Easy script creation using GMSL2 GUI

<Step 1>

Launch the installed "GMSL_SerDes_Public_GUI".
Click "CSI Configuration Tool" under "Tools" tab > "Video Config".
*If you use the CSI Configuration Tool, no hardware is required.
It can only be used with the software.

Figure 4. Starting the Configuration Tool

<Step 2> Select the deserializer to use.

Select the “MAX96714” to be used this time as the “Deserializer” in the “CSI Configuration Tool”.
If you select MAX96714, you will be able to select "Mode" and "I2C Device Address".

"Mode" selects the MIPI CSI-2 output configuration of the MAX96714.
Since the MAX96714's MIPI CSI-2 output only supports 1 Port x 4 lanes, "1x4" is automatically selected.
Some deserializers are available in multiple configurations, in which case you can select the configuration you want to use.

The initial value of "I2C Device Address" changes depending on the processing of the CFG0 TERMINALS of the MAX96714.
This time, when starting up the MAX96714, select "0x50" as the I2C Device Address.

Figure 5 Deserializer basic settings Input

<Step 3> Select the serializer to use.

If you select MAX96714 as the deserializer, you will be able to enter the serializer part number.
Since the MAX96714 has only one GMSL input, only the GMSL-A Serializer column is displayed.
If you select a deserializer with multiple GMSL inputs, the corresponding number of GMSL-A/B/C/D serializers and input fields will be displayed.

Check the checkbox to connect to the GMSL-A Serializer.
Select "MAX96717" for Serializer.
Since the MAX96717's "Mode" only supports "1x4", "1x4" will be entered automatically.
The power-up address is determined by the CFG0 TERMINALS, and in this example we select "0x80".
If you want to change the Device Address of the MAX96717 after startup, select the desired address from "Final Address".
Since we will not be changing it this time, select the same "0x80".

Finally, select the communication method.

GMSL2 has two modes: Pixel mode and Tunneling mode, and you must choose which one to use.

[Pixel mode]
This is the conventional GMSL2 communication method.
The CSI-2 CRC provided by the sensor is used for error checking in the serializer and then removed.
The serializer then replaces the data with GMSL data, adds a GMSL CRC, and sends it to the deserializer, which then performs a GMSL CRC check and converts it back to CSI-2.
The deserializer adds a new CSI-2 CRC to the converted CSI-2 signal and sends it to the downstream SoC.
This method is mainly used in general image processing.

Figure 6 GMSL2 Pixel mode

[Tunneling mode]
This is a newly added GMSL2 communication method.
The CSI-2 CRC added by the sensor is not removed, but is retained and sent to the downstream SoC via GMSL communication.
It provides comprehensive monitoring of the GMSL system, ensuring that the sensor signals are perfectly aligned with the signals reaching the SoC.
It is especially used in safety-critical applications such as ADAS.

Figure 7 GMSL2 Tunneling mode

This time we will select Pixel mode, so leave the Tunneling checkbox blank.

Now you can choose between a Serializer and a Deserializer.
Click Configure to configure the data path details.

Figure 8 Serializer basic settings Input

<Step 4> MAX96717 (Serializer) video settings

Clicking “Configure” will display a block diagram of this Serializer/Deserializer combination.

Figure 9 Serializer + Deserializer configuration diagram

From here, we will set up the video input of the MAX96717.

First, click on "CSI" to define the CSI input that will be fed into the MAX96717.
The MAX96717 only has Port-B as its MIPI CSI-2 input, so this time we will use the example of when "VC (Virtual channel) 0" data type (DT) "YUV422 8bit" is input to "Port-B".
In this example, select "0" for "Add input VC", "YUV422_8bit" for "and DT", and "B" for "on Port".
You can also change the VC within the Serializer, so if you want to change the VC, select the desired VC in "Remap VC".
This time, we will not change the VC from the CSI-2 input of VC0, so we will simply select "0" for Remap VC.
Select all items and click "Add to Port" to add a video input to the Serializer Input.
Once you have finished setting up, click the x in the upper right corner to close the CSI Input List Creation window.

Figure 10 Serializer CSI, Input list creation completed

MIPI CSI-2 can handle multiple video signals (video streams) with a single interface.
This time we are using one video input as an example, but by defining the video input in the same way, you can also create scripts for multiple inputs.

Figure 11 Example of Serializer Input when VC0 to VC3 are multiplexed

<Step 5> MIPI PHY settings for MAX96717 (Serializer)

From here, we will configure the MIPI PHY of the MAX96717.

There are two types of MIPI PHY: C-PHY and D-PHY. The MAX96714 only supports D-PHY, so select "D-PHY" in the selection box at the top left.

Next, specify the number of lanes for the MIPI CSI-2 input in Lane Cout.
Since we are assuming a 1x4 lane, select "4" for Lane Cout.

The serializer supports lane swapping and data polarity inversion.
To swap lanes, change the numbers in the Lane Map block for each Data Lane.
Data lane assignments are color-coded, so you can see at a glance how the lanes have been swapped.

If you want to invert the polarity due to the sensor or SoC, check the "Polarity Inversuion" box for the Data Lane you want to invert.

Finally, if you need a Data Lane deskew, check "Enable" for Deskew.
If it's higher than 1.5Gbps/Lane, you need Deskew, if it's below 1.5Gbps/Lane, check as needed.

In this example, we will proceed with the default settings without performing Lane Swap, Polarity Inversion, or Deskew.
When you have finished configuring, click the x in the upper right corner to close the MIPI D-PHY Rx Configuration window.

Figure 12 Serializer DPHY settings (default)

Figure 13 Polarity reversal, example of swapping Lane 3 and Lane 1

<Step 6> MAX96714 (Deserializer) video settings

From here, we will configure the video signal that the MAX96714 will receive.

Click "CSI" to select which MIPI port of the MAX96714 the MAX96714 will receive and output the video data sent from the MAX96717.

If you click the dropdown for "Route Input DT", the Serializer Input item defined in <Step 3> will appear.

In this case, there is only one video data, so select “GMSL-A PortB VC0 YUV422_8bit” for the video “Route Input DT” for which you want to specify the route.
"To Deserializer Port" determines which port on the Deserializer this video data will be output from.
Since the MAX96714 only has Port A, select "A" for "to Deserializer Port."
The "with VC" option determines how the Deserializer handles the VC of the specified video.
In this case, we will not change the VC of the video data received on VC0, so select "0" for "with VC".
If you want to change the VC on the deserializer side, select the desired VC.
Next, determine the data type (DT) with "and DT".
Normally, you will not change the data type in the middle of the process, so select the same "YUV422_8bit".
Finally, click “Add to Port” to complete the setup, and the settings made for Deserializer Output will be displayed as a list.

Set the above settings for each Serializer Input video data defined on the Serializer side.
Once the settings for all video data are complete, the message "All input DTs in the DES pipeline are routed." will change from yellow to green and you're ready to go.
When you have finished setting up, click the x in the upper right corner to close the CSI Output on Deserializer window.

Figure 14 Deserializer CSI, Port allocation completed

Figure 15: Example of settings when receiving video data VC0~3

<Step 7> MIPI PHY settings for MAX96714 (Deserializer)

This will be the last setting.
Clicking on "DPHY" will take you to the MAX96714 MIPI PHY configuration screen.
<Step 4> Configure the MIPI PHY output of the MAX96714 in the same way as configuring the MIPI PHY of the MAX96717.
The deserializer side needs to select the MIPI CLK rate, so specify the desired CLK rate.

There are two types of deskew: initial deskew, which is performed before high-speed transmission, and periodic deskew, which is performed periodically. These are required for rates higher than 1.5Gbps/Lane.

Copy from can be used when a deserializer with multiple output MIPI ports is selected.
This function allows you to copy port data. For example, you can copy video data assigned to Port A and output it from Port B.

This time, set MIPI CLK to 1000Mbps and leave everything else at default settings.
When you have finished configuring, click the x in the upper right corner to close the MIPI D-PHY Rx Configuration window.

Now all the settings are complete.

Figure 16 Deserializer DPHY settings (MIPI CLK 1000Mbps)

<Step 8> Generate the script

Click Generate Script.

Figure 17 Configuration diagram, Generate Script

Next, click "Export Script."
Decide the save location and file name and click "Save" to save the generated script.

Figure 18 Script output

If you want to actually use the script you created this time on an evaluation board, first connect the MAX96717 and MAX96714 evaluation boards and have the GUI recognize them, then load the script file you created from the File tab > Load (.cpp) File, and the setting values will be written to each device.

Figure 19 Loading the created script