New FPGAs accelerate and enhance video bridging

Lattice Semiconductor has introduced the CrossLinkPlus FPGA family for MIPI D-PHY-based embedded vision systems. These devices are innovative, low power FPGAs offering integrated flash memory, a hardened MIPI D-PHY and high-speed I/Os for instant-on panel display performance, with flexible on-device programming abilities. Furthermore, the company offers ready-to-use IPs and reference designs to expedite implementation of enhanced sensor and display bridging, aggregation, and splitting functionality, a common demand for automotive, industrial, computing, and consumer applications.

Developers need to heighten the user experience by appending multiple image sensors and/or displays to embedded vision systems, while also satisfying system cost and power budgets. The company meets this requirement with the FPGAs: small (3.5mm x 3.5mm), low power (<300µW) devices specifically optimised for embedded vision applications with options like a hardened MIPI D-PHY, broad high-speed I/O support for interfaces such as OpenLDI and RGB, and on-chip non-volatile flash memory. CrossLinkPlus uses its on-chip flash to support instant-on (reducing visual artefacts that detract from the user experience) and flexible device reprogramming in the field.

“The use of MIPI D-PHY in applications ranging from industrial control equipment displays to AI security cameras is booming as OEMs look to capitalize on the economies of scale driven by the MIPI ecosystem,” said Peiju Chiang, product marketing manager, Lattice Semiconductor. “Lattice’s new CrossLinkPlus FPGAs combine the flexible programmability and speedy parallel processing of FPGAs with vision-specific hardware, software, pre-verified IPs and reference designs. This lets OEMs devote more time to building innovative applications and less time, enabling standard functions that don’t offer any competitive differentiation.”