Hot-Pluggable GMSL Camera System Cable Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GMSL camera systems lack the ability to safely and reliably support hot plugging and hot unplugging, leading to system instability, data corruption, and mechanical failures due to the inability to detect cable connections and disconnections, particularly in long-distance applications like advanced driver assistance systems for large vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A GMSL camera system that uses a computer program executing on the Host processor to detect the absence or presence of the GMSL cable connection without additional hardware, sending proprietary frames to prevent system crashes and reconfiguring the camera stream upon reconnection, while incorporating hardware solutions like I2C interfacing, circuit interrupters, and CRC checks to manage micro-hot-plugging and micro-unplugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If GMSL cable connection is made hot-pluggable to enable continuous operation and maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but system stability and data integrity deteriorate due to inability to detect connection status changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the host processor continuously monitors the GMSL cable connection status through polling the deserializer block. When connection status changes are detected, the system responds by sending proprietary frames or reconfiguring the camera stream, thereby maintaining system stability while enabling hot plugging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by detecting connection status changes before they cause system instability. The host processor proactively monitors the link status and takes preventive measures by sending proprietary frames or reconfiguring streams, preventing data corruption and system crashes before they occur.
2Reliability
If GMSL cable connection status monitoring is implemented to prevent system crashes, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the deserializer block automatically provides connection status information to the host processor through existing I2C communication interfaces. The system monitors its own state without requiring external monitoring hardware, thereby improving reliability while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes existing multi-functional I2C communication interfaces and register polling mechanisms already present in the GMSL system for other purposes (configuration, status reporting). By repurposing these existing communication channels for connection status monitoring, the system achieves reliable monitoring without adding dedicated monitoring hardware or complex protocols.
3Reliability
If proprietary frames are sent to prevent system crashes during hot plugging, then reliability is improved, but loss of information increases due to proprietary frame overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by sending proprietary frames only when connection status changes are detected, rather than continuously transmitting them. This selective approach maintains system reliability during hot plugging events while minimizing the overhead and information loss associated with proprietary frame transmission during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A Hot-Pluggable GMSL Camera System wherein a MIPI camera sensor is connected to a corresponding serializer block with an I2C interface, the corresponding serializer is connected to a corresponding deserializer block by a GMSL cable of up to at least 15-30 meters through an electrical connector, the deserializer block is connected to the Host Processor. A signal of the status of electrical connection of the GMSL cable is generated and communicated to the Host Processor, wherein an unplugging of the activated GMSL cable would produce a signal communicated to the Host Processor, and a plugging-in, or connecting of the same cable or a replacement cable or more than one GMSL cable communicated to the Host Processor. The GMSL camera system detects intermittent connections that are regarded as a micro-unplugging and a micro-hot-plugging, and displaying a proprietary video frame in response to hot-unplugging.