The MIPI Alliance unveils a new specification that provides a standardized way to integrate image sensors in mobile-connected devices. The spec, MIPI Camera Command Set v1.0 (MIPI CCS v1.0), defines a standard set of functionalities for implementing and controlling image sensors. The specification is offered for use with MIPI Camera Serial Interface 2 v2.0 (MIPI CSI-2 v2.0) and is now available for download. In an effort to help standardize use of MIPI CSI-2, MIPI Alliance membership is not required to access the specification.
From startups to global organizations, companies are integrating image sensor components into their designs for specialized and mass-market products. To date, image sensor integration has required device-specific software to enable basic operations. As imaging applications have become more sophisticated and manufacturers have begun deploying multiple image sensors in their products, implementation has become more complex and time consuming.
MIPI CCS alleviates these challenges by making it possible to craft a common software driver to configure the basic functionalities of any off-the-shelf image sensor that is compliant with MIPI CCS and MIPI CSI-2 v2.0. The new specification provides a complete command set that can be used to integrate basic image sensor features such as resolution, frame rate and exposure time, as well as advanced features like phase detection auto focus (PDAF), single frame HDR or fast bracketing.
MIPI CCS v1.0 was developed for use with MIPI CSI-2 v2.0 and is backward compatible with earlier versions of the MIPI CSI-2 interface. It is implemented on either of two physical layers from MIPI Alliance: MIPI C-PHY or MIPI D-PHY. Developers are invited to attend a webinar “Introduction to MIPI Camera Command Set v1.0” on 10 January at 11 a.m. EST, 8 a.m. PST. For more information, visit MIPI.