The goal of our project is to address the need of the Remote Optical
Sensing Group for a data interface for a forward-looking infrared (FLIR)
camera utilizing a low-voltage differential signaling system. Encompassed
within the data interface should be the capability to adapt to cameras of
different resolution, data timing, and channel definitions, as well as the
potential to add signal processing and recording features. Ultimately, this
project will use a field programmable gate array (FPGA) to perform all of these
functions. The flexibility of field programmable gate arrays yields a myriad of
potential solutions for the problem at hand. There are means to solve this
problem ranging from a digital design to a full-on embedded system approach.
The end goal of this project involves taking a serial bit stream from a FLIR
camera, assembling this serial stream into an image, and then exporting this image
to a computer via an Ethernet or USB connection. The constraints in this problem
are largely summarized in two words: timing, and speed. A bit stream of one data-rate
is going to have to be brought into this interface, assembled into meaningful data,
and then sent out at an entirely different data rate, and still meet all of the timing
criteria stated by the camera specifications.