A single-fiber-based optical fiber camera system for simultaneous transmission of signal and energy

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of optical fiber camera systems based on single optical fiber realizes signal energy same transmission, including the main control unit and optical fiber camera unit connected by single optical fiber, main control unit includes main processor module, power light source, main control end optical transceiver module, main control end wave division multiplexer, optical fiber camera unit includes camera end wave division multiplexer, photovoltaic conversion module, power management module, image sensor, camera end optical transceiver module, camera end controller;System utilizes wave division multiplexing principle, transmits power light beam with first wavelength in single optical fiber, and carries out two-way data communication with second, third wavelength;Not only completely eliminate the independent power supply copper cable of camera, simplify vehicle-mounted wiring, also through integrated intelligent management and redundancy safety module, the energy efficiency, reliability of link are significantly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicle camera technology, and in particular to a fiber optic camera system that achieves simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber optic cable. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of intelligent and connected vehicles, the vehicle's electrical and electronic (E / E) architecture is undergoing a profound transformation from distributed to centralized domain controllers or central computing platforms. Under this architecture, high-definition cameras, as core sensors for autonomous driving and intelligent cockpit systems, are experiencing increasing demands in both quantity and performance. These cameras generate massive amounts of raw data streams, posing unprecedented challenges to the bandwidth, latency, and electromagnetic interference immunity of in-vehicle communication networks.

[0003] Fiber optic communication, with its inherent advantages of high bandwidth, interference resistance, and lightweight design, has become an ideal choice for carrying data from vehicle-mounted cameras. However, current automotive fiber optic camera solutions on the market generally suffer from an inherent flaw: although fiber optic data transmission is used, the camera's power supply still relies on traditional copper power cables. This "hybrid" wiring method fails to fully realize the potential of fiber optic technology. The retained copper cables not only increase the complexity, weight, and cost of the overall vehicle wiring harness, but also remain a potential source of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues.

[0004] Therefore, how to meet the large data transmission needs of cameras and provide them with stable and reliable power through only a single optical fiber has become an urgent technical problem to be solved in the field of vehicle-mounted fiber optic cameras. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a fiber optic camera system for simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single optical fiber, comprising:

[0006] The main control unit includes a main processor module, a power light source electrically connected to the main processor module, a main control optical transceiver module electrically connected to the main processor module, and a main control wavelength division multiplexer. The internal ports of the main control wavelength division multiplexer are respectively connected to the optical paths of the power light source and the main control optical transceiver module, and its external ports are connected to a single optical fiber.

[0007] The fiber optic camera unit includes a camera-end wavelength division multiplexer, a photovoltaic conversion module optically connected to the camera-end wavelength division multiplexer, a power management module electrically connected to the photovoltaic conversion module, an image sensor, a camera-end optical transceiver module optically connected to the camera-end wavelength division multiplexer, and a camera-end controller. The camera-end controller is electrically connected to the image sensor and the camera-end optical transceiver module, and is also electrically connected to the power management module.

[0008] Preferably, the main processor module includes:

[0009] The image data preprocessing module has its input terminal electrically connected to the main control terminal optical transceiver module;

[0010] An image generation module, which is connected to the image data preprocessing module;

[0011] A data distribution bus is connected to the output of the image generation module.

[0012] Preferably, the main processor module includes an image storage module, the input of which is connected to the image data preprocessing module, and the output of which is connected to the data distribution bus.

[0013] Preferably, the main control unit includes at least two physical output interfaces, both of which are electrically connected to the data distribution bus. The physical output interfaces include:

[0014] A high-speed video output interface connects to the cockpit display system;

[0015] Data storage interface, which connects to the vehicle's storage unit.

[0016] Preferably, the main control unit includes a power control module, the input terminal of which is connected to the receiving data path of the main control unit optical transceiver module, and its output terminal is connected to the driving circuit of the power light source.

[0017] Preferably, the power light source includes a redundant power switching module, the redundant power switching module comprising:

[0018] At least two independent laser submodules serve as primary and backup power sources;

[0019] An optical path switching device, the optical path input end of which is connected to the laser submodule, and the optical path output end of which is connected to the main control wavelength division multiplexer;

[0020] The control terminal of the optical path switching device is connected to the main processor module.

[0021] Preferably, the optical path switching device is a 2x1 optical switch or a 2x1 optical combiner.

[0022] Preferably, the power light source is used to generate a power beam of a first wavelength, and the main control optical transceiver module is used to generate a downlink optical signal of a second wavelength and receive an uplink optical signal of a third wavelength, wherein the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength are different wavelengths.

[0023] Preferably, the power management module includes a DC-DC conversion circuit for regulating and / or converting the electrical energy output by the photovoltaic conversion module.

[0024] Preferably, the image sensor is a CMOS image sensor.

[0025] Beneficial effects:

[0026] This utility model integrates power supply, communication, data processing, intelligent control and redundancy safety functional modules at the hardware level, forming a functionally cohesive and structurally complete system.

[0027] By using a single optical fiber to achieve simultaneous signal and power transmission, the independent power cable for the camera is completely eliminated, simplifying the vehicle wiring, reducing weight and cost, and fundamentally improving the ability to resist electromagnetic interference.

[0028] The specially designed power control module enables the system to monitor and dynamically adjust the power supply link in real time, thereby improving energy efficiency and operational stability.

[0029] The hardware structure of the redundant power switching module provides physical protection for the functional safety of the system and greatly improves the reliability of key sensing links in autonomous driving. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The following figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fiber optic camera unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this invention, specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts. For the sake of simplicity, the parts related to the present invention are shown schematically in each drawing and do not represent their actual structure as a product. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity and ease of understanding, in some drawings, components with the same structure or function are only schematically depicted, or only one is labeled.

[0034] In this utility model, "connection" can include direct connection, indirect connection, communication connection, and electrical connection, unless otherwise specified.

[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly specifies otherwise. It will also be understood that, when used in the specification, the terms “comprising” and / or “including” mean the presence of the stated features, values, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed related items.

[0036] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This utility model provides a fiber optic camera system that achieves simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber optic cable, including a main control unit and a fiber optic camera unit, which are connected by only a single fiber optic cable.

[0037] The main control unit is typically integrated into the vehicle's domain controller or central computing unit. Its structure includes a main processor module, a power light source, a main control optical transceiver module, and a main control wavelength division multiplexer. The fiber optic camera unit is installed in a suitable location within the vehicle, and its structure includes a camera-side wavelength division multiplexer, a photovoltaic conversion module, a power management module, an image sensor, a camera-side optical transceiver module, and a camera-side controller.

[0038] The system operates based on the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) principle. On the main control unit side, a power light source is electrically connected to the main processor module, which controls it to generate a high-power beam of the first wavelength (λ1), which serves as the energy carrier. The main control optical transceiver module is also electrically connected to the main processor module, used to generate downlink optical signals of the second wavelength (λ2) (such as control commands) and receive uplink optical signals of the third wavelength (λ3) (such as image data). The internal ports of the main control wavelength division multiplexer are connected to the power light source and the main control optical transceiver module, respectively, multiplexing (combining) the λ1 and λ2 optical signals into a single optical fiber, and demultiplexing (separating) the λ3 optical signal from the fiber to send back to the main control optical transceiver module.

[0039] The basic principle of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology is similar to beam splitting using a prism in optics. It utilizes the wavelength characteristics of light waves to combine optical signals of different wavelengths (i.e., different "colors") into a single optical fiber for transmission. At the receiving end, these mixed optical signals are then separated according to their wavelengths. In this invention, this means that the power beam (λ1), downlink data signal (λ2), and uplink data signal (λ3), which have completely different physical characteristics, can be considered as three independent light waves, transmitted in parallel within the core of the same optical fiber with almost no interference between them, thereby greatly improving the transmission capacity and functional multiplexing capability of the optical fiber.

[0040] To achieve the above-mentioned functions, the wavelength division multiplexer of this invention adopts one of the following solutions:

[0041] Thin-film filtering technology: Its core involves precisely depositing hundreds of dielectric material films of different refractive indices and thicknesses on a miniature glass substrate using a vacuum deposition process. These films collectively form an interference filter highly sensitive to specific wavelengths. For example, a TFF filter designed for wavelength λ1 allows a λ1 wavelength beam to pass through with extremely low loss, while reflecting beams of all other wavelengths (such as λ2 and λ3) with extremely high efficiency. By cascading or combining multiple TFF filters designed for different wavelengths, along with collimating lenses and fiber coupling structures, a complete multi-port wavelength division multiplexing / demultiplexing device can be constructed.

[0042] Arrayed waveguide grating (AFR) technology: Its construction involves etching a complex network of optical waveguides onto a chip substrate (such as silicon). This network includes input / output waveguides, two slab couplers, and an array of dozens of waveguide arms with precisely increasing lengths. When mixed-wavelength optical signals enter, a specific phase difference is generated in the arrayed waveguide arms due to the optical path difference, ultimately resulting in interference in the output slab. Light of different wavelengths is focused to different positions in space due to interference and received by the corresponding output waveguides, thus achieving demultiplexing.

[0043] By employing the wavelength division multiplexer constructed as described above, this system is able to efficiently and reliably establish multiple parallel optical channels required for power transmission and bidirectional data communication within a single standard optical fiber.

[0044] On one side of the fiber optic camera unit, a wavelength division multiplexer at the camera end demultiplexes the λ1 power beam and the λ2 downlink data optical signal from the optical fiber. The λ1 beam is guided to a photovoltaic conversion module, which converts it into electrical energy. This electrical energy is then sent to a power management module, which contains a DC-DC conversion circuit to regulate and convert the electrical energy, providing a stable operating voltage for all components within the fiber optic camera unit. The camera-end controller, image sensor, and camera-end optical transceiver module are all electrically connected to the power management module to obtain power.

[0045] The image sensor is preferably a CMOS image sensor, used to acquire optical images. The camera-end controller is electrically connected to the image sensor and the camera-end optical transceiver module, responsible for controlling the operation of the image sensor and processing the acquired data. The camera-end optical transceiver module is connected to the optical path of the camera-end wavelength division multiplexer and is controlled by the camera-end controller to convert image and status data into λ3 uplink optical signals, which are then multiplexed by the camera-end wavelength division multiplexer and transmitted back through the optical fiber.

[0046] The main processor module is internally structured as a data processing and distribution hub. It includes: an image data preprocessing module, whose input is electrically connected to the main control unit's optical transceiver module, for receiving and initially processing the returned raw video stream; an image generation module, connected to the image data preprocessing module, for performing AI recognition, image rendering, and other processing; an image storage module, also connected to the image data preprocessing module, for controlling data recording; and a data distribution bus. The processed data is distributed via the data distribution bus to different physical output interfaces, such as a high-speed video output interface connected to the cockpit display system and a data storage interface connected to the vehicle's storage unit.

[0047] To achieve intelligent power management, the main control unit also includes a power control module. The input of the power control module is connected to the receiving data path of the main control unit's optical transceiver module, enabling it to monitor the status information (such as received optical power values) transmitted back from the fiber optic camera unit. Its output is connected to the drive circuit of the power light source. The remote camera controller not only packages and sends the image data acquired by the CMOS, but also simultaneously collects the camera's "health status" information, such as:

[0048] Received optical power: This is measured using a photovoltaic conversion module or an auxiliary photodiode to determine the intensity of the power light transmitted from the main control unit. This is the most important feedback indicator.

[0049] Operating temperature: Reading from the temperature sensor inside the camera.

[0050] Operating voltage / current: Output status of the power management module (PMIC).

[0051] The camera controller packages this "health status" data into a specific data frame (called a "heartbeat packet" or "status packet") according to a predetermined communication protocol. This "status packet" is inserted into the high-definition video data stream and modulated together into a λ3 wavelength optical signal, which is then transmitted back to the main control unit via optical fiber.

[0052] The main control optical transceiver module receives the λ3 optical signal and converts it back into a digital electrical signal. This data stream, which mixes video and status data, is sent to the power control module. The module's status information parsing circuit accurately identifies and extracts the "status packet" from the data stream. It compares the extracted "received optical power" value with a preset target value (e.g., the minimum optical power required for the camera to function properly). Based on the comparison result (too high, too low, or normal), the module generates an adjustment signal. This is not an optical signal, but an electrical signal (e.g., a PWM signal or an analog voltage). This electrical signal is sent to the power light source's drive circuit, instructing the drive circuit to increase or decrease the current supplied to the laser, thereby precisely adjusting the output intensity of the λ1 power light.

[0053] With this configuration, the system can form a closed-loop feedback based on the actual needs of the remote camera and the link attenuation, and dynamically adjust the output optical power.

[0054] To ensure high reliability, the internal structure of the power light source may include a redundant power switching module. This module consists of at least two independent laser sub-modules (e.g., a main laser and a backup laser) and an optical path switching device (e.g., a 2x1 optical switch or a 2x1 optical combiner). The control terminal of the optical path switching device is electrically connected to the main processor module.

[0055] When the power control module detects that the received optical power transmitted from the camera suddenly drops to zero, or remains below an irrecoverable critical threshold, it determines that a hard fault has occurred in the main laser or its drive circuit. The power control module reports this catastrophic failure to the main processor module. The main processor module immediately sends a simple electrical signal (e.g., a transition from low to high) to the optical path switching device in the redundant power switching module via a dedicated, highly reliable hardware control pin. Direct hardware circuitry control is typically employed.

[0056] Upon receiving this electrical signal, the optical path switching device's internal physical structure (such as a MEMS lens) instantly activates, switching the optical path from the failed main laser to the backup laser. The backup laser beam enters the system through the optical path switching device, λ1 power light transmission resumes, and the remote camera regains power and operation after a very short interruption, thus ensuring the continuity of power supply.

[0057] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the form in this embodiment is not limited thereto, nor is the adjustment method limited thereto. It is understood that other improvements and variations directly derived or conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the basic concept of the present invention should be considered to be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fiber optic camera system for simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber, characterized in that, include: The main control unit includes a main processor module, a power light source electrically connected to the main processor module, a main control optical transceiver module electrically connected to the main processor module, and a main control wavelength division multiplexer. The internal ports of the main control wavelength division multiplexer are respectively connected to the optical paths of the power light source and the main control optical transceiver module, and its external ports are connected to a single optical fiber. The fiber optic camera unit includes a camera-end wavelength division multiplexer, a photovoltaic conversion module optically connected to the camera-end wavelength division multiplexer, a power management module electrically connected to the photovoltaic conversion module, an image sensor, a camera-end optical transceiver module optically connected to the camera-end wavelength division multiplexer, and a camera-end controller. The camera-end controller is electrically connected to the image sensor and the camera-end optical transceiver module, and is also electrically connected to the power management module.

2. The fiber optic camera system for simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The main processor module includes: The image data preprocessing module has its input terminal electrically connected to the main control terminal optical transceiver module; An image generation module, which is connected to the image data preprocessing module; A data distribution bus is connected to the output of the image generation module.

3. The fiber optic camera system for simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The main processor module includes an image storage module, whose input is connected to the image data preprocessing module and whose output is connected to the data distribution bus.

4. The fiber optic camera system for simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The main control unit includes at least two physical output interfaces, both of which are electrically connected to the data distribution bus. The physical output interfaces include: A high-speed video output interface connects to the cockpit display system; Data storage interface, which connects to the vehicle's storage unit.

5. The fiber optic camera system for simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The main control unit includes a power control module. The input terminal of the power control module is connected to the receiving data path of the optical transceiver module of the main control unit, and its output terminal is connected to the driving circuit of the power light source.

6. The fiber optic camera system for simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The power light source includes a redundant power switching module, which includes: At least two independent laser submodules serve as primary and backup power sources; An optical path switching device, the optical path input end of which is connected to the laser submodule, and the optical path output end of which is connected to the main control wavelength division multiplexer; The control terminal of the optical path switching device is connected to the main processor module.

7. The fiber optic camera system for simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The optical path switching device is a 2x1 optical switch or a 2x1 optical combiner.

8. The fiber optic camera system for simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The power light source is used to generate a power beam of the first wavelength, and the main control optical transceiver module is used to generate a downlink optical signal of the second wavelength and receive an uplink optical signal of the third wavelength. The first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength are different wavelengths.

9. The fiber optic camera system for simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The power management module includes a DC-DC conversion circuit for regulating and / or converting the electrical energy output from the photovoltaic conversion module.

10. The fiber optic camera system for simultaneous signal and power transmission based on a single fiber as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The image sensor is a CMOS image sensor.

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