Chipset Targets New LCD Interface Standard

The company's new digital interface architecture for LCD TVs, point-to-point differential-signaling (PPDS), and accompanying chipset are poised to deliver cinema-quality display performance. The PPDS architecture combines a physical layer interface with a high-level protocol and is capable of delivering more than one billion colors and driving panels measuring up to 90" at resolutions to 1,920 x 1,080. Supporting the architecture is a chipset consisting of a timing controller and column driver. The FPD80200 timing controller uses an FPD-Link input to receive video data and a unique interface to the column drivers. The device operates from a 2.5 V digital supply and includes 3.3V I/O cells. All functions are programmable via an external EEPROM. The FPD48084 column driver uses a linear d/a converter to adjust incoming data to the appropriate output voltage, an approach that reduces the total number of reference voltages needed for the gamma curve from 18 to 6. Prices for the FPD80200 and FPD48084 are $10 and $5 each/1,000, respectively. NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 272-9959.