmits both the back channel and the forward channel. This can be accomplished with a simple capacitor.
The FPD-Link III Interface can manage up to four cameras as distinct streams using virtual channels. Four input ports’ worth of data is combined onto one or two 4-lane CSI-2 interfaces. The CSI-2 TX may accommodate up to four virtual channels running simultaneously. Each input VC-ID for an FPD-Link III input port may be separately mapped to one of the four VC-ID values.
The result of this is an increase in system flexibility, as the number of cables can be significantly reduced.
Applications of FPD Link III Camera
FPD-Link III enables the transmission of high-resolution multimedia data between a camera and an in-car display unit, making it an ideal solution for modern automotive systems and some other applications.
Automobile Industry
The cameras were a cutting-edge addition to the car that gave drivers a measure of protection by enabling them to steer clear of potential dangers while reversing. In today’s market, backup cameras are even standard in small vehicles. This will increase both the driving experience and the safety of drivers.
Systems of the future will need to make room for the possibility of supporting numerous synchronized cameras. The interconnects have become increasingly complex and expensive in many applications as a result of adding more features to existing technology. Better video quality is provided by the new connection technique, along with copy protection. However, this comes at the expense of a far more expensive cable/connector ecosystem and the challenge of maintaining longer cable lines.
FPD-Link III was enhanced to enable copy-protected information to be sent from a Blu-ray player or server to a backseat multimedia screen using the same twisted-pair connection when faced with a similar problem inside the car. The requirement states that this must be done without regard to the price of the media or the availability of earlier, copy-protected material. These devices now share the same conductors that transport the video content, encoding and transmitting the same data that was previously transmitted over separate conductors through the FPD-Link III.
Embedded Vision
FPD-Link III cameras (SerDes cameras) can be designed in a variety of form factors for embedded vision applications that call for long cable lengths of up to 15m. A thin coaxial cable can be used to transfer image data, trigger and input/output (I/O) signals, and power supply.
In automotive, the Internet of Things, and general machine-vision applications, FPD-Link III cameras can be used independently or in groups. The cameras can be designed to be compatible with a large selection of M12 lenses and the most recent CMOS image sensors from Onsemi, Omnivision, and Sony.
Final Words
The modern automobile is incorporating more video technology. By employing less expensive cable to accomplish more, FPD-Link III is the perfect technology for the present as well as the future. Additionally, it is a technology that is prepared to keep up with upcoming developments.
Vadzo Imaging has experience with the design and manufacturing of SerDes-based cameras based on imaging sensors from Omnivision, Sony, and Onsemi. Our engineering team is adept with the evolution of both GMSL technology as well as FPD Link Technology.
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