STMicroelectronics in collaboration with LG
Display today announced submission of their proposed iDP (Internal DisplayPort) interface standard aimed at replacing the current LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) standard to the VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) TV Panel Task Group.
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.
iDP is a 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
digital protocol. ST has been the leading company in the
development and deployment of the DisplayPort interface.
"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. "
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 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