Embedded World 2010 will see Xilinx working with Inova Semiconductors on a configurable interface IP core for in-car systems.
The Automotive Pixel Link (APIX) IP will be offered with the FPGA firm’s Automotive (XA) family of Spartan-6 devices.
The configurable core supports multiple high-bandwidth video and communications links. It will be used to transfer real-time video from two or more cameras or processing units to in-vehicle displays.
"The need to transport real-time, high resolution digital video from various media or camera sources to displays throughout the vehicle is a growing concern for automotive developers," said Nick Difiore, director of automotive systems architecture and platforms at Xilinx.
With the APIX IP core now available for Xilinx's newest line of XA Spartan-6 FPGAs, announced at Embedded World, automotive developers can integrate multiple transmit and receive APIX links with minimal engineering overhead.
In addition to high-bandwidth video, the APIX link allows for full duplex communication and power can be transmitted over just one cable to further streamline connectivity.
The APIX core is a software configurable IP block that can be adapted to application-specific bandwidth, video interface, and control signal requirements with adjustable driver characteristics, selectable operating modes, and spread spectrum-clocking capabilities.
The APIX IP utilizes the multi-gigabit transceiver (MGT) hard blocks of the XA Spartan-6 FPGA.
It is fully compatible with the standalone APIX INAP125T24 (transmitter) or INAP125R24 (receiver) devices, including the ASHELL automotive-specific communication protocol for secure data transmission over the full duplex sideband interface. The ASHELL option can be switched off, if not required.
Follow Richard Wilson on Twitter for news and opinion on everything from efficient C++ compilers to the lasting legacy of rock music 1971-1985.