June 4, 2001 - National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) today introduced a highly integrated LVDS transmitter with scalar for Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) flat panels in notebooks, "All-In-One" PCs, and industrial PCs. The DS90C2501 works alongside Intel's integrated Graphics Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) series chipsets, transmitting high-bandwidth pixel data between both the host and flat panel display.
The DS90C2501 is based on National's LVDS (low voltage differential signaling) technology. LVDS uses true differential transmission to reduce Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), while maintaining a high throughput of 5.38 gigabits per second (Gbps).
"As lower power, higher resolution LCDs replace CRT monitors, the increased graphics bandwidth and higher clock rates demand the flexibility, high resolution, and power advantages of technology such as National's Low Voltage Differential Signaling," said Wade Thompson, Software Program Manager of Intel's IA32 Platform applications group. "Additionally, we are pleased that National adds the image resizing 'scaling' feature into this next generation chip."
Key Benefits and Features
The DS90C2501 is a programmable transmitter that utilizes a 345mV swing to reduce noise levels, which are a big concern for both host and display manufacturers. A scaling or image resizing feature provides today's notebook and "All-In-One" LCD panels to fit various graphics formats to a fixed-resolution LCD panel.
The DS90C2501 Open LDI (LVDS Display Interface) digital transmitter receives its signals from the GMCH Digital Video Out (DVO) port. This 12-bit double pumped output supports up to 162MHz (UXGA) resolution. The transmitter is fully compliant with Open LDI specifications for digital display interfaces and is compatible with TIA/EIA-644 LVDS and GMCH standards.
According to Frost and Sullivan, the FPD market for portable computers is 26.5 million units in the year 2001 and 34.2 million units for 2002. FPD in the monitor segment is projected at 10.4 million units in the year 2001 and 14.8 million units in the year 2002.
The LDI chip is compatible with either single or dual pixel function and can operate with National's existing notebook-market-standard FPD-Link devices, enabling easy upgrades. The chip is designed to sit between the GUI display controller on the host and the LVDS receiver on the LCD. The device is able to support a wide range of resolutions such as VGA (640 X 480), SVGA (800 X 600), XGA (1024 X 768), SXGA (1280 X 1024), SXGA+ (1400 X 1050), and UXGA (1600 X 1200).
"National's LVDS transmitter with scalar and Intel's GMCH chipsets together make a great solution for notebook and 'All-In-One' desktop products," said Dave Handorf, vice president of National Semiconductor's Displays and Monitors Division. "With the drive today towards higher integration, thinner and lighter displays, National's LVDS technology ensures the flexibility, high resolution, and power advantages of these next generation flat panels demand."
Price and Availability
Available in Q3, the DS90C2501SLB in a 128-lead CSP package is $10.00 each in quantities of 1,000. For those applications that demand the same high speed performance without the scaling capability, the DS90C389R, housed in a 100-lead TQFP will be available in mid-June for $6.00 in quantities of 1,000. For more information, please visit National's website at www.national.com and type LVDS in the quick search box on National's home page.
National at Society of Information Display 2001 and Computex Taipei
National Semiconductor will be exhibiting the DS90C2501 and DS90C389R, as well as RSDS technology and other products from its Displays and Monitors and Portable Power groups, at both the Society of Information Display 2001 conference in San Jose, June 3 to 8 in booths 1125 and 1127, and Computex Taipei, June 4 to 8 in booth 1250. For more information on National's activities at these events, visit its web site at http://www.national.com/events/.
About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; information appliances; information infrastructure; and display, imaging and human interface technologies. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2.1 billion for its last fiscal year and has about 10,000 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.
