SerDes ICs simplify video transmission for automotive multiple displays
Full HD-compatible SerDes ICs contribute to functional safety in vehicles through end-to-end data monitoring, said Rohm Semiconductor. The full-HD (1980 x 1080 pixels) -compatible SerDes ICs (serialiser: BU18TL82-M, Deserialiser: BU18RL82-M) are optimised for multi-screen vehicle displays.
Unlike typical SerDes ICs that must be connected in pairs for each video transmission, the BU18RL82-M deserialiser can be daisy-chained to enable video transmission over multiple routes – using just a single serialiser. Reducing the number of connectors and cables simplifies the video transmission paths – lowering both system costs and failure risks. They are also capable of monitoring whether video data is correctly transmitted end-to-end (from the SoC to the displays) by comparing (cyclical redundancy check) CRC values. This feature supports functional safety in automotive applications
Automotive design introductions such as mirrors or the use of LCDs in instrument clusters have increased the number of panels installed per vehicle, resulting in more complex video transmission paths, explained Rohm. “As this entails higher system costs and greater risk of failure, the challenge was to simplify the video transmission pathways as much as possible,” said Stefan Drouzas, senior application marketing manager at Rohm. “At the same time, it is important to incorporate functional safety features since frozen video in electronic mirrors and tell-tale image failures in instrument clusters can lead to serious accidents,” he added.
To enhance video quality, the ICs have daisy-chain connectivity and end-to-end data monitoring while the optimised transmission rate, integrated spread spectrum function and noise peak shifting minimise the power consumption and lower the noise, said Rohm.
The BU18xL82-M series is qualified under the AEC-Q100 standard, ensuring automotive-grade reliability. The BU18TL82-M serialiser in particular supports both the OpenLDI and MIPI-DSI input interfaces.
The SerDes ICs are in mass production today. Samples are available from Rohm.
Rohm Semiconductor develops and manufactures SiC diodes and MOSFETs, analogue ICs such as gate drivers and power management ICs to power transistors and diodes to passive components.
The company has manufacturing plants in Japan, Germany, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and China. Rohm Semiconductor Europe has its head office near Dusseldorf serving the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa).
