3-minute read! Market needs and challenges of the MIPI interface ~ What chips and ICs can be realized? ~

Narrow down by specifying conditions

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Basic FPGA/CPLD/ASIC Lattice

Hello everyone, this article and the remaining two articles will explain the market, challenges, case studies, and points to consider when considering specifications for the MIPI interface that we would like you to know when designing.

I will explain it in 3 parts below, so please take care of it.

・Part 1: MIPI interface market and issues, IC types ←This article!

Part 2: Summary of MIPI interface cases using FPGA

・Part 3: Points to consider when considering MIPI interface specifications on FPGA ・Summary of frequently asked questions

MIPI is an abbreviation for Mobile Industry Processor Interface, and is a standard established in 2005 by the standardization body MIPI Alliance. (MIPI Newcomer Blog #1)

MIPI is a differential high-speed communication that uses low voltage and low power consumption like LVDS, and is characterized by its short transmission distance of about 30 cm and noise immunity.

It is an interface that is mainly used in camera-related products, and is also in demand for consumer devices such as smartphones, industrial devices, and recently, in-vehicle devices.

In this article, we will explain the MIPI interface market, challenges, and IC types.

[What you can learn from this article]

・What kind of market and what kind of issues are there?

・Types of ICs that can implement the MIPI interface

[Recommended for people like this]

・Those who are considering MIPI interface

・Those who are studying the MIPI standard and want to know what kind of IC can realize it.

【table of contents】

・ In what markets is the MIPI interface used? What is your problem?

・ What type of Bridge IC is used to achieve MIPI interface conversion?

In what markets is the MIPI interface used? What is your problem?

Without further ado, I will explain what kind of market the MIPI interface is used in, as well as the current issues and needs.

The MIPI interface was originally used to transmit images/videos for consumer devices. Gradually, it spread to industrial equipment, and now it is also spreading to in-vehicle equipment.

market	product	Usage
consumer equipment 1	smartphonedigital camera	Interface conversion(MIPI to LVDS)
consumer equipment 2	head mounted display	Video split(HDMI to MIPI 2ch)
industrial equipment	machine vision	Transfer to high-speed communication(MIPI toCoaXpress)
In-vehicle equipment	In-vehicle camera surroundview system	Signal Multiplexing/Aggregation(MIPI Aggregation)

Here is a recap of the physical layer and protocol layer. The MIPI standard has several types of physical layers called PHYs.

In this article, we will focus on D-PHY, which is most commonly used in consumer/industrial/in-vehicle equipment.

The MIPI D-PHY protocol layer includes a protocol called DSI/CSI-2.

Although it is just one example, DSI is used around displays to output images and videos from the main IC,
It is often used for display purposes, and CSI-2 is used around cameras,
It is often used in applications where the main IC such as CPU/MCU/SoC receives the MIPI output from the CMOS sensor.

So far, we have discussed what markets the MIPI interface is used in and how to understand the MIPI interface.
That was a quick overview of the physical/protocol layers required.
So what are the challenges when working with MIPI interfaces?
This time, Four common challenges when working with MIPI interfaces Let me introduce you to...

・ The main IC such as the CPU does not support MIPI, so it cannot be connected to a CMOS sensor.
・The video signal output by MIPI needs to be converted to a display I/F
- Want to convert MIPI output from a CMOS sensor to a faster interface
・I want to split/integrate MIPI signals from displays and CMOS sensors depending on the application.

The above are just some of the common issues/needs we have listed. Other cases will be covered in the next case study collection, so please take a look if you are interested.

In any case, what they have in common is that they require interface conversion and require a Bridge IC.

What types of Bridge ICs are there? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

What kind of Bridge IC can realize MIPI interface conversion?

There are two main ways to implement MIPI interface conversion. ASSPs and FPGAs.

I've summarized the pros and cons of each in a table, so I'll explain based on that.

	ASSPs	FPGA
Mounted circuit/function	Specific function only	Programmable
package choices	Few	many
MOQ	many	Few
Design and verification man-hours	unnecessary	need

Regarding implementation circuits and functions, when using ASSP, only integrated functions can be realized,

When using FPGA, functions other than MIPI can be implemented depending on the capacity. (data pre-processing, FIFO, etc.)

Regarding packages, when using ASSP, there are few options because vendors provide standard packages.

On the other hand, when using FPGA, package size and pin pitch can be selected from a wide lineup.

Regarding MOQ, FPGAs can be provided in relatively small quantities.

However, for design and verification man-hours, it is unnecessary when using ASSP,

When using FPGA, it is necessary to design in Verilog/VHDL hardware language, which takes a lot of man-hours.

ASSP and FPGA have advantages and disadvantages, so it is necessary to use them properly according to the situation.

In the next article, how are ASSP and FPGA used along with actual cases? I will explain.

Based on many examples, I would like to share with everyone in what cases FPGA is suitable.

See you next time with an example of an FPGA MIPI interface.

Author: Ishigaki

FPGA MIPI Interface Examples - 11 Uses of Flexibility and High Speed Processing -

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In what markets is the MIPI interface used? What is your problem?

What kind of Bridge IC can realize MIPI interface conversion?