Multiplexing Monochrome Sensor Data via Time-Division for Cable Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of individual cables for data transmission from multiple cameras or sensors leads to unsynchronized data streams and increased cable bulk, complicating video processing and requiring extensive wiring in applications like military and surveillance systems.
Innovation Solution
Multiplexing data from multiple monochrome cameras or sensor arrays into a single synchronized stream, which can be transmitted through a single cable designed for color data transmission, reducing cable bulk and processing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual cables are used to transmit data from multiple cameras/sensors, then each camera can transmit data independently, but the data streams become unsynchronized and cable bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate data transmission cables into a single multiplexed cable system. Multiple monochrome camera data streams are multiplexed together and transmitted through one shared cable, eliminating the need for individual cables per camera while maintaining data integrity and synchronization through time-division multiplexing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single cable serve multiple functions by using it to transmit data from multiple different monochrome cameras simultaneously. The cable system is designed to handle multiple data streams through time-division multiplexing, allowing one cable to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated cables.
2Productivity
If individual cables are used for each camera, then data transmission is simple, but video processing complexity increases and cable bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple camera data streams into a single multiplexed transmission channel. By combining the data streams early in the transmission process, the system reduces the number of physical cables needed while the video processing system processes the combined stream efficiently using demultiplexing and synchronization techniques.
3Reliability
If multiple cables are used to connect cameras in a helmet, then each camera has dedicated transmission, but the number of cables attached to the helmet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate cable connections that would attach to the helmet into a single multiplexed cable connection. This dramatically simplifies cable management in helmet applications by reducing the number of attachment points while maintaining reliable data transmission through time-division multiplexing of the camera streams.
4Ease of manufacture
If a cable configured for color data is used to transmit monochrome data, then existing infrastructure can be leveraged, but data multiplexing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts cables originally designed for color camera data transmission to carry multiplexed monochrome camera data streams. By using time-division multiplexing, the system leverages existing cable infrastructure and connectors while efficiently packing multiple monochrome data streams into the same transmission channel that would traditionally carry color data.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of multiplexing information from a plurality of monochrome sensors/cameras is provided. The systems and methods provided can be useful to achieve pixel-level time synchronization between information acquired by different monochrome sensors/cameras that are configured to view a scene from different viewing directions.