Valens Semiconductor has collaborated with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (Sony) to complete electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing of a multi-vendor A-PHY link, to advance the development of a mature Sony A-PHY-integrated image sensor compatible with Valens’s VA7000 deserializer chip.
The integration of high-speed connectivity into the Sony solution is expected to lead to a “less expensive, smaller form factor, lower power consumption camera for enhanced advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) applications”, the companies say.
MIPI A-PHY, introduced in 2020, is the automotive industry’s first standard for in-vehicle high-speed connectivity, optimized specifically for sensor integration.
Its adoption has led to automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers evaluating VA7000 MIPI A-PHY-compliant chipsets for integration into their upcoming systems.
Eyran Lida, chief technology officer at Valens, said, “One of the key benefits of MIPI A-PHY technology is its optimization of the transmitter, which is small, inexpensive and simple.”
The successful completion of interoperability testing (IOT) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing by the companies involved passing assessments such as bulk current injection (BCI), RF ingress and transients on line (ToL) testing, including on a 15m cable subjected to aging to simulate the vehicle’s entire lifecycle. This validation, according to Valens and Sony, ensures that the devices can operate reliably in real-world automotive environments, which is important for the safety and reliability of electronic systems in vehicles.
“We are rapidly moving toward bringing to market the first-ever sensor with integrated high-speed connectivity, and these IOT and EMC tests are testament to the maturity of the A-PHY standard and our camera solution,” said Kenji Onishi, deputy senior general manager of the automotive business division at Sony.
“We believe that A-PHY is uniquely positioned to meet automotive OEM requirements for enhanced ADAS systems.”
Sanjiv Desai, MIPI Alliance chair, said, “From the beginning, MIPI A-PHY was designed to reduce complexity on the sensor side while delivering exceptional EMC performance throughout the lifecycle of the vehicle.
“This collaboration demonstrates both these goals, and we commend Valens and Sony for achieving this milestone. We’re pleased to see the continued growth and development of the A-PHY ecosystem.”
Deepening their collaboration, Valens and Sony are currently working on the development of an 8MP A-PHY camera module for ADAS systems, with preparations expected to be completed in the coming months.
