Vehicular Camera Coaxial Link for Power and High-Speed Image Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle imaging systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting high-resolution camera data over coaxial cables due to signal attenuation and bending issues, which affect the reliability and cost-effectiveness of automotive applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a single core coaxial cable with advanced materials like fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and poly-propylene (PP) foam skin, combined with inductive decoupling filters, enhances signal transfer by improving bending capabilities and attenuation performance, allowing for robust and efficient communication of camera data, power supply, and control signals over a single coaxial cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coaxial cables are used for transmitting high-resolution camera data, then the system structure is simple, but signal attenuation and bending issues reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining FEP insulation layer with poly-propylene foam skin and aluminum foil shielding layers. This multi-material construction enhances signal transmission reliability by reducing attenuation and improving bending capabilities compared to conventional single-material coaxial cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the coaxial cable including using FEP material with specific dielectric properties, optimizing the foam skin density and thickness, and configuring aluminum foil shielding geometry. These parameter optimizations reduce signal attenuation and improve mechanical robustness for reliable high-speed data transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cables are used for data and power transmission, then signal transmission is reliable, but logistical costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data transmission and power supply functions into a single coaxial cable system. The cable simultaneously carries high-speed camera data signals and electrical power, eliminating the need for separate cables and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability through proper signal and power isolation design.
Solution Approach 2:
The coaxial cable is designed with multi-functionality to serve as both a data communication medium and a power delivery medium. This universal cable solution handles multiple functions (data transmission, power supply, and shielding) that traditionally required separate components, thereby reducing logistical costs and installation complexity.
3Loss of energy
If advanced materials like FEP and PP foam skin are used, then attenuation performance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses poly-propylene foam skin as a porous material with optimized cell structure and density. This foam layer provides effective signal shielding and mechanical protection while maintaining flexibility. The porous structure allows for controlled signal attenuation characteristics and can be manufactured using standard foam extrusion techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of FEP insulation layer with poly-propylene foam skin and aluminum foil shielding creates a composite structure that optimizes both electrical performance and manufacturability. Each material layer serves a specific function (insulation, shielding, mechanical strength) and can be applied through established composite cable manufacturing processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables reliable high-speed data transfer (up to 1.6 Gbps) with minimal signal loss, improved mechanical robustness, and reduced logistical costs by using a single coaxial cable for both data and power transmission, addressing the limitations of existing coaxial cables in automotive environments.
Implementation Method 1
inductive decoupling filters
Implementation Method 2
fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular vision system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed at a vehicle and a camera having a CMOS imaging sensor operable to capture image data. Image data captured by the camera is conveyed from the camera to the ECU via a 50 ohm coaxial cable. The camera is in bidirectional communication with the ECU over the 50 ohm coaxial cable. The 50 ohm coaxial cable commonly carries (i) image data captured by the camera for processing at a data processor of the ECU and (ii) power from a DC power supply of the ECU to the camera. Image data captured by the camera is serialized at a data serializer of the camera and is conveyed to the ECU via the 50 ohm coaxial cable and is deserialized at the ECU by a data deserializer of the ECU.