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Omnivision releases automotive image sensors for Nvidia AGX AI platform

Tue, Apr 20, 2021

Image sensors from OmniVision Technologies are compatible with Nvidia’s Drive AGX artificial intelligence (AI) computing platform for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

The company announced that it has joined the Nvidia Drive autonomous vehicle development system at the (virtual) Nvidia GTC21.

The first three qualified image sensor families offer unique benefits to automotive system designers. The OV2311 features 2Mpixel resolution for driver monitoring systems (DMS) applications, and was the industry’s first automotive-grade imager to offer a global shutter for minimal driver-motion artefacts. The new 5Mpixel version of the image sensor also adds OmniVision’s Nyxel near-infrared (NIR) technology, for the best image captures in low- to no-light conditions, says Omnivision. Nyxel technology is claimed to achieve the world’s highest quantum efficiency for DMS of 36 per cent at the invisible 940nm NIR light wavelength, providing the clearest driver images for use by AI software algorithms.

The second family is the OX08B40, believed to be the industry’s first automotive image sensor with 140dB HDR, LED flicker mitigation (LFM) and 8.3Mpixel resolution. The image sensor enables superior front view captures, regardless of external lighting conditions, claims OmniVision. OmniVision’s on-chip HALE (HDR and LFM engine) combination algorithm simultaneously provides industry-leading LFM and HDR over the entire automotive temperature range, claims the company.

The OX03C10 and OX03F10 are claimed to be the only automotive viewing camera image sensors to combine a large 3.0 micron pixel with the HALE algorithm for minimised motion artefacts and the best LFM performance. The OX03C10 also has the lowest power consumption of any 2.5MP LFM image sensor, says OmniVision. It is also the industry’s smallest package size, enabling cameras that continuously run at 60 fps to be fitted in even the tightest confines of automotive design.

The OX03F10 widens the vertical resolution to 1920x1536p, for image quality appropriate for which provides the high image quality needed when feeding surround view system (SVS) captures into autonomous machine vision systems. The OX03F10’s wider array is also essential in e-mirror applications, for greater coverage and to eliminate blindspots.

OmniVision’s OV2311 and a new 5Mpixel sensor are the exclusive driver monitoring system (DMS) image sensors for the Nvidia Drive Hyperion evaluation architecture.

“Paul Wu, automotive staff marketing manager at OmniVision, said: “We are excited to become an Nvidia Drive ecosystem partner, with three of our premium automotive image sensor families and many more to be added. Our goal is to accelerate time to market for autonomous and ADAS applications by reducing the development effort and cost”. The company will also provide sensors for the driver and occupant monitoring systems on the next-generation Nvidia Drive Hyperion platform which combines hardware and software.

The Nvidia Drive AGX AI computing platform offers automotive designers the flexibility to use Nvidia hardware with its full stack Drive software, or develop custom software. The platform can be used for in-cabin or for autonomous driving applications, or for both. OmniVision offers platform software drivers for its image sensors, as well as complete camera modules that customers can connect to the Nvidia Drive platform for immediate evaluation. OmniVision also provides custom tuning services.

“Adding innovative suppliers like OmniVision to our open AV development platform is a key element of accelerating automotive breakthroughs with Nvidia Drive,” said Glenn Schuster, senior director of sensor ecosystems at Nvidia.

All three initial Nvidia Drive AGX platform-compatible sensor families are available now for sampling and mass production, featuring advanced ASIL functional safety and AEC-Q100 Grade 2 certification. The platform drivers and evaluation camera modules are also available now.

http://www.ovt.com

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Renesas combines pre-regulator and PMIC for ADAS camera systems

Wed, Mar 31, 2021

A 42V synchronous buck pre-regulator is combines with a seven-channel power management IC (PMIC) in a power and functional safety solution for systems based on the R-Car V3H SoC for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) automotive front cameras and driver monitor cameras.

Renesas has combined the RAA271050 42V synchronous buck pre-regulator that accepts the vehicle’s 12V supply and steps it down to an intermediate supply voltage of 3.3 or 5.0V. The seven channel power RAA271000 PMIC takes the RAA271050’s output and steps it down further to the various supply voltages needed by R-Car V3H and its peripherals such as LPDDR4 memory.

Both devices were developed per the ISO-26262 standard, and can support system safety requirements up to ASIL D. The solution satisfies all the power and functional safety requirements for the R-Car V3H, says Renesas. It provides supply voltages with the current capability to meet all power specifications, including sequence, voltage accuracy, and load step response. It also provides all the necessary power and digital monitoring functions.

According to Renesas the combination provides best-in-class efficiency, with power loss reductions of up to 33 per cent compared to competitive PMICs under comparable operating conditions. Lower power loss enables operation at higher temperatures, reduces cooling costs and improves reliability. The RAA271050 and RAA271000 were designed to match R-Car requirements with no unnecessary overhead, reducing both component cost and PCB area. Reference hardware includes the new components, speeding design time and reducing testing requirements for customers.

The R-CAR V solution includes programmable output voltage, sequencing, I/O configuration and safety configuration. The integrated 12-bit SAR ADC has up to 16 external inputs monitors internal and external signals, eliminating the need for an added system ADC.

Dynamic voltage frequency scaling (DVFS) adjusts output voltage to minimise power consumption and there is optional spread spectrum clocking which mitigates EMI. Support for R-Car V3H SoC activation streamlines the SoC self-test procedures, adds Renesas.

The RAA271050 and RAA271000 are included in an ADAS front camera solution featuring the EagleCam camera module from Lupa-Electronics and Renesas’ R-Car V3H and R-Car V3M SoCs.

The RAA271050 is offered in a 22-lead, 4.0 x 4.0mm QFN package. The RAA271000 is packaged in a 60-ball FCBGA with 0.8mm pitch. Both devices are sampling today and are expected to be fully available in July 2021.

http://www.renesas.com

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5G NR module has C-V2X for autonomous driving

Wed, Mar 31, 2021

Obstacles to overcome in automotive communication systems that make use of V2X (vehicle to everything) systems and 5G technology are raising communication functionality to meet V2X’s complex processing that can lead to modules overheating. Modules also tend to get bigger with increased functionality, creating a need to optimise module design for mounting to customer circuits. This complex task is a major barrier to commercialisation, says Alps Alpine.

The UMNZ1 Series 5G NR module for automotive use with C-V2X features complies with 3GPP Release 15. Suppressing heat generation and employing an original structure for greater dissipation of heat inside systems after mounting is claimed to maximise performance. The module is flat, for stability in mounting the device, says the company and it is compatible with frequencies used by specifications worldwide. The UMNZ1 Series module also have optional compatibility with dual SIM dual active (DSDA) devices.

Principal applications are telematics control units (TCUs), V2X on-board units (OBUs) and V2X road-side units (RSUs).

Samples are shipping now for customers to implement in communication solutions based on V2X systems and 5G.

Alps Alpine specialises in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology for automotive product development and developing technology for the C-V2X domain, particularly in China, which leads the world in C-V2X deployment. Teaming up with a Chinese C-V2X chip supplier under a mutually complementary production and development partnership agreement, Alps Alpine developed an All In One communication module with a built-in V2X protocol stack and has been involved in interoperability testing in China, as well as ongoing demonstration testing within Wuxi’s designated C-V2X zone.

On January 1, 2019, Alps Electric and Alpine Electronics integrated their businesses and became Alps Alpine. The new company serves the automotive market, mobile devices and consumer electronics, as well as new sectors such as energy, healthcare and industry.

Since 2013 the European head office has been located in Munich and as such co-ordinates the sales, marketing and product engineering activities of offices in Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, Paris, Milton Keynes, Coventry, Gothenburg, Frolunda and Milan, as well as the production activities of our manufacturing site in Dortmund.

http://www.alpsalpine.com

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Thermoelectric coolers operate in high temperatures for ADAS

Mon, Mar 22, 2021

High-temperature autonomous systems require active cooling to ensure proper, long life performance. Laird Thermal Systems has designed thermoelectric coolers specifically to operate in high temperature environments such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and other autonomous systems applications.

Active cooling is required to ensure the reliable operation of the imaging sensors, cameras and lasers used in ADAS and autonomous vehicles. The reason for this is that most of these optical devices, including CMOS sensors and laser diodes, are heat-sensitive and rely on high resolution images for proper operation.

“ADAS systems cannot operate without the continuous capture of high-resolution images. In autonomous vehicle applications, for example, as many as 12 imaging sensors are operating simultaneously to create a 360 degree view around the vehicle, so failure is not an option,” said Andrew Dereka, product director at Laird Thermal Systems.

Image quality can quickly deteriorate as the device temperatures rise above 60 degrees C, advises Laird. In ADAS applications, where temperatures can reach +85 degrees C, passive cooling of laser and CMOS sensor using thermal greases and heat sinks can lead to premature system failure, threatening road safety.

Using thermolectrics for active cooling pumps heat away from sensitive electronics while the surrounding environment remains hot. Laird Thermal Systems’ HiTemp ETX series of thermoelectric coolers are specifically designed to operate in high-temperature environments.

The solid state heat pump devices do not have moving parts, fluids or gasses. Utilising the Peltier effect, thermoelectric coolers offer an efficient cooling system for a wide range of optical sensors used in ADAS, collision avoidance and other autonomous system technologies. The HiTemp ETX series thermoelectric coolers have a cooling capacity from 7.0 to 322W to effectively cool components in temperatures up to +120 degrees C. While standard thermoelectric materials can reach temperature differentials up to 78 degrees C with Th of 50 degrees C, the HiTemp ETX thermoelectric cooler creates a maximum temperature differential of 83 degrees C, reports Laird.

Serving applications with tight geometrical space constraints, the HiTemp ETX thermoelectric coolers have a compact footprint. The thermoelectric coolers can be integrated directly into the laser or CMOS sensor assembly to provide more effective spot cooling. A heat sink or other heat exchanger rapidly dissipates heat away from sensitive components. The HiTemp ETX thermoelectric cooler’s design also prevents thermal shorting and protect sensors from moisture intrusion and outgassing.

The HiTemp ETX series includes more than 50 models with a variety of heat pumping capacities, sizes and voltage inputs.

https://www.lairdthermal.com

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Omnivision releases automotive image sensors for Nvidia AGX AI platform

Renesas combines pre-regulator and PMIC for ADAS camera systems

5G NR module has C-V2X for autonomous driving

Thermoelectric coolers operate in high temperatures for ADAS

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