Date: 14/10/2010

Ser/Des chipset with HDCP from National for automotive infotainment systems

National Semiconductor Corp. has unveiled the FPD-Link III chipset, the company's first Ser/Des chipset with high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) for automotive infotainment systems. The Ser/Des chipset supports in-car distribution of protected video and audio content such as Blu-ray movies up to 720p resolution.

The FPD-Link III Ser/Des chipset consists of the DS90UH925Q serializer and DS90UH926Q deserializer. Both chips can carry digital video, audio, and bidirectional I2C control signals concurrently over a single twisted pair cable using the HDCP-protected interface protocol approved by the Digital Content Protection (DCP) LLC. The Ser/Des chipset can encrypt the content data and make required authentication exchanges as per the HDCP specification. HDCP is endorsed by major content providers such as Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Company and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The FPD-Link III Ser/Des' on-chip processing of protected content eliminates the need for secondary components, such as microcontrollers and FPGAs. The DS90UH925Q serializer takes data from the head unit processor and converts video, digital I2S audio and control output into a serialized stream of information for distribution through the vehicle's cable harness. The DS90UH926Q deserializer converts the serialized information stream back into video, audio and control outputs needed to drive LCD displays in the central information display and rear passenger seats. Both chips serially route 24-bit color video content over distances in excess of 10 meters and provide a wide pixel clock range from 5 MHz to 85 MHz.

The Ser/Des are AEC-Q100 Grade-2 qualified for operation between -40 degrees C and 105 degrees C, and are powered by a single 3.3V supply. They feature a built-in self test (BIST) mode for factory test, system start up and diagnostics. The FPD-Link III Ser/Des' provide good electromagnetic interference (EMI) performance.

National will demonstrate its Ser/Des at SAE Convergence 2010 in Detroit, Michigan from October 19-20 at Booth #307.

Package:
DS90UH925Q serializer: 48-pin LLP
DS90UH926Q deserializer: 60-pin LLP

Price: Each US$11.25 for 1K unit quantities