Date: 14/05/2012

ARM tech based display controller from Evatronix for smartphones and tablets

Evatronix SA has released the first member of its PANTA high performance display controller core family. The PANTA DP20 is developed using ARM technology and is targeted specifically at high end mobile/portable products, like smartphones and tablet PCs.

The PANTA DP20 off-loads the general purpose central processing units (CPUs) from power consuming video processing tasks, like composition of up to 3 graphics or video layers, YUV to RGB conversion, alpha blending and gamma correction. It features programmable resolutions of up to 8191x8191 pixels. The processor's output pixel interface, with HSYNC, VSYNC and blanking signals, is compatible with HDMI (also 3D) and MIPI DPI interfaces. Many RGB and YUV pixel formats are supported, as well as progressive video input.

The processor supports the advanced AMBA 4 AXI4 system bus protocol, which increases performance and lowers data transfer latency within the application. As the same bus is supported by the latest ARM Cortex processors and Mali graphics processing units (GPUs), the integration of the PANTA DP20 into the ARM environment is made straightforward.

The PANTA DP20 is the world's only licensable display controller IP to currently support ARM TrustZone technology. Access to the PANTA DP20 can be controlled by secure signals exported from an ARM TrustZone enabled processor and are able to prevent unauthorized transformations or capture of secured images.

Ben Cade, vice president and general manager, secure services division, ARM commented: "We are pleased to be working with Evatronix to provide TrustZone capable IP that enables system-wide hardware security." He continued, "When ARM security technology is integrated into innovative solutions, such as the Evatronix PANTA DP20, higher levels of protection are possible. This makes it easier for consumers to carry out mobile payments, share personal data and view premium content using their smart connected devices."