Interest in Lane Departure Warning, Signpost Recognition and Pedestrian Avoidance systems is increasing, as demonstrated by recent statements from the U.S. auto-safety regulator (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) with proposals for backup cameras on all new vehicles in the U.S. by 2014 to reduce the dangers of drivers backing over pedestrians.
Intersil’s ISL76321 Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) interface IC provides a single chip transceiver solution for video-based automotive rear view safety systems. The chip sends video data, bi-directional I2C control information and power across a single shielded twisted pair (STP) cable and can transmit data in excess of 20 meters. Sending control data over the same cable as the video data eliminates unnecessary complexity in wiring looms and reduces weight.
A camera link comprises a pair of ISL76321s connected via a single STP cable to establish a high resolution serial data link between a remote video camera and a central control unit. This interface transceiver accommodates a wide pixel clock range from 8MHz to 50MHz, and raw data rates up to 1000Mbps.
The ISL76321 is qualified to AECQ100 grade 2 (-40°C to 105°C). It is supplied in a small 48-lead TQFN package and is priced at $4.55 each in 1,000-unit quantities. The device is currently sampling with volume production scheduled for January 2011.