Modular FrameGrabber (MGB)
Modular FrameGrabber (MGB)
Video captureThe Modular FrameGrabber (MGB) is the best seller among frame grabbers
on the European automotive industry market.
The MGB FrameGrabber is an electronic device developed by the Volkswagen Infotainments group (ABT, FPK, etc.) for video stream capture. MGB captures a video stream and transfers it as a TCP stream via Gigabit Ethernet to PC for further processing and analysis. It also has the capability to save screenshots and to record video on an internal memory card.
The MGB is connected directly to the video interface between an infotainment central unit (ZR) and an infotainment LCD display. The device is capable of transferring captured video streams in various compressed or non-compressed formats via TCP streams. H.264, Motion JPEG lossy compressions, and loss-less raw video formats are supported. Screenshots are stored with loss-less compression in PNG format.
The MGB also supports Area of Interest (rectangular cutout in a video). The selected Area of Interest is streamed separately via a TCP stream, and it benefits from a higher framerate and a reduced baud rate.
Key Features
- Video stream capture from the VW Infotainment group (ABT, FPK, ID. Display, etc.)
- Supports all LVDS systems used within the VW Group
- Configuration via a web interface and/or a TCP control socket API
- Video stream in various formats (without compression or with H.264 and Motion JPEG compression)
- Video stream capture from the VW Infotainment group (ABT, FPK, ID. Display, etc.)
- Supports all LVDS systems used within the VW Group
- Configuration via a web interface and/or a TCP control socket API
- Video stream in various formats (without compression or with H.264 and Motion JPEG compression)
Available Interfaces
- LVDS GMSL 2/3
- LVDS FPD Link 3
- LVDS FPD Link 2
- FPK Entry
- FPK Medium
- FPK Basic
- MIB3 EI
Available interfaces are capable of grabbing all LVDS systems used within the VW group. Input video signal parameters (resolution, signal level, etc.) are detected automatically, thus the user does not need to set them manually.
Detailed Properties
Configuration of the MGB parameters is done via a user-friendly web interface. The user can configure various parameters, such as network settings, type of interface (GMSL 2/3, LVDS 2/3, etc.), type of video codec (H.264, Motion JPEG, RAW, etc.), properties of an Area of Interest, screenshot frequency, etc.
The MGB has implemented a trigger functionality. Trigger events from several sources are supported: 2 external GPIO inputs, a CAN bus event, and the trigger button on the MGB chassis. A trigger event can be set via the web interface to control one of the following functionalities: starting up the MGB startup, taking screenshots, and recording video.
The TCP video stream supports an optional visible binary timestamp embedded into the video frames. The timestamp contains either a relative or an absolute time. The time base of the MGB is synchronized with the NTP server. Timestamps are enabled and configured via the web interface.
The MGB also supports a TCP control socket. The TCP control socket is mainly intended for integration into a test-automation framework. It allows run-time changes of MGB parameters while conducting automated tests. The TCP control socket provides an advanced alternative to the user-friendly MGB configuration web interface.
The MGB software can be easily updated by the customer. Firmware upgrades can be performed via an internal memory card or via Ethernet and an internal Samba network drive.
Accessories
- The GMSL 2/3 module introduced in early 2020 is intended for capture from a new GMSL 3 LVDS bus.
- The module is directly connected on the LVDS bus between the infotainment main unit (ZR) and the infotainment LCD display.
- For interconnections, LVDS cables for GMSL 2/3 are used.
- The FPD Link 3 module is intended for capture from a FPD Link 3 LVDS bus.
- The FPD Link 3 LVDS bus is currently used in the majority of VW Infotainments group equipments with a separated central unit (ZR) and LCD display.
- For interconnections, LVDS cables for FPD Link 2/3 are used.
- The FPD Link 2 module is intended for capture from a FPD Link 2 LVDS bus.
- The FPD Link 2 LVDS bus is an older generation of FPD Link LVDS bus used within the VW Infotainments group with a separated central unit (ZR) and LCD display.
- For interconnections, LVDS cables for FPD Link 2/3 are used.
- The FPK Entry adaptor is exlusively intended exclusively for capture from an FPK Entry instrument cluster.
- The FPK Entry adaptor must be used together with an FPD Link 3 module.
- LVDS cables for FPD Link 2/3 are used for interconnection between the FPK Entry adaptor and an FPD Link 3 module.
- The FPK Medium set is exclusively intended exclusively for capture from an FPK Medium instrument cluster.
- The FPK Medium set consists of two parts – an FPK Medium module and an FPK Medium adaptor.
- The FPK Medium module is directly inserted in to the MGB.
- The FPK Medium adaptor is connected to an FPK Medium instrument cluster.
- The FPK Medium module and the FPK Medium adaptor are connected by a flex cable – which is included within the FPK Medium set.
- The FPK Basic set is exclusively intended exclusively for capture from an FPK Basic instrument cluster.
- The FPK Basic set provides galvanic isolation between the MGB and an FPK Basic instrument cluster.
- The FPK Basic set consists of two parts – an FPK Basic module and an FPK Basic Adaptor.
- The FPK Basic module is directly inserted in to the MGB.
- The FPK Basic adaptor is connected to an FPK Basic instrument cluster.
- The FPK Basic module and the FPK Basic adaptor are connected by a flex cable – which is included within the FPK Basic set.
- The MIB3 EI adaptor is exclusively intended exclusively for capture from an MIB3 EI (Einstieg) instrument cluster.
- The MIB3 EI adaptor must be used together with an FPD Link 3 module.
- LVDS cables for FPD Link 2/3 are used for interconnection between the MIB3 EI adaptor and the FPD Link 3 module.
- The MGB backup module is intended for application when the MGB is installed in the a car and is powered by a car battery.
- It provides backup functionality to cover voltage drops and surges during engine starts.
- It allows the MGB to keep operating during engine starts.
- It prevents the MGB from restarts caused by voltage drop-offs.
- Super-caps powered is enabled.
- The MGB backup module is intended for installation into an MGB device.
Digiteq Automotive offers several types of cable:
- FPD Link 2/3 LVDS cable (1m) – straight connectors on both ends
- FPD Link 2/3 LVDS cable (1m) – straight connector on one end, 90 degree angle connector on the other end
- GMSL 2/3 LVDS cable (1m) – straight connectors on both ends
Technical Parameters
| Supported interfaces | FPD Link 2/3, GMSL 2/3 |
| Video format | H264, MJPEG, RAW |
| Screenshot format | PNG |
| Connection | CAN, UART, 2x GPIO Trigger Input |
| Network | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Power supply | 9 V to 30 V |
| Operating temperature | 0° C to 70° C |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 170 x 170 x 60 mm |
| Weight | 1,300 g |
Documentation
On request, we offer individual training and professional consultation with this product. For more information, please contact us.