THine Value ラスベガス カジノ 勝ったment Demo Kit for Wireless Transmission of Video and Power, Adopting MIPI CSI-2 Serial Interface IC
2024.10.08
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Industrial electronic devices include medical equipment, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, inspection equipment, vending machines, and robots. The development of these kinds of industrial devices presents various challenges regarding the serial interfaces used for transmitting video/image signals and control signals.
Our company (THine Electronics) believes there are seven of these major challenges. These are: 1) Ensuring electrical isolation, 2) Eliminating mechanical stress on connector joints, 3) Avoiding connection failures and aging-related issues in factory inspection processes, 4) Improving productivity by simplifying assembly methods, 5) Enhancing productivity through quick inspections, 6) Enabling water-resistant, dust-proof, and salt-resistant designs, and 7) Enabling designs with detachable cameras and monitors. *For more information, please see "Resolving Signal Line Issues with Contactless Connectors, Realized through Serial Interface ICs and Short-Range Wireless ICs."
In fact, replacing wired serial interfaces with wireless transmission can resolve all seven issues. Furthermore, wireless transmission can also open up new applications. However, the perception that "serial interfaces mean wired connections" is quite strong, so many engineers may feel hesitant to replace wired connections with wireless transmission.
Therefore, we are developing various demo kits to convey the image of wireless transmission of serial interfaces clearly. By obtaining these kits and progressing with verification and study, users can gather information on which challenges can be solved, what performance and characteristics are achievable, and usability. Information that cannot be conveyed through written text becomes clear at a glance. Additionally, once the demo kit is connected with cables and powered on, users can quickly start proof of concept (PoC) work.
THine has already completed the development of several demo kits. For example, there is a demo kit that uses wireless transmission for the serial interface connecting the motor control unit and motor drive unit. A rotary encoder is connected to the motor control unit, and when an operator moves this knob, a digital signal indicating the rotation amount is wirelessly transmitted to the motor drive unit, which then drives the motor.
Additionally, a demo kit for a detachable camera is available. By simply bringing the board with the camera close to the board with the wireless receiver, the video signal can be wirelessly transmitted to the monitor. This setup is intended for use cases where the camera is detached from the main electronic device for utilization.
Our company (THine Electronics) believes there are seven of these major challenges. These are: 1) Ensuring electrical isolation, 2) Eliminating mechanical stress on connector joints, 3) Avoiding connection failures and aging-related issues in factory inspection processes, 4) Improving productivity by simplifying assembly methods, 5) Enhancing productivity through quick inspections, 6) Enabling water-resistant, dust-proof, and salt-resistant designs, and 7) Enabling designs with detachable cameras and monitors. *For more information, please see "Resolving Signal Line Issues with Contactless Connectors, Realized through Serial Interface ICs and Short-Range Wireless ICs."
In fact, replacing wired serial interfaces with wireless transmission can resolve all seven issues. Furthermore, wireless transmission can also open up new applications. However, the perception that "serial interfaces mean wired connections" is quite strong, so many engineers may feel hesitant to replace wired connections with wireless transmission.
Therefore, we are developing various demo kits to convey the image of wireless transmission of serial interfaces clearly. By obtaining these kits and progressing with verification and study, users can gather information on which challenges can be solved, what performance and characteristics are achievable, and usability. Information that cannot be conveyed through written text becomes clear at a glance. Additionally, once the demo kit is connected with cables and powered on, users can quickly start proof of concept (PoC) work.
THine has already completed the development of several demo kits. For example, there is a demo kit that uses wireless transmission for the serial interface connecting the motor control unit and motor drive unit. A rotary encoder is connected to the motor control unit, and when an operator moves this knob, a digital signal indicating the rotation amount is wirelessly transmitted to the motor drive unit, which then drives the motor.
Additionally, a demo kit for a detachable camera is available. By simply bringing the board with the camera close to the board with the wireless receiver, the video signal can be wirelessly transmitted to the monitor. This setup is intended for use cases where the camera is detached from the main electronic device for utilization.
Three-lane Wireless Transmission Capability
This time, we have added a newly developed product, the Contactless Camera Adaptor, to our demo kit lineup (Fig. 1).
This demo kit is designed for wireless transmission of the serial interface connecting a camera module and a grabber board (image capture device). In terms of basic functionality, it is quite similar to the aforementioned demo kit for detachable cameras. However, it includes several unique features that the previous kit lacks. Let's explore the details below.
First, let us go over the system configuration of the demo kit (Fig. 2). The MIPI CSI-2 video signal output from the camera module is input into a transmission board equipped with a serial interface IC (transmitter IC) THCV241A. This IC converts the signal into a serial (V-by-One HS) video format. Then, the signal is wirelessly transmitted to the receiving board using 60 GHz millimeter-wave technology, where it is converted back to a MIPI CSI-2 signal by the serial interface IC (receiver IC) THCV242A and sent to the grabber board.
The main feature of the new demo kit is that it offers three lanes for wireless transmission. Two of these three lanes are for the main channels that transmit video signals. The maximum data transmission speed per lane is a high 4 Gbps. Therefore, by using two lanes, it is possible to transmit an 8 MP, 60 fps video signal (up to 7.2 Gbps). The third land is a sub-channel dedicated to transceiver control signals. It supports half-duplex communication. Control signals are essential for various settings and configurations needed to operate the camera module, serial interface IC, and grabber board.
For millimeter-wave wireless transmission, we adopted millimeter-wave communication modules commercialized by South Korea's SENSORVIEW (Sensorview Co., LTD). The module used for the two main link lines is the SAM3, and for the sub-link, we use the B2266 (Fig. 3).
SAM3 performs wireless transmission in a face-to-face configuration, as shown on the left side of Fig. 4. In other words, the transmitting and receiving boards are stacked, and data is sent between the two SAM3 modules. In addition, South Korea's SENSORVIEW offers the SAM4 millimeter-wave communication module for side-to-side wireless transmission. This makes it possible to place the transmitting and receiving boards side by side and send data between two SAM4s (Fig. 4, right). Both modules are equipped with the ST60A2 millimeter-wave communication chip by STMicroelectronics, combined with a small proprietary horn antenna developed by SENSORVIEW.
Additionally, the setup includes a feature to wirelessly supply power from the transmitting board to the receiving board. This means that there is no need for a wired power supply to the receiving board, allowing complete electrical isolation between the transmitting and receiving boards. For wireless power transfer, we used a B&PLUS wireless power supply block.
The effective connection range for wireless transmission using millimeter waves is 20 to 30 mm at a data transfer speed of 3.6 Gbps (Table 1). Meanwhile, the maximum power transfer for wireless charging is 10 W, with a maximum distance of 10 mm.
Fig. 1 Example of connecting the Contactless Camera Adaptor
This demo kit is designed for wireless transmission of the serial interface connecting a camera module and a grabber board (image capture device). In terms of basic functionality, it is quite similar to the aforementioned demo kit for detachable cameras. However, it includes several unique features that the previous kit lacks. Let's explore the details below.
First, let us go over the system configuration of the demo kit (Fig. 2). The MIPI CSI-2 video signal output from the camera module is input into a transmission board equipped with a serial interface IC (transmitter IC) THCV241A. This IC converts the signal into a serial (V-by-One HS) video format. Then, the signal is wirelessly transmitted to the receiving board using 60 GHz millimeter-wave technology, where it is converted back to a MIPI CSI-2 signal by the serial interface IC (receiver IC) THCV242A and sent to the grabber board.
Fig. 2 System configuration of the Contactless Camera Adaptor
The main feature of the new demo kit is that it offers three lanes for wireless transmission. Two of these three lanes are for the main channels that transmit video signals. The maximum data transmission speed per lane is a high 4 Gbps. Therefore, by using two lanes, it is possible to transmit an 8 MP, 60 fps video signal (up to 7.2 Gbps). The third land is a sub-channel dedicated to transceiver control signals. It supports half-duplex communication. Control signals are essential for various settings and configurations needed to operate the camera module, serial interface IC, and grabber board.
For millimeter-wave wireless transmission, we adopted millimeter-wave communication modules commercialized by South Korea's SENSORVIEW (Sensorview Co., LTD). The module used for the two main link lines is the SAM3, and for the sub-link, we use the B2266 (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3 Transmitting and receiving boards
SAM3 performs wireless transmission in a face-to-face configuration, as shown on the left side of Fig. 4. In other words, the transmitting and receiving boards are stacked, and data is sent between the two SAM3 modules. In addition, South Korea's SENSORVIEW offers the SAM4 millimeter-wave communication module for side-to-side wireless transmission. This makes it possible to place the transmitting and receiving boards side by side and send data between two SAM4s (Fig. 4, right). Both modules are equipped with the ST60A2 millimeter-wave communication chip by STMicroelectronics, combined with a small proprietary horn antenna developed by SENSORVIEW.
Fig. 4 Wireless transmission using millimeter waves
Additionally, the setup includes a feature to wirelessly supply power from the transmitting board to the receiving board. This means that there is no need for a wired power supply to the receiving board, allowing complete electrical isolation between the transmitting and receiving boards. For wireless power transfer, we used a B&PLUS wireless power supply block.
The effective connection range for wireless transmission using millimeter waves is 20 to 30 mm at a data transfer speed of 3.6 Gbps (Table 1). Meanwhile, the maximum power transfer for wireless charging is 10 W, with a maximum distance of 10 mm.
Table 1 Wireless transmission range of the developed demo kit
Direct Connection to the Camera SerDes Starter Kit
The SerDes chip serializes the parallel video signal, which is then wirelessly transmitted using a millimeter-wave communication module. This approach itself is not particularly new. Wireless transmission of video signals can also be achieved using competitors' SerDes chips. However, wireless transmission of both the main channel for video signals and a sub-channel for control signals has been challenging when using competing SerDes chips. This is because control signals are often overlaid onto the main channel video signal. While it is possible to extract the control signal from the main channel, this requires additional cost and labor. However, this can easily be achieved by using our serial interface IC THCV241A/242A.
The advantage of wirelessly transmitting both the main and sub-channels is significant. One of the benefits is that we can use our serial interface IC to easily and wirelessly connect to our existing MIPI Camera SerDes Starter Kit. By simply inserting the newly developed RF board between the THCV241A-equipped camera module board and the THCV242A-equipped grabber board, wireless transmission between the camera module and grabber board can be established (Fig. 5).
The starter kit was originally intended to simplify the integration of camera modules into industrial equipment. Therefore, combining it with this demo kit makes it very easy to create an ラスベガス カジノ 勝った that transmits video signals wirelessly.
This demo kit targets three main types of applications. The first is electronic devices that require electrical isolation between the transmission and reception boards—for example, medical devices like endoscopes. The second is electronic devices that require complete waterproofing and dustproofing on the transmission or reception side. For instance, inspection equipment used in harsh environments or industrial cameras that can be washed with water. The third is electronic devices that do not tolerate mechanical stress on connectors. Examples include inspection equipment used on production lines.
This demo kit can be used with all CMOS image sensors compatible with the starter kit (Table 2). For example, the 2-megapixel GC2093 at 30 fps and the 8-megapixel IMX415 at 60 fps can be used.
The advantage of wirelessly transmitting both the main and sub-channels is significant. One of the benefits is that we can use our serial interface IC to easily and wirelessly connect to our existing MIPI Camera SerDes Starter Kit. By simply inserting the newly developed RF board between the THCV241A-equipped camera module board and the THCV242A-equipped grabber board, wireless transmission between the camera module and grabber board can be established (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5 System configuration of the MIPI Camera SerDes Starter Kit
The starter kit was originally intended to simplify the integration of camera modules into industrial equipment. Therefore, combining it with this demo kit makes it very easy to create an ラスベガス カジノ 勝った that transmits video signals wirelessly.
This demo kit targets three main types of applications. The first is electronic devices that require electrical isolation between the transmission and reception boards—for example, medical devices like endoscopes. The second is electronic devices that require complete waterproofing and dustproofing on the transmission or reception side. For instance, inspection equipment used in harsh environments or industrial cameras that can be washed with water. The third is electronic devices that do not tolerate mechanical stress on connectors. Examples include inspection equipment used on production lines.
This demo kit can be used with all CMOS image sensors compatible with the starter kit (Table 2). For example, the 2-megapixel GC2093 at 30 fps and the 8-megapixel IMX415 at 60 fps can be used.
Table 2 Lis of compatible CMOS image sensors
Development Led by Design Team in South Korea
The design team at THine Electronics Korea, our local subsidiary in South Korea, primarily led the development of this demo kit. Why was the South Korean design team chosen for this project?
The main reason lies in the involvement of SENSORVIEW, which commercializes millimeter-wave communication modules. Generally, the design of boards and systems equipped with millimeter-wave communication modules is quite challenging. "The developed demo kit's transmission and reception boards each have three millimeter-wave communication modules, and placing them close together poses a high risk of radio wave interference. How far apart should they be to avoid interference? We received technical support from SENSORVIEW, which has advanced expertise in antennae technology," explained a design member at THine Electronics Korea. During development, we also received technical support from the local subsidiary of STMicroelectronics in South Korea, which provides millimeter-wave communication chips.
Additionally, SENSORVIEW's millimeter-wave communication module SAM3 has obtained technical standards compliance (Giteki) in Japan.
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The main reason lies in the involvement of SENSORVIEW, which commercializes millimeter-wave communication modules. Generally, the design of boards and systems equipped with millimeter-wave communication modules is quite challenging. "The developed demo kit's transmission and reception boards each have three millimeter-wave communication modules, and placing them close together poses a high risk of radio wave interference. How far apart should they be to avoid interference? We received technical support from SENSORVIEW, which has advanced expertise in antennae technology," explained a design member at THine Electronics Korea. During development, we also received technical support from the local subsidiary of STMicroelectronics in South Korea, which provides millimeter-wave communication chips.
Additionally, SENSORVIEW's millimeter-wave communication module SAM3 has obtained technical standards compliance (Giteki) in Japan.
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