Test LVDS video interfaces with Video Dragon

LVDS frame grabber and frame generator

Drawing on our many years of expertise and extensive experience in the automotive sector, we respond flexibly to your individual requirements. We offer robust and future-proof solutions for the development, validation and production of camera, ECU and display applications. Our products support all common high-speed video standards such as GMSL, FPD-Link, APIX, ASA-ML, GVIF and MIPI A-PHY. This enables you to ensure the quality you wish to deliver to your customers.

Video Dragon is available in three variants: as a stand-alone unit, as a PXI Express or PCI Express plug-in card. The adaptors, which control the device under test via the relevant transmission protocol and thus enable comprehensive testing, are significant to the system’s functionality. These so-called media interfaces are also available from GÖPEL electronic as plug-in cards, complete with suitable STP or coaxial cables.

Overview Videon Dragon application

The solution for capturing and generating video data

Whether it is sensor data, high-resolution video transmission, the synchronisation of multiple streams or correct processing within complex control units such as head units or high-performance computers – only comprehensive testing of all components and their interaction can ensure that imaging systems perform reliably in subsequent safety-critical applications.

The 6222 Video Dragon is the hardware used for recording (capturing) and generating video data. A 6222 Video Dragon consists of at least two components: a mainboard and a plug-in media interface or adapter, compatible with the camera. To simplify connection to the device under test, a ‘G Patch 6222’ may be required. An optional CAN interface is also available.

Video Dragon combines three key functions in a single device

  • Frame Grabber

    As a frame grabber, the Video Dragon enables the precise capture and analysis of video signals at maximum resolution and with minimal latency.

    Frame Grabber configuration Frame Grabber configuration

  • Frame Generator

    As a frame generator, it produces realistic or predefined test images and video streams for the verification of displays and ECUs, and for the simulation of camera systems.

    Schematic for frame generator configuration Schematic for frame generator configuration

  • Man-in-the-middle

    In pass-through mode (man-in-the-middle), it can pass through, modify or monitor video signals in real time – ideal for debugging, protocol analysis or timing investigations.

    schematic image of Man‑in‑the‑Middle schematic image of Man‑in‑the‑Middle

Video Dragon combines three key functions in a single device

  • Frame Grabber

    Frame Grabber

    As a frame grabber, the Video Dragon enables the precise capture and analysis of video signals at maximum resolution and with minimal latency.

    Frame Grabber configuration Frame Grabber configuration
  • Frame generator

    Frame Generator

    As a frame generator, it produces realistic or predefined test images and video streams for the verification of displays and ECUs, and for the simulation of camera systems.

    Schematic for frame generator configuration Schematic for frame generator configuration
  • Man‑in‑the‑Middle

    Man-in-the-middle

    In pass-through mode (man-in-the-middle), it can pass through, modify or monitor video signals in real time – ideal for debugging, protocol analysis or timing investigations.

    schematic image of Man‑in‑the‑Middle schematic image of Man‑in‑the‑Middle

The result is a range of test systems that deliver the highest image quality, maximum flexibility and efficient workflows in demanding electronics and vision applications.

Product photography G CAR 6222 Video Dragon Product photography G CAR 6222 Video Dragon
G CAR 6222 Video Dragon

Stand-alone Box

Product photography G PCIe 6222 Product photography G PCIe 6222
G PCIe 6222

PCIe

Product photography G PXIe 6222 Product photography G PXIe 6222
G PXIe 6222

PXIe

Embedded vision systems for security testing

The LVDS Frame Grabber & Generator is used wherever cameras and displays operate via GMSL, FPD-Link, APIX, A-PHY, GVIF or ASA-ML. Which interface does your test object (camera, display, ECU) use? GÖPEL electronic offers compatible serialisers and deserialisers for all transmission standards. Suitable for STP and/or coaxial connectors.

 

Select an adapter (Media Interface) suitable for your test object:

  • MIPI-A-PHY Media Interface with Coax MIPI-A-PHY Media Interface with Coax
    MIPI-A-PHY Media Interface with STP MIPI-A-PHY Media Interface with STP

    MIPI Automotive Physical Layer  MIPI-A-PHY

    MIPI-A-PHY is a new open standard from the MIPI Alliance for long-reach data transmission in vehicles. It is designed to deliver high data rates whilst minimising cabling requirements. It is the first official automotive SerDes standard for automotive sensors. 

    MIPI-A-PHY is ideally suited to camera-to-central-ECU connections in ADAS applications, where large volumes of data need to be transmitted over long cable runs without proprietary dependencies.

    Grabber Generator  STP COAX

    Adapter for MIPI-A-PHY

     

  • STP Media Interface STP Media Interface
    Coax-Adapter for DS90UB953 Coax-Adapter for DS90UB953

    Flat Panel Display Link (Texas Instruments) FPD-LINK III FPD-LINK IV

    Ideal for high-resolution displays in the cockpit or for transmitting image data between the camera and the ECU in ADAS systems, where resistance to interference is particularly important.

    Grabber Generator  STP

    Example of an adapter with an STP connection for
    Serialiser/deserialiser for display applications supports the FPD-Link III & IV standard in both single-lane and dual-lane modes.
     

    Grabber Generator   COAX

    Example of an adapter with a coaxial connector for
    Serialiser/deserialiser for camera applications supports the FPD-Link III & IV standard.

    Adapter for FPD-Link

  • [Translate to English:] COAX-Adapter [Translate to English:] COAX-Adapter
    [Translate to English:] STP-Adapter [Translate to English:] STP-Adapter

    Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link (Supplier: Maxim/Analog Devices)  GMSL 2  GMSL 3

    GMSL is a serial data transmission standard developed specifically for automotive video and sensor applications. It supports high-resolution video formats, camera/control unit synchronisation, and bidirectional data and control channels. 

    GRABBER GENERATOR STP COAX

    Adapter for GMSL

  • Automotive SerDes Alliance (ASA) Motion Link ASA-ML

    ASA-ML is a video link designed for security and fault tolerance, developed specifically for safety-critical systems (e.g. autonomous driving functions). High-speed SerDes-based transmission via coaxial cable or twisted pair.

    Adapters (serialisers and deserialisers) for ASA-ML are currently under development.

    Adapter for ASA-ML

  • [Translate to English:] Adapter für STP [Translate to English:] Adapter für STP

    Automotive Pixel Link (by Inova Semiconductors) APIX

    APIX is a tried-and-tested, proprietary SerDes system that has been used in production vehicles for many years – primarily for infotainment displays, cameras and high-speed video transmission. APIX combines high data rates with multi-channel transmission and synchronises audio, video and control data over a single line.

    Grabber Generator STP 

    Adapter for APIX

  • Gigabit Video Interface GVIF

    GVIF enables the fast and reliable transmission of video, audio and control data in modern vehicles.
    The technology offers impressive high data rates, low latency and robust signal transmission, even over long distances. Whether for camera systems, displays or infotainment – GVIF lays the foundation for connected and intelligent vehicle systems.

    Efficient, space-saving and future-proof, GVIF meets the requirements of modern automotive technologies.

    Grabber Generator COAX 

    Adapter for GVIF

  • MIPI A-PHY
    MIPI-A-PHY Media Interface with Coax MIPI-A-PHY Media Interface with Coax
    MIPI-A-PHY Media Interface with STP MIPI-A-PHY Media Interface with STP

    MIPI Automotive Physical Layer  MIPI-A-PHY

    MIPI-A-PHY is a new open standard from the MIPI Alliance for long-reach data transmission in vehicles. It is designed to deliver high data rates whilst minimising cabling requirements. It is the first official automotive SerDes standard for automotive sensors. 

    MIPI-A-PHY is ideally suited to camera-to-central-ECU connections in ADAS applications, where large volumes of data need to be transmitted over long cable runs without proprietary dependencies.

    Grabber Generator  STP COAX

    Adapter for MIPI-A-PHY

     

  • FPD‑Link
    STP Media Interface STP Media Interface
    Coax-Adapter for DS90UB953 Coax-Adapter for DS90UB953

    Flat Panel Display Link (Texas Instruments) FPD-LINK III FPD-LINK IV

    Ideal for high-resolution displays in the cockpit or for transmitting image data between the camera and the ECU in ADAS systems, where resistance to interference is particularly important.

    Grabber Generator  STP

    Example of an adapter with an STP connection for
    Serialiser/deserialiser for display applications supports the FPD-Link III & IV standard in both single-lane and dual-lane modes.
     

    Grabber Generator   COAX

    Example of an adapter with a coaxial connector for
    Serialiser/deserialiser for camera applications supports the FPD-Link III & IV standard.

    Adapter for FPD-Link

  • GMSL
    [Translate to English:] COAX-Adapter [Translate to English:] COAX-Adapter
    [Translate to English:] STP-Adapter [Translate to English:] STP-Adapter

    Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link (Supplier: Maxim/Analog Devices)  GMSL 2  GMSL 3

    GMSL is a serial data transmission standard developed specifically for automotive video and sensor applications. It supports high-resolution video formats, camera/control unit synchronisation, and bidirectional data and control channels. 

    GRABBER GENERATOR STP COAX

    Adapter for GMSL

  • ASA-ML

    Automotive SerDes Alliance (ASA) Motion Link ASA-ML

    ASA-ML is a video link designed for security and fault tolerance, developed specifically for safety-critical systems (e.g. autonomous driving functions). High-speed SerDes-based transmission via coaxial cable or twisted pair.

    Adapters (serialisers and deserialisers) for ASA-ML are currently under development.

    Adapter for ASA-ML

  • APIX
    [Translate to English:] Adapter für STP [Translate to English:] Adapter für STP

    Automotive Pixel Link (by Inova Semiconductors) APIX

    APIX is a tried-and-tested, proprietary SerDes system that has been used in production vehicles for many years – primarily for infotainment displays, cameras and high-speed video transmission. APIX combines high data rates with multi-channel transmission and synchronises audio, video and control data over a single line.

    Grabber Generator STP 

    Adapter for APIX

  • GVIF

    Gigabit Video Interface GVIF

    GVIF enables the fast and reliable transmission of video, audio and control data in modern vehicles.
    The technology offers impressive high data rates, low latency and robust signal transmission, even over long distances. Whether for camera systems, displays or infotainment – GVIF lays the foundation for connected and intelligent vehicle systems.

    Efficient, space-saving and future-proof, GVIF meets the requirements of modern automotive technologies.

    Grabber Generator COAX 

    Adapter for GVIF

Application examples for frame grabbers and generators

  • Camera test

    Camera test

    • Configure sensor / Read sensor data
      • Checks that the camera sensor is working correctly
    • Image transmission
      • Analyses SerDes transmissions for stability, failures and bandwidth
    • Timing & Protocol Validation
      • Check that the frame rate, timing and synchronisation signals comply with the specifications
    • Latency & Synchronisation:
      • Measures response time and temporal accuracy in multi-camera set-ups (e.g. surround or stereo systems)
  • ECU‑Testing (HUs, HPCs)

    ECU‑Testing (HUs, HPCs)

    • Video Input Handling
      • Simulation of cameras, testing of image resolution, timing and fault tolerance
    • Output validation
      • Checks whether the ECU (electronic control unit) is driving the displays correctly and whether all video pipelines are operating without faults
      • Response check for touch events
  • Display‑Tests

    Display‑Tests

    • Generating test patterns:
      • Quality check on production lines and in end-of-line (EoL) systems
    • Feeding in video streams
      • Simulates real cameras or ECUs and provides reproducible video signals for development and production testing
    • Evaluation of touch events
      • Support for touch events as sideband communication

Test execution software

Dragon Suite

Screenshot of Dragon Suite test software Screenshot of Dragon Suite test software

The 6222 Video Dragon comes with the intuitive “Dragon Suite” application software. This enables users to access the Video Dragon’s wide range of features and settings via simple, clear interfaces, without having to write any code themselves.

The software includes, amongst other things, panels for:

  • Frame generator settings
  • Frame grabber settings
  • Viewing and saving images and videos
  • Outputting images and videos
  • Peripheral communication (I²C, UART, SPI)
  • File system browser

For customers wishing to integrate the 6222 Video Dragon into their own applications, the cross-hardware G-API is available. This programming interface provides all the functions supported by the hardware and included in the Dragon Suite.