1999-02-05 , E/IC-1039/54
Product News From Philips Semiconductors

Philips Semiconductors, the largest European semiconductor manufacturer, today introduced a brand new family of video/graphics controllers for high resolution thin-film transistor (TFT) flat panel displays. Targeted for use in the latest generation of multisync flat-panel colour monitors and LCD projectors, the SAA6712 and SAA6712A (XGA resolution) and SAA6721 (SXGA resolution) RGB to TFT Graphics Engines accept 24-bit RGB video data, perform horizontal and vertical scaling, colour adjustment, and on-screen display generation and insertion. They then generate all the pixel and timing signals required to display the resulting images on a wide range of high-resolution TFT displays. In addition to accepting RGB data, the SAA6712A and SAA6721 also accept 48-bit YUV video inputs, making them suitable for high-end high-resolution multimedia display applications.

"These new RGB to TFT graphics engines are important additions to our existing line-up of LCD monitor products," said product marketing manager Georg Menges, "enabling us to provide highly integrated turn-key solutions for both XGA and SXGA resolution LCD monitors."

The SAA6712, SAA6712A and SAA6721 all accept RGB data in 24-bit single-pixel format or 48-bit double-pixel interlaced format, allowing them to be used with high-speed high-performance A/D converters or slower low-cost converters. Alternatively, the SAA6721 can accept interlaced or non-interlaced YUV data from video decoders such as those in Philips Semiconductors' SAA711x family. In addition to reformatting the data to suit the frame rate and resolution of the connected TFT panel, all three devices include a range of advanced picture enhancement and graphics manipulation features. These include input sample de-interlacing using spatial or temporal filtering, colour correction via a colour look-up table, freely definable scaling and positioning of windows, and on-screen display insertion from an internal character generator or an external overlay port.

Their ability to output data in single pixel per clock or double pixel per clock formats, together with freely programmable synchronisation/timing signals, allow them to be used with a very wide range of TFT panels. The built-in frame rate controller makes the display of true colour graphics possible on high-colour displays.

Packaged in 292-pin PBGAs (plastic ball grid arrays), the SAA6712, SAA6712A and SAA6721 are all pin-compatible with one another, allowing a single printed circuit board design to be used for both XGA and SXGA colour monitors or LCD projector applications. Samples of the SAA6712 and SAA6721 are available now, with samples of the SAA6712A becoming available by the end of Q1/99. Full-scale production of all three devices is scheduled to begin during Q2/99.

Until end of this year Philips Semiconductors will extend the family with new devices such as the SAA6713 - an enhanced version of the SAA6712 that will incorporate three 100-MHz A/D converters on-chip. "All of these new products represent a clear migration path towards our ultimate goal of producing high-performance single-chip LCD video/graphics solutions with advanced picture enhancement features," said Menges.

Both the SAA6712 and SAA6721 are already supported by complete hardware/software reference designs for LCD monitors with USB and DDC functionality. These reference designs include all the necessary A/D conversion, frame memory, microcontroller and interface circuitry, plus software for system control and interface support. In addition to the graphics engines, these reference designs feature a range of other Philips Semiconductors' products such the TDA8752 A/D converter, SAA7113 video input processor and the P8xC695 USB microcontroller. Users can either customise these designs to differentiate their products, or use them as complete turn-key solutions.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Royal Philips Electronics, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the eighth largest semiconductor supplier in the world (according to Dataquest's preliminary 1998 ranking by sales) and the third largest supplier of discretes in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video, and mobile technology position the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by systems labs.