Intersil Introduces Interface Chips for Automotive Rearview Security Systems

Intersil, a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog mixed-signal semiconductors, today announced the launch of the ISL76321 serializer/deserializer (SerDes) interface chip for automotive rear-view safety systems. This monolithic transceiver solution simplifies system design by transmitting video data, bidirectional control information, and power over a shielded twisted pair (STP) cable. This product helps designers reduce system costs, simplify design, and at the same time increase transmission distance and improve video image quality. The ISL76321 extends Intersil's product portfolio with Intersil Techwell display management, LED lighting, ambient light sensing and power management devices to provide customers with a complete rear view camera security solution.

The ISL76321 focuses 16-bit video data and bi-directional I2C control information on a single high-speed STP cable with a data transmission distance of more than 20 meters. The ISL76321's unique remote link remote control allows the controller to acquire images via the I2C interface. The operating modes can be selected and adjusted, such as exposure and window size. This feature makes it easy for the camera to work in dynamically changing conditions. Using video data lines to transmit control data eliminates the wiring complexity and reduces weight.

The camera link contains a pair of ISL76321 cables. By connecting an STP line, a high-resolution, serial data link is established between the remote video camera and the central control unit. This interface transceiver has a pixel clock range of 8MHz to 50MHz and an original data rate of up to 1000Mbps, providing reliable links for a wide range of video-based automotive master and passive security systems such as lane departure warnings, landmark recognition, and avoidance of pedestrians. This type of system has received great attention. The United States Automobile Safety Administration (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has issued an announcement requiring all new models in the United States to be equipped with a rearview camera by 2014 to prevent drivers from colliding with pedestrians.

The ISL76321 uses industry-standard 8b/10b encoding technology to improve signal integrity and support hot-plugging of links. Even in the harshest noisy environment, the unique fast line-speed locking PLL system (10 microseconds lock time, 10 microseconds or more for similar devices) can guarantee the reliability of the link – which is important for critical security systems factor.

The ISL76321 enhances functionality and increases transmission pre-emphasis and cable equalization (EQ). These features support 16-speed programming, allowing this product to be used for cable transmission distances up to 20 meters for multiple in-line connectors. At the same time, under the short distance application environment, the ISL76321 can use lower cost cables to further reduce system costs. Transceiver cable equalization improves the signal-to-noise ratio at the receiver and does not increase EMI emissions.

Finally, the Intersil solution helps to support the maximum load current (up to one ampere) in a low-cost LVDS power mode. In this way, the system can be powered remotely through the same STP cable, further reducing cabling complexity, cost and weight, and simplifying OEM installation.