Cascade Camera Module Data Transmission Reducing Processor Interface Count
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of camera modules in electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, leads to a higher demand for MIPI differential signal lines and interfaces on the processor side, complicating system integration and making it difficult to add or remove camera modules efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission method where multiple camera modules are connected in a cascade manner, with only one camera module needing to be connected directly to the processor, reducing the number of interfaces and signal lines required. This method involves modifying the identification field in data packets to indicate the forwarding times, allowing seamless integration and easy addition or removal of camera modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple camera modules are separately connected to the processor through MIPI interfaces, then each camera module can independently transmit data, but the quantity of MIPI differential signal lines and interfaces on the processor side increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple camera modules are connected in a cascade manner where the first camera module receives data from the second camera module and forwards it to the processor. This merging approach allows multiple camera modules to share a single MIPI interface connection to the processor, reducing the quantity of signal lines and interfaces while maintaining data transmission capability for all modules
Solution Approach 2:
The first camera module acts as an intermediary device between the second camera module and the processor. It receives data packets from the second camera module, modifies the identification field to indicate forwarding times, and transmits the modified packets to the processor. This intermediary approach enables daisy-chain connection that reduces interface complexity
2Measurement precision
If the quantity of front-facing camera modules and rear-facing camera modules increases to improve photographing precision, then photographing capability is enhanced, but the quantity of MIPI differential signal lines and interfaces on the processor side increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables multiple camera modules (including both front-facing and rear-facing modules) to be connected in cascade through shared MIPI interfaces. This allows the system to support increased photographing precision through multiple cameras without proportionally increasing the number of processor interfaces, as multiple modules share common interface resources
3Device complexity
If camera modules are connected in a cascade manner with data packet forwarding, then the quantity of interfaces on the processor side is reduced, but it is necessary to track and modify the identification field indicating forwarding times
Solution Approach 1:
Each camera module in the cascade automatically performs identification field modification when forwarding data packets. The first camera module autonomously increments the forwarding times indicator in the identification field of packets received from the second camera module, eliminating the need for external tracking or manual intervention. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall system automation while enabling interface reduction
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a data transmission method and an electronic device. The method may be applied to an electronic device configured with a plurality of input devices (for example, camera modules). One uplink interface and one downlink interface are deployed on each input device of the electronic device. The uplink interface is connected to a processor or an upper-level input device, and the downlink interface is connected to a lower-level input device or is not connected. A processing module in each input device may process image data collected by the current-level device and data sent by a lower-level input device connected to a downlink interface, and then transmit processed data to the processor or an upper-level input device through an uplink interface. In this way, the plurality of input devices are connected in a cascade manner, and only one of the plurality of input devices needs to be connected to the processor. Therefore, a quantity of interfaces and a quantity of signal pins between the processor and the plurality of input devices are reduced. In addition, adding or subtracting an input device is easy to operate.