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BCON for MIPI Interface Description#

This topic describes Basler's BCON for MIPI interface.

General Information#

The Basler BCON for MIPI camera modules comply with the MIPI CSI-2 specification. For more information, visit www.mipi.org/specifications/csi-2.

Camera Connections#

Camera Connectors

BCON for MIPI cameras are interfaced to external circuitry via a 28-pin flat flex cable (FFC) connector. The connector allows camera integration into embedded systems with both FPGAs and SoCs (systems on a chip).

The connector provides connections for image transfer via a MIPI D-PHY interface, input and output signals, and power supply. Furthermore, standardized I²C lines are integrated, which are used for camera configuration.

FFC Connector#

The 28-pin connector on the camera is a flexible flat cable (FFC) connector by Hirose Electric Co. The connector provides connections for image transfer, input and output signals, and power supply. Standardized I²C lines are integrated, which are used for camera configuration via the Basler pylon Software Suite.

The connector is specifically designed for shielded and impedance-controlled flexible flat cables. However, standard flexible flat cables without a ground layer can also be inserted. They will make good electrical contact, but you may notice a high rate of bit errors.

The connector order code is Hirose FH41-28S-0.5SH(05).

FFC Connector Pin Numbering and Assignments#

Pin 1 Position#

As shown below, pin 1 of the FFC connector is indicated by an arrow, and pin 28 is indicated by the number 28.

FFC Connector Pin Positions

Pin Numbering and Assignments#

Pin # (Camera Side) Pin Name Pin # (System Side) Function
Ground contacts - - GNDa
1 GND 28 Power Supplya
2 VCC 27 Power Supplyb
3 VCC 26 Power Supplyb
4 VCC 25 Power Supplyb
5 SYNC_OUT 24 Synchronization Outputc
6 FLASH 23 Flash Outputc
7 GND 22 GNDa
8 I2C_SDA 21 Configuration interfaced
9 I2C_SCL 20 Configuration Interfacee
10 GND 19 GNDa
11 SYNC_IN 18 Synchronization Inputf
12 - 17 Reserved
13 GND 16 GNDa
14 D1- 15 Data Outputg
15 D1+ 14 Data Outputg
16 GND 13 GNDa
17 D2- 12 Data Outputg
18 D2+ 11 Data Outputg
19 GND 10 GNDa
20 CLK- 9 Clock Outputg
21 CLK+ 8 Clock Outputg
22 GND 7 GNDa
23 D3- 6 Data Outputg
24 D3+ 5 Data Outputg
25 GND 4 GNDa
26 D4- 3 Data Outputg
27 D4+ 2 Data Outputg
28 GND 1 GNDa

  1. All GND pins, including the five shield GND contacts on the opposite side of the connector, must be connected to a common GND plane. Avoid long PCB traces, prefer direct vias.

  2. Single camera supply voltage, 5 VDC nominal. Connect all pins.

  3. If the camera supports this, SYNC_OUT can be used, e.g., to synchronize multiple cameras. FLASH can be used to control external flash lighting.

  4. I²C interface data line. A pull-up resistor to 1.8 VDC is required on the system side. Refer to the I²C-bus Specification and User Manual (registration required) for the appropriate resistor value. Note that FFCs can have a significant line capacitance.

  5. I²C interface clock line. A pull-up resistor to 1.8 VDC is required on the system side. Refer to the I²C-bus Specification and User Manual (registration required) for the appropriate resistor value. Note that FFCs can have a significant line capacitance.

  6. If the camera supports this, SYNC_IN can be used to synchronize or trigger the camera.

  7. MIPI D-PHY data lane negative/positive pin.

Electrical Requirements#

WARNING – Electric Shock Hazard

Unapproved power supplies may cause electric shock. Serious injury or death may occur.

  • You must use power supplies that meet the Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) and Limited Power Source (LPS) requirements.
  • If you use a powered hub or powered switch, they must meet the SELV and LPS requirements.
WARNING – Fire Hazard

Unapproved power supplies may cause fire and burns.

  • You must use power supplies that meet the Limited Power Source (LPS) requirements.
  • If you use a powered hub or powered switch, they must meet the LPS requirements.
NOTICE – Incorrect voltage can damage the camera module.

You must supply camera and I/O power within the safe operating voltage ranges specified below.

Absolute Maximum Ratings#

Pin Name Absolute Minimum Absolute Maximum
VCC -0.3 VDC 6.0 VDC
I2C_SCL
I2C_SDA		 -0.3 VDC 2.0 VDC
SYNC_IN -0.3 VDC 2.0 VDC

Supply Current#

Pin Name Notes Nominal (Recommended) Maximum
VCC Maximum power to be provided via the VCC pins is 2.5 W at 5 VDC nominal supply voltage. Varies by camera module type 0.5 A

Input Voltages#

Pin Name Notes Minimum Nominal (Recommended) Maximum
VCC Recommended ramp up time: >1 ms
Ripple: < 1%		 4.5 VDC 5.0 VDC 5.5 VDC
I2C_SCL
I2C_SDA
SYNC_IN		 Input high voltage 1.3 VDC 1.8 VDC 1.9 VDC
I2C_SCL
I2C_SDA
SYNC_IN		 Input low voltage 0.0 VDC 0.0 VDC 0.5 VDC

Output Voltages#

Pin Name Notes Minimum Nominal (Recommended) Maximum
SYNC_OUT
FLASH		 Output high voltage 1.2 VDC - -
SYNC_OUT
FLASH		 Output low voltage - - 0.5 VDC
VOD MIPI clock and data lanes, HS Mode 140 mV - 270 mV
VCMTX MIPI clock and data lanes, HS Mode 150 mV - 250 mV
VOL MIPI clock and data lanes, LP Mode -50 mV - 50 mV
VOH MIPI clock and data lanes, LP Mode 1.1 VDC - 1.3 VDC

Timing Characteristics#

Pin Name Minimum Maximum Notes
SYNC_IN 0 kHz 100 kHz -

I²C Interface Specification#

The I²C interface follows the I²C-bus specification (registration required).

MIPI D-PHY Interface Specification#

The MIPI D-PHY clock and data lanes follow the MIPI D-PHY v1.0 specification.

D-PHY Trace Lengths and Delays#

The table below shows the traces lengths and approximated signal delays of the D-PHY interface on the camera module.

Info

Signal delay values were calculated assuming signal velocity of 6 ns/m.

Signal Name Trace Length [mm] Signal Delay [ps]
CLK+ 21.58 129
CLK- 21.60 130
D1+ 21.62 130
D1- 21.60 130
D2+ 21.56 129
D2- 21.60 130
D3+ 21.59 130
D3- 21.59 130
D4+ 21.63 130
D4- 21.59 130