Date: 30/03/2009

SoC devices from Renesas for North American LCD digital TV market

Renesas is ready to sample two new system on chip (SoC) devices for use in LCD digital TVs for the North American market that handle the main signal processing tasks from demodulation of digital broadcast signals to signal output to the LCD panel. The R8J66957BG supports Full HD resolution and the R8J66955BG WXGA resolution. Sample shipments will begin on April 8, 2009 in Japan.

The specialty of both devices is they use single external memory (DRAM) device. A one-channel DDR2-SDRAM interface supporting a bus width of 16 bits transfer speed of 800 megabits per second (Mbps) is implemented on-chip to allow connection of an external DRAM device. Both SoCs pack most of the external components such as USB, sound demodulator, and audio A/D converter into single chip.
There is one key manufacturing advantage, where the packages of the R8J66955BG and the R8J66957BG are completely pin-compatible and comes in small size package.

Both support ATSC signal processing for digital broadcasts and NTSC signal processing for analog broadcasts, which are the video formats used in North America. In addition, they support the component, composite, and S-video interface formats used worldwide. They produce 10-bit low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) as the output to the LCD panel.

The on-chip functions include a 3D noise reduction circuit (which prevents flicker by detecting and suppressing noise elements in the analog video signal), 3D de-interlacing, 3D Y/C separator circuit (which separates the luma and chroma signals), and NCM for color management.

Built-in audio processing functions include BTSC, the multiplexing system used in North America, and analog audio input and output.

Package: 376-pin PBGA measuring 23 mm x 23 mm

Sample Price (Tax included):
R8J66957BG: 1,700 Yen
R8J66955BG: 1,500 Yen

For specifications and additional data visit: www.renesas.com