Design Article
Comment
MorganWalker
I can see this technology becoming widely accepted in cars and especially ...
Eric Verhulst_Altreonic
Why did NS/TI limit this chipset to video transmission? Is this because video ...
SerDes technology allows single wire pair control channel
Texas Instruments
12/19/2011 1:32 PM EST
High definition video, fast becoming the de facto standard within the home is now available in the automotive market. We expect the same viewing experience in the car that we have become accustomed to at home, and children want to watch their favorite Blu-ray discs on long journeys.
Video distribution throughout an automobile is a considerable challenge to automotive infotainment system developers, especially at the signal bandwidths needed to support high definition video content. Integrated circuit technologies that can handle the required data rates, reduce expensive cabling and connectors, and mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems are in great demand.
National Semiconductor (in the meantime acquired by Texas Instruments) recently released a SerDes chipset with on-chip high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) for automotive infotainment systems. The FPD-Link III chipset enables secure distribution of encrypted video and audio content, such as Blu-ray movies up to 720p resolution, to create a home theater experience in the vehicle. In addition it also supports a uniquely architected full duplex bi-directional control channel that enables real time touch screen applications. The chipset allows video and audio data, clock, and control signals to be serialized and transmitted over a single differential wire pair.
For the complete article, which describes the technology benefits and other enhanced features that reduce EMI and total system cost, click here, courtesy of Automotive Designline Europe.
Video distribution throughout an automobile is a considerable challenge to automotive infotainment system developers, especially at the signal bandwidths needed to support high definition video content. Integrated circuit technologies that can handle the required data rates, reduce expensive cabling and connectors, and mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems are in great demand.
National Semiconductor (in the meantime acquired by Texas Instruments) recently released a SerDes chipset with on-chip high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) for automotive infotainment systems. The FPD-Link III chipset enables secure distribution of encrypted video and audio content, such as Blu-ray movies up to 720p resolution, to create a home theater experience in the vehicle. In addition it also supports a uniquely architected full duplex bi-directional control channel that enables real time touch screen applications. The chipset allows video and audio data, clock, and control signals to be serialized and transmitted over a single differential wire pair.
For the complete article, which describes the technology benefits and other enhanced features that reduce EMI and total system cost, click here, courtesy of Automotive Designline Europe.
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kinnar
12/22/2011 12:36 PM EST
SerDes is a very remarkable invention by National Semiconductor, if proper consideration is made in the development of this technology this will also prove equally useful with computing and domestic video viewing needs.
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Russ Klein
12/22/2011 3:10 PM EST
You say there is great demand to "reduce expensive cabling and connectors" in the automotive space.
This seems counter-intuitive, as accessories in the automotive space are some of the highest mark-up items that car makers sell. $2 worth of lightbulbs and wire becomes a $200 lighting package option. An $89 TomTom navigation system goes for $2000 when embedded into a dashboard (updates are extra). A $60 portable DVD player goes for $2500 when stuffed into the headrest of a driver's seat.
Why re-design when you can just mark it up?
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agk
12/24/2011 7:49 AM EST
All the wired multimedia applications can use this chipset. Their data clocking goes from 5 to 85 Mhz. This works upto 10 mtrs.Probably with buffers it can be extended. Most suitable place to employ this is in video coaches .Ser/Des technology supports encrypted video and audio content with full duplex bi-directional control channel over a single wire interface.
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hm
12/24/2011 8:34 AM EST
This can have many potential applications - like connecting CCD camera and other data sources. This also refers BD Player. Does not it need much more bandwidth?
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Eric Verhulst_Altreonic
1/4/2012 12:22 PM EST
Why did NS/TI limit this chipset to video transmission? Is this because video tolerates bit errors? SerDes is a great technology for any point-to-point communication need. It could replace a lot of the wiring and very complex, slow buses used now (CAN, FlexRay). This will need to happen anyway as e-cars have much higher datarate requirements and EMI requirements.
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MorganWalker
4/12/2012 5:08 AM EDT
I can see this technology becoming widely accepted in cars and especially caravans today. In caravans, we have the luxury of space, and thus having a large screen TV in the caravan should be a no brainer. Advances in SerDes Technology would enable passengers to have the best viewing experience on the road, and make them feel as if they are watching a HD video in their home system.
Morgan - http://www.coromal.com
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