Broadcom, Freescale and OmniVision Enable World's First Ethernet-Based 360-Degree Surround View Parking Assistance System

The collaboration, combining best-in-class semiconductor innovation and automotive electronics expertise, is an important step in the migration from a closed application to an open and scalable Ethernet-based driver assistance network in which several systems can easily access information. The cost advantages offered by Ethernet technology, combined with the high image resolution now available from affordable CMOS image sensors, dramatically expand the opportunity for OEMs to deploy 360-degree parking assistance camera systems across vehicle classes, bringing valuable assistance options to luxury and non-luxury markets alike.

The system is based on the Broadcom BroadR-Reach BCM89810 standalone physical layer transceiver (PHY), the Freescale Qorivva MPC5604E 32-bit microcontroller (MCU), and OmniVision's AEC-Q100 qualified OV10630 color high dynamic range (HDR) system-on-a-chip (SoC) CMOS image sensor.

The OV10630's unique color HDR SoC structure with fully processed YUV output format enables a streamlined camera module architecture. Using this approach, the video signal can be fed directly into the Freescale Qorivva MPC5604E MJPEG encoding pipeline without the need for any additional processing ICs for RAW image to YUV format conversion.

Key Facts:

Industry analysts project significant digital camera growth for advanced driver assistance systems(1).
The Broadcom® BCM89810 BroadR-Reach PHY enables low-cost Ethernet connectivity at 100Mbps over unshielded single twisted pair cable.

The new highly-integrated Freescale Qorivva MPC5604E 32-bit MCU, built on Power Architecture® technology, manages video streaming and camera control, reducing the required communication bandwidth to less than 100 Mbps. The MPC5604E MCU uses low-latency video compression together with an intelligent bandwidth management for maximum quality. The MPC5604E supports Ethernet AVB compliant IEEE 802.1AS Precision Time Protocol for accurate synchronization of camera exposure.
The 1/2.7-inch OV10630 sensor combines megapixel resolution (including 720p HD video) with the industry's best color HDR and low-light sensitivity. It is built on OmniVision's high-sensitivity OmniPixel3-HS™ architecture, enabling best-in-class low-light performance (3.5V/lux-sec) and detail-rich, HD-quality color video capture. Ideally suited for wide field of view and multi-camera applications, the OV10630 also incorporates special features and output formats for automotive machine vision applications. Using a proprietary new HDR concept and processing technology, the new automotive sensor delivers excellent scene reproduction in the most demanding lighting environments. Employing auto dynamic range control to rapidly adjust to changing conditions, the OV10630 is capable of producing a clear, detailed and low-noise color image across a wide range of circumstances that drivers may encounter.