Automobile Camera Raw Image Signal Splitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera systems for driver assistance and automated driving require significant hardware and cost due to parallel image processing at multiple locations, with limited synergy between assisted driving systems and automated driving systems, leading to high costs for redundant systems.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent camera system that processes raw image data internally and outputs it for external processing, featuring a splitter that reads raw image signals from an image sensor and provides them to both an integrated processor and an external interface, using a point-to-point connection like CSI-2, and optionally includes a serializer for LVDS output, allowing for conditional data transmission and control command handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image processing takes place in parallel at multiple locations for automated driving, then reliability and redundancy are improved, but hardware expenditure and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The camera device is designed with dual functionality: it can operate as an intelligent camera for driver assistance systems using the integrated processor, or as a simple raw data source for automated driving systems by outputting raw image data through the output interface. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to serve both purposes without requiring separate redundant systems, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing hardware expenditure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the integrated processor extracts raw image data from the image sensor, then internal image processing capability is improved, but the memory bandwidth of the SoC becomes excessively burdened
Solution Approach 1:
The splitter acts as an intermediary component that reads raw image data directly from the image sensor and distributes it to both the integrated processor and the output interface. This mediator approach allows the integrated processor to access raw data without overburdening the SoC's memory bandwidth, as the splitter handles the data extraction and distribution independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The data path is segmented into multiple independent channels: one channel from the image sensor to the integrated processor for internal processing, and another channel from the image sensor through the splitter to the output interface for external transmission. This segmentation allows parallel data flow without congesting the SoC's memory bandwidth.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a splitter is introduced to distribute raw image data to both integrated processor and external interface, then adaptability for both ADAS and AD is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The splitter serves as a dedicated intermediary component that simplifies the signal routing complexity by providing a fixed, predetermined connection structure. Instead of requiring complex software-controlled routing or multiple possible configurations, the splitter provides a straightforward hardware-based distribution mechanism that is simple and reliable.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera device includes an image sensor, an integrated processor, and an output interface. The camera device also includes a splitter which reads in raw image signals from the image sensor and then provides this data to both the integrated processor and to the output interface for transmission to an external processor. The integrated processor is configured to determine first object data by processing the raw image signals provided.