Vehicle vision system using image data transmission and power supply via a coaxial cable

Abstract

A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view. A control is disposed at the vehicle and a coaxial cable is in communication between the imaging sensor and the control. The vision system communicates image data captured by the imaging sensor to the control and supplies power to the imaging sensor via the coaxial cable. The coaxial cable may include an inner core comprising copper, a dielectric medium, a foil screen, an outer conductor comprising copper, a separating layer and an outer sheath. When initially powering up the vision system, a transceiver of the imaging sensor may be tuned to an initial communication mode, which is suitable for communication with at least one of the control, a communication interface of the vision system and a display device of the vision system.

1 . A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:
 an imaging sensor disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view, said imaging sensor capturing image data;   a control disposed at the vehicle;   a single core coaxial cable connecting said imaging sensor and said control; and   wherein said single core coaxial cable commonly carries (i) image data from said imaging sensor, (ii) power to said imaging sensor and (iii) communication data.   
     
     
         2 . The vision system of  claim 1 , wherein said single core coaxial cable comprises a fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) perfluoroethylene-propylene plastic dielectric medium. 
     
     
         3 . The vision system of  claim 2 , wherein said single core coaxial cable comprises (i) an inner core comprising copper, (ii) said dielectric medium, (iii) a foil screen, (iv) an outer conductor comprising copper and (v) an outer sheath. 
     
     
         4 . The vision system of  claim 1 , wherein said single core coaxial cable comprises (i) an inner core comprising copper, (ii) a dielectric medium, (iii) a foil screen, (iv) an outer conductor comprising copper and (v) an outer sheath. 
     
     
         5 . The vision system of  claim 1 , wherein said single core coaxial cable comprises (i) an inner core comprising copper, (ii) a dielectric medium, (iii) a foil screen, (iv) an outer conductor comprising copper, (v) a separating layer and (vi) an outer sheath. 
     
     
         6 . The vision system of  claim 1 , wherein communication via said single core coaxial cable is Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS), and wherein said LVDS interfaces with circuits with a first differential signal node comprising a core of said single core coaxial cable and a second differential signal node comprising a shield of said single core coaxial cable. 
     
     
         7 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The vision system of  claim 1 , wherein said power carried to said imaging sensor is from a DC power supply. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The vision system of  claim 1 , wherein said vision system utilizes at least one of (i) an ETHERNET communication protocol, (ii) a Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link (GMSL) protocol and (iii) a FPD link III protocol. 
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The vision system of  claim 1 , wherein, when initially powering up the vision system, a transceiver of said imaging sensor is tuned to an initial communication mode, which is suitable for communication with at least one of said control, a communication interface of said vision system and a display device of said vision system, and wherein a communication protocol is transmitted during said initial communication mode. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The vision system of  claim 14 , comprising a plurality of imaging sensors disposed at the vehicle and having respective exterior fields of view, wherein said imaging sensors are operable to transmit calibration data to said control, and wherein said imaging sensors automatically transmit calibration data when said imaging sensors are triggered to transmit said calibration data, and wherein said vision system, responsive to receipt of said calibration data by said control, is operable to identify said imaging sensors and associated calibration data. 
     
     
         17 . The vision system of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of (i) said imaging sensors automatically transmit calibration data responsive to an initial activation of said imaging sensor, (ii) said imaging sensors automatically transmit calibration data responsive to detection of a particular pattern in the respective field of view of said imaging sensors and (iii) and imaging sensors automatically transmit calibration data during at least one vertical blanking interval. 
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The vision system of  claim 16 , wherein said imaging sensors automatically transmit calibration data during at least one vertical blanking interval, and wherein said calibration data are transmitted in fractions over multiple vertical blanking intervals, and wherein said calibration data are repeatedly transmitted over at least one multiple vertical blanking interval. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The vision system of  claim 1 , comprising multiple imaging sensors having respective exterior fields of view, wherein a respective single core coaxial cable connects respective imaging sensors and said control. 
     
     
         23 . The vision system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display device operable to display images captured by said imaging sensor for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. 
     
     
         24 . A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:
 a plurality of imaging sensors disposed at the vehicle and having respective exterior fields of view, each of said imaging sensors capturing respective image data;   a control disposed at the vehicle;   a single core coaxial cable connecting respective ones of said imaging sensors and said control; and   wherein each of said single core coaxial cables commonly carries (i) image data from said respective imaging sensor, (ii) power to said respective imaging sensor and (iii) communication data between said control and said respective imaging sensor.   
     
     
         25 . The vision system of  claim 24 , wherein each of said single core coaxial cables comprises (i) an inner core comprising copper, (ii) a dielectric medium, (iii) a foil screen, (iv) an outer conductor comprising copper and (v) an outer sheath. 
     
     
         26 . The vision system of  claim 25 , wherein said dielectric medium comprises a fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) perfluoroethylene-propylene plastic dielectric medium. 
     
     
         27 . The vision system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display device operable to display images derived from image data captured by said imaging sensors for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. 
     
     
         28 . A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:
 an imaging sensor disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view, said imaging sensor capturing image data;   a control disposed at the vehicle;   a single core coaxial cable connecting said imaging sensor and said control;   wherein said single core coaxial cable comprises (i) an inner core comprising copper, (ii) a dielectric medium, (iii) a foil screen, (iv) an outer conductor comprising copper and (v) an outer sheath;   wherein said single core coaxial cable commonly carries (i) image data from said imaging sensor, (ii) power to said imaging sensor and (iii) communication data; and   wherein said vision system utilizes at least one of (i) an ETHERNET communication protocol, (ii) a Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link (GMSL) protocol and (iii) a FPD-Link III protocol.   
     
     
         29 . The vision system of  claim 28 , wherein said single core coaxial cable comprises a fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) perfluoroethylene-propylene plastic dielectric medium.