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CSI-2 (Camera Serial Interface 2)

Table of Contents

  1. What is CSI-2?
  2. What are the key functions of CSI-2?
  3. What are the benefits of CSI-2?
  4. Enabling Technologies
  5. Standards and Specifications
  6. Rambus MIPI CSI-2 Controller Core

What is CSI-2?

CSI-2, or Camera Serial Interface 2, is a high-speed serial interface standard developed by the MIPI Alliance for connecting cameras to host processors in mobile and embedded systems. It is widely used in smartphones, tablets, automotive systems, drones, and industrial vision applications.

What are the key features of CSI-2??

  • High Data Throughput: Supports data rates up to several gigabits per second per lane, enabling transmission of high-resolution images and video.
  • Scalable Lane Architecture: Uses 1 to 8 lanes of differential signaling (D-PHY or C-PHY), allowing flexible bandwidth configurations.
  • Low Power Consumption: Designed for energy-efficient operation, critical for battery-powered devices.
  • Error Correction: Includes mechanisms like ECC (Error Correction Code) and CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) for reliable data transmission.
  • Virtual Channels: Supports multiple data streams over a single physical interface, useful for multi-camera systems.
 
 

What are the benefits of CSI-2?

CSI-2 offers several advantages for system designers:

  • Compact Design: Reduces pin count and PCB complexity.
  • Interoperability: Standardized protocol ensures compatibility across vendors.
  • High Performance: Enables real-time transmission of HD and 4K video.
  • Multi-Camera Support: Facilitates advanced imaging systems with multiple sensors.
 

Industry Applications:

  • Mobile Devices: Primary interface for smartphone cameras.
  • Automotive: Used in ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and surround-view systems.
  • Industrial & Medical Imaging: Powers machine vision and diagnostic imaging tools.
  • AI & Edge Computing: Enables vision-based AI inference at the edge.
 
 

Enabling Technologies

CSI-2 is typically implemented over:

  • MIPI D-PHY: A physical layer standard using differential signaling for high-speed data transfer.
  • MIPI C-PHY: An alternative physical layer offering higher bandwidth per lane with lower EMI.
  • Image Signal Processors (ISPs): Host processors that decode and process CSI-2 data for display or analysis.
 

Standards and Specifications of CSI-2

CSI-2 is maintained by the MIPI Alliance, with the latest specifications available here.

Rambus MIPI CSI-2 Controller Core

Rambus offers a high-performance, low-power, and compact IP core designed for MIPI CSI-2 applications. Fully compliant with the CSI-2 specification, it implements all three protocol layers: Pixel to Byte Packing, Low-Level Protocol, and Lane Management. For automotive safety-critical systems, an ASIL-B compliant version is available, supported by a Safety Manual, Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), and Failure Mode, Effects and Diagnostic Analysis (FMEDA). Learn more here.

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