POWER INJECTOR
Variable Power Supply for Automotive Cameras
Reliably Power, Test, and Validate Cameras with GMSL and FPD-Link Connections
TZ Power Injectors enable the targeted injection of an external supply voltage into automotive video connections. This allows vehicle cameras to be reliably operated, measured, and validated outside the vehicle, independent of the ECU’s original power supply, or in automated test systems.
An external laboratory power supply can be conveniently connected via standardized 4-mm banana jacks. Within the permissible voltage range of the respective Power Injector, the supply voltage and current consumption can be precisely adjusted, monitored, and documented.
TZ offers Power Injectors as standard products for GMSL- and FPD-Link-based automotive camera connections, as well as custom variants for other link technologies and specific testing requirements.
What is a Power Injector?
A power injector, also known as a PoC injector or Power-over-Coax injector, feeds an external supply voltage into an existing automotive video connection. The same connection can be used to simultaneously transmit the power supply as well as video, control, and communication data between the camera and the ECU, deserializer, frame grabber, or test system.
TZ Power Injectors are used to flexibly commission, test, and validate automotive cameras. They are suitable both for test systems without their own camera power supply and for applications in which the supply voltage provided by an ECU needs to be specifically replaced with a defined external voltage.
The answer to your challenges: variable power supply for vehicle cameras.
Variable power supply via a laboratory power supply unit
A key feature of the TZ Power Injectors is their freely adjustable external supply voltage. A laboratory power supply can be connected directly to the Power Injector via standardized 4-mm banana jacks.
Within the voltage range specified for the respective product, it is possible to specifically verify whether a camera covers the required operating voltage range. This is particularly relevant for development and validation tests, in which the camera must be tested not only at its rated voltage but also at the permissible voltage limits.
Typical Exams
- Operation at minimum and maximum supply voltages
- Analysis of Current Consumption as a Function of Supply Voltage
- Investigation of Power-On and Startup Behavior
- Tests for Undervoltage and Overvoltage
- Testing Behavior During Voltage Dips and Voltage Fluctuations
- Integration of high-precision laboratory power supplies and measuring instruments
- Recording of voltage, current consumption, and camera behavior
TZ DC Decoupling – the camera receives only the defined test voltage
The supply voltage coming from the ECU is blocked on the camera side. At the same time, video, control, and data communication between the camera and the ECU or the connected test system remains intact.
This allows the camera to be operated with a clearly defined external voltage without the ECU’s power supply affecting the test results.
Benefits
- Only the specified external voltage is applied to the camera
- Decoupling a PoC voltage already supplied by the ECU
- Reproducible electrical test conditions
- Targeted testing of the actual operating voltage range
- Investigation of Camera Behavior Under Undervoltage and Overvoltage Conditions
- Maintenance of video, control, and data communications
TZ Fuse – Channel-by-Channel Protection for the Camera Power Supply
Each channel has its own replaceable fuse. If the fault current is too high, the fuse disconnects the affected power channel and helps protect the connected components and the test setup from further damage.
Channel-by-channel protection increases operational reliability during the commissioning of new cameras and makes it easier to locate faults. After a trip, the fuse can be replaced without having to replace the entire Power Injector.
Benefits
- A separate, replaceable fuse for each channel
- Limiting the Consequences of Faults in the Event of an Overcurrent or Short Circuit
- Separate Protection for Individual Supply Channels
- Quick fuse replacement in the event of a malfunction
- Improved Operational Safety in the Laboratory and on the Test Bench
Tested PoC filter designs for high-speed automotive links
Applications for TZ Power Injectors
Camera Setup
Operation of automotive cameras in the lab or at a development workstation.
Voltage Range Test.
Verifying whether a camera covers the required supply voltage range
ADAS Camera Tests
Powering front, rear, surround-view, or interior cameras in test systems.
HIL and Automated Testing
Integration into hardware-in-the-loop test benches and automated validation systems.
End-of-Line Inspection
Error Analysis
Investigation of current draw, voltage drops, startup behavior, and boundary conditions.
Technology and Connector Compatibility
Einsatz
Kanäle
pro Kanal
From the Power Injector to a Complete Camera Testing Solution
TZ Power Injectors can be combined with TZ Frame Grabbers and TZ Signal Processing Units. This creates a complete test setup for automotive cameras:
1. An external laboratory power supply provides the specified supply voltage.
2. The TZ Power Injector feeds this voltage into the Automotive Video Link.
3. The camera is powered via the link and transmits the camera signal.
4. A TZ Frame Grabber or a TZ SPU records the video signal and makes it available for visualization, analysis, or further processing.
Custom Power Injectors
In addition to standard products, TZ also develops custom Power Injectors for specific technical requirements. This is useful when the number of channels, connectors, PoC filters, current measurement, switching functions, or mechanical design are not covered by a standard product.
Custom solutions can be developed, for example, for validation test benches, HIL systems, production test stations, or laboratory setups with multiple camera channels.
- Customized Number of Channels and Channel Architecture
- Specific Connector Variants
- PoC filter designs verified by the link manufacturer
- Switchable PoC power supply per channel or channel group
- Integrated fuses to protect the connected components
- Measurement terminals or shunt resistors for current consumption analysis
- USB or other interfaces for control and automation
- Mechanical designs for laboratories, racks, or test stands
PWR0050: Custom 24-channel PoC injector for GMSL1 with a separate current measurement shunt per channel and USB control
PWR0070: Custom 24-channel power injector for FPD-Link IV with a separate current-sensing shunt per channel and USB control.
TZ electronic systems offers a carefully curated selection of power injectors. If your specific combination of requirements isn’t listed, we’ll be happy to customize a solution based on your individual needs. Request a specific quote from our product catalog or contact our technical customer service team to receive a no-obligation consultation on our comprehensive test solutions.
Power Injector variants
FAQ
What is a PoC injector?
A PoC injector supplies a power voltage to an automotive video connection, through which video, data, and control information are transmitted simultaneously.
Why do I need a Power Injector for automotive cameras?
A Power Injector is required if a camera is to be operated outside the vehicle or outside its original ECU environment, and the test system does not provide its own power supply for the camera or provides the wrong one.
Can I choose the supply voltage freely?
Yes. With TZ Power Injectors, the supply voltage can be provided by an external laboratory power supply. This allows for targeted analysis of voltage ranges, undervoltage, overvoltage, and startup behavior.
Can I measure the camera's power consumption?
Yes. External power supply via a laboratory power supply and measuring instruments enables the analysis of current consumption. For custom systems such as the PWR0050, measurement connections for shunt-based measurements are also available.
What link technologies are supported?
TZ offers power injectors for GMSL and FPD-Link technologies from stock. For other link technologies or special technical requirements, TZ develops custom power injectors upon request.
Can the Power Injector be used with TZ Frame Grabbers?
Yes. TZ Power Injectors can be combined with TZ Frame Grabbers and TZ Signal Processing Units to record and analyze camera signals.
Are custom variants available?
Yes. TZ can develop custom Power Injectors if the number of channels, connectors, switching functions, measurement functions, PoC filters, or design need to be customized.
What happens if the ECU is already outputting a PoC voltage?
The integrated DC decoupling prevents the supply voltage provided by the ECU from reaching the camera. The camera receives only the external voltage supplied via the TZ Power Injector. Video, control, and data communication remain unaffected.
Does the Power Injector affect video and data transmission?
TZ uses PoC filter designs that have been tested by the respective link manufacturer, as well as impedance-matched signal routing. This allows the supply voltage to be fed into the link while maintaining video and data communication.
How do I choose the right TZ Power Injector?
Key factors include the link technology used, the link generation, the connector, the required supply voltage, and the camera’s maximum continuous and peak current. For non-standard requirements, TZ develops custom power injectors.
Can an ECU continue to communicate with the camera despite DC decoupling?
Yes. DC decoupling isolates the power supply, while video, control, and communication data continue to be transmitted between the camera and the ECU or the connected test system.