FPD-Link Interface Adapter Module Interaction
- Updated2026-07-27
- 2 minute(s) read
FPD-Link IV is a proprietary high-speed serial link specification from Texas Instruments. FPD-Link IV is designed for transmitting video, control, and status data over a single coaxial or shielded twisted-pair cable.
FPD-Link IV interface adapter modules use a serializer IC on the transmit end and a deserializer IC on the receive end. Together, the interface adapter modules bridge a local digital interface and the FPD-Link IV serial cable.
Internal Interface Protocols
- CSI-2
- DSI-2
- OLDI
Control and Configuration
Configure FPD-Link IV serializer and deserializer devices over I2C using the SerDes Configuration Utility. Use the FPD-Link IV back-channel for remote I2C configuration and GPIO-Over-Link forwarding.
I2C Configuration
Both the serializer and deserializer are configured via I2C. Submit configuration scripts using the SerDes Configuration Utility.
Remote Device Configuration via the Serial Link
FPD-Link IV includes a back-channel that enables I2C transactions to travel from the carrier, through the deserializer, across the FPD-Link IV cable, and to the serializer or devices connected to it. This allows users to configure a remote serializer or an attached camera using the same I2C script API used for local device configuration.
For details on the I2C interface and script execution, refer to I2C Interface for Interface Adapter Modules.
GPIO
Interface Adapter Modules based on FPD-Link IV provide direct GPIO connections to the carrier FPGA. FPD-Link IV also forwards GPIO signals over the serial link. Remote devices present GPIO signals as local FPGA GPIO. The remote end signals are identical to directly connected signals in your application.
For information about GPIO access and available signals, refer to GPIO Support for Interface Adapter Modules.
Support in FlexRIO Interface Adapter Modules
- To transmit data, the IVN-14811 pairs with a DSI-2 serializer.
- To receive data, the IVN-14811 pairs with an OLDI deserializer.
| Feature | Support |
|---|---|
| Physical layer | MIPI D-PHY |
| Pixel format (initial) | RGB-8-8-8 (24-bit) |
| Operating mode | Video mode |
| Feature | Support |
|---|---|
| Physical layer | LVDS |
| Pixel format | RGB-8-8-8 (24-bit) |
| Dual pixel | Supported; the two pixel streams are received independently and must be recombined by the user |
| Operating mode | Unbalanced |
| Feature | Support |
|---|---|
| I2C configuration (local) | Supported |
| Remote I2C via FPD-Link IV back-channel | Supported |
| GPIO (direct) | Supported |
| GPIO-Over-Link forwarding | Supported |
| Support | |
|---|---|
| Embedded audio (DSI-2 TX path) | Protocol supports audio in video blanking intervals; no dedicated carrier audio pipeline |
| Embedded audio (OLDI RX path) | Not supported by OLDI standard |
For audio access options, refer to Audio Support for Interface Adapter Modules.
Related Information
- PXIe-148X Configuration Scripts User Guide
- I2C Interface for Interface Adapter Modules
I2C is a standard bidirectional bus. The I2C bus is the primary interface for configuring SerDes chips and downstream devices such as cameras or imagers.
- GPIO for Interface Adapter Modules
Interface adapter modules expose a set of General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) signals over the interface adapter module connector. These signals directly connect the carrier FPGA to the interface adapter module. GPIO signals provide support for user-defined functions, such as camera trigger, strobe, and other application-specific signaling.
- Audio for Interface Adapter Modules
Audio support for interface adapter modules depends on the serial protocol that the interface adapter module uses and the capabilities of the SerDes in use.