Automotive Camera System

Hinge

A production-ready multi-camera architecture enabling 10 Gb/s optical camera links over an IEEE 802.3cz fiber-optic backbone. At its core, the KD7251 single-chip optoelectronic transceiver delivers multigigabit transmission over multimode glass optical fiber (OM3) up to 10 Gb/s, with low latency, robust EMC, ASIL-B functional safety and extended temperature support.

The demonstrated system is based on a multi-camera architecture with optical links throughout the vehicle network. Two 10 Gb/s optical cameras are connected to each of two electronic control units (ECUs), with data transmitted over a fiber-optic backbone between the ECUs. One ECU aggregates and processes a total of four high-resolution video streams for functions such as image stitching and display output. In addition, a 1 Gb/s optical camera link is integrated for direct comparison between gigabit and multigigabit transmission.

At the core of the system, the KD7251 is a single-chip optoelectronic transceiver with an integrated optical interface, combining optical and electronic functionality in a compact device. It enables multigigabit data transmission over multimode glass optical fiber (OM3), supporting data rates up to 10 Gb/s as well as backward-compatible operation at lower speeds for flexible integration of different camera and sensor types. With low latency, robust EMC performance, and support for automotive requirements such as ASIL-B functional safety and extended temperature ranges, the KD7251 is designed for reliable high-speed connectivity in demanding in-vehicle environments. Its integrated bridging capabilities further support direct connection of camera sensors and processing units.