Renesas, OmniVision team on automotive camera systems design

Renesas Electronics Corp. and OmniVision Technologies, Inc., have collaborated on an integrated reference design for high-definition (HD) automotive camera systems that pairs two economical solutions for lower cost HD video. The new design leverages Renesas’ automotive HD link (AHL) technology that transmits HD video over low-cost cables and connectors and OmniVision’s OX01F10 1.3-megapixel (MP) system on chip (SoC) that integrates the image sensor and image signal processor (ISP) in one small package and delivers high imaging performance across a range of lighting conditions.

HD video is increasingly being used for object recognition functionality in automotive safety systems. The new RAA279971 AHL encoder and RAA279972 decoder work by using a modulated analog signal to transmit the video. This enables transmission rates 10 times less than required to transmit HD signals digitally, said Renesas, and the lower transmission rate means that unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables and standard low-cost connectors can be used, as well as existing traditional analog video cables and connectors.

The reference design pairs the AHL solution with OmniVision’s OX01F10 SoC, which integrates a high performance 3.0-micron image sensor and an advanced ISP with OmniVision’s PureCel Plus technology for low noise in a single, 1/4″ optical format package. The small form factor OX01F10 supports HDR up to 120 dB and features ASIL-B compliance.

In addition, the OX01F10 delivers on low power consumption at less than 300 mW, which is reportedly 30% lower than competitors while significantly reducing temperature. This eliminates the need for a metal heat sink and allows the use of plastic camera module bodies.

The OX01F10 solves the key challenges of designing automotive rear view camera (RVC) and surround view systems (SVS), which include achieving a small form factor with low-light performance, ultra-low power, and reduced cost, said OmniVision, while improving reliability by enabling single printed circuit board (PCB) designs.

The new reference design is available through both Renesas and OmniVision.