CIE-SEP09-PG14-15:Layout 1 07/09/2009 11:42 Page 14
Automotive Electronics
Figure 1: Camera modules
are migrating into many
different areas of the vehicle
for multiple applications.
Courtesy: Aptina
Left, right and centre
Camera modules are finding
their way into a wide range
W
ith applications that departure warnings, where a display media layer for communications,
include rear views, wing
is not necessary. Adding local reducing substantially the number
mirrors, night vision and
processing can reduce the cost of of components required. A hybrid
lane departure warnings,
wiring and increase reliability in the architecture with both SRAM logic
of automotive applications automotive engineers are
vehicle, especially if the and Flash memory to store the bit
increasingly positioning cameras
incremental cost of adding the stream internally, such as that
but keeping them small and
throughout the vehicle that have to
processing is small. found with Lattice Semiconductor's
cost effective is a challenge
feed data quickly and efficiently
There are several different XP2 family, is an option for system
back to processing modules and a
transport mechanisms that can be designers. The device meets the
for system designers. central consol. This is a real design
used to move video data around the AEC-Q100 automotive standard,
challenge for engineers, and as
vehicle, but each come with their provides a high speed 'instant on'
Satwant Singh explains
cameras become smaller and more
own different challenges. There are capability with a 2ms activation
affordable the range of applications,
now automotive versions of time and reduces the component
such as accident recording to
Ethernet emerging, as well as count, which also increases
determine the number of
automotive standards such as reliability. An internal bit stream
passengers in the vehicle, continues
MOST, while technologies such as also prevents the bit stream and the
to increase. Figure 1 shows some of
Serial LVDS are also becoming IP from being copied. The XP2
the potential camera positions.
popular. Designers need the family is also packaged in chip scale
These design issues are driven by
flexibility to use the right BGA packages to provide a reduced
cost and form factor. While camera
technology for the right 8x8mm footprint and thus allows
modules are constantly becoming
application, without being for smaller camera modules to be
restricted to a particular system-on- designed.
less expensive, the associated
chip device, with its associated
electronics for processing and
interface. This can be difficult to System IP
connecting these modules to the
achieve with standard parts, but the A key issue with any system is the
rest of the vehicle and making use
right automotive-qualified field IP that will be embedded within the
of the image data typically leads to
programmable devices can provide FPGA. Design flexibility comes from
a large, expensive unit.
the flexibility and integration that sourcing image control and post
With discrete components, the
the designer needs for a small form processing blocks from IP partners.
opportunities for system integration
factor module at the right cost Helion, in Germany, fro example
are limited, as is the potential for
point. develops complete camera interface
adding local processing to reduce An FPGA with the appropriate and image processing IP modules.
the cost of transmitting large architecture can integrate the The IP provides functions such as
Satwant Singh
amounts of data around the car; for camera control and image automatically adjusting the white
example, collision detection or lane processing logic alongside the balance, contrast and colour of the
14 September 2009 Components in Electronics www.cieonline.co.uk
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