ABOUT INOVA
Founded in 1999, Inova Semiconductors GmbH is a fabless semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Germany. It specializes in the development of state-of-the-art products for Gigabit/s serial data communication.
In 2007, Inova added a new product to its portfolio: The "Automotive Pixel Link". APIX is designed to fulfill the demands of high-resolution, in-car video applications. Meeting the highest automotive EMI requirements, APIX can be used to establish multiple display links with a bandwidth of up to 1 Gbps over a single paired copper cable. Adjustable output drives and pre-emphasis currents facilitate the adaptation to different cables and distances of up to 15 meters.
In addition to connecting TFT displays to graphic units, the APIX link can also be used to connect CCD/CMOS camera sensors of upcoming single-/multi-view driver assistance systems to a central processor unit or directly to a TFT display, e.g. for rear-drive cameras. Similar to the GigaSTaR technology, the APIX products feature built-in, bi-directional sideband channels which provide for the transmission of additional control signals at a data rate of up to 18 Mbps. This way, a remote camera link can be established. The camera signal, the bi-directional I²C bus, plus the supply for the camera require no more than a tiny two-paired copper cable.
Almost every single APIX device is AEC-Q100 qualified and they have been on the road in automobiles since 2008. Fujitsu Microelectronics is providing graphic and display controller products that feature an integrated APIX.
In 2011, the first cars with the second generation APIX2 technology, based on the INAP375T/R devices, were available. In 2020, the first cars with the third generation APIX3 technology devices have also been made available to the market.
In addition to Fujitsu Semiconductors, Analog Devices became a licensee of the APIX2 IP supporting the growth of APIX in the market.
The APIX link has not only proven to be the ideal solution for video and network applications in cars, it has also aroused much interest in other market segments such as security and surveillance, as well as medical applications, and consumer camera systems.
