3. C3 Camera Technical Reference Manual#

C3

3.1. Overview#

The C3 camera is a GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) camera specifically designed for automotive applications. It has a resolution of 8.3 MP at 3840 x 2160 px.

Featuring Sony Semiconductor Solutions’ IMX728 back-side illumination stacked CMOS image sensor, this camera enables HDR imaging over 120dB, LED flicker mitigation (LFM), and motion artifact-mitigated image capturing at a frame rate of up to 30fps. The C3 camera is suitable for a variety of applications, such as object recognition and signal recognition, thanks to its simultaneous high sensitivity and high resolution.

With a variety of lens options available, the C3 camera can be adapted to many applications. The lens undergoes a 6-axis active adjustment during installation, allowing it to achieve optimal sharpness even in harsh temperature environments.

Indie-semiconductor’s GW5300 ISP (Image Signal Processor) built into the C3 camera performs various image processing tasks, including lens distortion correction, to achieve optimal image quality for automotive applications. The C3 camera also supports an external triggering mechanism, which is essential to achieve capture synchronization with other sensor modalities such as LiDAR or RADAR, enabling sensor fusion.

Designed for automotive mass production, the C3 camera is ready-to-use. All key components comply with AEC-Q100 (Grade 2), Q101, and Q200 standards, and are designed to pass automotive-grade reliability tests.

3.2. Mechanical specifications#

3.2.1. Camera size#

Model Name

C3-30

C3-070

C3-123

Camera size

45mm x 45mm x 51.23mm

45mm x 45mm x 47.58mm

45mm x 45mm x 47.98mm

3.2.2. Connector#

Fakra Z code with metal shielding

3.2.3. Outline diagram#

../_images/c3_outline_030.png

Fig. 3.13 C3-030 (30°)#

../_images/c3_outline_070.png

Fig. 3.14 C3-070 (70°)#

../_images/c3_outline_123.png

Fig. 3.15 C3-123 (123°)#

3.2.4. 3-dimensional CAD data#

3-dimensional CAD data can be downloaded. Refer to the download link

3.3. Lens specifications#

Model Name

C3-30

C3-070

C3-123

Field of View (FoV) Horizontal / Vertical

LDC off 30deg / 16.8deg (no distortion correction applied)

LDC off 70deg / 39.6deg on 67deg / 38.0deg

LDC off 123deg / 66deg on 109deg / 66.5

F#

1.7

1.6

1.8

EFL

15.42mm

6.55mm

4.0mm

TTL

33.74mm

30mm

30.52mm

Image Circle

\(\phi\) 9.6mm

\(\phi\) 9.6mm

\(\phi\) 9.7mm

IRCF

650nm @ 50% transmission

650nm @ 50% transmission

650nm @ 50% transmission

Resolution (TV Line)

1200TVL @ Center, 1000TVL @ 70% Image height

1200TVL @ Center, 1000TVL @ 70% Image height

1000TVL @ Center, 600TVL @ 70% Image height

Depth of Field

17m - Infinity Focus peaking distance: 33m

350cm - Infinity Focus peaking distance: 700cm

250cm - Infinity Focus peaking distance: 500cm

3.3.1. Lens Mount#

Glued, active alignment applied.

Attention

The lens cannot be exchanged.

3.4. Electrical specifications#

3.4.1. Power supply method#

Power over coax cable

3.4.2. Power consumption#

5.8W (at 30fps operation, -40 - 85℃)

3.4.3. Power supply level#

9 - 12 [V]

3.5. Key components#

3.5.1. Image Sensor#

Sony Semiconductor Solutions IMX728

3.5.2. Optical format#

diagonal 9.3mm, type 1/1.72’’

3.5.3. Pixel size#

2.1um

3.5.4. High dynamic range#

Available, 120dB equivalent

3.5.5. LED flicker mitigation#

Available.

See also

What is the LED Flicker Mitigation (LFM)?

3.5.6. Serializer#

Analog Devices MAX9295A

3.5.7. ISP#

Indie semiconductor GW5300

3.6. Block diagram#

../_images/C3_block_diagram.drawio.png

Fig. 3.16 Block diagram of C3 camera#

3.7. Camera function#

3.7.1. Output interface#

GMSL2

3.7.2. Output image format#

YUV422 8bit. 16bit/pixel bit depth.

3.7.3. Output image size#

3840 x 2160

3.7.4. Framerate#

Up to 30fps

3.7.5. Shutter type#

Rolling Shutter

Note

Shutter type cannot changed

3.7.6. Drive mode#

  • Master mode: The camera operates based on its framerate setting.

  • Trigger mode: See below for the details.

3.7.7. Synchronization#

C3 camera supports trigger-based synchronization. The host (e.g., ECU) sends a synchronization signal (FSYNC) via the GMSL interface to the image sensor. When the image sensor receives an FSYNC signal, the exposure starts. After the exposure time which is controlled by the camera or user, the readout will start. Then, the MIPI packet is transmitted by the camera.

../_images/c1_shutter_trigger.jpg

Fig. 3.17 Shutter trigger timing#

In this mode, an FSYNC input is required to output an image frame. Without FSYNC input, the camera will not output the image data.

The FSYNC pin of the image sensor is connected to the MFP3 GPIO of the serializer. The user needs to configure the deserializer so the synchronization output pin on the ECU is mapped to this pin..

3.7.8. Embedded data output#

Not supported yet. To be supported in future driver/FW version.

3.8. ISP function#

ISP setting can be controlled by using T4cam-ctrl software.

  • AE (Auto Exposure)

  • AWB (Auto White Balance)

  • Basic image tuning interfaces

    • Hue

    • Saturation

    • Contrast

    • Brightness

    • Sharpness

3.9. Quality/Environmental specifications#

3.9.1. Operating temperature range#

  • -40° ~ 85°

3.9.2. Storage temperature range#

  • -40°C ~ 105°C

3.9.3. Product reliability#

  • Please contact our authorized agency for the details.

3.9.4. Compliances#

To be complied with the standards listed below.

  • CE

  • RoHS

  • FCC

  • Can ICES-3

  • UKCA

  • RCM

3.9.5. Safety#

to be LVD compliant.

3.9.6. Ingress protection#

The camera has IP69K-grade ingress protection.

Note

To realize IP69K, the user needs to use a water-resistant Fakra cable. To distinguish the water-resistant and non-water-resistant cable, please refer below.