Date: 11/10/2011

Car parking assistance sys using Ethernet chip, 32-bit MCU and and CMOS image sensor

Broadcom Corporation, Freescale Semiconductor, and OmniVision Technologies Inc have jointly developed Ethernet-based 360-degree surround view parking assistance system suitable for both for luxury and non-luxury automotives.

The system is based on Broadcom's BCM89810 BroadR-Reach PHY and Freescale's Qorivva MPC5604E 32-bit MCU and the CMOS image sensor from OmniVision. The MPC5604E MCU supports Ethernet AVB compliant IEEE 802.1AS Precision Time Protocol for accurate synchronization of camera exposure.
The 1/2.7-inch OV10630 sensor from OmniVision is designed for low-light sensitivity of 3.5V/lux-sec and HD-quality color video capture. The OV10630 also incorporates special features and output formats for automotive machine vision applications.

"The continuously improving cost efficiencies of automotive vision and sensing systems are now enabling the adoption of multi-camera surround view systems across a much broader range of vehicles," said Kevin Mak, automotive industry analyst for Strategy Analytics. "Despite the recession and delayed model cycles, reports are projecting up to 90 million parking and driver assist systems will be deployed by 2018."

"Broadcom develops innovative technologies to meet the unique requirements of the automotive industry," said Dr. Ali Abaye, senior director of product marketing, Broadcom Corporation. "Our BroadR-Reach Ethernet technology reduces connectivity costs and helps manufacturers to deliver advanced safety features to a broad range of vehicles."

"Freescale is committed to providing innovative embedded processing solutions that help enable automakers engineer new capabilities, reduce their costs and proliferate advanced safety features for consumers," said Dr. Peter Schulmeyer, director of strategy for Freescale's Automotive Microcontroller Division. "This newest MCU in our Qorivva 32-bit MCU portfolio will help the auto industry bring 360-degree parking assist systems to more of the mainstream market.

"A highlight of the OV10630 is that it can simultaneously deliver excellent visual images and superior scene information content, providing for concurrent access by both machine and vision-based applications," said Dr. Mario Heid, automotive marketing manager at OmniVision. "The system components in this Ethernet-based architecture enable full utilization of the sensor's built-in driver-assistance features. This allows the OV10630 to also support such driver-assistance applications as object and pedestrian detection and collision warning and avoidance. Additionally, the OV10630's ability to produce clear, detailed, high dynamic range and low-noise color images in any automotive scene condition and at any view angle is an extremely important performance feature for 360-degree surround view applications that are designed to operate under widely varying lighting conditions."

Availability: A demo system is now available.