Diodes' MIPI 2:1 switches provide cost-effective support for multiple camera devices

     Diodes Incorporated announced the PI3WVR626, a MIPI®D-PHY/C-PHY 2:1 switch that enables a single host device to interface with two MIPI-compliant modules to help engineers optimize the design of multi-camera phones and other personal computing devices.

     Many consumer devices now have multiple cameras that are compatible with MIPI interfaces. For product designs that require only two data channels for MIPI switches, the PI3WVR626 provides a lower cost alternative, thus meeting the need for an improved solution.

     The PI3WVR626 provides 2-to-1 multiplexing over three differential channels, each capable of switching between high speed (HS) and low power (LP) MIPI signals. The device supports D-PHY through two data channels and one clock channel, as well as two channels for C-PHY.

     Each channel is switched using a low-on-resistance single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch, which ensures low insertion losses for start-before-start operation. The high bandwidth of 4.5GHz, along with low inter-channel skew and minimal crosstalk, means that data rates that can support C-PHY operations are 2.5Gsps and D-PHY data rates are 3Gbps. The PI3WVR626 can operate at a supply voltage of 1.5V to 3.6V.