TI's New FlatLink 3G Family Supports Next-Generation Video

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Texas Instruments Incorporated has introduced a new family of interface integrated circuits for true-color, high-resolution video content in handheld electronics. TI's new FlatLink 3G serializers and deserializers provide a high-speed interface between liquid crystal displays (LCD) and mobile application processors such as TI's widely-adopted OMAP platform. The subLVDS (sub-low voltage differential signaling) serializers for mobile applications transmit true 24-bit red/green/blue (RGB) color data and support screen resolutions from QVGA through XGA, including VGA. They enable sharper, more realistic video in clamshell phones, multimedia players and digital cameras.

The high performance of the SN65LVDS301 transmitter supports current and future screen resolutions in mobile handset displays. Designers are able to select one, two or all three of the device's serial subLVDS channels according to the design needs, allowing them to develop with the same chipset for resolutions from QVGA through XGA, including VGA.

Supporting signals of up to 150-mV swing on the transmitter, the LVDS301 reduces 27 bits of data down to one, two or three channels, depending on the application. The low-swing serial signal helps reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI), which is a critical parameter in cell phones. With a noise floor around -105 dBm and spurs below -95 dBm, the EMI of the LVDS301 is extremely low. In addition, the serial transmitter requires fewer interconnects than typical parallel interfaces, allowing a much thinner flex cable to be used. This allows for a more reliable and robust mechanical connection across the clamshell hinge and makes swivel screen designs easier.

The LVDS301 offers several features that make the designer's job easier, such as bus swap, which allows more flexibility in board layout and assembly. In addition, the devices' parity check feature enables designers to catch errors while testing their design, which ensures accurate image display.

FlatLink3G devices are compatible with display modules and driver integrated circuits (IC) available from manufacturers such as Himax Technologies, Hitachi Displays, Renesas Technology LCDBU, Samsung SDI and Sanyo Epson Imaging Devices.

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