90-mW dual LVDS transmitter extends battery life in portables

Texas Instruments Inc. introduced a low-power, FPD-Link serializer that delivers what it claims is the industry's highest screen resolution while extending battery life in tablet computers, ebooks, laptops and portable display monitors.

With the industry's highest pixel clock rate of 185-MHz, the dual LVDS DS90C187 supports WQXGA LCD panels at 30 Hz and QXGA panels at 60 Hz, according to TI. The nearest competitor only reaches 174 MHz for WUXGA screen resolution, TI added. The DS90C187 also extends battery life by consuming a 90-mW when supporting the 1080p WUXGA screen resolution.

FPD-Link is the original LVDS interface for LCD panels and is interoperable with TI's FlatLink products. It uses three or more differential signals, plus a clock, to transmit video data to the panel. LVDS is the most widely deployed interface for mid-sized display panels and requires no software overhead, enabling faster time-to-market for production ramp. Until recently, display resolutions for tablets could get by with a single-lane LVDS interface. With increasing panel sizes and higher resolution displays, dual LVDS interfaces are proliferating.

Key highlights:

• A single 1.8-V supply rail enables ultra-low 90-mW typical power consumption when operating at WUXGA (1920 x 1200) high-definition resolution with 24-bit RGB color.
• 185-MHz pixel clock allows support of 24-bit color video resolution up to WQXGA (2560 x 1600) at 30 Hz and QXGA (2048 x 1536) at 60 Hz, enhancing the consumer's video experience.
• A space-saving 7-mm x 7-mm dual row QFN package minimizes board area and simplifies layout.
• Support for reduced-swing LVDS mitigates electromagnetic interference (EMI).
• Optional 18-bit color mode, 6 bits per pixel, further reduces power consumption and enables compatibility with lower cost panels.

Availability, packaging and pricing

The DS90C187 and the DS90C185 are available now, offered in 92-pin and 48-pin QFN packages, respectively. Suggested retail pricing is $3.95 and $2.50, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities.

Datasheet: DS90C187