The MIPI Alliance has signed a memorandum of understanding with the IEEE to adopt the MIPI A-PHY specification as an IEEE standard – A-PHY only became available to MIPI members in September.

MIPI-IEEE-MoU-A-PHY

MIPI A-PHY v1.0 is a long-reach (15m) SerDes (serialiser-deserialiser) physical layer interface for automotive applications such as driver assistance (ADAS) and autonomous driving (ADS), as well as surround-sensor applications such as cameras and in-vehicle infotainment displays.

It provides an asymmetric point-to-point data link with one-way fast data and two-way control data plus optional power over a single cable. Packet error rate (PER) is 10-19 and EMI immunity is high, according to the Alliance, while data runs at 2, 4, 8, 12 or 16Gbit/s, with aspirations to 48Gbit/s.

It is also a long-reach physical layer with native support for the MIPI CSI-2 and MIPI DSI-2 protocols used in mobile devices and automotive applications, and it supports VESA DisplayPort and Embedded DisplayPort. “A-PHY offers seamless integration by eliminating the need for bridge ICs,” according to the Alliance. “The MOU also paves the way for the adoption of other MIPI specifications, such as [the as yet unreleased] A-PHY protocol adaptation layers for MIPI CSI-2 and DSI-2, as IEEE standards in the future.”

Under the MOU, MIPI Alliance joins the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) as a corporate member and will participate in the IEEE Industry Affiliate Network (IAN).

“Our collaboration with IEEE is intended to bring the MIPI A-PHY SerDes specification to a broader ecosystem beyond MIPI’s membership, which in turn will foster greater interoperability,” claimed MIPI chairman Joel Huloux.

“IAN is designed to facilitate IEEE adoption of industry-recognised, market-relevant specifications from industry consortia, toward the goal of advancing standards development and market adoption that address technological innovations and market advancements,” said IEEE Standards Association MD Konstantinos Karachalios. “The contribution of MIPI A-PHY will add a new asymmetric approach to our existing portfolio of IEEE automotive standards. We are excited to work with MIPI Alliance to bring this solution to the automotive ecosystem.”