New SerDes ICs and PMIC optimised for automotive satellite camera modules

ROHM has developed SerDes ICs (BU18xMxx-C series) and a PMIC (BD86852MUF-C) perfect for vehicle satellite camera modules for ADAS. The new products not only resolve issues concerning the miniaturisation and low power consumption of modules but also offer features such as low EMI that lowers development time.

ADAS applications utilise a combination of devices that perform different sensing and distance methods, such as LiDAR, sonar, radar, and cameras. Among these, cameras play an essential role in detecting objects and risk situations surrounding a vehicle. Latest cars are equipped with up to ten cameras or more per vehicle. Moreover, as ADAS becomes increasingly sophisticated, number of cameras are expected to rise together with the camera performance. To accommodate this increase in the number of cameras – given the limited available space due to vehicle design demands – there is an increasing demand for smaller boards and vehicle satellite camera modules that consume less power.

The company solves these challenges by combining SerDes ICs with a new PMIC for cameras. Both products utilise a spread spectrum function to decrease EMI. This also simplifies EMI countermeasures, which often need significant man-hours through the design of automotive applications.

The BU18xMxx-C SerDes IC optimises the transmission rate based on video resolution, making it able to decrease power consumption by 27% over general products. At the same time, the built-in spread-spectrum function decreases the EMI peak by 20dB, while an integrated video sticking detection function increases the reliability of the complete ADAS system by detecting frozen images.

The BD86852MUF-C PMIC for cameras is intended to optimally manage the power supply systems of CMOS image sensors from all major manufacturers. This enables voltage settings and sequence control to be performed with a single IC, decreasing mounting area by 41% and contributing to the miniaturisation of vehicle camera modules. Furthermore, a camera PMIC heat concentration distribution circuit may be configured to lower power consumption by delivering a high conversion efficiency of 78.6% that suppresses heat generation.