Kontakt Contact
Menu
proFRAME Logo

Video Grabber and Playback Systems

The Modular Solution for Video and Data Acquisition

proFRAME 3.0 Flyer
proFRAME Blog

proFRAME is a modular FPGA-based video grabber and playback system used for capturing and playing back CSI-2 video data. It supports all transmission protocols commonly used in the automotive sector, such as GMSL, FPD-LINK, ASA-ML, GVIF, A-PHY, or CSI-2, and can thus be connected to a wide range of cameras, ECUs, displays, matrix LED headlights, etc. Eight video streams of up to 10 Gbit/s each can be captured by a proFRAME system.

A proFRAME system consists of a base board and swappable camera adapters, which provide the interfaces for the various protocols (serializer/deserializer). The system can thus be adapted to the specific requirements of the customer flexibly, quickly, and cost-effectively. The following shows a simplified example setup for two cameras and one ECU:

Use Cases

The proFRAME 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

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

More Information
Unblock content Accept required service and unblock content

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) require a 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:

  • 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).
  • Automated performance test of touch displays: Acquisition and transmission of a touch event via the return channel (I²C) to the validation system.
  • 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. The 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

FPGA-based proFRAME 3.x base board with two slots for swappable camAD3 camera adapters, each with a data rate of up to 40 Gbit/s. On the host side, the proFRAME base board is connected via a PCIe Gen3 x8 interface. The proFRAME base board is available in three form factors: PCI Express® (PCIe), CompactPCI® Serial (CPCI-S.0) and PXI Express (PXIe).

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.

Choose a category:

Choose a category

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
Logo proFRAME Blog mit Bild eines proFRAME Base Boards.

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

New: proFRAME Base Board 3.1 PXIe

The proFRAME video grabber and playback system line from Solectrix has gained a prominent new member. With the proFRAME Base Board 3.1 PXIe, now available, proFRAME can now also be used in PXIe-based test systems.

Read more

New proFRAME feature: I2C fault injection

proFRAME has gained a new feature that significantly extends the testability of cameras and ECUs. I2C Fault Injection, as the name suggests, offers the user the possibility to manipulate the I2C communication between an ECU and a camera by injecting faults. For this purpose, the proFRAME is operated in TAP mode as a so-called “man in the middle” between an ECU and one or more cameras.

Read more

New: proFRAME Base Board 3.1 PXIe

Read more

New proFRAME feature: I2C fault injection

Read more
All blog posts

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

Related Events

Meet us here

  • AutoSens Europe
    September 22, 2026 – September 24, 2026BarcelonaBooth 128
  • embedded world
    March 16, 2027 – March 18, 2027NürnbergHall 4A, Booth 152

Related Articles

Stay up to date

Contact