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new products
ON Semiconductor Unveils Innovative
Modular Automotive Imaging Platform
ON Semiconductor (NASDAQ: ON), driving energy
efficient innovations, has introduced the Modular
Automotive Reference System (MARS) that gives system
and software developers a ready-to-use camera for
research and development activities. The leading-edge
MARS platform enables users to reconfigure cameras with
different lenses, image sensors, image signal processors
(ISPs) and communications options for rapid prototyping
and experimentation. The system is so flexible that it
can be used for the full spectrum of automotive camera
applications including advanced driver assistance systems
(ADAS), surround and rear viewing systems, in-cabin
cameras (for gesture recognition, driver eye monitoring, or
light level inspection purposes), and autonomous driving.
MARS enables shorter design cycles, reduced engineering
costs, and assists automotive design teams in the
implementation of imaging systems by providing them
with a unique mix-and-match solution. Through it, various
items of hardware can be combined in a robust and highly
adaptable system with a compact form-factor. Due to the
many different boards available, engineers have access to
ON Semiconductor’s broad portfolio of image sensors and
co-processors, plus various automotive communications
protocols from a select group of third party supply partners.
This provides extensive scope in terms of finding the
combination that best fits specific system requirements.
The versatile platform can accommodate an almost
limitless number of combinations due to consistent signal/
power definitions for the interconnects utilized by these
respective boards.
The ease of adapting this modular solution means that
undertaking time-consuming activities such as creating
customboards (each capable of accommodating a different
sensor option), testing out high-speed interface standards,
or writing code for drivers, is no longer necessary. MARS
is supported by a complete ecosystem, encompassing
software development tools, schematics, gerbers, bill-
of-materials (BOM) and much more. A comprehensive
user guide is also included within the accompanying
documentation.
“As image sensing proliferates in automotive applications,
MARS will provide system and software developers tasked
with turning concepts into reliable working applications
with a valuable platform to simplify and speed proof of
concept and development, and offer the scalability to
get ideas from the lab to on-vehicle testing in real-world
conditions,” said Ross Jatou, General Manager and Vice
President of Automotive Solutions Division of Image
Sensor Group at ON Semiconductor. “The flexibility of
MARS accelerates the component selection process by
making the constituent sensors and co-processors totally
interchangeable. The platform avoids the need to construct
a multitude of custom boards to house different sensors
for evaluation reducing engineering effort and shortening
project times.”
The support of commonly used communication standards
(such as GMSL, FPD-Link, LVDS, MIPI, Ethernet) enables
direct interfacing with existing vehicle electronic control
units (ECUs). ON Semiconductor is working with an
ecosystem of partners spanning lens developers, third
party ISP vendors, communications IC vendors, software
developers and SoC vendors. MARS modules are already
prequalified with a range of these third party products and
the company will expand these offerings going forward.
Replacements for Discontinued Micron
Technology Devices
today introduced two new 512Mb synchronous
DRAMs (SDRAM) in the 54-pin TSOP II package. The
AS4C32M16SB-7TCN and AS4C32M16SB-7TIN are
available in commercial (0°C to +70°C) and industrial (-40°C
to +85°C) temperature ranges. The devices provide pin-for-
pin replacements for Micron Technology’s discontinued 32M
x 16 MT48LC32M16A2P-75:C (AS4C32M16SM-7TCN)
and MT48LC32M16A2P-75 IT:C (AS4C32M16SM-7TIN)
SDRAMs. Alliance Memory bought the remaining stock of
these Micron Technology 512Mb SDRAMs in 2014.
“We are committed to making the transition to Alliance
parts as easy as possible for Micron customers, with no
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