Display interface standard dramatically simplifies interconnection and enhances performance of high-refresh-rate LCD TVs
To enable more realistic animation, graphics and 3-D video and better overall picture quality, LCD TVs are rapidly advancing toward higher refresh rates thus creating the need for a new high-speed panel-interface standard. The proposed iDP standard was developed as an open and royalty-free industry standard to address this market requirement, accelerate market adoption and drive innovation in the consumer electronics industry.
iDP is an advanced technology that is based on DisplayPort, a proven industry-standard technology that is an open and royalty-free VESA digital-display interface standard. The DisplayPort interface enables high-bandwidth audio and video signal transmission by utilizing a state-of-the-art digital protocol. ST has been the leading company in the development and deployment of the DisplayPort interface and is committed to driving the evolution of the technology and expanding its use in new applications.
"Introducing technologies such as iDP is an important part of ST's strategy to continue advancing as a major player in semiconductors for the mainstream and high-end LCD TV market," said Luigi Mantellassi, General Manager of ST's TV and Monitor Division. "With the support and cooperation of LG Display in defining and driving widespread adoption of the iDP standard, ST has co-developed a technology we believe will benefit the industry and consumers. Additionally ST is developing a wide range of competitive products based around video/audio quality, Internet-TV and DisplayPort connectivity, enabling TV manufactures to provide the highest level of user experience to their customers."
"We believe iDP will support the increasing demand for high video bandwidth, which was considered as a challenge for the current LVDS standard," said In Jae Chung, Executive Vice President and CTO of LG Display. "As iDP is expected to enhance performance at a lower bill-of-materials cost and reduces system problems such as EMI, LG Display is planning to promote the adoption of iDP to its customers and introduce it in one of the new panel line-ups to deliver greater value to the market."
STMicroelectronics and LG Display currently plan to jointly promote and demonstrate iDP technology in the market and to establish a wider co-operation on the definition and development of common technologies and innovative solutions to support the next generation of high-refresh-rate LCD panels.
About the Technology
The proposed iDP standard is targeted for the connection between a TV-controller SOC (System-on-a-Chip) and an LCD-panel Timing Controller within a TV chassis. The utmost robustness in interoperability and cost-effectiveness are realized by leveraging the proven DisplayPort technology in its simplest form. With a link operating at 3.24 Gbps per differential pair, only 17 signals (eight differential pairs and one Hot Plug Detect (HPD) signal) are needed to transport Full HD 240Hz at 10 bits per color over the iDP link, substantially fewer than the 96 signals required for a conventional LVDS link. With the dynamic lane-count adjust feature, iDP is capable of supporting pixel rate change due to events such as video frame-rate change and 3D-stereo display timing without visual glitch on a TV screen. The openness of the iDP standard further enhances cost effectiveness because it solicits competition by many component suppliers without royalty considerations.
ST's iDP Products
ST is planning to introduce a new series of highly differentiated products to support deployment of iDP. The first of this series is expected to sample as early as December 2009.
-- LVDS to iDP and iDP to LVDS bridge ICs
-- 240Hz Video Enhancement IC with iDP output
-- 120Hz TV System-On-Chip with iDP output
These products will offer maximum flexibility to TV manufactures for a seamless transition to iDP.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2008, the Company's net revenues were $9.84 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.
About LG Display
LG Display Co., Ltd. (NYSE: LPL) is a leading manufacturer and supplier of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels, OLEDs and flexible displays. The company provides TFT-LCD panels in a wide range of sizes and specifications for use in TVs, monitors, notebook PCs, mobile products and other various applications. LG Display currently operates eight fabrication facilities and five back-end assembly facilities in Korea, China and Poland. The company has a total of 30,000 employees operating worldwide. Please visit www.lgdisplay.com for more information.
Web site: http://www.st.com/