Family of video “C” adapters solves the growing need for video capturing and testing of the complete video content from digital instrument cluster units. Displayed content of the modern digital instrument cluster units   (e.g., FPK, FID, iID) comes from different video sources – the main part of the video stream is generated by the relevant ECU (e.g., MIB, ICAS, HCP), and the second part of the video stream, mainly security-related dashboard indicators, is generated directly by the display unit itself in the OLDI protocol. Video “C” adapter allows the video capturing of these video streams generated directly by the display unit, and its conversion to a serial video protocol (FPD Link III, GMSL 2). We offer a solution for capturing video streams of the full displayed content of various modern digital instrument cluster units used within the VW Group.

Video “C“ adapter connects the OLDI video signal between the display unit and the display via a specially designed ribbon cable and include programmed computing unit   FPGA. Video „C“ adapter removes the spread spectrum from the original video stream, adjusts timing parameters, and converts them to a standardized LVDS bus output – FPD Link III or GMSL 2/3 –  while maintaining the same frame rate (1:1 serial pixel clock).

Conversion of the specific OLDI video stream to a standardized LVDS bus protocol ensures high quality of the grabbing, a reliable and stable video stream with minimal latency. It even allows the transfer of the video stream over a long distance, which would be impossible with the original OLDI video stream. Video “C” adapters are fully compatible with FPD Link III and GMSL 2/3 interface modules of the FrameGrabber4 (“FG4”) and the Modular Frame Grabber (“MGB”).
This makes it easy to process the captured data on a computer and completely automate the entire unit testing process. We created a Video “C” adapter in two versions for more comfortable use: a single-output version, which offers only FPD Link III output, and a combined dual-output version that offers both FPD Link III as well as GMSL 2/3 interface.  

The C-adapter can be powered directly from the connected display or separately using the included micro-USB cable. 

C-adapters are always custom-designed for specific display units due to the various display panels used. We have currently developed three versions of the C-adapters, labeled C1, C2, and C3, for specific display units (see specifications below). 

Our team is open and pleased to adapt the C-adapter for additional display units upon request.