A cascaded power supply optical fiber camera and vehicle-mounted sensing network system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of optical fiber camera head units and vehicle-mounted sensing network systems of cascading power supply, to solve the wiring problem of multiple camera intensive deployment. Its core is a kind of camera head unit, the unit is integrated with a optical power shunt, and first and second optical fiber interfaces are provided externally. The power light entering from the first optical fiber interface is shunted by shunt, one way supplies photovoltaic conversion module of this unit, another way is output to the second optical fiber interface. The system formed by the camera head unit and central control unit can realize "daisy chain" type connection. The control unit can also integrate power control module, and redundant power switching module including main and standby laser submodules and optical path switching device, to realize closed-loop power control and high-reliability power supply. The utility model significantly reduces the number of wiring harness, simplifies wiring and improves the reliability of the system through innovative cascading structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicle sensor technology, and in particular to a cascaded power supply fiber optic camera and vehicle sensor network system. Background Technology

[0002] As automotive electrical and electronic (E / E) architectures evolve towards centralization and domain controllers, the number of cameras installed in vehicles is increasing dramatically. To meet the high-bandwidth data transmission requirements of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving, and to resist complex electromagnetic interference within the vehicle, fiber optic communication is gradually becoming the mainstream technology for connecting in-vehicle cameras.

[0003] To further simplify vehicle wiring harnesses, Power-over-Fiber (PoF) technology emerged, which utilizes the same optical fiber to simultaneously transmit high-power optical energy and high-speed data optical signals, thus eliminating the need for separate power cables for cameras. However, existing PoF camera systems typically employ a point-to-point connection method, meaning that each camera requires an independent optical fiber drawn from a central domain controller or area controller, forming a "star" wiring topology.

[0004] In certain specific areas, such as the windshield of a vehicle, multiple cameras are typically densely deployed (such as forward-facing ADAS cameras, driver monitoring system (DMS) cameras, and dashcams). In this scenario, the drawbacks of a star-shaped cabling topology are particularly prominent: multiple long-distance optical fibers need to be pulled from the central controller, resulting in a large number of wiring harnesses in that area, high weight and cost, and causing great inconvenience to the overall vehicle assembly.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for an innovative vehicle-mounted fiber optic sensor network solution in terms of physical structure to solve the cabling challenges in areas with dense deployment of multiple cameras. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a cascaded power supply fiber optic camera, comprising:

[0007] A camera housing;

[0008] The image sensor, camera controller, photovoltaic conversion module, and camera optical transceiver module are installed inside the camera housing;

[0009] The first and second fiber optic interfaces are located on the camera housing.

[0010] An optical path processing module disposed within the camera housing, the optical path processing module comprising:

[0011] A camera-end wavelength division multiplexer, whose common terminal is connected to the first optical fiber interface, has at least one power optical output port and one data optical port; the data optical port is connected to the camera-end optical transceiver module.

[0012] An optical power splitter has its input end connected to the power optical output port of the wavelength division multiplexer at the camera end; the optical power splitter has at least two output ports, wherein the first output port is connected to the photovoltaic conversion module and is used to power this unit; the second output port is directly connected to the second optical fiber interface.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a power management module, the input of which is connected to the electrical output of the photovoltaic conversion module, and its output is connected to the image sensor, the camera controller, and the camera optical transceiver module, respectively.

[0014] Furthermore, the optical power splitter is a 1x2 asymmetric optical splitter, and its splitting ratio is preset according to the power consumption requirements of this unit and the power supply requirements of the next cascade unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the optical path processing module also includes a miniature optical switch; the input end of the optical switch is connected to the data optical port of the wavelength division multiplexer at the camera end, and it has at least two output ports, one output port is connected to the optical transceiver module at the camera end, and the other output port is connected to the second optical fiber interface.

[0016] This utility model also provides an in-vehicle sensor network system, including:

[0017] The central 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 main control wavelength division multiplexer is optically connected to the power light source and the main control optical transceiver module, respectively.

[0018] At least one main camera unit, wherein the main camera unit is the aforementioned cascaded power-enabled fiber optic camera;

[0019] At least one camera unit;

[0020] The central control unit is connected to the first fiber optic interface of the main camera unit via an optical fiber; the second fiber optic interface of the main camera unit is connected to the fiber optic input interface of the slave camera unit via an optical fiber.

[0021] Furthermore, the structure of the secondary camera unit is the same as that of the primary camera unit, or it may be a terminal-type fiber optic camera without a second fiber optic interface.

[0022] Furthermore, the central control unit includes a power control module, the input of which is connected to the receiving data path of the optical transceiver module of the control unit, and its output is connected to the driving circuit of the power light source.

[0023] Furthermore, the power light source includes a redundant power switching module, which includes:

[0024] At least two independent laser submodules serve as primary and backup power sources;

[0025] 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;

[0026] The control terminal of the optical path switching device is connected to the main processor module.

[0027] Furthermore, the optical path switching device is a 2x1 optical switch or a 2x1 optical combiner.

[0028] Furthermore, 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, wherein the first wavelength, the second wavelength and the third wavelength are different wavelengths.

[0029] Beneficial effects:

[0030] The cascaded structure of this invention optimizes the traditional "star" topology into a "daisy chain" topology, which greatly reduces the number of long-distance wiring harnesses from the central controller to the sensor cluster, thereby reducing the total weight, cost and installation complexity of the wiring harnesses.

[0031] By integrating an optical power splitter within the camera unit and bringing out a cascaded output interface, the camera is transformed from a simple terminal device into a node device with network relay and power distribution capabilities. Based on this cascadeable camera unit, sensor networks can be built with great flexibility. Adding or removing a camera on the chain becomes exceptionally simple without altering the physical interface on the central controller side, resulting in excellent system scalability.

[0032] By setting up redundant power switching modules and closed-loop power control modules in the central main control unit, the stability and high reliability of the power supply link are guaranteed from the hardware level, meeting the requirements of automotive-grade functional safety. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The following figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the main camera unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the central control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] 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.

[0037] In this utility model, "connection" can include direct connection, indirect connection, communication connection, and electrical connection, unless otherwise specified.

[0038] 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.

[0039] See Figure 1 This utility model provides an in-vehicle sensor network system, which physically includes a central control unit, at least one main camera unit, and at least one slave camera unit. The central control unit is connected to the first fiber optic interface of the main camera unit via an optical fiber, and the second fiber optic interface of the main camera unit is connected to the fiber optic input interface of the slave camera unit via another optical fiber, forming a cascaded chain structure.

[0040] The main camera unit includes a camera housing with a first fiber optic interface and a second fiber optic interface. Inside the housing are an image sensor, a camera-end controller, a photovoltaic conversion module, and a camera-end optical transceiver module.

[0041] The core optical path processing module includes a camera-end wavelength division multiplexer and an optical power splitter.

[0042] During operation, the mixed optical signal (containing power light and data light) from upstream enters through the first fiber optic interface and first reaches the wavelength division multiplexer at the camera end. The wavelength division multiplexer at the camera end separates the optical signal received at its common end: the data light is directed to the data light port and connected to the optical transceiver module at the camera end; the power light is directed to the power light output port.

[0043] The key structural feature is that the power light output from the wavelength division multiplexer at the camera end enters the input end of the optical power splitter. The optical power splitter has two output ports: the first output port sends a portion of the optical power to the photovoltaic conversion module, which converts the light energy into electrical energy; the second output port directly couples the remaining majority of the optical power to the second optical fiber interface for powering downstream devices.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the optical power splitter is a 1x2 asymmetric optical splitter, for example, its splitting ratio can be set to 30:70, that is, 30% of the optical power is retained for its own use and 70% of the optical power is passed to the next stage.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic conversion module is sent to a power management module. The power management module is responsible for voltage stabilization and conversion, and its output is then connected to power-consuming units such as the image sensor, camera controller, and camera optical transceiver module, providing them with a stable and reliable power supply.

[0046] To achieve intelligent data routing, a miniature optical switch can be added between the data optical port of the wavelength division multiplexer at the camera end and the optical transceiver module at the camera end. The input of this optical switch is connected to the data optical port of the wavelength division multiplexer at the camera end, and it has at least two output ports. One output port is connected to the optical transceiver module at the camera end, and the other output port is connected to the second optical fiber interface.

[0047] The optical switch is controlled by the camera-end controller. When the optical switch receives a data optical signal, it routes the entire data optical signal to the local camera-end optical transceiver module. The photodiode of the camera-end optical transceiver module immediately converts the very beginning of this optical signal into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is sent to the camera-end controller. The camera-end controller immediately parses the frame header of this data stream, which contains the "destination address." The camera-end controller checks this "destination address," and there are two possibilities:

[0048] Scenario 1: The target address is "myself" (for example, the address is 0x01).

[0049] Action: The camera controller does nothing; simply leave the light switch in its default position. It will continue receiving and processing the remainder of the entire data packet.

[0050] Scenario 2: The target address is "someone else" (e.g., the address is 0x02 or a broadcast address).

[0051] Action: The moment the address mismatch is detected (usually on the order of nanoseconds or microseconds), the camera-side controller immediately sends an electrical signal command to the miniature optical switch through its control pin, instructing it to switch.

[0052] After receiving the electrical signal, the optical switch physically switches the optical path from output port 1 to output port 2 (cascaded output). At this point, most of the entire data packet (especially the core data payload) is seamlessly and directly redirected along the optical path to the second fiber optic interface leading to the next camera, thereby enabling data forwarding to the downstream camera at the hardware level.

[0053] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The central control unit is the control and energy center of the entire system. Internally, it includes a main processor module, a power light source, a main control optical transceiver module, and a main control wavelength division multiplexer (WDM). The system operates based on the WDM principle. On one side of the central control unit, the 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), serving 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 WDM 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.

[0054] 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 of the optical fiber.

[0055] In practical implementation, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology is typically used to transmit three signals without interference in a single optical fiber. For example, 1490nm can be selected as the wavelength for power light, 1550nm as the wavelength for downlink data (master control -> camera), and 1310nm as the wavelength for uplink data (camera -> master control). These three wavelengths are relatively far apart, and multiplexing and demultiplexing can be easily achieved using a mature WDM multiplexer.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, to achieve closed-loop control of the entire link power, a power control module is also integrated on the main processor module. The input of this power control module is connected to the receiving data path of the main control optical transceiver module, enabling it to analyze the received optical power information carried in the data frames transmitted back from the remote camera. Its output is connected to the driving circuit of the power light source, allowing it to dynamically adjust the laser's output power based on feedback information to compensate for link losses and ensure that the end camera also receives sufficient energy.

[0057] To enhance the system's functional safety level, the power source includes a redundant power switching module. This module comprises at least two independent laser submodules (serving as primary and backup power sources) and an optical path switching device. In this embodiment, the optical path switching device is a 2x1 optical switch or a 2x1 optical combiner. The optical outputs of both laser submodules are connected to the input of the optical path switching device, and the output of the device is then connected to the wavelength division multiplexer at the main control end. The control terminal of the optical path switching device is connected to the main processor module. When the main processor module detects a failure or performance degradation in the primary laser submodule, it can immediately control the optical path switching device to switch the optical path to the backup laser submodule, thereby ensuring uninterrupted power supply.

[0058] For a slave camera unit in a link, it can be another cascaded unit with the exact same structure as the master camera unit, in order to continue extending the link. Of course, if it is the last camera in the link, a simplified terminal fiber optic camera structure can be used, that is, it no longer contains an optical power splitter and a second fiber optic interface.

[0059] 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 cascaded power supply fiber optic camera, characterized in that, include: A camera housing; The image sensor, camera controller, photovoltaic conversion module, and camera optical transceiver module are installed inside the camera housing; The first and second fiber optic interfaces are located on the camera housing. An optical path processing module disposed within the camera housing, the optical path processing module comprising: A camera-end wavelength division multiplexer, whose common end is connected to the first optical fiber interface, has at least one power optical output port and one data optical port; The data optical port is connected to the optical transceiver module at the camera end; An optical power splitter has its input end connected to the power optical output port of the wavelength division multiplexer at the camera end; the optical power splitter has at least two output ports, wherein the first output port is connected to the photovoltaic conversion module and is used to power this unit; the second output port is directly connected to the second optical fiber interface.

2. A cascaded power supply fiber optic camera as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a power management module, the input of which is connected to the electrical output of the photovoltaic conversion module, and its output is connected to the image sensor, the camera controller, and the camera optical transceiver module, respectively.

3. A cascaded power supply fiber optic camera as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The optical power splitter is a 1x2 asymmetric optical splitter, and its splitting ratio is preset according to the power consumption requirements of this unit and the power supply requirements of the next cascade unit.

4. A cascaded power supply fiber optic camera as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The optical path processing module also includes a miniature optical switch; the input end of the optical switch is connected to the data optical port of the wavelength division multiplexer at the camera end, and it has at least two output ports, one output port is connected to the optical transceiver module at the camera end, and the other output port is connected to the second optical fiber interface.

5. A vehicle-mounted sensor network system, characterized in that, include: The central 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 main control wavelength division multiplexer is optically connected to the power light source and the main control optical transceiver module, respectively. At least one main camera unit, wherein the main camera unit is a cascaded power-operated fiber optic camera as described in any one of claims 1 to 4; At least one camera unit; The central control unit is connected to the first fiber optic interface of the main camera unit via an optical fiber; the second fiber optic interface of the main camera unit is connected to the fiber optic input interface of the slave camera unit via an optical fiber.

6. The vehicle-mounted sensor network system as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The structure of the slave camera unit is the same as that of the main camera unit, or it may be a terminal-type fiber optic camera without a second fiber optic interface.

7. The vehicle-mounted sensor network system as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The central 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 control unit, and its output terminal is connected to the driving circuit of the power light source.

8. The vehicle-mounted sensor network system as described in claim 5, 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.

9. The vehicle-mounted sensor network system as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The optical path switching device is a 2x1 optical switch or a 2x1 optical combiner.

10. The vehicle-mounted sensor network system as described in claim 5, 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.

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