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K1 Pro Camera Interface Description

Processor MIPI CSI2 Introduction​

MIPI CSI-2, first introduced in 2005, is a standardized camera interface specification used in mobile devices. Its full name is MIPI Camera Serial Interface 2. MIPI CSI-2 provides high bandwidth, low power consumption, and low electromagnetic interference, making it easy to use and supporting high-performance applications, including 1080p, 4K, 8K, or higher video resolutions and high-resolution cameras. It has now become the most widely used interface for embedded cameras and imaging.

For detailed information, refer to:

MIPI CSI-2 Specifications

1.1 MIPI CSI2 Controller​

The RK3576 application processor in K1 Pro supports 5 CSI-2 interfaces:

  • 4 ports support 2 D-PHY v1.2 data-lane with 2.5Gbps/lane These 4 ports may be bound as 2 ports with 4 data-lane per port
  • 1 port supports 4 D-PHY data-lane or 3 C-PHY trios D-PHY is v2.0 which lane speed is 4.5Gbps C-PHY is v1.1 which trio speed is 2.5Gsps
  • Each port supports 4 virtual channels

1.2 ISP Processor​

The K1 Pro processor introduces a new generation 16-megapixel ISP. It implements many algorithm accelerators such as HDR, 3A, CAC, 3DNR, 2DNR, Sharpening, Dehaze, Enhance, Debayer, Small Angle Lens-Distortion Correction, etc. Main features: ISP V3.9

  • Support video mode and picture mode
  • One channel ISP, 16M pixels
  • VICAP/DMA input: raw8/raw10/raw12/raw16
  • RGB-IR sensor input
  • 3A: include AE/Histogram, AF, AWB statistics output
  • BLC: Black Level Correction
  • PDAF: Phase Detection Auto Focus
  • DPCC: Static/Dynamic defect pixel cluster correction
  • LSC: Lens shading correction
  • HDR: 2-Frame Merge into High-Dynamic Range
  • DRC/TMO: Dynamic Range Compression, Tone mapping in RGB field
  • Supports up to 120dB HDR with 20-bit data width
  • EXPANDER: Sensor expander
  • GIC: Green Imbalance Correction
  • Debayer: Advanced Adaptive Demosaic with Chromatic Aberration Correction(CAC)
  • CCM/CSM: Color correction matrix; RGB2YUV etc
  • Gamma: Gamma out correction
  • Dehaze/Enhance: Automatic Dehaze and edge enhancement
  • Bay3DNR: Advanced Temporal Noise reduce in RAW
  • YUVME: Noise Motion Estimate and Motion Compensation in YUV
  • 2DNR: Advanced Spatial Noise reduce in YUV
  • Sharp: Picture Sharpening & Edge Enhance in YUV
  • CGC: Color Gamut Compression, YUV full range/limit range convert
  • 3DLUT: 3D-Lut Color Palette for Customer
  • LDCH: Lens-distortion in the horizontal direction
  • LDCV: Lens-distortion in the vertical direction
  • Gain: Image local gain
  • Output Scale*2: support scale down level

2. K1 Pro Camera​

The K1 Pro board reserves a 4-lane MIPI CSI2S camera interface.

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Its pin definition is as follows:

Figure 1 K1 Camera Interface Definition

BIT-BRICK provides several cameras with different specifications (for details, refer to the BIT-BRICK hardware product details page):

Figure 1 K1 Camera Interface Definition

Users can also design cameras according to their actual needs. The supported camera sensors are as follows:

Figure 1 K1 Camera Interface Definition

It is recommended to choose sensors from the above list to reduce software debugging workload.