Video Grabber and Playback Systems

The Modular Solution for Video and Data Acquisition

Video Grabber and Playback Systems

The Modular Solution for Video and Data Acquisition

A proFRAME system consists of the following components, shown here as a simplified example setup for two cameras and one ECU:

1

proFRAME-Kamera-Adapter

2

proFRAME Base Board

3

Zubehör (optional)

4

Host-PC mit proFRAME SW-Library & Treibern

Use Cases

proFRAME is a modular frame grabber system for the capture and playback of video data streams. Among others, the system is used

  • as a data logger in the automotive field
  • for the validation of ADAS/AD systemes, matrix LED headlights, touch displays and many others
  • in medical technology
  • in digital microscopy (sinaSCOPE)
  • in industrial applications like end-of-line testing

Overview of the some typical proFRAME use cases:

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) like traffic sign recognition, lane assistant, parking assistant and functions for Autonomous Driving (AD) requirea large number of vehicle sensor data in real time for operation, particularly video data from the embedded cameras, e.g., front camera or the surround view system.

For the validation of these driving functions, driving scenes must be recorded (data logging) during test drives in which the video streams of the individual cameras are captured synchronously, timestamped and stored. These driving scenes are then played back into the validating ADAS/AD ECU in a Hardware-in-the-Loop test (HiL) to verify its correct function based on real sensor data, see Use Case: Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL).

With the proFRAME product group, Solectrix offers a high-performance modular video grabber and playback system for this which supports most common automotive cameras based on GMSL™ and FPD-Link™ and which has been used successfully in various data loggers for years.

The most recent generation proFRAME 3.0 offers two slots for camera adapters with up to 40 Gbit/s and supports the latest technologies like GMSL™3 and FPD-Link™ IV. proFRAME 3.0 enables the synchronous recording of up to eight 4K video streams incl. side band communication (I2C). The time stamping of the incoming data is handled with high precision in hardware, synchronization with additional recording devices is possible via an external trigger line. The cameras can be provided with a configurable voltage via the coaxial cable (Power over Coax, PoC).

In a Hardware-in-the-Loop test of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) or Autonomous Driving (AD) functions, the respective ADAS/AD embedded control unit (ECU) is fed driving scenes in the form of video streams that were previously recorded during test drives (see Use Case: Data Logging). For the validation of the ADAS/AD functions, the precise playback of the individual video frames based on the time stamps given during recording is key.

With proFRAME, a high-performance video grabber and playback system is available, ideal for precise and synchronized playback of driving scenes in HiL systems for the validation of ADAS/AD embedded control units. A multitude of different camera adapters enables the playback of video streams with most serializers (GMSL, FPD-Link) common on the automotive market.

The most recent generation proFRAME 3.0 offers two slots for camera adapters with up to 40 Gbit/s and supports the latest technologies like GMSL™3 and FPD-Link™ IV. proFRAME 3.0 enables the synchronous recording of up to eight 4K video streams incl. side band communication (I2C). The playback is handled either based on the time stamp information of the individual image frames or on external triggering.

proFRAME with H-MTD® connectors is used for calibration and validation of displays where the video and control data is transmitted over STP cables (Shielded Twisted Pair), such as HMI displays, rear seat entertainment systems, or displays for mirror replacement systems.

Typical display applications:

  1. Display validation and calibration: Transfer of a test image from a host system with a proFRAME (PCIe® or CompactPCI® Serial) to a display/DuT (Device under Test).
  2. Automated performance test of touch displays: Acquisition and transmission of a touch event via the return channel (I²C) to the validation system.
  3. Data logging: proFRAME as “man in the middle” between an automotive display and an ECU for recording video streams and touch events.

Drowsiness warning systems are now mandatory for new vehicles across the EU by law. With the necessary accessories, proFRAME can be used in their development and validation. new LED driver adapter ledAD3 gives the user the means to control one or multiple LEDs, e.g., IR LEDs for illuminating the car’s interior in sync with the exposure of a camera sensor. The LED driver adapter is connected directly to the proFRAME Base Board 3.0 just like the camAD3 camera adapters. The LEDs that shall be synchronized are connected to the ledAD3 via the included connector. The power supply of the LEDs by the LED driver adapter is handled through an adjustable constant current source, with its output being toggled by the trigger signal from the camera sensor which is connected to a camera adapter on the same proFRAME Base Board 3.0 (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Synchronizing the LEDs with the camera sensor during video data acquisition

As an optional addition to the ledAD3 Base, the expansion module ledAD3 Expansion is available for controlling more LEDs that are toggled in sync with the trigger signal from a second camera. ledAD3 Expansion is attached directly to the ledAD3 Base and thus doesn’t occupy another slot on the proFRAME Base Board 3.0. Thus, a complete system consists of a proFRAME Base Board 3.0, a camAD3 camera adapter, an ledAD3 Base and, optionally, an ledAD Expansion. With such a system, LEDs can be operated in sync with one or two cameras (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Individual synchronization of the LEDs with two camera sensors

Features and Advantages

  • up to 8 video data streams per system
  • all common SerDes supported (GMSL™1/2/3, FPD-Link™ III/IV, GVIF3…)
  • high data rates (up to 40 Gbit/s)
  • modular concept with camera adaptern, easy and affordable adaptation to new cameras (serializers)
  • very low latency
  • high-precision time-stamping of the video data in the FPGA
  • Power over Coax (PoC), adjustable
  • external triggering
  • I²C, GPIO side-band communication
  • Startup support for a quick and target oriented setup
  • useful accessories available
  • up to 8 video data streams per system
  • all common SerDes supported (GMSL™1/2/3, FPD-Link™ III/IV, GVIF3…)
  • high data rates (up to 40 Gbit/s)
  • modular concept with camera adaptern, easy and affordable adaptation to new cameras (serializers)
  • very low latency
  • high-precision time-stamping of the video data in the FPGA
  • Power over Coax (PoC), adjustable
  • external triggering
  • I²C, GPIO side-band communication
  • Startup support for a quick and target oriented setup
  • useful accessories available

proFRAME Base Boards

Plug-in card available in the form factors PCIe® x8 Gen3 or CompactPCI® Serial (CPCI-S.0) with 2 slots for camera adapters

proFRAME Camera Adapters

Plug-in module in various variants (different SerDes) for mounting on the proFRAME Base Board. with 4 video interfaces per adapter. Additional camera adapters, e.g., for GigE Vision®, Camera Link® etc., are available on request.

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Accessories

Optional components

Software/Firmware

FW, SW drivers, SW function library, example configurations for various cameras as well as integration templates for the use of proFRAME in different SW platforms or working environments (ADTF, ROS™)

Base board drivers and sources
  • for Linux® x64/ARM64 and Windows 10/11 x64
  • DMA-based for high data throughput
  • C/C++ Lib/API; available as source code for implementation in user-specific software environments
  • example applications for capture, replay, I²C communication
  • GPUDirect RDMA for fastest image data transfer to a GPU for processing
Ready-to-use example configurations for various cameras
  • e-con Systems
  • Leopard Imaging
  • Omnivision
  • ON Semiconductor
  • Sony

The latest posts from our news channel for all proFRAME users and interested parties

proFRAME Adapters now available with Rosenberger H-MTD® connectors for STP cables

With the optional H-MTD® (High-Speed Modular Twisted-Pair Data) connectors available, the proFRAME can now be used for calibration and validation of displays where the video and control data is transmitted over STP cables (Shielded Twisted Pair), such as HMI displays, rear seat entertainment systems, or displays for mirror replacement systems.

Turn your proFRAME PCIe plug-in card into a portable desktop device for mobile use!

All you need is the proFRAME 3.0 Thunderbolt 3 Box*, which is available as a proFRAME 3.0 accessory, and a Thunderbolt™ 3 port on your PC or notebook. This allows your proFRAME to be used with host systems that do not have a free PCIe® slot. Ideal for a simple and easily transportable test system for spontaneous use at a colleague’s or customer’s site.

proFRAME is a registered trademark of Solectrix GmbH. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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