Serial Transmission Interface for Image Sensor Baseband Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing serial transmission interfaces between image sensors and baseband circuits in cellular phones are inflexible and consume excessive circuit area, making them unsuitable for small-sized devices and limiting the adaptability of the image sensor's role as a master control end.
Innovation Solution
A serial transmission interface that allows the image sensor and baseband circuit to switch between master and slave control ends, using a serial transmission method with a transmission end and reception end, and includes control signals, power, and clock signals to facilitate efficient data transfer, potentially using SPI, UART, or I2C protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If parallel data transmission method is used, then data processing speed is improved, but circuit area becomes too large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the parallel transmission mechanical system with a serial transmission system. Instead of using multiple simultaneous data lines (parallel), the invention uses a single data line that transmits data sequentially (serial), thereby reducing the circuit area while maintaining acceptable data processing speed through efficient serial communication protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data transmission process into sequential time slots or frames. By dividing the data stream into manageable segments transmitted in sequence over a single channel, the system achieves area-efficient serial transmission while preserving the ability to process data at required speeds through proper timing and synchronization
2Stability of the object's composition
If transmission end is fixed as master control end, then control stability is improved, but flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic master-slave role assignment where the transmission end and reception end can switch roles based on system requirements. The controller can dynamically configure which endpoint acts as master and which acts as slave, providing flexibility in different operating scenarios while maintaining stable control through defined communication protocols and role transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal interface design where both transmission end and reception end are capable of functioning as either master or slave control ends. This multi-functional design allows the same hardware interface to adapt to different communication scenarios, eliminating the need for dedicated master or slave hardware configurations and enhancing system versatility
3Reliability
If more pins are used for transmission, then data transfer reliability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data lines into a single serial data line for transmission. By combining what would traditionally require multiple separate pins into one serial channel, the system maintains reliable data transfer through protocol-level error checking and retransmission mechanisms while reducing the physical pin count, thereby lowering production costs and simplifying manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
A serial transmission interface between an image sensor and a baseband circuit includes a transmission end and a reception end. The transmission end is set in the image sensor, and is utilized for transmitting image data sensed by the image sensor. The reception end is set in the baseband circuit, and is utilized for receiving the image data transmitted from the transmission end. The transmission end is one of a master control end and a slave control end, and the reception end is correspondingly the other.